Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, Big Smoky Valley, NV, USA (aerial)

Aerial view overlooking Area 51!  Not really as that is 100 miles away, but this is a large solar panel project in the Big Smoky Valley outside of Tonopah, Nevada.  The concept is known as concentrated solar power (CSP) where solar power is generated using mirrors or lenses onto a receiver.  Construction here began in September 2011 to 2013 with commissioning starting in February 2014.  There are 10,347 heliostats that collect the vast Nevada sunshine to heat molten salt flowing through the 656' tall power tower visible in the middle.  The molted salt circulates from the tower into a storage tank where it produces steam and generates electricity, to which average monthly production was to exceed 40,000 MWh.  Any excess thermal energy is stored in the molten salt and can be used to generate power for up to ten hours, including times when direct sunlight isn't available.  Unfortunately due to some technology flaws & other legal issues, the site has since not produced energy since April 2019.  Near to the site are the Crescent Dunes, which has a main high dune & many other smaller ones.  Another such power facility similar in design is the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in the Mojave Desert, which holds the current title of world's largest solar plant.     Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescent_Dunes_Solar_Energy_Project