"The Cannon Power Corp. in Rancho Santa Fe submitted an application last month to the Bureau of Land Management to construct photovoltaic panels in the Lucerne Valley Dry Lake bed, according to Bureau of Land Management documents.

Two of the largest proposed solar projects, one for 59 square miles and another for 82 square miles, could be built in Ward Valley, north of Twentynine Palms, according to BLM documents. The applications to construct solar projects of 20 square miles or more exceeds the number of wind power projects of the same size, documents show.

The projects have environmental consequences and their sheer size means less land will be left for other uses, such as hiking and ranching."

http://www.sbsun.com/sanbernardino/ci_8686798

LR

In 2007, Cannon established its solar project division, Cannon Solar Partners, LLC. Today, Cannon is concentrating on the U.S. and selected European markets, where it has over 3,000 MW of wind and solar projects in various stages of development in the Western United States, Mexico, and Europe.

Lucerne Valley, California Solar Projects

(North and South), Two Locations +1,000 MW The permitting is in progress and Cannon’s development plan is to utilize concentrated solar photovoltaic technology.These projects, located in San Bernardino County in a very high quality solar resource area, are being developed by Cannon Solar Partners, LLC, Cannon’s solar development entity.

These are open area for everyone so we all loose.

Lucerne Valley remains a "crossroads" between Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear and the Eastern High Desert area of Yucca Valley and Morongo Valley,

Johnson Valley is a popular off-road vehicle recreation site known for its steep, rocky mountains and several dry lakes.

Lucerne Dry Lake is a popular spot for launching model rockets and is home to several model-rocket clubs.

Lucerne Valley is also open to amateur mining in the surrounding hills where mainly quartz, topaz and jasper can be found.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucerne_Valley,_California

http://vote29.com/drupal/?q=node/212

You wouldn't be a little too focused on attempting to belittle ME would you?

Naaah!

:-)

"On a sunbathed warehouse rooftop in Fontana, Southern California Edison officials Thursday said they plan to launch the world's largest solar cell project.

By placing panels of photovoltaic cells on a sea of warehouses in Inland Southern California, the utility intends to produce 250 megawatts of electricity, enough to serve the power needs of about 162,000 homes"

Follow the link to read more about it ...........

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_D_prologis28.33d7ac2.html

LR

Parking lots can be fitted with carport like structures holding solar panel arrays which not only generate electricity near the source of consumption, but also keep cars cool and out of the direct sunlight.

I don't think anybody will let the power companies have the roof top for free. What kind of compensation would be offered? A discount on the electric bill or what?

Later,

PBiZ

The obstacle here is the cost to fit these buildings and parking lots without a profit motive. If it's worthwhile to the building's owner, and there is a reasonable payback period, they will fit the buildings themselves.

I don't believe a wholesale government unfunded mandate is the solution. Tax credits can, and do help stimulate the demand, as they did with windmills. The only thing limiting windmills today, as a green source of energy, is the greens themselves, who don't want them in their "viewshed".

I can't imagine anyone having a problem with the placement of the solar panels themselves, on top of buildings or parking lots, unless we're talking about political action groups who can't find political advantage to them, and the utility companies who can't gain control of them.

They're kinda hard on migrating birds and raptors too!

Even some environmentalists (although not the radical sort in most instances) believe this is over-emphasized, and has become the rallying cry of people (The Kennedy clan among them) who just don't want them in their "viewshed". Likewise, nuclear energy is being embraced by some very practical environmental advocates as the most desirable power source of all.

If you listened to Dennis Prager last Friday, he hosted Gwyneth Cravens, who is a noted author and environmentalist, as well as a self-described liberal, who dispelled the myths about nuclear power which have been used to effectively suppress the use of that technology here in the US for decades. Her insight is really very interesting.

But first, here is an article regarding raptors and windmills.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/04/common_misconce.php

Solar, geothermal, and wind-generated power can't possibly satisfy the world's demand for inexpensive and clean power sources. Coal and fossil fuel-fired power plants have obvious disadvantages. The disadvantages to nuclear power plants are mostly contrived and designed to support a political outcome.

I think nuclear power is a great alternative.

Come to think of it, if there is to be no landfill at Eagle Mountain, that old open pit mine might be an ideal location for the nuclear waste for the next 1500 generations.

Thanks for the idea, Sal. See that? Even a blind squirrel comes up with an acorn once in a while.