Solar Energy to Power Oilfield Production in California

Solar energy has been in use for years in the oil and gas industry but not to the extent that it is about to become in one of the largest oil field in the country.

Small solar units have powered remote recording equipment at oilfield sites in Oklahoma. Heck, farmers have used them for years in powering electric fences for livestock control.

But now the Belridge oil field near Bakersfield, California plans to use solar energy for oil production, according to a report in the Washington Post.

With more than a century of oil production, the field is about to become partly powered by a massive solar energy project.  Operator Aera Energy contends the solar power will make the oil extraction process more environmentally friendly.