Green lights for big solar power projects on federal lands !

[Better Believe It]

Green lights for big solar projects on fed lands
One will install 28,360 collectors in Southern California desert
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
October 5, 2010

After five years of negotiations and battles, some of them environmental, two large solar power projects on Tuesday got the first-ever green lights to set up shop on federal lands.

The approvals give the project sponsors access to almost 6,800 acres of public lands for 30 years.

Construction is expected to start on both by the end of the year, and Interior said the projects should generate almost 1,000 jobs.

The two approvals are:

The Imperial Valley Solar Project, by Tessera Solar of Arizona and based in Imperial County, Calif., is expected to produce up to 709 megawatts from 28,360 solar dishes, enough to power at least 200,000 homes.

The Chevron Lucerne Valley Solar Project will use photovoltaic solar technology in San Bernardino County, Calif., and will produce up to 45 megawatts from 40,500 solar panels, enough to power at least 13,000 homes.



These "SunCatcher" systems are the backbone of one of two projects approved Tuesday. The solar dishes were developed by Sandia National Laboratories and Stirling Energy Systems for Tessera Solar.

Read the full article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39521200/ns/us_news-environment

[Rosco T.]

1. All of which will be shut down immediately if the GOP gets control...

.. remember to vote DEMOCRATIC.

[msongs]

2. $10K per house plus ongoing yearly charges - my house solar = $15K one time only!

plus a minimum fee $18 a month for hookup. hmmm. rooftop solar for everyone I think

[RainDog]

3. kick for good news! n/t