More than 12,000 people live and work at Nellis Air Force Base, home to the
largest advanced air combat training mission in the world. Thanks to a strong public/
private partnership effort, Nellis now also houses North America’s largest solar
photovoltaic power plant. Demonstrating its commitment to energy conservation
and energy security, in April 2007 Nellis partnered with SunPower to install a
14-megawatt plant covering 140 acres. The solar system meets 25% of the base’s
total electricity needs, and will reduce carbon emissions by 24,000 tons over 30
years—equivalent to planting more than 260,000 acres of trees. In addition to
its environmental benefits, the system also offers Nellis financial benefits through a
SunPower AccessTM power purchase agreement, which includes project financing
from MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC,and renewable energy credits from Nevada
Power Company. In effect, Nellis only pays for the solar electricity the base consumes.