In recent years, solar energy generation in the United States has seen a remarkable increase, driven by advancements in technology and a growing commitment to sustainable energy solutions. This surge has resulted in the establishment of some of the largest solar farms in the country, each contributing significantly to the national energy grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These solar farms not only represent the commitment to renewable energy but also play a pivotal role in energy security and environmental conservation. As we delve into the details of these impressive installations, it becomes evident how the U.S. is harnessing the power of the sun to power its future.
Largest Solar Farms in the U.S.
The 3 largest solar farms in the U.S. in 2024 are the Topaz Solar Farm, the Edwards Sanborn Solar Plus Storage facility, and the Copper Mountain Solar Farm.
Solar Farm Name | Location | Solar Farm Size |
Topaz Solar Farm | San Luis Obispo County, CA | 4,700 acres |
Edwards Sanborn Solar Plus Storage Facility | Kern County, CA | 4,660 acres |
Copper Mountain Solar Farm | Boulder City, NV | 4,000 acres |
Desert Sunlight Solar Farm | Riverside County, CA | 3,800 acres |
Permian Energy Center Solar PV Park | Andrews, TX | 3,700 acres |
Solar Star Solar Farm | Kern & LA Counties, CA | 3,200 acres |
Roadrunner Solar Farm | Upton County, TX | 2,770 acres |
1) Topaz Solar Farm
The Topaz Solar Farm in San Luis Obispo County, CA is the largest solar farm in the U.S., spanning 4,700 acres of land with over 9 million solar panels. It can supply energy to about 180,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 407,000 metric tons annually, equivalent to taking 77,000 cars off American roads each year. Additionally, the farm has reportedly enhanced the local economy by $417 million. Topaz is currently owned by BHE Renewables, a fully-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
2) Edwards Sanborn Solar Plus Storage Facility
Spanning over 4,660 acres, the Edwards Sanborn Solar Plus Storage facility is one of the largest solar farms in the U.S. with the largest battery storage system in the world. The Edwards & Sanborn project, located in Kern County, California, is the largest public-private collaboration in U.S. Department of Defense history, with part of the site situated on Edwards Air Force Base. This remarkable solar farm features a capacity of 875 megawatts (MW) of solar power and 3.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage. It is anticipated to supply electricity to over 238,000 homes while annually reducing CO2 emissions by 320,000 tons. The facility commenced operations in February 2023 and achieved full operational status by January 2024.
3) Copper Mountain Solar Farm
The Copper Mountain Solar Facility in Boulder City, Nevada is another one of the largest solar farms in the U.S. It spans more than 4,000 acres of land and was built in multiple phases with the initial phase beginning in 2010. The solar farm consists of nearly 9 million solar panels with a capacity of 802 MW.
4) Desert Sunlight Solar Farm
The Desert Sunlight Solar Farm, located in Riverside County, California, stands as one of the largest completed solar PV projects worldwide, spanning nearly 3,800 acres of land. Developed with an investment of USD 1.5 billion, it boasts a generation capacity of 550 MW and produces an estimated 1,060,000 MWh annually. This impressive facility helps prevent approximately 614,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. The solar farm is a joint venture owned by General Electric, NextEra, and Sumitomo of America.
During its construction, the project created about 550 jobs and utilized 70,000 metric tons of American steel. The farm features an astounding 8.9 million solar modules, highlighting its significant contribution to renewable energy.
The Desert Sunlight Solar Farm is situated on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Solar energy presents significant development opportunities on public lands. The federal government oversees nearly 250 million acres (101 million hectares) of U.S. territory, which is about one-ninth of the country. Most of this land is located in the West and comprises vast desert areas with ample sunlight—ideal for millions of solar panels.
Government agencies on the state, county, and city levels can also lease their properties for solar energy, which generates revenue and contributes to local economic growth and sustainability. LandGate's free services for government agencies help government property owners to analyze the renewable energy potential of their properties and advertise available properties for lease directly to developers, all at no cost.
5) Permian Energy Center Solar PV Park
Permian Energy Center Solar PV Park located in Andrews, TX is a ground-mounted solar project developed by Orsted that is spread over an area of 3,600 acres. This 520-megawatt solar farm contains over 1.3 million solar panels and supplies enough clean energy to power 80,000 households. The project construction began in 2019 and entered into commercial operation in May 2021.
6) Solar Star Solar Farm
The Solar Star Solar Farm, situated in Kern and Los Angeles counties, California, ranks among the largest solar farms in the United States. With 1.72 million solar panels, it generates electricity purchased by Southern California Edison. Construction commenced in the first quarter of 2013, and partial operations started in 2014. By the second quarter of 2015, Solar Star was fully operational. Spanning 3,200 acres, it produces enough electricity to power 245,000 California homes.
7) Roadrunner Solar Farm
Located in Upton County in West Texas, the Roadrunner solar plus storage project is the largest operational solar project in Texas and one of the largest solar farms in the country. The Roadrunner Solar Farm is situated on approximately 2,770 acres of land, generating 1.2 TWh of energy while avoiding the emissions of over 800,000 tons of CO2 per year. Operations for the Roadrunner Solar Farm began mid-2022.
Which State Has the Most Solar Farms?
California has the most solar farms in the U.S. California produced over 68,800 GWh of electricity from the sun in 2023, which is more than double the output of any other state. California boasts numerous state and local incentives, ambitious renewable portfolio standards, and a wide array of solar installers, making solar energy both appealing and cost-effective for residents. Texas ranks second with 31,700 GWh, followed by Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona.
How to Find Solar Farms in the U.S.
There are thousands of solar farms in the U.S., and hundreds more are currently planned for construction. Between August and December this year, we expect that U.S. utility-scale developers will add 24 GW of solar electricity generating capacity. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that utility-scale solar developers will add 34 GW of solar energy generating capacity in the last quarter of 2024, with new solar electricity generating capacity making up 63%, or nearly two-thirds, of all new electricity generating capacity to come online in the United States.
Using LandGate's LandApp tool, you can pinpoint the location of active, building, planned, and queued solar projects across the country. Subscribe to LandApp for $10/ month to access nationwide solar farm maps:
If you're interested in leasing your land for a solar farm, you can list your property for lease for free on LandGate's marketplace. Listing is free, with no obligation to accept any offers:
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