Nevada, like its neighbors California and Arizona, is a great location for solar.
With plenty of sunshine, SEIA ranks the state as 6th in the nation for solar efforts, including over 3,600 MW of solar equipment installed and over 7,000 jobs supplied by the industry. With a multitude of solar equipment manufacturers, installers, developers, and other professionals calling the Silver State home, there is enough solar power generated in the state to power over 600,000 home (roughly 15 percent of the state’s electricity usage).
How Much of Las Vegas is Solar Powered?
Few cities in the world are known for their flashing lights like “Sin City” is – and Las Vegas solar power plays a huge part in the state’s solar growth. It is no surprise that a huge source of electrical usage is the city’s world-renown casinos. As the solar industry has evolved and PV panels have become both more efficient and cost-effective, the Las Vegas solar power scene has changed dramatically.
Resorts like the MGM have invested in solar arrays that generate 25 percent of the entire Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s needs. While 25 percent may not sound like a lot, this project increased the number of Las Vegas solar power panels by over 26,000 in just one location! MGM Resorts International plans to use solar to account for up to 90 percent of their daytime demand through the coming years.
Furthermore, in 2016 Las Vegas officials proudly announced that the city was using almost 100 percent renewable energy, including hydropower and solar installations. Las Vegas is well on its way to becoming a city that is completely powered by renewables like solar.
Growth and Nevada Solar Panel Recycling Needs
The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has recently approved plans to add 1,800 MW of solar arrays and storage. With large-scale projects such as a 200 MW installation in Arrow Canyon, north of Las Vegas, the 300 MW Southern Bighorn Solar & Storage Center, and the 690 MW array known as the Gemini Solar + Battery Storage Project, Nevada is going to continue to be one of the nation’s largest solar energy providers.
With the 390 MW Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (located in California, in a section of Mojave Desert just miles from the Nevada border) so close to some of these newer, massive solar arrays, businesses in and around Nevada will see a fluctuating demand for solar panel recycling, installation, and refurbishment.
Due to Nevada’s climate, weather damage is not a large cause of damage to panels. More often than not, installers and developers will find that Nevada solar panel recycling needs will come from equipment failure (like backsheet issues) or upgrading systems with even more efficient panels. Right now the state’s focus is clearly on solar growth, but decommissioning planning is a key step in that growth and disposal has to be accounted as an environmental concern.
If you are a solar professional looking for decommissioning or solar panel recycling, contact the We Recycle Solar team for nationwide service.
Unless otherwise noted, all data from SEIA/GTM Research U.S. Solar Market Insight