It may be wintertime, but the sun still shines bright in Southern Nevada where a new $100-million, 14-MW solar power plant finished on Monday, Dec. 17, at Nellis Air Force. The photovoltaic system will provide nearly one-third of the 12,000-employee base's total electrical consumption during summer months for a $1-million annual cost savings. It will additionally reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to removing 185,000 cars from the roadways.
"Nellis is now home to the largest solar electric plant in all of North America," says Col. Michael Bartley, 99th Air Base Wing commander. "Our base and indeed our entire nation will benefit from the predictable, secure supply of clean energy that this landmark power plant is now generating."