The largest solar + battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the US has gone live, the companies involved in the project announced.
Primergy Solar and Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners said in a press release that the Gemini Solar + Storage project in Clark County, Nevada, was now fully operational and commercially functional.
The project delivers clean, affordable power to communities in Las Vegas and beyond. Its 1.8 million solar panels can generate up to 690 MW of power, or ~10 percent of Nevada's peak power demand. The project also contains a 380 MW / 1,400 MWh battery offering four hours of energy storage, the companies said in their press release, adding that the project contributed ~$463 million to Nevada's economy.
Gemini's unique DC-coupled storage configuration enables the BESS to directly charge from solar panels. This increases efficiency and maximizes the capture and storage of solar energy directly on-site, the companies said.
Ty Daul, CEO, Primergy, said in the release: "Achieving full commercial operations marks a significant technical and financial milestone for our team." He noted that "Gemini broke the mold with a historic amount of solar and BESS."
David Scaysbrook, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Quinbrook, said: "Gemini creates a blueprint for holistic and innovative clean energy development at mega scale, and we are proud to have brought this milestone project to life."