Developed and owned by SolarReserve’s subsidiary, Tonopah Solar Energy, the 100MW solar energy project will be located near the town of Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada. When completed, Tonopah Solar Energy’s facility will supply approximately 480,000MWh annually of clean, renewable electricity.
The project will utilize the advanced molten salt system technology from United Technologies, the diversified technology company headquartered in Connecticut. SolarReserve holds the license for this technology. This technology features efficient energy storage inherent in the technology design that can provide electricity during peak demand periods to meet utility requirements whether the sun is shining or not.
The project will have an annual operating budget of over $5m, with the majority of that budget spent in the region. The project will generate sales and property tax revenue estimated at over $40m over the project operating period. The project also supports SolarReserve and suppliers’ design, development, and engineering staffs with over 100 engineers working to further US developed solar energy technology for potential export around the world.
The long-term agreement stems from NV Energy’s 2008 Request for Proposals for renewable energy. It requires the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and will be included in the company’s Integrated Resource Filing slated for February 1, 2010.
