Copper Mountain Solar 3
Boulder City, NV
Copper Mountain 3 is the third phase of the landmark Copper Mountain Solar complex, currently one of the largest photovoltaic solar facilities in the United States. Situated on approximately 1,400 acres of land, the solar array taps into the intense desert sun in Boulder City, Nevada to produce clean energy. Power from the facility is sold to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the City of Burbank under an agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority. The light gauge fixed tilt array and driven pile foundations were designed to Risk Category III parameters based on specific requirements from the local building jurisdiction. The foundation design was complicated by highly corrosive and variable soil conditions due to the vast magnitude of the project area.
Quick Facts
- Size: 1,400 acres
- Contractor: AMEC Foster Wheeler
- 1 million solar photovoltaic panels provide 250MW, enough energy to power approximately 90,000 homes
- Construction Cost: $625,000,000
- Over 5,000 semi-truck loads were required during construction
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 419,000 tons annually, the equivalent of taking approximately 88,000 cars off the road
Photo credit: Buehler Engineering, Inc.
