Abengoa Solar facts for kids
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| Industry | Solar power |
| Headquarters | , |
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Area served
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Global |
| Parent | Abengoa |
Abengoa Solar (once called Solúcar Energía) is a company that belongs to Abengoa. It focuses on building and running power plants that use sunlight to make electricity. They use different methods, like solar panels (photovoltaics) and special mirrors that focus the sun's energy (concentrated solar power).
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How Abengoa Solar Innovates
Abengoa Solar invests a lot in finding new and better ways to use solar power. In 2011, they spent over 42.4 million euros on research and development (R&D). Since 2007, their total investment in new ideas has been more than 150 million euros.
Because they invent new things, they also protect their ideas with patents. A patent is like a special right that says only they can use their invention for a certain time. By May 2012, they had applied for 115 patents for their solar technologies.
Solar Power Tower Technology
Abengoa Solar built Europe's first big solar power plant that uses a "solar power tower." This plant, called PS10 Solar Power Plant, is in Spain and can make 11 MW of electricity. It uses many mirrors to focus sunlight onto a tall tower, heating a liquid to create steam and generate power. This amazing Spanish plant was even shown on TV shows like "World's Strangest" and "James May's Big Ideas."
Projects Using Abengoa Solar's Technology
Abengoa Solar's technology is used in several important projects around the world. One example is the Solana Generating Station in Arizona, USA. This large solar plant also uses concentrated solar power to create clean energy.
See also
In Spanish: Abengoa Solar para niños
- Solar power in Spain
- Renewable energy in the European Union
- Energy policy of the European Union
