Just twelve miles south of Gila Bend, Arizona, the three square mile station is currently under construction. With a Department of Energy loan of $1.446 billion the Spanish international technology company, Abengoa's CEO, Manuel Sanchez has reported that the company will employ over 1,000 construction personnel as well as 65 permanent staff members to operate the nations largest solar generating station.
Solana is the name they have penned for the station which means sunny place in Spanish .With Arizona's proud average of 330 sunny days a year, this is a perfect name. The Solana Generating Station will produce 280 megawatts of concentrated power and will produce enough energy for over 70,000 customers. For a comparative image of the size of Solana, the power plant at Arizona State University only generated 10 megawatts of power.
When the station is fully completed it will look much like a reflective lake with 3,200 sun panel modules. Manuel Sanchez will sell the power to Arizona Public Services (A.P.S). The plant is currently under construction on the Northwest corner of Interstate 8 and Pointed Rock Road.
Although the current push for Congress to pass Clean Energy and Climate Change legislation has not passed as of this date, Arizona is on a push to achieve clean energy. With federal programs such as loan guarantee 1705, Title XXII providing the financial ability for some companies to fund projects like Solana, the reality of renewable energy companies to open around the country is greatly increased. A new solar plant is currently planned for Queen Creek in the near future. The Salt River Project reports the Queen Creek station will generate 20 megawatts of power.
Arizona's energy solutions have a bright future. With plans to use geothermal, wind, solar, hydroelectric and other renewable energy sources the clean air of Arizona's past may soon return to the future. For more on renewable energy in your neighborhood stay tuned.
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