Reducing waste and conserving energy are both part of MGM Resorts International's strategic plan for environmental responsibility. DLR Group's design for the rooftop solar array at the Mandalay Bay Resort Conference and Convention Center creates a striking presence along the Las Vegas skyline and visible proof of MGM's sustainable commitment to both hotel guests and Las Vegas residents. Designed for Fortune 500 energy company NRG Energy, the 21,325 module array provides a functional solution to energy demands on the southern Nevada electrical grid. At peak production, the photovoltaic array will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 1,000 homes annually. The project is estimated to displace approximately 6,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking more than 1,300 cars off the road.
The scope of this project encompassed the design of the second largest rooftop solar array in the world at the Mandalay Bay Resort Conference and Convention Center in Las Vegas. As one of the first utility-scale rooftop arrays ever designed, the project consists of 21,325 modules that cover 11 acres of roof area allowing for peak energy production throughout the day, with max production in the summer months. Producing over 6.4 MWp of clean energy, the array is configured to provide over 20 percent of the hotel and casino's power demand utilizing a state-of-the-art monitoring and control system. DLR Group provided electrical and structural design services for the project.