Largest Solar Energy Project goes On-Line, Powering Quarter Million Homes

Desert Solar arrayPhoto byAntonio GarciaonUnsplash

A solar array and storage facility near Edwards Air Force Base in California is now operational. The Edwards & Sanborn Solar + Energy Storage project contains 1.9 million solar panels, made in the U.S. and covering 4600 acres.

The nation’s largest solar energy and storage project will offer 875 megawatt-hours of solar capacity, and 3 gigawatt-hours of storage.

The resulting power generated should be enough to power 233,000 homes. Power will be transmitted to the city of San Jose, as well as Southern California Edison, the utility companies of Pacific Gas & Electric and Clean Power Alliance.

The current expected life span of commercial solar panels is roughly 30 years, after which their ability to produce power gradually degrades. A similar project in the Gobi desert is expected to power up to 1.5 million homes in China.