Solar Electric Power Association applauds solar array at Nellis
The developers of the Nellis Air Force Base array received an award recently from the Solar Electric Power Association.
NV Energy, MMA Renewable Ventures, SunPower Corp. and Nellis Air Force Base were honored by the solar trade association with the 2008 Partnering for Success award for their partnership in building the 14-megawatt solar photovoltaic array on the base.
The Nellis array was completed a year ago – NV Energy purchases the renewable energy credits, MMA Renewable Ventures financed the project and SunPower built it. The Air Force owns the array and the land on which it sits.
The solar association said the array was chosen because it demonstrates how a public-private partnership coupled with an innovative approach to third-party financing can make solar an affordable solution for large-scale projects.
The award was one of five given at the solar association’s annual meeting last month. Other winners include: New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group Chief Executive Ralph Izzo for chief executive of the year; California-based Pacific Gas & Electric for solar portfolio leadership; California-based Sacramento Municipal Utility District for innovation in solar program design; and Wisconsin-based We Energies for community outreach and public awareness.
Winners were selected based on their efforts to expand solar energy as an essential part of the solution to the growing global energy crisis, the association said. Nominees were chosen from more than 400 international members.
“As the electric utility industry and its customers evaluate how best to respond to the challenges of climate change and energy independence, our award winners are forging the way,” association Executive Director Julia Hamm said in a statement. “The solar association’s board of directors is pleased to recognize those leaders who outshine the rest with transformative innovations and imaginative solutions. Their business practices provide a road map for growing the role of solar in our nation’s energy mix.
