Biggest solar thermal plant in 16 years connects to Nevada grid

The largest-capacity solar power plant built in the world in 16 years, and the third-largest of its kind, has begun supplying power to the Nevada power grid.

The Nevada Solar One project, built by Spain's Acciona Solar Power, represents an investment of more than $250 million.

The solar thermal project has been in the works for 16 months. It covers 400 acres in the Eldorado Valley, and uses large-scale, parabolic concentrating trough technology to enable heat transfer from the sun’s rays to ultimately generate up to 134 million kW hours of electricity per year, enough to power 15,000 households annually.

All of the plant’s electricity production is being sold to Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). The PPAs will ensure fixed costs for the electricity over time.

Proprietary tracking technology allows the concentrators to follow the sun peak demand hours.

Planned testing and additional ramp-up procedures are currently in process, with commercial operation expected to commence within approximately a week’s time.

“Nevada Solar One represents a new opportunity for large-scale renewable energy production in the United States, and Acciona looks forward to continuing our efforts in providing greater fuel diversity options in the North American market,” said Pete Duprey, CEO, Acciona Energy North America.

The solar thermal installation isn't that far from one of the world's largest solar photovoltaic installations, being built outside Las Vegas (see Biggest U.S. solar PV install underway at Air Force base.)

Acciona’s official dedication ceremony for the Nevada Solar One plant is expected to occur in the fall. Concurrently, the company is helping to develop several additional solar plants in Spain.

Acciona Energy is the largest wind developer in the world with a portfolio of more than 4,500 megawatts installed in 169 wind farms in 10 countries. The company has 29 MW of solar photovoltaic solar power installed, with a 46 MW photovoltaic solar plant under development in Portugal.

Parent company Acciona is listed on the IBEX-35 in Spain with a market capitalization of approximately $17.27 billion.