Overview
DOE Golden NREL Main Campus is a 3.3 MW solar PV facility in Golden, Colorado, operated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It supports renewable energy research and grid integration.
DOE Golden NREL Main Campus is a 3.3 MW solar photovoltaic facility located in Golden, Colorado, United States. Owned and operated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), it serves as a research and demonstration site for solar energy technologies. The facility is operational and contributes to the growing solar capacity in the region. The plant features solar PV panels that convert sunlight into electricity, with a capacity of 3.3 megawatts. This scale is typical for a medium-sized commercial or research-oriented solar installation. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Colorado's Renewable Portfolio Standard, which targets 100% renewable energy by 2040. These policies support the deployment of solar energy and grid modernization. The facility plays a key role in advancing solar technology and grid integration research. As part of NREL's campus, it provides valuable data on solar performance, energy storage, and grid stability. The environmental context includes the semi-arid climate of Colorado, which offers high solar irradiance, making it ideal for solar generation. The facility's location in a research hub underscores its significance in driving innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Environmental context
Located in the semi-arid climate of Golden, Colorado, the facility benefits from high solar irradiance, optimizing energy generation. The region's sunny conditions support efficient solar PV operation. The plant's presence on a research campus minimizes land-use impact while contributing to grid integration studies and renewable energy advancement.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located in Golden, Colorado, United States, on the campus of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The solar PV facility has a capacity of 3.3 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale installation suitable for research and demonstration.
The facility is owned and operated by the DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a leading research institution for renewable energy.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and incentives for solar energy projects, reducing costs and encouraging investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
Colorado's Renewable Portfolio Standard aims for 100% renewable energy by 2040, driving the adoption of solar and other clean energy sources.