According to Reuters, photovoltaic solar power plants are springing up throughout Spain, capitalizing on special tariffs for renewable energies and exceeding the government’s expectations.

All factors included, PV solar plants can cost about 6 million euros ($8.47 million) per megawatt, about 30 percent more than expensive than solar thermal power and roughly five times as expensive as a coal-fired plant. Photo “In about 12 years plant production costs will be paid off,” said Carlos Galdon, director of PV installation company Avanzalia’s 13.8 MW plant in Salamanca, which cost about 100 million euros and can generate power for around 5,000 households.