The 3.3 MW-peak photovoltaic power station at Serre

The photovoltaic power station at Serre (Salerno-Italy) is the biggest plant connected to the grid which exists in Europe today. The preliminary planning was carried out by ENEL in 1990. Procurement of materials for the plant started in 1992 and the building completed in December 1994. The plant consists of ten sub-fields, 330 kWp each, working in parallel; they are completely automated and able to operate unmanned. This paper illustrates constructional aspects of the plant, provides details on real costs and on tests carried out both at the manufacturers and on site before accepting components. The yearly performance of the plant is also provided.