Enel: innovative PV plant at La Silla observatory in Chile

(AGI) - Santiago, 23 sept. - Enel's state of the art La Silla photovoltaic plant in northern Chile has started operations. The facility will be inaugurated today at a ceremony that will be attended by the Chilean Energy Minister Maximo Pacheco, European Southern Observatory (ESO ) Representative in Chile Fernando Comero'n and Salvatore Bernabei, Head of Latin America at Enel's Global Renewable Energies Division. "We are very pleased with the entry into service of La Silla, which is an example of technological excellence that couples innovation with sustainability and, in line with Enel's strategy to Open Power to more customers, uses and partnerships, will serve scientific progress beyond the electricity industry by powering a major astronomical research institution," said Bernabei. "Enel is constantly involved in promoting innovative projects, making the most of the in-the-field work carried out alongside innovative partners to see how theoretical benefits translate into the real world. Through this approach, Enel is able to put new technologies into action, increasing its competitive advantage and maintaining its leadership in the development of new concepts and ideas." La Silla is a utility-scale PV plant that combines the use of innovative bifacial and smart modules with conventional modules for side-by-side testing. The plant, which is owned by the Group's subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile Ltda. ("EGPC"), was named after the neighbouring astronomical observatory it will supply with clean energy. The PV plant and the observatory are located on a hill near the commune of La Higuera in the Coquimbo Region, on the outskirts of the Atacama Desert, 600 km north of Chilean capital Santiago. (AGI) .