Approved Nevada Solar Project Would Be the Nation's Largest

Putting the scale in utility-scale solar.

1 minute read

May 13, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Solar Power

Mike Flippo / Shutterstock

"The U.S. Department of the Interior on Monday signed off on Nevada’s Gemini Solar Project, which could be the largest U.S. solar plant once constructed," reports Emma Foehringer Merchant. 

"In addition to topping the list as the largest solar project in the U.S., Gemini includes 380 megawatts of battery storage, part of a trend of mega-solar projects coming with significant storage attached," according to Merchant. 

"The project will serve NV Energy, part of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate, as the utility works to meet Nevada's state requirement for 50 percent renewables by 2030 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050."

A separate article for the Wall Street Journal (paywall) notes that the $1 billion, 690-megawatt project would be large enough to power 260,000 households, or "enough to cover the residential population of Las Vegas." Additional coverage is available from the Los Angeles Times. 

Monday, May 11, 2020 in Greentech Media

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A Firefighter sprays water from a hose at a tall blaze.

US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060

Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.

November 4 - Inside Climate News

People cross a crosswalk in Los Angeles.

LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.

November 4 - ABC7

Two women walking on the sidewalk in Dallas.

Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code

The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.

November 4 - Yahoo News