Solar Panels in the Desert

Solar panels in the desert

Two things that solar panels need to operate efficiently:  unobstructed exposure to sunlight and… sunlight!  For these reasons, installing solar panels in the desert makes a great deal of sense.   For ground-mounted systems, remote desert locations also help minimize view impacts and concerns about aesthetics.

Last week, I read about an endeavor by Southern California Edison to build the largest solar array in the world.  That is quite a claim.  Today, they are claiming it to be the “largest solar deal.”  Pure and simple.  And why not?

A recent summary of the solar project follows:

“The utility has an agreement with BrightSource Energy to buy electricity from a planned suite of solar-thermal power plants — arrays of mirrors that heat fluid to drive turbines — with a total capacity of 1,300 megawatts.”

Solar panels in the Mojave Desert

The video above is an example of solar panels in the desert.  But what is really happening in California right now?

Last week, Southern California Edison’s press release stated that it would be working on a 100-MW solar panel array in the Mojave Desert.  Construction is slated to start this year, with renewable power flowing to customers by 2013, provided the project gets approval.  The panel array would be the equivalent of about 1/8 of an average coal-powered plant, which generates 800 MW of dirty electricity per year.

Consider this development on top of existing solar panel arrays in the California desert, as described on Wikipedia:

“There are several solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which supply power to the electricity grid. Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is the name given to nine solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which were built in the 1980s. These plants have a combined capacity of 354 megawatts (MW) making them the largest solar power installation in the world. Nevada Solar One is a new solar thermal plant with a 64-MW generating capacity, located near Boulder City, NV. There are also plans to build other large solar plants in the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Solar Park will deliver 553 MW of solar thermal power when fully operational in 2011.^“

It is exciting to consider the expansion of solar energy in California, especially in light of the recession woes.  In the Golden State, Governor Schwarzenegger is mandating a “renewable portfolio standard” that requires 20% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010.  If you haven’t looked at a calendar recently… that is just next year!

With the Mojave Desert installations, it sounds like California is well on its way.  Add in some great tax incentives and money from the stimulus bill, and the goals for 2010 should not be too challenging.

Tags: brightsource energy, california solar energy, solar panels in the desert, southern california edison