How can we find an effective, practical, low-cost solar panel solution that does not further harm the environment for a country that is facing a dilemma of how to maintain its energy growth? This is what the US has been going through for quite some time. Projects already exist (and many of them), one of which is quite ambitious and is already in operation. We are talking about the 750,000 solar panels installed, representing one of the largest photovoltaic plants in the country.
A dream that is becoming reality
If it were still the 2000s, many would consider solar energy to be something almost impossible to achieve, largely due to the high installation costs, low efficiency of solar panels, and the dependence on the sun to make everything work. However, since 2010, the scenario has changed completely.
Today, costs have dropped significantly, making it a much more accessible option, and with advances in solar tracking systems, solar energy, through solar panels, has become one of the most competitive forms of generating green energy. Furthermore, we cannot forget that climate pressure and environmental issues have accelerated investments in clean energy sources in all areas, that is, whether public or private agencies.
Even with all the advances, something was still missing for this type of energy to change the scenario in the USA: the courage to invest on a large scale. This is because most solar projects in the country were still “simpler” and decentralized, that is, they were limited to the roofs of homes or businesses. Until a group decided to do something different, betting on a large part of the American territory.
750,000 solar panels in a bold project in California
If you follow the news about alternative energy in America, you know that California is a very popular place for these projects (such as this strange energy system found in the state that operates at 1500ºC). And this one would be no different, with those solar panels located in Carrizo Plain, an arid and sparsely populated plain in southern California. We are talking about the foundation of the California Valley Solar Ranch, one of the largest photovoltaic solar plants ever built in the USA.
Let’s be honest, the numbers are impressive; we are talking about 250 megawatts of installed capacity, and the project covers a huge area with its 749,088 solar panels, distributed across ten independent fields. Not to mention, this was the first American project that increased energy efficiency by up to 25% compared to traditional fixed installations. And the best part: all of this has been working since 2013, with the support of US$1.2 billion guaranteed by the country’s Department of Energy.
The benefits of 750,000 solar panels
And if you thought that the benefits of this project would be limited to clean energy generation, you’re wrong. The construction of the California Valley Solar Ranch has boosted the entire local economy. Why? Well, there were 350 temporary jobs, 11 permanent positions, and more than US$315 million injected during the construction and operation. In fiscal terms, the project generates around US$10 million in taxes for the local government.
In the environmental aspect, the numbers are also striking. Let’s take a look at them:
- It prevents the emission of 370,000 tons of CO₂ per year, the equivalent of 80,000 cars in circulation per year.
- Its production of 650,000 MWh per year supplies tens of thousands of Californian homes.
Projects like this are gaining more and more momentum in the United States. After all, we don’t have much time to solve our energy issues anymore; quite the opposite. Just to give you an idea, the process in California is so advanced that a strange energy system was recently discovered in the state – and no, it’s not a photovoltaic plant.
