The advanced Simons Observatory green energy initiative: toward an energy secure, decarbonized future for remote astronomical telescopes

The Simons Observatory (SO) will enter into operation this year with an array of large- and small-aperture, millimeter-wavelength sensitive telescopes operating at a remote, high-altitude site on Cerro Toco in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. As SO begins primary cosmic microwave background polarization science objectives, a new science infrastructure initiative - the Advanced Simons Observatory (ASO) – will prioritize the design, integration, and operation of a new renewable energy system, the core of which is a large-scale, high-altitude photovoltaic array (PVA) power plant (between 1 and 3 MW nameplate capacity), to ensure the long term energy security of SO site operations. In addition to reducing operating costs owing to sharply-reduced need for diesel fuel deliveries to run on-site generators, the introduction of the ASO PVA will reduce energy intermittency related to weather-driven site inaccessibility, hence increasing the efficiency of science operations across the lifetime of the SO project while addressing global climate objectives.