Solana: The world largest solar plant

Power block	Solana trough

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The operational scheme is similar to that of Solnova 1, with the addition of storage capacity as shown in the diagram below.

This thermal storage allows the system to maintain peak power even when the sky is overcast and permits electricity production after nightfall.

The plant will have an area of 1,900 acres and will create 1,500 new jobs during its construction and, once completed, there will be 85 positions for qualified personnel over the course of its useful life.

Domestic Hot Water: Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix, Arizona (PT1)

Campo solar en operación

This is a PT-1 system comprising 17,000 ft2 (1584 m²) of solar collectors coupled to a 23,000 gallon (87,000 l) hot water storage tank.The system delivers hot water around the clock to serve the needs of 1,200 prison inmates and support staff. The system came on line in 1999 and provides over 70% of the facility's need for hot water.

• PT1 Trough

The delivery of solar energy has reduced net electricity use by about 1.1 million kWh annually (about 10% of total facility use) and electricity demand by more than 200 kW.On a clear day, the solar system delivers saves over 4,000 kWh of electricity that would have been used to heat hot water, while using less than 25 kWh to power pumps, collector drive motors and controls.In addition, the system has eliminated the need for the prison to increase hot water capacity for an expanded inmate population and it reduces the maintenance requirements of the electric water heaters.

The solar system is owned and operated by Abengoa Solar. The solar energy delivered is metered and is sold to FCI-Phoenix under a cost-shared, Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC).As a result of its success, this project was awarded the first solar technology specific "super-ESPC" by the Department of Energy. In addition, following one year of measured performance, the project was issued First Place in the Regional Technology Awards by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers in 2000.

Diagram of Solar DHW System at FCI Phoenix, Arizona

Sistema de calentamiento y ventilación (HVAC) Campus universitario Cochise– Douglas, Arizona(PT1)

This system came on-line in October 2006.It is comprised of 6,800 ft2 (634 m²) of PT-1 solar collectors delivering both summertime cooling and wintertime heating to the CochiseCollege campus.It employs a 60-ton single-stage, ammonia-cycle absorption chiller sourced from Energy Concepts in Annapolis, MD to produce chilled water for air-conditioning.A 7,500-gallon (28,400 l) pressurized storage tank allows water to be stored at temperatures up to 250 F (121 C) so that heating or cooling can be delivered at any time of the day or night.

• PT1 Trough

The system incorporates the first application of Abengoa Solar’s new cutting-edge control and data monitoring system.Enhanced capabilities maximize collector field performance with data access and control through internet connectivity.

Solar collectors: evening in the face-down/stow position	Solar collector field tracking	Hot water storage tank

Diagram of Parabolic Trough Heating and Cooling System at
Cochise college, Douglas, Arizona