Birds have had their feathers burned as a result of the solar farm

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, the world’s largest solar plant of its kind, recently switched on its solar panels, situated five square miles of the Mojave Desert, near the California and Nevada border. State energy officials have just released shocking photos of birds which were burned after flying into the hot ‘thermal flux’ around the towers. The towers can reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant is made up of three generating units, which are surrounded by more than 300,000 reflecting mirrors. When it is at full power, it is then able to produce enough electricity for 140,000 homes.

However, with new evidence coming to light over the safety of birds flying above the solar panels, environmentalists have hit out by demonstrating how the extremely hot ‘thermal flux’ surrounding the towers is scorching the birds.

It has been reported that state and federal regulators are currently conducting a two-year study of the Ivanpah plant’s effects on birds, with environmental groups questioning the value of cleaner power when native wildlife is being killed or injured.

Meanwhile, Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group told reporters, “The opening of Ivanpah is a dawn of a new era in power generation in the United States, we are going to be a global leader in solar generation.”

President Obama has mounted a second-term drive to combat climate change, proposing to put limits on carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. The aim of President Obama is to move the US from being dependent on coal and to promote future energies such as wind, solar, nuclear, and natural gas.

Therefore, with backing from the government, one can easily see the plant’s dedication as the US government continues to push for the development of greener, cleaner power. But the problem arising from this form of energy is not just the killing or maiming of birds, the plant can be a startling sight for drivers heading toward Las Vegas along the busy Interstate 15.

Yet, with all these problems it seems like disputes over the new energies will continue to take place, as other states take it upon themselves to push government reforms into generating more renewable energy. It is only until a major disaster happens that something will actually be done to resolve the problems that face the wildlife and the local communities.

Akashic Times is the UK’s only online, fully independent not-for-profit fortnightly newspaper that brings you real news from across the globe.

If you want to keep ahead of what is really going on in the world, subscribe to our newspaper via the subscribe button and join our Facebook & Twitter pages. Subscription is completely free ofcourse