When does this practice begin?

In 2009, the global installed capacity of solar power was 2.6 GW, about 18% of the installed capacity of Itaipu. The main producing countries, curiously, are located in middle and high latitudes. The largest producer was Japan (with 1.13 GW), followed by Germany (794 MWp) and United States (365 MW) [11].

Came into operation on 27 March 2007 the Central Serpa Solar Photovoltaic (CSFS), the largest unit of its kind in the world. It is situated in the parish of Brinches, Alentejo, Portugal, one of the sunniest areas in Europe. It has an installed capacity of 11 MW, enough to power about eight thousand dwellings.

However it is already designed and under construction with another center about six times the capacity of this production, also the Alentejo in Amareleja, municipality of Moura.

Far more ambitious is the design of a central Australian of 154 MW, capable of meeting the consumption of 45,000 homes. This will be situated in Victoria and is expected to become operational in 2013, with the first stage completed in 2010. The reduction of emission of greenhouse gases achieved by this clean energy source will be 400 000 tonnes per year.