Clayton Valley PPA rateRam is terrific at negotiation with utility companies. Its PPA with NV Energy for Clayton Valley pays $98 to $103 per MW/hr, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. In comparison, Ormat is getting $86 at McGinness Hills and $88 at Hot Sulpher Springs 2, signed at roughly the same time as Clayton Valley. NGP's Blue Mountain pays $76 and was signed in 2007. The PPA rate is the key to the long-term profitability of these projects.
NV Energy is paying about $135 for solar projects (actually losing money with consumers paying $130 per MW/hr for residential rates) just to meet renewable portfolio standards.
Natural gas, the profit center, costs NV Energy only $40 per MW/hr.
Nevada offers 55% property tax abatement for renewable power producers, and well as low rates for use and sales tax.