LAS VEGAS, July 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NRG Energy,
Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today
announced the completed expansion of the nation's largest rooftop
solar array. On the roof of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the
expanded solar array has more than 26,000 photovoltaic panels and
produces a combined 8.3 MW dc (6.5 MW ac) of electricity, a new
national record for rooftop arrays. At full production, the system
supplies 25% of the power demand of the entire Mandalay Bay Resort
& Casino campus.
It is projected that the expanded solar installation will
displace approximately 8,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)
annually, the equivalent of taking more than 1,700 automobiles off
the road. The electricity produced is also equivalent to the
average annual usage of 1,340 U.S. homes. Since completion of the
first phase in 2014, the project has helped provide pricing
stability for MGM Resorts, while reducing the amount of energy
drawn from the southern Nevada
grid during times of peak electricity demand.
"MGM Resorts International has a long history of integrating
environmentally responsible practices throughout our operations to
help preserve the planet's limited resources," said Cindy Ortega, Senior Vice President and Chief
Sustainability Officer of MGM Resorts International. "Our continued
partnership with NRG is a source of pride and inspires our desire
to continually implement innovative solutions that promote
renewable energy."
Chuck Bowling, President and COO
of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino added: "The expansion of our
rooftop solar installation at Mandalay Bay significantly advances
our resort's commitment to being a leading sustainable destination
for conferences and conventions. Utilizing energy produced from a
renewable resource is a cornerstone of our comprehensive strategy
of sustainable operations."
"Companies like MGM Resorts are driving an evolution in
America's energy mix as they seek cleaner sources of power that
provide more certainty over energy costs," said Craig Cornelius, Senior Vice President of NRG
Energy and head of NRG's Renewables group. "The solar array atop
Mandalay Bay is stunning in its scope and functionality, and we're
thrilled to have MGM as a partner."
The expanded project uses technology from Ten K Solar. Ten K's
REFLECT™ system consists of 4,644 Modules, 180 inverters and a
fully integrated Ten K racking system with no roof penetrations.
The racking system uses 3M Cool Mirror Film™ to reflect only the
light wavelengths usable by the photovoltaic cells. Ten K's
parallel cell and module architecture allows for modules to capture
non-uniform irradiance coming from reflected light. The
architecture further eliminates any single points of failure,
increasing total system availability and reducing operation
and maintenance costs.
NRG owns and operates the installation for MGM Resorts at
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Through a 25-year Power Purchase
Agreement (PPA), Mandalay Bay Resort will purchase all the
electricity generated by both solar arrays.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global
hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort
brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.
The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in
Maryland and MGM Springfield in
Massachusetts. MGM Resorts
controls, and holds a 73 percent economic interest in the operating
partnership of MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP), a premier
triple-net lease real estate investment trust engaged in the
acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination
entertainment and leisure resorts. The Company also owns 51 percent
of MGM China Holdings Limited (HK: 2282), which owns the MGM Macau
resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and
50 percent of CityCenter in Las
Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. MGM Resorts
is named among FORTUNE® Magazine's 2016 list of World's Most
Admired Companies®. For more information about MGM
Resorts International, visit the Company's website at
www.mgmresorts.com.
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company
in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation's largest and most
diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading
retail electricity platform. A Fortune 200 company, NRG creates
value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient
electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and
commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large
and small, we continually innovate, embrace and implement
sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We aim to
be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering
exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve
almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout
the country.
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International