To the south of the Monte Cristo mountain range and west of Paymaster Canyon, a vast stretch of the Nevada desert has attracted modern-day prospectors chasing one of 21st-century America’s greatest investment booms.

 

Solar power developers want to cover an area larger than Washington, DC, with silicon panels and batteries, converting sunlight into electricity that will power air conditioners in sweltering Las Vegas along with millions of other homes and businesses.

 

But earlier this month, bureaucrats in charge of federal lands scrapped collective approval for the Esmeralda 7 projects, in what campaigners fear is part of an attack on renewable energy under President Donald Trump. “We will not approve wind or farmer destroying [sic] Solar,” he posted on his Truth Social platform in August. Developers will need to reapply individually, slowing progress.

 

Thousands of miles away on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, it is a different story. China has laid solar panels across an area the size of Chicago high up on the Tibetan Plateau, where the thin air helps more sunlight get through.

 

Read more https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/10/theres-a-global-boom-in-solar-except-in-the-united-states/

 

White clouds drift over a combined wind-solar installation in Shandong province, China.
Image - Getty Images

Looking at the area in question on Google Maps there's basically a whole load of bugger-all.

 

 

Thank you TACO; moving the USA back in time, on the path to extinction.

Yeah.... another 'winning' decision from the current US administration.  More likely intended to keep the fossil fuel industry reaping in their profits.

 

I lived in Nevada for 25 years and made many trips through mile upon mile of dry, barren lands.  Plenty of available land for solar that isn't suitable for agriculture of any sort.

19 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

Plenty of available land for solar that isn't suitable for agriculture of any sort.

 

Any idea what's being grown in those green circles bottom left of my satellite image?

55 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Any idea what's being grown in those green circles bottom left of my satellite image?

There are some irrigation installations using ground local ground water.  Maybe they're growing 'weed'.

 

Recent studies have said the aquifers in many regions of central and western USA are being drained at an unsustainable rate.... ... like the planet doesn't have enough worries already.

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Any idea what's being grown in those green circles bottom left of my satellite image?

 

Cattle feed.

OK, slightly off the original post about the falling price of panels - not in the USA.

 

This morning, out of curiosity, I popped into the HomePro Mega store which recently opened near us and was amazed at their range of solar products which they now have available.  Everything from panels, inverters (Huawei), ESS (Huawei), batteries and mounting accessories etc.

 

The one thing that immediately caught my eye was the price of their 700W Mono Half Cell N-Type solar panels (Manufactured by: Luxen Solar Energy Co. Ltd).

 

I know that @BritManToo often extolls the low prices of panels available on Lazada, but this is truly amazing for a major DIY retail store.  Obviously if you want them delivered that would be an additional cost.

 

 

 

 

Although very tempted to consider upgrading my small-scale system, my better half has put her foot down with a very firm hand -  gently reminding me of what happened during my last escapade on the carport roof 😢.