Solar projects create jobs

Kevin B. Smith, Santa Monica, Calif.

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.

A recent letter, “Solar plant won’t benefit residents,” mentions the Tonopah solar project but leaves out crucial details regarding job creation and economic impact.

SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes project will create more than 600 jobs on-site during peak construction and 4,300 direct, indirect and induced jobs throughout the manufacturing chain. Orders have been placed for equipment and services in 20 U.S. states. Today, there are 180 workers on-site, with Nevada residents making up more than 70 percent of the construction workforce.

This investment in Nevada will generate $37 million in tax revenue in the first 10 operating years, contributing to school systems and police and fire departments. During the 30-year project life, $10 million per year will be spent on operating costs and salaries, including for 45 on-site operators.

The project has been financed, in part, under the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program. It’s required to be paid back in full with interest, estimated to bring $300 million of additional revenue to the U.S. government.

Government support of projects like Crescent Dunes advances innovative American technologies that create jobs and provide energy diversification and energy security. This flagship project includes solar energy storage and will serve as a proof point for future projects with this technology — creating additional U.S. jobs for years to come.

This is a success story for Nevada implementing the world’s leading technology to deliver solar energy on demand to 75,000 Nevada homes under a 25-year contract with NV Energy.

The author is the CEO of SolarReserve.