News 88.9 KNPR's State of Nevada -- The Future of Nevada's Solar Industry

Sign up for SON First!

SPECIALS




	Fronteras Vote

	Latino Ed Gap

	Fronteras


UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS



	Conservative Group Seeks Transparency From Ross Miller

	Former U.S. Attorney Being Investigated For Leaked Memo In Fast And Furious Debacle

	NV Energy Adjusts Vision

	Preventing Breast Cancer

	Protesting Carlos Slim


RECENT DISCUSSIONS



	NV Energy Coal Plan Has Critics

	Sun Money: Nevada University System Receives $20 Million To Improve Solar Power

	Being Oscar

	Election Commission Fines Ensign And Angle

	Should Kids In Failing Schools Get Scholarships For Private Schools?

	Open All Night: Online Poker And Problem Gambling

	Rep. Joe Heck On Search And Rescue

	What's On Your Mind?

	Billiards Boss: A Professional Pool Player Discusses The Game

	That's The Ticket: Lawmakers Want To Strengthen Tax On Entertainment

	Heller Lobbies To Strip IRS Of Obamacare Duties

	The Future Of Firefly

The Future of Nevada's Solar Industry

AIR DATE: September 30, 2011

LISTEN TO M3U | DOWNLOAD MP3

A recent scandal is sending tremors through Nevada's solar industry. A major solar company called Solyndra declared bankruptcy and fired all its workers, even after receiving a loan guarantee of $535 million from the government. The Capitol is now scrutinizing all potential fund recipients.

The big Crescent Dunes project near Tonopah ended up passing inspection, but the question remains: what is the future of the solar industry in Nevada? Even after we build the plants, can we compete with China's drastically lower prices? And will these proposed solar projects (like the one in Laughlin) bring the jobs and growth that they're promising?

GUESTS:

Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commissioner
Peter O'Dowd, reporter (KJZZ), Fronteras: The Changing Americas desk
Rose McKinney-James, principal, Energy Works Consulting & McKinney James & Associates; also formerly part of NV Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation Task Force

LATEST COMMENTS

If Chinese capital is funding the S. Nevada ...
-aunty palin

The unlisted panelist said "it's expensive to ...
-aunty palin

Does anyone have any stats on how many jobs ...
-aunty palin

Join the Conversation


	COMMENTS:
	If Chinese capital is funding the S. Nevada solar collection plants then does that not mean much of the profits will be going to them? I don't see how this is win win for NV. Also, it is my understanding that Flextronics in N. Las Vegas just assembles or packages solar photovoltaic cells made elsewhere into panels. I would assume there are very few profitable semiconductor plants renaining in the US. aunty palin –Sep 30, 2011 11:00:03 AM Respond to this comment

	The unlisted panelist said "it's expensive to ship those solar components across the ocean" Well, it certainly isn't free, but there are so many other things that are shipped across the ocean and sold here at significant profit. The cost of shipping for relatively high value/low weight/volume equipment is not significant given the much lower prices of these overseas producers. This means US producers have to offset higher local operating costs with the slim margin of long distance shipping. This is very tough. aunty palin –Sep 30, 2011 10:48:32 AM Respond to this comment

	Does anyone have any stats on how many jobs per square foot (or mile or meter) will be created by solar energy collection jobs. If average wage numbers are known then perhaps one could compare the wage density solar against other industries. Sorry to say it but the resort/casino industry probably far outstrips that of solar. It pains me to say this. aunty palin –Sep 30, 2011 10:25:55 AM Respond to this comment

	Well what other high tech manufacturing success stories are there in S. Nevada? Aren't we basically asking will the Flextronics plant (solar photovoltaic panel fab) in N. Las Vegas be able to compete and survive? The Ausra/Avena solar thermal equipment plant near Town Centre seems to be barely open. To me it looks like Nevada will just end up being a place where solar collection facilities will be operated with the equipment largely coming from elsewhere. The jobs will be decent paying but relatively low in numbers. Also, ironically, it is my understanding that the current generation of solar photovoltaic cells operate at reduced efficiency at typical Vegas Summer temperatures. So cooling has to be provided - thus reducing total operating efficiency. Doesn't this mean that the languishing solar thermal facility should actually be getting more business and attention? Poor Nevada, can't win for trying. Also, nothing personal about your panel but where are the technical people? We've got a politician/businessman, a journalist (Ivy League!) and an attorney. AP aunty palin –Sep 30, 2011 10:19:52 AM Respond to this comment

09/30/11 RUNDOWN


	White House officials visit Las Vegas to reach out to Latinos


	Decline of Boxing


	Who is Nevada's Tea Party


	The Future of Nevada's Solar Industry


NEWS 88.9 KNPR All Programs KNPR's State of Nevada Morning Edition All Things Considered Marketplace Fresh Air The Story Desert Bloom Nevada Yesterdays	CLASSICAL 89.7 Classical Playlist Classical Schedule Performance Today SymphonyCast Sunday Baroque Hearts of Space Pipedreams HD RADIO KNPR HD3 Alt. News KCNV HD2 Jazz	SUPPORT Donate Vehicle Donation Corporate Support Planned Giving Membership LISTEN Listen Live Podcasts Station Locator	FAQ Radio Reading Service EEO Public File The Public and Broadcasting Privacy Policy Mailing List Policy Prize Giveaway Guidelines Employment	ARCHIVES Along the Way Commentaries Desert Bloom Food for Thought Nevada Yesterdays Nevada Variations The Las Vegas I Remember 24-Hour Show	CONNECT Contact Community Connections Enews TWITTER @889KNPR @KNPRnews @Desert Companion FACEBOOK Nevada Public Radio Desert Companion