President tours Nellis' solar photovoltaic array

President Barack Obama, Col. Dave Belote, 99th Air Base Wing commander, and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., tour the Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., photovoltaic array here, May 27. As the largest solar energy field in the Western Hemisphere, the PVA has over 72,000 solar panels which save the base approximately $1 million a year in energy costs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nadine Y. Barclay).

President adds provisions to Recovery Act, tours Nellis' photovoltaic array

President Barack Obama announced two added energy provisions to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to more than 400 military and civilian members at the Thunderbird Hanger at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 25. Prior to his speech, President Obama visited Nellis' photovoltaic array, the largest solar energy farm in the western hemisphere. The PVA has more than 72,000 solar panels, which save the base about $1 million a year in energy costs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)

Nellis Solar Power Team receives 2008 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award

General Norton Schwartz, U.S. Air Force chief of staff, awards the 2008 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award to the Nellis Solar Power Team at the Omnishore Hotel, Washington DC, Sep. 16. Pictured from left to right are James Snook, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Gene Rogers, Nellis deputy base civil engineer, Jeffrey Blazi, Nellis AFB utility manager, Lt. Col. Karen White, AFCESA, Gen. Schwartz, Steven Dumont, Air Combat Command, Tomas White, ACC, David Robledo, Nellis project contracting officer. Members not pictured are Lynn Haarklau, National Environmental Policy Act manager, and Michelle Price, Nellis energy manager. (courtesy photo)

Nellis activates nation's largest PV Array

The solar field, comprised of more than 72,000 panels, was completed after 26 weeks of construction and three years of planning. The array is expected to produce more than 25 percent of Nellis' electricity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Robert Valenca)

Nellis activates nation's largest PV Array

Col. Michael Bartley, 99th Air Base Wing commander, Nellis AFB, along with Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons flip the switch to the North America's largest solar photovoltaic power plant located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Dec. 17, 2007. The Solar Power System is a $100 million project, covering a total of 140 acres and providing over 14.2 megawatts of electricity. The Nellis Solar Power System will meet an average of 25 percent of Nellis' electricity requirements saving over $1 million dollars annually. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scottie McCord)

Solar panels connect to base electric grid

On 140 acres of unused Nellis land, 70,000 solar panels await activation as the first third of the solar photovoltaic array gets commissioned Oct. 12 with the other 66 percent of the panels scheduled for activation in the next two months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nadine Y. Barclay)