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In October it was announced by MGM Resorts and NRG that the largest solar PV array had been installed on the roof of the Mandalay Bay convention center in Las Vegas. The 6.4 megawatt photovoltaic array covered approximately 900,000 sq.ft. and will produce enough electricity to power 1,000 U.S. homes annually. This got us thinking about the potential for solar power generation at some of the other mega hotel properties that line Las Vegas Blvd. Using satellite imagery and the data released for the Mandalay Bay array we ranked the other hotel properties for their solar potential. We took into account areas where solar panels could not be installed including decorative roofs, locations with equipment, and areas that are shaded by other properties. We estimate the potential for the major casinos to create a total of 42.6 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 7,107 homes per year.

Caesars Palace

Solar Area = 992,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 7.0 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 1147

Venetian/Palazzo

Solar Area = 900,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 6.4 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 1000

Mirage

Solar Area = 670,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 4.7 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 770

Rio

Solar Area = 615,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 4.3 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 704

MGM Grand

Solar Area = 500,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 3.5 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 573

Wynn/Encore

Solar Area = 400,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 2.8 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 459

Bellagio

Solar Area = 398,750 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 2.8 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 458

Aria

Solar Area = 205,625 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.9 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 310

Flamingo

Solar Area = 170,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.2 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 196

Monte Carlo

Solar Area = 168,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.2 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 196

Palms

Solar Area = 160,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.1 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 180

Planet Hollywood

Solar Area = 160,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.1 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 180

Ballys

Solar Area = 140,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.0 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 163

Paris

Solar Area = 140,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 1.0 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 163

Mandarin Oriental

Solar Area = 98,400 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.7 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 114

Excalibur

Solar Area = 89,700 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.6 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 105

Cosmopolitan

Solar Area = 87,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.6 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 105

Treasure Island

Solar Area = 80,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.5 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 82

Tropicana

Solar Area = 80,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.5 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 82

New York – New York

Solar Area = 62,500 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.4 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 65

Luxor

Solar Area = 48,000 sq.ft.

Electricity Generation = 0.3 megawatts

Number of U.S. Homes Powered Annually = 55

Looking at the numbers, the properties with the most solar potential are those with large event centers that have flat, open roofs that are unobstructed from shading. With 292 sunny days each year it comes as no surprise that Las Vegas holds incredible potential for solar electricity generation. Solar technology has finally reached a turning point where the savings can outweigh the costs. MGM Resorts and Mandalay Bay have taken the first steps forward toward a more renewable future. We hope that the other hotels will see the light and then capture it, and follow in their footsteps.

Images Supplied By Bing Maps