Harnessing the Sun

 

While driving south on U.S. 95 from Boulder City to Laughlin, during my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I could not help but notice, off to the right side of the highway, a bit in the distance, the shimmering light reflecting off something there in the desert.

So I took a picture (dangerously shooting while driving at 70+ mph) from my car, with intentions of doing some research later.

What I saw was Copper Mountain Solar One, a photovoltaic solar energy harvesting facility run by Sempra Generation. The site is located about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

Completed in December 2010, it’s the largest photovoltaic plant in the United States, generating 48 megawatts of power when the sun is out, power that’ll be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric during the life of its 20-year contract.

A total of 775,000 solar panels were installed on the 380-acre site. The company announced in August that it will expand the facility by 150 megawatts (92 mw by 2013, and 58 mw more by 2015).

Clean energy for clean living; the sun apparently is also jumping into the “green” movement.

You should be on the lookout for it, as it’s mighty impressive (albeit a distant impressive). Just don’t take chances as I did and shoot your picture while driving. At least pull off to the side of the road.