October 11, 2010—The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) approved on October 5 the first large-scale solar energy plants ever to be built on U.S. public lands, according to news from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The two projects are the first in a series of renewable energy projects on public lands under final review by the Department, which is using a new “fast track” program to help projects expedite approval.
The approval of two developments in California grants the U.S.-based companies behind the projects access to almost 6,800 acres of public lands for 30 years to build and operate solar plants. The approved plants could produce up to 754 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, or enough to power 226,000-566,000 typical U.S. homes. The projects will generate almost 1,000 new jobs, says EERE.
The DOI-approved proposals will employ two different types of solar energy technology. The Imperial Valley Solar Project, proposed by Tessera Solar, will use Stirling Energy System’s SunCatcher technology featuring 28,360 solar dishes on 6,360 acres of public lands in California’s Imperial County.
The Chevron Lucerne Valley Solar Project, proposed by Chevron Energy Solutions of California, will employ solar photovoltaic technology using 40,500 solar panels on 422 acres of public lands in San Bernardino County.
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