Solar partnership granted 13 million in tax rebates

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development recently voted 6-0 with one member absent to approve sales and property tax rebates for a partnership of Powered by Renewables of Las Vegas and SunEdison of Baltimore.

The commission earlier authorized similar tax benefits for Solargenix Energy's 64-megawatt, solar thermal power project at Boulder City, and it has provided tax relief to a geothermal power plant in Churchill County.

PBR and SunEdison are developing the project on Nellis Air Force Base. The solar system would provide power to the Air Force base and could meet three-quarters of its power needs, said Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

It would be the largest photovoltaic system in the world, according to the partners.

"This project will focus global attention on Nevada," Hunt said.

Nevada Power Co. is in "the final stages" of negotiations on a contract for renewable energy credits from the project, said spokeswoman Sonya Headen. Nevada Power could use the credits toward satisfying a state requirement that it obtain a portion of the power it sells from renewable sources including solar, wind and geothermal or hot underground water.

Construction is expected to start in July, according to the partners. The project will occupy 110 acres.

The partners plan to provide work for 30 workers making an average of $23.63 an hour.