In the Coquimbo region, on the outskirts of the Atacama Desert, Enel Green Power built an innovative photovoltaic plant that provides clean energy to La Silla Observatory, which is the first utility-scale PV plant in the world to combine the use of innovative bifacial and smart modules with conventional modules for side-by-side testing.
The facility is capable of generating approximately 4.75 GWh each year, equivalent to the electricity needs of approximately 2,000 Chilean households and more than 50% of the observatory’s annual power consumption. The clean energy generated by La Silla avoid the emission of over 2,000 tonnes of CO2.
Ivo Saviane, La Silla Observatory Director, commented, "This plant generates green energy and thanks to it, we are no longer conventional energy consumers. The place where our observatory is located is the best for astronomy and at the same time it is to generate clean energy".
La Silla is an example of technological excellence that couples innovation with sustainability. This advanced facility will also serve scientific progress beyond the electricity industry by powering a major astronomical research institution, in line with Enel’s strategy to Open Power to more customers, uses and partnerships.