Energy
The Mojave Desert’s solar potential may be even more powerful than billed. Two under-construction power plants — SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes near Tonopah and BrightSource’s Ivanpah Solar just south of the state line west of Interstate 15 — aim to transform the sun into a laserlike beam that focuses on massive towers to generate power.
What has been planned as perhaps the largest solar energy plant in Nevada has been shelved, sparking litigation between the owners.
With sunlight glistening on 8,000 square feet of newly installed photovoltaic panels, Ron Davis beamed Wednesday when he talked about American Legion Post No. 8 being the first post in the nation to convert entirely to solar power.
Before jumping into final testimony on NV Energy’s proposed allotment of rates among consumers, Commissioner Rebecca Wagner said the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada would likely granta smaller increase than the $250 million annual revenue jump the company asked for.
The Obama administration on Thursday identified 17 sites in six Western states, including Nevada, as prime candidates for solar energy projects on public lands, continuing a push for solar power despite the high-profile bankruptcy of a solar panel maker that received a half-billion dollar federal loan.
These days, the Silver State looks more like the Algeria of solar power, with tons of resources but a relatively unimpressive economic impact to show for it.
NV Energy handed a $6.25 million check to Clark County School District on Thursday, making it the largest one-time rebate that the electricity provider has ever given.