Desert photovoltaics

The Nellis Solar Power Plant, located within Nellis Air Force Base northeast of Las Vegas, occupies 140 acres and deploys approximately 70,000 solar panels driven by an advanced sun tracking system. At the time of its completion it was the largest photovoltaic system in North America, and supplies more than 25 percent of the power used at the base.

Economic Drivers of Utility Scale Solar Development

Solar development benefits economic development while providing an alternative to fossil-fuel based energy sources, and the industry has been growing steadily over the last several years. Yet, solar electricity is still more expensive than traditional energy sourcesdue to the material costs of an installation. Policy measures intended to accelerate solar development and lower costs through economies of scale and advanced technologies have created an industry dependent on and driven by subsidies and incentives. In order to better understand the interactions between policy decisions, siting decisions, economic incentives and market development, we will outline a brief history of key federal and state political milestones and track them against growth of the solar market. Through this lens we will discuss the barriers and drivers of utility-scale solar development.