Las Vegas Valley Water District to Generate Solar Power

LAS VEGAS, Oct 19, 2004 PRNewswire

Today, the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) Board of Directors approved a $22.6 million contract to initiate the development and construction of a 3.1-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar energy project that will be one of the largest ever built by a public agency in the United States.

In partnership with Nevada Power Company and PowerLight Corporation, the LVVWD's Distributed Solar Array (DSA) project will generate 5.3 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity per year.

"This is another example of how the Water District is working to foster environmentally friendly, sustainable natural-resource solutions in Southern Nevada," stated Tom Minwegen, deputy general manager of the LVVWD. "This also demonstrates how the community benefits from local utility partnerships."

"This agreement is a great example of parties working together to develop cleaner energy for Nevadans," said Roberto Denis, Vice President of Energy Supply for Sierra Pacific Resources, parent company of Nevada Power. "Not only does it further the development of renewable resources to serve customers, it supports the utility's efforts to comply with the renewable portfolio standard by allowing the purchase of renewable energy credits."

The DSA, which uses no water to generate electricity and creates no emissions, provides a unique opportunity that will benefit the environment and the community as a whole. The solar electricity generated at these facilities will be utilized primarily for daily, on-site operations.

One focal point of the project includes five solar-panel structures at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve that will provide shaded visitor parking as well as clean, sustainable energy. Construction of the DSA will begin at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve in 2005.

For further information, please contact Bronson Mack of Las Vegas Valley Water District, +1-702-822-8543, or cellular, +1-702-249-5518.

SOURCE Las Vegas Valley Water District

Bronson Mack of Las Vegas Valley Water District, +1-702-822-8543, or cellular, +1-702-249-5518

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