Solar electricity plants promote sustainability.
Photovoltaic technology uses semiconductors to convert solar energy into electrical energy. Solar technology has grown rapidly due to the rising demand for alternative energy sources. In the United States the number of solar electricity plants and other alternative energy fuel sources are projected to grow, to help decrease the dependency on fossil fuels.
Nevada Solar One
Nevada Solar One is owned by ACCIONA, and is based in Boulder City, Nevada. The plant was established through a partnership between Solargenix Energy, Nevada Power Company, and Sierra Pacific Resources. The plant is sustainably designed on a 400-acre parcel and creates "near-zero" carbon emissions. Nevada Solar One is the third largest solar plant in the world. ACCIONA has been in operation for 30 years, and is one of the world's leading sustainability-focused companies.
Nellis Solar Power Plant
In 2007, Nellis Air Force Base, located in Nevada, completed the construction of a solar power plant that consists of over 72,000 solar panels, enough to produce over 25 percent of the electricity supply for the Air Force Base. The solar plant is one of the largest in the nation, and was constructed in partnership with several private and public utility companies, including Sunpower Corporation and Nevada Power Company.
Mojave Solar Park
In 2009, the Mojave Solar Park construction was started by an Israeli company, Solel Inc. Solel Inc. was purchased by Siemens in 2010. The solar energy plant, costing $2 billion, is being built on 6,000 acres of land in the Mojave desert, and is expected to be completed in 2011. Upon the plant's completion, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) of California plans to purchase 533 megawatts of solar power from the plant, which will provide enough electricity to power 400,000 homes.
AV Solar Ranch One
AV Solar Ranch One is based in the Antelope Valley of Los Angeles County. Construction of the plant started in 2010 on 2,100 acres of farmland. First Solar, a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic panels, operates AV Solar Ranch One. Upon completion, the plant is expected to provide electricity to 75,000 homes. Pacific Gas and Electric Company has a contract to purchase the plant's electrical output for the next 25 years. First Solar is a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ; its global headquarters is based in Tempe, Arizona.
