Wildlife-Friendly Solar Energy in the Mojave Desert *

Valley Electric Association (VEA) and USFWS worked together to construct a wildlife-friendly solar power generation facility in the Mojave Desert near Pahrump, Nevada. VEA set solar panels higher above the ground (42 inches) relative to the industry standard (24 inches) and placed openings every 260 feet along the perimeter fence to allow wildlife passage. To protect the desert tortoise, maintenance vehicles were restricted and staff received training. Monitoring results showed that wildlife such as tortoises, rattlesnakes, black-tailed jackrabbits, and kit foxes are using the fence openings. The elevated placement of solar panels allowed extensive vegetation to persist at the site.