The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Enterprise of the Andalusian Region of Spain has awarded large-scale solar thermal supplier, Solel a grant of US$2.6million as part of plans to build an operate a components factory that will construct parabolic reflectors, metal supports for solar collectors and other components. The construction of the plant in La Carolina is expected to be completed in 2012, though part of the manufacturing lines will be operational already this year, the company said.
Solel has already been involved in 15 solar thermal power plants in Spain. In total Solel has been involved in approximately 750MW of projects.
Solel has also created a joint venture with Sacyr Vallehermoso, a Spanish construction company to build three power plants with a total capacity of 150 MW. The first of these plants, the 50 MW Lebrija 1 facility, will begin operations in 2010.