BLM goes green: New solar at Long Term Visitor Areas

Return visitors to the Long Term Visitor Areas in Quartzsite could be in for a surprise: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) just completed installation of new “grid-tie” solar systems.

Using federal stimulus funds, the BLM issued a $150,000 contract to install solar panels at each of the four contact stations. The systems track the sun’s path, making for a highly efficient collector. Each of the arrays is rated at 2.4 kilowatts, and is tied to the public power grid. In essence, when the contact station is up and operating, there should be sufficient power from the sun to meet the needs of the station, and during off hours (and off season) the power generated by the solar arrays will be pumped back into the public power grid, being purchased by the local power company.

This is the first solar project undertaken by the BLM in the Quartzsite area.