The largest solar and storage project in the United States is now connected to the grid. The Gemini Solar + Storage Projectbuilt by Primergy Solar and Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, will provide power to Las Vegas and other Nevada and Southwest communities.
Credit: Primergy
“Gemini broke the mold with historic solar and BESS, backed by the largest tax financing of its kind,” said Ty Daul, CEO of Primergy. “Reaching full commercial operations marks an important technical and financial milestone for our team. We successfully addressed the challenging supply chain and inflation issues through proactive planning and collaboration to bring this project online. We are grateful to our partners and investors for their commitment and shared vision in delivering clean energy to the Western US.”
Gemini’s 1.8 million solar panels can generate up to 690 MWAC (966-MWDC), which supplies approximately 10% of Nevada’s peak power demand. The solar panels are combined with 380 MW of 4-hour battery storage, for approximately 1,400 MWh of reliable power after sunset. The project’s unique DC-coupled storage configuration allows the BESS to be charged directly from the solar panels, resulting in increased efficiency and maximizing solar energy capture and storage directly on site. It was reported that the project used Maxeon solar panels.
To minimize environmental impact, Primergy has taken measures to leave vegetation in place, installed solar panels to follow the natural contours of the ground and reduced the project’s land footprint by more than 20% by through a well-thought-out design. In addition, the project created approximately 1,300 union and prevailing wage jobs and contributed approximately $463 million to Nevada’s economy.
“Gemini is creating a blueprint for the holistic and innovative development of clean energy on a mega-scale, and we are proud to have brought this landmark project to life and delivered so many positive impacts in terms of job creation, environmental stewardship and community engagement the local community,” said David Scaysbrook, co-founder and managing partner of Quinbrook. “Quinbrook and Primergy have worked as one team to diligently meet the inevitable challenges of bringing one of the largest solar and storage projects ever online. It is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our teams – along with our many best-in-class partners – that Gemini is now playing a meaningful role in delivering clean, affordable energy to the people of Las Vegas.”
News item from Primergy