Another giant solar plant to serve Phoenix area

Arizona Public Service has committed to buying electricity from a second, giant solar energy plant. The Starwood Solar I will generate 290 megawatts in the Harquahala Valley, about 75 miles west of Phoenix, and south of I-10. It will cover 1,900 acres.

The plant will use 3,500 parabolic mirrors [right, credit APS] to heat up fluids that will turn water into steam to turn the turbines. Excess heat will go into molten salt to be used to generate electricity for up to 6 hours after sundown.

APS last year agreed to take power from the Solana Generating Station, a 280-megawatt concentrating solar power plant to be built 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, near Gila Bend.