 |
| Photovoltaic panels used to collect solar energy. |
California is generously endowed with sunshine - a naturally occurring energy source holding tremendous promise for helping meet the State's growing energy needs. The California Desert region holds some of the highest concentrations of solar energy in the United States.
California continues to be a pioneer in this area, as demonstrated by its 2--6 approval of the California Solar Initiatives to provide incentives for small-scale solar development.
On public lands, solar development for large-scale electricity projects is just beginning, but the future looks bright. Interest is high and many applications have been received, primarily for the California Desert. More information is available from the California Desert District.
Proposals are underway for a variety of solar technologies. These can be generally described as follows:
- Photovoltaic technology uses solar cells packaged together in large, mirror-like arrays to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
- Parabolic trough technology uses rows of parabolic mirrors with an absorber tube to concentrate energy into a thermal power plant.
- Solar dish technology uses dish-shaped mirrors to heat a piston engine and does not require a thermal plant.
- Power tower technology uses a central tower (300-450 feet in height) with a field of mirrors to concentrate energy into a thermal power plant.
Several proposed solar projects have begun the required joint environmental review by the BLM and the California Energy Commission. Others are in various stages of processing. All will be carefully considered through detailed environmental impact statements with full public involvement.
Recently, the Secretary of the Interior identified proposed Solar Energy Study Areas throughout the west to be analyzed in the Programmatic Solar Energy Environmental Impact Statement now underway by the Department of Energy and BLM. These study areas, including five in California covering 351,000 acres, are open to public review. Assessing their solar potential will be a priority, along with processing the existing applications that are already underway.
Additional Information on solar projects is available from the California Energy Commission Website: http://www.energy.ca.gov/siting/solar/index.html
A new solar technology using a central power tower in the middle of a circle of mirrors.
