Affiliated Organizations, Leaving No Trace

Route 447: America’s Solar Highway

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Over the last couple years, Black Rock Solar has been busy sprinkling solar power arrays throughout northern Nevada.  In fact, they’ve been so busy, that Route 447 (from I-80 to Gerlach) now boasts the most (120kW) gifted solar power than any other route in the country.  It has thus been (unofficially) dubbed “America’s Solar Highway”.

And what’s particularly cool is that you can see them from the road.  So if you’re driving 447 on your way to the Burn, keep an eye out for these solar arrays (in order):

Wadsworth School solar array, on the right, just after you turn onto 447.
Solar array at the Natchez School in Wadsworth, on your right just after you turn onto 447.
Nixon Health Center solar array, on your left just as you enter the town of Nixon
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Medical Clinic solar array, on your left just as you enter the town of Nixon.
Solar array at the Gerlach School, on your left as you pass through Gerlach.
Solar array at the Gerlach School, on your left as you pass through Gerlach.

Black Rock Solar is paving the way to socially-conscious radical self-reliance (from fossil fuels) in the real world.  Watch for these solar arrays along your way to Burning Man, and enjoy a nice smile of satisfaction when you spot ’em.

About the author: Will Chase

Will Chase

Will Chase is Burning Man's former Minister of Propaganda, working on global communications strategy. He was the editor-in-chief for the Jackrabbit Speaks newsletter and the Burning Man Journal, and content manager for Burning Man’s web properties. He also oversaw the ePlaya BBS and Burning Man’s social media presence. Will first attended Burning Man in 2001. He volunteered as the Operations Manager for the ARTery (Black Rock City’s art HQ) and was on the Burning Man Art Council from 2003-2008. He was Web Team Project Manager and Webmaster from 2004 until he transitioned to the Communications Department in 2009.

2 Comments on “Route 447: America’s Solar Highway”

  • mars.deco says:
    August 25, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Please have your webmaster revisit the three photos above and pump up the brightness factor. The important detail is hard to see.
    Thanx

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  • Ryder says:
    August 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Fantastic work BRS. I am a CM for the worlds largest solar design builder(Sunpower) and will not be able to make it this year due to a 1 mega watt project for a peach packing plant near Fresno. I would love to hear more about future projects.

    The sun rises every day.

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