Publications

Jemez Pueblo solar power study

Acker, Thomas L.; John, Cherise; DeVore, Kaelyn; Tallas, Steven; Khatibi, Mehrdad; Vadiee, Nader; West, Jonathan; Collins, Matthew; Billie, Tomzak; Atcitty, Stanley A.

Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) conducted a pre- feasibility study for utility-scale solar power on the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico. Student groups at NAU and SIPI analyzed four different 40-MW solar power projects to understand whether or not such plants built on tribal lands are technically and financially feasible. The NREL System Advisor Model (SAM) was employed to analyze the following four alternatives: fixed, horizontal-axis photovoltaic (PV); fixed, tilted-at-latitude PV; horizontal, single-axis tracking PV; and a solar-thermal "power tower" plant. Under supervision from faculty, the student teams predicted the energy production and net present value for the four options. This paper presents details describing the solar power plants analyzed, the results of the SAM analyses, and a sensitivity analysis of the predicted performance to key input variables. Overall, solar power plants on the Jemez Pueblo lands appear to pass the test for financial feasibility.