NV Energy and American Capital Energy (ACE) announced a long-term power purchase agreement to divvy the sales of energy produced from 20MW (DC) solar power plant that to be constructed by mid-2010 near Searchlight, Nevada, 55 miles south of Las Vegas. Other terms of the power purchase agreement were not disclosed.
This project, once completed, will be larger than the 14MW photovoltaic facility at Nellis Air Force Base. The Nellis plant, toured by President Obama on a recent visit to Las Vegas, is the largest PV facility currently operating in the United States.
NV Energy is now more ready to meet Nevada’s portfolio standard which requires that 25% of energy be generated by renewable resources and energy efficiency and conservation programs by 2025.
“This is another major step in our commitment to bringing power from renewable resources to the citizens of Nevada,” remarked Michael Yackira, NV Energy president and CEO.
“American Capital Energy is excited about the Searchlight Solar I solar PV project,” agreed Tom Hunton, CEO of American Capital Energy. “We are honoured to have been selected to work with NV Energy to deliver clean, renewable solar energy to southern Nevada.”