Massive solar project planned for Arizona desert

by KTAR.com/Associated Press (July 26th, 2011 @ 9:25am)

Arizona Wildfire News

PARKER, Ariz. - Plans are under way for a massive solar tower twice as high as the Empire State Building and right in the middle of the Arizona desert.

According to azfamily.com, 1 company called EnviroMission wants to break ground next year on the solar project, 130 miles west of Phoenix in La Paz County.

The company says a relatively new technology using turbines forces air heated by the sun up through a 2,600-foot chimney, creating electricity.

Company president Chris Davey says the giant solar tower will generate more than 1 million megawatt hours, which would be enough for 150,000 homes.

"It doesn't use water; it does it reliably; it does it cost competitively," Davey explained. "I don't think the industry could ask for more than that."

EnviroMission says the Southern California Public Power Authority has already agreed on a 30-year power purchase agreement.

The size of the facility will be gargantuan. The chimney will be twice as high as the Empire State Building and the greenhouse base will be over two miles in diameter.

The facility will not be the last of its kind. More solar towers are planned within the United States -- including Arizona -- and abroad in locations like Mexico, India and possibly Australia.

"Arizona is large enough for us to build multiple facilities, where the first project is located, there's enough land for half a dozen facilities out there."

About 1,500 people will help build the $700 million solar tower, Davey said.

Watch the report from azfamily.com here:


Last 5 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Bothers me
    mostpatriotic
    It bothers me that this is being built in Az and sounds like the juice will go to CA. That will be disappointing, just like Palo Verde. I, also, believe there are tax incentives and tax write offs to make this very cool thing happen. If it is successful, we could end up building several all across Az including just south of Phoenix. This means jobs and money for this state and a new source of electricity. God bless America in her time of need.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Wait A Minute
    justmyvoice
    This facility will be built in Arizona and the "Southern California Public Power Authority has already agreed on a 30-year power purchase agreement". Why don't they build this thing in California since California will be getting all the benefits.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    The picture
    randomocity
    of the proposed tower on the KTAR homepage looks like Isengard...I REALLY hope they build this thing.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Privately Funded?
    Jshope
    If this is completely privately funded, it proves what Americans can accomplish without requiring tax dollars to do so. If not, I'm skeptical that it will actually deliver what it promises - like most government funded ventures.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    good idea?
    Faukee
    Really? Something that massive and it will only provide power for 150,000 homes....in California no less.
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