The US-based solar electricity company SunEdison has officially inaugurated Europe's largest single-site solar farm, producing enough clean-energy to power around 17,000 homes within nine months of acquiring permission from the Italian government.
According to SunEdison, the new plant at Rovigo is the largest single solar farm in Europe, distinguishing it from Germany's Finsterwalde Solar Park, which, while producing 81 megawatts, is actually divided into three separate facilities.
The 70 megawatt facility, located in the city between Bologna and Venice, isn't only impressive for its size, but for how the various parties involved in its construction were able to build it so quickly. A report from CNET elaborated the factors that enabled such a massive plant to begin operating in less than a year. The fast-tracked projects completion within record time might have to do with the competence of SunEdison, its recent financing progress as a company, or Isolux Corsan, the Spanish construction company. SunEdison’s project had the complete backing of the Italian government from federal through to local levels. Rovigo, Italy, also happens to be a member of CLEAR (City and Local Environmental Accounting Reporting). It's an EU initiative in which member towns agree to implement environmental accounting and sustainability plans as part of standard government budget operations.
Working in partnership with First Reserve, SunEdison will handle the power plant’s operations and maintenance. During its first year of operation, the 276-million Euro solar power project is projected to produce enough electricity for 16,500 Italian households. The environmental benefits of the plant are noteworthy too.
A host of European banks have backed the project. Unicredit Corporate Banking, Credit Agricole, Natixis, Banco Santander and other leading European banks stepped up in support of the plant. General Manager of SunEdison EMEA Pancho Perez recognized the important role these financial partners played in making the plant possible,“The deployment of the Rovigo project within this time-frame was made possible thanks to the commitment of our project partners and local and regional authorities. This project is a fine example of SunEdison’s commitment to the continued development of the solar PV sector in Italy and the EMEA”he said.
The new solar farm will prevent the release of 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere annually, which is the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off the road.