Solar in the spotlight

The world’s largest solar facility is to be built in the Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles.

Stirling Energy Systems

has signed an agreement with US Edison International subsidiary Southern California Edison (SCE) that will result in construction of a massive, 4,500-acre solar generating station in Southern California.

When completed, the power station will be the world’s largest solar facility, capable of producing more electricity than all other US solar projects combined.

The agreement, which is subject to California Public Utilities Commission approval, calls for the development of a 500MW solar project in the Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles, using Stirling Energy System’s Stirling dish technology.

The agreement includes an option to expand the project to 850 MW. Initially, SES would build a one MW test facility using 40 of the company’s 37-foot-diameter dish assemblies.

Subsequently, a 20,000-dish array will be constructed during a four-year period.