Solar power in Nevada
Encyclopedia
Solar power in Nevada has been growing, due to a Renewable Portfolio Standard
which requires 20% renewable energy by 2015, and 5% from solar power
. Nevada, at the end of 2007, became home to then-largest photovoltaic
power plant in the world, the 14.02 megawatt (peak) Nellis Solar Power Plant
, which, by selling the renewable energy credits (RECs), was able to provide Nellis Air Force Base
with electricity for only 2.2 cents/kWh, instead of the 9 cents they are paying Nevada Power. Since then many larger photovoltaic plants have been built, and proposed.
Nevada has vast deserts, and is capable of providing a great amount of solar power. The Nellis power plant only occupies 140 acres (56.7 ha) of land.
Nevada is also home to the 64 MW concentrating solar thermal power plant, Nevada Solar One
.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
A Renewable Portfolio Standard is a regulation that requires the increased production of energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal...
which requires 20% renewable energy by 2015, and 5% from solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
. Nevada, at the end of 2007, became home to then-largest photovoltaic
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material...
power plant in the world, the 14.02 megawatt (peak) Nellis Solar Power Plant
Nellis Solar Power Plant
The Nellis Solar Power Plant is located within Nellis Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, on the northeast side of Las Vegas. The Nellis solar energy system will generate in excess of 25 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and supply more than 25 percent of the power used...
, which, by selling the renewable energy credits (RECs), was able to provide Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
with electricity for only 2.2 cents/kWh, instead of the 9 cents they are paying Nevada Power. Since then many larger photovoltaic plants have been built, and proposed.
Nevada has vast deserts, and is capable of providing a great amount of solar power. The Nellis power plant only occupies 140 acres (56.7 ha) of land.
Nevada is also home to the 64 MW concentrating solar thermal power plant, Nevada Solar One
Nevada Solar One
Nevada Solar One is a concentrated solar power plant, with a nominal capacity of 64 MW and maximum capacity of 75 MW spread over an area of 400 Acres. The projected CO2 emissions avoided is equivalent to taking approximately 20,000 cars off the road annually. The project required an investment of...
.