64-Megawatt Concentrating Solar Power Plant Opens Outside Las Vegas
February 22, 2008
BOULDER CITY, NV — John Mizroch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, addressed reporters at a press conference today following the dedication of the Nevada Solar One facility. Constructed by Acciona Solar Power, Nevada Solar One is a 64-megawatt concentrating solar power plant 30 minutes southeast of Las Vegas.
Attendees at this event included master of ceremonies Ed Begley, Jr., Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Acciona Solar Power officials, and representatives from the U.S., Spain, and Germany.
The Department of Energy has invested $3 million in this project, testing and evaluating the company's designs and pilot models.
Concentrating solar power focuses sunlight into special "troughs" to amplify its power, delivering the least expensive form of solar energy at a cost of $.13-.17 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Further development is expected to reduce costs to the $.05-.07 range by 2015-2020.
The Department of Energy has recently awarded twelve contracts, totaling $5.2 million, to support research and development of U.S. concentrating solar power systems and components. The fiscal year 2008 budget calls for spending $30 million on this part of the Solar Technologies Program.
See the Nevada Solar One Web site.
