A new solar demonstration zone is to be established in the Nevada Desert on a former nuclear weapons test site.

The 25 square-mile location is among 24 other solar energy study areas being set up on public lands across the US South West.

Once known as the Nevada Proving Grounds, the locality will now serve as a proving ground for solar technologies.

“The Nevada test site is about to play a new role in securing America’s future,” said Steven Chu, secretary of the US Department of Energy, “but instead of testing nuclear weapons, we will test new solar technologies that will help put America on a sustainable energy path.

“We will demonstrate technologies that will lower the cost of solar energy, accelerate the pace of innovation and help build a clean energy economy.”