Air Force Base Goes Green - Nellis AFB Has Largest Solar Power Plant in North America

The largest solar power system in North America is now online. The plant is located on Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas. It will save a staggaring $1 million in power cost for the base plus reduce CO2 emissions by 24,000 tons per year.

“The photovoltaic system is made up of 72,000 solar panels,” MetaEfficient. “It’s enough to provide 30% of the electric needs on the base, where 12,000 people work and 7,215 people live. But at 14 megawatts the power output of this system is modest, compared to the solar thermal Nevada One project which generates 64 megawatts of power. MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC has financed and will operate the solar power plant, selling electricity to Nellis Air Force Base at a guaranteed fixed rate for the next 20 years.”

The plant was privately constructed and will recover it’s construction costs by selling power to the base.