Solar Farm Design Project, Tonopah, Nevada
As an architect and designer at TeslaWatt, I led the design development of the first phase of a multi-year, large-scale utility solar photovoltaic facility located in Tonopah, Nevada, during 2024–2025. This initial phase encompassed approximately 171 hectares of desert terrain, establishing the foundational infrastructure and design framework that will guide subsequent expansion phases over the coming years. The project required careful consideration of the region's unique environmental conditions, including high solar irradiance levels, extreme temperature fluctuations, and arid landscape characteristics. Utilizing PVcase Ground Mount software, I developed comprehensive site layouts that optimized panel orientation, row spacing, and terrain grading to maximize energy generation while minimizing earthwork costs and environmental disturbance. The software enabled efficient automatic layout generation across the undulating desert topography, allowing for rapid iteration of design scenarios and precise calculation of cut-and-fill volumes. The design process involved coordinating with civil engineers on access road networks and stormwater management, as well as integrating substation placement and transmission infrastructure into the overall site plan—with scalability built in to accommodate future phases. Working within Tonopah's distinctive high-desert environment—known historically as a mining town and more recently as a hub for renewable energy development—presented opportunities to balance industrial-scale solar infrastructure with the surrounding Mojave Desert landscape. As the inaugural phase of this long-term development, the project laid critical groundwork for expanded capacity while contributing to Nevada's growing renewable energy portfolio and leveraging the state's exceptional solar resources and supportive regulatory framework for clean energy development.