World's Largest PV Plant comes online

I think this belongs here somewhere...

http://energy.gov/articles/agua-caliente-worlds-largest-solar-photovoltaic-plant-helps-advance-americas-solar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Agua Caliente, Yuma County, Arizona. 290MW. Let the sunshine in
=Smidge=

Smidge204 said:

I think this belongs here somewhere...

http://energy.gov/articles/agua-caliente-worlds-largest-solar-photovoltaic-plant-helps-advance-americas-solar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Agua Caliente, Yuma County, Arizona. 290MW. Let the sunshine in
=Smidge=

Click to expand...

Great article indeed.

"Yes, we have come a long way," since you know who took down the PV panels President Carter had installed on the White House back in the 70's.

Just imagine where we would be today if a different consciousness had prevailed.

And we have so far, so very far, yet to go.

There are larger plants on the horizon. Carter installed thermal hot water panels, but I agree on the "consciousness" factor.

Solar today on the CA ISO grid reached nearly 4,400 MW. :shock:

Wow! That's a massive plant! I estimate that it will produce 600 GWh of electricity per year!

If we assume that the loan corresponds to most of the cost of the plant, then perhaps it cost $1B to build. If we also assume a 25-year life (which may be low) and that "low-interest" equals 0%, that puts the installation costs at about $0.067/kWh. Since there is no further fuel cost and if maintenance and operation costs are low, then this plant should prove to be cost competitive with just about any other generating plant out there.

While it does disrupt the desert habitat somewhat, it should also provide a slightly different form of safe habitat for many species.

I think we will need more grid-connected EVs nearby to charge during the daytime and provide some electricity at nighttime!

Awesome!

JeremyW said:

Solar today on the CA ISO grid reached nearly 4,400 MW. :shock:

Click to expand...

I'm rounding up to 4,500 MW today. (4458.50 MW)

http://www.caiso.com/Pages/TodaysOutlook.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;