On the far north side of Las Vegas Boulevard, there’s a different kind of glow that Sin City isn’t as known for.

More than 334,000 solar panels sparkle in the sun at NV Energy’s Dry Lake solar project, harnessing the rays’ power and transmitting it to the power grid for the valley’s 2.3 million residents to use.

The 750-acre solar farm, located on the other side of a natural gas plant, is part of the utility’s goal to shift half of its energy sources to renewables by 2030.

“This picture here really represents a balanced energy portfolio,” said Doug Cannon, president and CEO of NV Energy. “And that’s really what we’re looking for: making sure the lights stay on in a way that keeps costs low for our customers.”

The 150-megawatt facility has been operational since the beginning of the year, but it only began producing power at full capacity in May. One megawatt is enough power to power around 750 to 1,000 homes, according to authorities.

Tesla was a contractor on the project, providing 112 batteries that could store 100 megawatts of energy. A spokeswoman said NV Energy shouldered construction costs up front, but the project would eventually be covered by ratepayers.

Utility-owned solar ensures local benefits

For many Nevada desert conservationists, increasing solar power remains a hot topic. Many projects, including Dry Lake, encroach on desert tortoise habitat. Some remain concerned about large-scale solar construction draining already limited aquifers throughout the Silver State.

The Bureau of Land Management, which leased the land to NV Energy for 35 years, released a final version of its Western Solar Plan in September, placing Nevada at the forefront of potential solar energy development, with the most land available for solar applications among the 11 states mapped by the agency.

NV Energy multi-billion dollar Greenlink transmission line These projects will make solar projects across Nevada more feasible, allowing the energy produced to be delivered to denser urban centers.

While private solar companies can sell the electricity they produce to other private companies or utilities outside of Nevada, utility-owned projects like Dry Lake will directly benefit surrounding communities.

In the future, NV Energy hopes to evolve as new technologies become available, officials said. Renewable energy is high on the priority list.

“The technology is going to change,” said Dani Strain, NV Energy project director. “We’ll have to see.”

Contact Alan Halaly at [email protected]. Follow @AlanHalaly on X.