Europe's Largest Solar Powered Building

A new office building in Madrid, Spain, is expected to become Europe’s largest solar power plant on a building. The building will become the new office for Spanish telecom company, Telefonica.

The construction will contain 16,000 solar panels, running the entire length of the complex on the roof. It’s estimated that it will generate 3 megawatts at peak power, which totals 3.6 gigawatt hours every year.

Telefonica are hoping to see a 15% reduction in heating bills, and a 34% reduction in air conditioning bills, but this won't be sure until construction is complete. One thing is for sure; Madrid isn't short on sunshine. Rainwater is rather more scarce though, so the building will collect rainwater for recycling, and for use in the surrounding grounds and gardens. :: UPI