Spain has opened the world’s largest solar power station, overtaking the US as the world’s largest solar generator.

The new La Florida solar plant takes Spain’s solar output to 432MW, just ahead of US output at 422MW.

The plant at Alvarado, Badajoz uses parabolic trough technology covering 550,000m² and producing 50MW of power.

Spain is a world leader in renewable energies and has long been a producer of hydro electricity. It also has a highly developed wind power sector which, like solar power, has received generous government subsidies.