 | Parts of this article (those related to Deadlinks, Update infobox, No recent production numbers) need to be updated. (December 2019) |
| Nellis Solar Power Plant | |
|---|---|
 Nellis Solar Power Plant, was the second largest photovoltaic power plant in North America when built | |
 | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 36°15′30″N 115°03′10″W / 36.25833°N 115.05278°W |
| Commission date | December 17, 2007 |
| Owner | MEMC |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Site area | 140 acres (0.6 km2) |
| Power generation | |
| Units operational | 72,416 |
| Nameplate capacity | 14.2 MW |
| Annual net output | 32 GWh |
| External links | |
| Commons | Related media on Commons |
The Nellis Solar Power Plant is a 14-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic power station located within Nellis Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, northeast of Las Vegas. The power plant was inaugurated in a ceremony on December 17, 2007, with Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons activating its full operation. On average, it has since generated 32 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and supplied more than 25% of the power used at the base.[1][2][3]
Occupying 140 acres (57 ha) of land leased from the Air Force at the northeastern corner of the base, this ground-mounted solar system employs an advanced sun tracking system, designed and deployed by SunPower. The system contains approximately 70,000 solar panels, and the peak power generation capacity of the plant is approximately 13 MWAC.[1] This means the ratio of average to peak output, or capacity factor, of this plant is around 22%.
The energy generated will support more than 12,000 military and civilians at Nellis who are responsible for Air Force advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing. Construction began on April 23, 2007,[1] and operation of the first 5 MW began on October 12, 2007.[4][5]
- ^ a b c Largest U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System Begins Construction at Nellis Air Force Base
- ^ "Solar power system at Nellis AFB goes live". KVBC. 2007-12-18. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
- ^ Air Force Switches on Largest Solar Power Plant
- ^ "Solar panels connect to base electric grid". Archived from the original on 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ "eXenewable Project Profile Page - Nellis, NV, US, PV". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2010-09-22.