The 392 megawatt three-tower concentrating solar plant at Ivanpah Dry Lake in the Mojave Desert, in commercial operation from January 2014, when it was the largest concentrated solar facility in the world. In January 2025 PG&E agreed to end two of its three power purchase agreements, and Units 1 and 3 are slated to cease operating in 2026 pending California regulatory approval, while Unit 2 keeps its Southern California Edison contract; output that ran well below nameplate, against ever cheaper photovoltaics, is the story of its economics.
Facts
Facility TypeConcentrated solar plant 1 LocationIvanpah Dry Lake, Mojave Desert, California, United States 2 Capacity (MW)Nameplate; expected generation was about 940,000 MWh a year, far below continuous full output. Commissioned Year Connections
Associated With
Source Renewable Energy World
Uses Source
Source United States Department of Energy Official Site
Sources
1. United States Department of Energy Official Site
US Department of EnergyLoan Programs Office, Ivanpah, Project Summary
It started commercial operations in January 2014
Loan Programs Office, Ivanpah, Climate Benefit
expected to generate 940,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year
Operating status, entity description
in commercial operation from January 2014, when it was the largest concentrated solar facility in the world.
View the Source 2. Renewable Energy World
Clarion EventsIvanpah shutdown feature, introduction
the 392-megawatt (MW) Mojave Desert project was the world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) facility
Associated With: Concentrated Solar Power, Ivanpah shutdown feature, next steps
Unit 2 has a PPA with another major California utility, Southern California Edison, and is expected to remain in service.
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