Solar power in Wyoming

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
U.S. solar potential

Solar power in Wyoming has the potential to generate 72 million MWh/yr. Wyoming used 12 million MWh in 1999. Wyoming is one of the country's windiest states and has the potential to generate 883 million MWh/yr from wind power.[1] Solar and wind power tend to complement each other, with more solar power available in summer and during the day, and more wind power available at night and during the winter.[2] Net metering is available to all consumers generating up to 25 kW.[3] IREC best practices, based on experience, recommends no limits to net metering, individual or aggregate, and perpetual roll over of kWh credits.[4] Installing a 5 kW solar array could cost $20,000 but is expected to pay for itself in 15 years, and go on to return a $15,166 profit over its expected 25 year life.[5]


Facilities[]

Main article: List of power stations in Wyoming § Solar

The dormitories near Old Faithful Geyser installed 30.78 kW of solar panels in 2015.[6]

The 92MW Sweetwater Solar project near Green River came online as the first utility-scale solar farm in Wyoming in December 2018.[7][8] Additional projects are in advanced stages of development to be located near Kemmerer as the region's economy transitions from a scheduled closure of the Naugton coal plant.[9][10]

Statistics[]

Source: NREL[11]
Wyoming Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[12][13][14][15][16][17]
Year Capacity Change % Change
2009 0.1
2010 0.2 0.1 100%
2011 0.2 <0.1 0%
2012 0.6 0.4 200%
2013 1.0 0.4 66%
2014 1.2 0.2 20%
2015 1.5 0.3 25%
2016 1.9 0.4 26%
2017 2.3 0.4 21%
2018 112.3 110 4,782%
2019 117.6 5.3 4%
2020 140 22.4 19%
Utility-scale solar generation in Wyoming (GWh)[18]
Year Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2019 179 7 9 16 16 19 23 23 22 17 14 8 5
2020 166 8 13 15 20 21 20 9 18 15 11 9 7
2021 135 8 11 15 19 21 21 21 19

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Wyoming Renewable Energy Resources Archived 2009-01-17 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Wind Power: Nature’s Gift
  3. ^ Wyoming - Net Metering Archived 2012-04-18 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Net Metering and Interconnection Procedures Incorporating Best Practices
  5. ^ Wyoming Solar
  6. ^ "Wyoming Solar Power - Yellowstone Park". OnSite Energy. 2016. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  7. ^ "Wyoming - Rock Springs FO - Sweetwater Solar Energy Project". Bureau of Land Management. 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  8. ^ Richards, Heather (2019-02-18). "With another solar development in the wings, is a new renewable coming for Wyoming?". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  9. ^ Mike Koshmrl, Jackson Hole News & Guide (2019-01-29). "Solar farms sprout in southwest Wyoming". Rocket-Miner. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  10. ^ Richards, Heather (January 31, 2019). "Solar farm proposed as coal unit blinks out in Kemmerer". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  11. ^ "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  12. ^ Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  13. ^ Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  14. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  15. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  16. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  17. ^ Wyoming Solar
  18. ^ "Electricity Data Browser". U.S. Department of Energy. March 28, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""