Why don't Vegas casinos use the city's unlimited supply of solar energy to cheaply power their gaming palaces?

Question

Why don't Vegas casinos use the city's unlimited supply of solar energy to cheaply power their gaming palaces?

Answer 1

Vegas has been using renewable energy before it was called renewable energy. They have a hydroelectric plant located just outside of town called Hoover Dam.

Unfortunately solar power is limited by daylight hours. If you've ever been to Vegas they have just as high electricity usage at 3 am as 3 pm.

Answer 2

How do you know they don't?

Answer 3

When I lived in Vegas that was the first question I asked myself.  I have no idea why they don't ,but in the NV/CA desert I think somewhere near 29 Palms, there is a solar farm (it's gorgeous).  

Vegas is totally behind when it comes to most green things.  Trash pickup is 2x/week. Recycling consist of aluminum cans, newspaper, glass bottles and that's it.  The landfill is controlled by one entity and the tipping fees are cheaper than CA, so that's no big incentive to recycle.

I hope they can get on the ball soon!

Answer 4

Speaking as someone who lived in Las Vegas for 13 years, they do use environmentally friendly resources to gain power.  It's cycled through Hoover (or Boulder depending on the name you prefer) Dam.  The power is created there by the same water used for part of their water supply, fishing and wildlife, and recreational use as well.  The power is then sent along to Nevada Power (the power company) and sold through out the Vegas valley.  Individual casinos do, of course, have back up power sources.  These sources are run off of generators, most of which, I believe, are run from solar power.  In short, they might not always use it, but what is used, is environmentally friendly.

As for why they don't always use it, it's money mostly.  Without the casinos Nevada Power would have to raise prices for everyone else.  Nobody really wants to pay higher rates for power.  Hence tourism happens, the money gets spread around a little more, and rates stay low while power is syphoned from water.

Answer 5

well its not really unlimited yes the sun is a good source of energy its just the demand for energy is to much for the solar power plant to pruduce they may use it but they still need more power to run the casino