At the world's largest solar power plant near Barstow, an explosion occurred Wednesday as third and fourth natural gas-fired oil heaters were being brought on line. Operated by LUZ International Ltd. of Los Angeles, the $280-million Harper Lake solar plant began generating electricity on Dec. 28 and produces 80 megawatts, enough power to serve 115,000 people. One of the heaters, used to back up the solar heating system, exploded as a result of equipment malfunction and set fire to a second, which also exploded. Two plant workers suffered minor breathing problems. The first incident happened at about 1 p.m. in the plant's No. 2 unit, where two gas burners are located next to each other. The Harper Lake plant is operated by LUZ International, which operates 8 such plants in the California desert and had a fire at another solar plant two years ago.
At the world's largest solar power plant near Barstow, an explosion occurred Wednesday as third and fourth natural gas-fired oil heaters were being brought on line. One of the heaters, used to back up the solar heating system, exploded as a result of equipment malfunction and set fire to a second, which also exploded. Two plant workers suffered minor breathing problems. The first incident happened at about 1 p.m. in the plant's No. 2 unit, where two gas burners are located next to each other. The Harper Lake plant is operated by LUZ International, which operates 8 such plants in the California desert and had a fire at another solar plant two years ago.