Construction of Mojave Desert Solar Project Underway
The pros and cons of solar fields will be on bright display in Ivanpah Valley, CA, during the coming months. BrightSource Energy plans to construct a $2 billion solar project that will include 173,500 mirrors erected over more than 3,500 acres (approximately 6 square miles) of public land. The mirrors are expected to generate 370 MWs of solar power – enough to power 140,000 residences at peak usage levels.
While this project appears to be a laudable ally in the battle against global warming, it does not come without some controversy. In order to build the new plant, BrightSource has razed several acres of indigenous vegetation and displaced numerous species of desert-dwelling wildlife. Public parks, including Joshua Tree, Death Valley and the Mojave National Preserve, will be affected by the development. Some experts say that the development could kill many of the desert tortoises that reside in the area, a species whose existence is already threatened.
An article about the trade-offs related to the BrightSource solar power project can be found in the Los Angeles Times.
