Potential Visual Impacts of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development within Solar Energy Zones on Selected Viewpoints in Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, and El Camino Real De Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

A visual impact analysis of utility-scale solar energy development within Solar Energy Zones (SEZs) on key observation points (KOPs) in Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, and El Camino Real De Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail revealed that certain viewpoints could experience major visual contrasts due to the intense brightness of power tower receivers and their structural height. However, many KOPs were likely to face only moderate, minor, or negligible impacts, primarily because they were distant from SEZs, partially obstructed by terrain, or had low vertical angles toward the SEZs. Power towers emerged as significant contributors to visual contrasts, not only due to the brightness of their receivers but also because of their height and potential night-sky impacts from navigation lighting.

Sullivan, R. G., Abplanalp, J. M., Cantwell, B. L., & Beckman, K. J. (2013). Potential Visual Impacts of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development within Solar Energy Zones on Selected Viewpoints in Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, and El Camino Real De Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (, Ed.). Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). https://doi.org/10.2172/1169297