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American Falls Solar

Solar power plant in Idaho, United States of America. Approximate location 42.824, -112.752.

SolarIdahoUnited States of America

American Falls Solar is a 20 MW solar power plant in Idaho, United States of America. It is operated by American Falls Solar LLC. Based on reported annual generation of 44 GWh, it can supply roughly 12,514 homes. It ranks #3673 of 9,833 United States of America power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2017, it is around 9 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, solar supplies about 8.6% of United States of America's electricity; the national grid averages 384 gCO₂/kWh (43.0% low-carbon) (2025).

20MW installed capacity
44GWh reported / yr
12,514homes powered
2017commissioned (~9 yrs)

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id USA0060011.

In context: how this plant compares

At 20 MW, American Falls Solar is well above the median solar plant in United States of America (3 MW). Solar PV converts sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts or fuel; output varies by time of day and weather, so it pairs with storage or flexible backup.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Reported generation trend

2017: 35 GWh20172018: 43 GWh20182019: 44 GWh201944 GWh

Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by American Falls Solar LLC.

Local climate & thermal context

This solar plant converts sunlight directly into electricity with photovoltaic panels. It sits in a cold semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 42.8°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

7.4°Cannual mean temp
3,990heating degree-days (base 18°C)
142cooling degree-days (base 18°C)
1,552 melevation

Monthly mean temperature

J: -5 °CJF: -3 °CFM: 2 °CMA: 6 °CAM: 11 °CMJ: 16 °CJJ: 20 °CJA: 20 °CAS: 15 °CSO: 9 °CON: 2 °CND: -4 °CD20 °C

Heating degree-days here run 62% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.

Climate heat-demand index: 84/100 — this site sits in the top third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.

In colder climates, uninsulated hot equipment (boilers, turbines, valves, steam lines) loses proportionally more heat to ambient air — exactly the loss Inzonex modular insulation is designed to cut.

Solar PV loses ~0.35%/°C above 25°C cell temperature — roughly 0.0% at warm-season highs here (estimate).

Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.

How it compares & nearby plants

The #303 largest solar power plant of 3283 in United States of America by capacity.

United States of America has 3283 solar power plants in this dataset, together about 37,970 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

Location

Coordinates 42.824, -112.752 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Cutting heat loss at this plant

Plants like this lose energy through hot turbines, heat exchangers, valves and steam lines. Inzonex makes removable, reusable turbine & heat-exchanger insulation that cuts that loss by up to 90% and holds surface temperatures under 45°C, unclipping in seconds for maintenance. See the industrial-AI efficiency hub for tools and benchmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What type of power plant is American Falls Solar?

American Falls Solar is a 20 MW solar power plant in Idaho, United States of America, commissioned in 2017.

How much electricity does American Falls Solar generate?

American Falls Solar generates about 44 GWh of electricity per year.

How many homes can American Falls Solar power?

Its output is enough to supply roughly 12,514 homes.

Who owns or operates American Falls Solar?

American Falls Solar is operated by American Falls Solar LLC.

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