MGM Fully Runs Vegas Strip Daytime Operations on Solar Energy

Power demand on the Las Vegas Strip never really pauses, but the energy mix behind it keeps shifting. MGM Resorts International confirmed a milestone that changes how its flagship properties operate during daylight hours, tying together years of infrastructure planning and long-term energy contracts.

Good to Know

• MGM covers all daytime Strip electricity with solar energy
• Nevada solar and storage projects more than double renewable access
• Domestic renewable electricity target remains set for 2030

Solar Projects Reshape Daytime Power on the Strip

Daytime electricity across MGM Las Vegas Strip properties now runs entirely on solar. The shift became possible after MGM began sourcing energy from the Escape Solar and Storage Project in Lincoln County, Nevada. Power deliveries started in December 2025, adding 115 megawatts of solar generation alongside 400 megawatt-hours of battery storage.

That supply stacks on top of MGM existing 100 MW Mega Solar Array near Las Vegas. Together, the two assets significantly expand renewable coverage while improving flexibility. Battery storage allows MGM to store excess solar output during peak sunlight hours, then deploy it later in the afternoon as demand stays high and sunlight fades.

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts, said:

“With this new project coming online, we are accelerating progress toward our goal of using 100% renewable electricity domestically by 2030. “Together with our Mega Solar Array, the new Escape Solar and Storage Project reflects our focus on scalable, impactful clean-energy solutions.”

The Escape Solar facility operates under a 25 year power purchase agreement MGM signed with Escape Solar LLC in September 2024. The long-term structure was designed to support Strip operations specifically, locking in predictable daytime energy supply across multiple resort properties.

Why Cost Control Drives MGM Clean Energy Strategy

Renewable power plays a financial role as well as an environmental one. MGM continues to frame solar investment as a hedge against long-term utility price volatility. As power markets fluctuate, fixed renewable supply helps stabilize operating costs for energy-intensive resorts.

Hornbuckle said the investment highlights how large hospitality operators can reduce environmental impact while maintaining reliability and long-term stability. Casino resorts consume massive amounts of electricity, making consistency just as critical as sustainability.

That strategy has guided MGM decisions for nearly a decade. Since 2016, the company has expanded solar generation across its portfolio, blending large-scale projects with property-level installations.

The Mega Solar Array alone includes more than 300,000 panels supplying Las Vegas operations. Mandalay Bay Convention Center relies on 26,000 rooftop panels that generate 8.3 megawatts of electricity. T-Mobile Arena draws support from a 100 kilowatt rooftop system. Outside Nevada, MGM Springfield in Massachusetts uses 3,456 solar panels installed atop its parking garage.

From Infrastructure to Long-Term Targets

Daytime solar coverage marks a practical checkpoint rather than an endpoint. Nighttime demand on the Strip still relies on broader grid resources, but the daytime shift reduces overall exposure to fossil-based power while easing peak demand pressure.

With Escape Solar active, MGM moves closer to its 2030 goal of running domestic operations entirely on renewable electricity. The progress comes in one of the most energy-intensive entertainment corridors in the world, where reliability, scale, and cost discipline all matter.

FAQ

What solar milestone did MGM reach?

MGM now supplies 100 percent of daytime electricity needs on the Las Vegas Strip using solar energy.

Which project made this possible?

The Escape Solar and Storage Project in Lincoln County, Nevada.

How much capacity does Escape Solar add?

The facility delivers 115 MW of solar generation and 400 MWh of battery storage.

Why does battery storage matter for casinos?

Stored solar power helps meet demand later in the day when sunlight drops but usage stays high.

What is MGM long-term energy target?

The company aims to use 100 percent renewable electricity domestically by 2030.

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