Project Overview 

The Ivanpah solar facility is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world. Located in the Ivanpah Dry Lake, in California, this ivanpah solar electric generating system efficiently provides renewable power to 140,000 homes. The Ivanpah Facility, also known as ISEGS (Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System), annually prevents 500,000 metric tons of CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions. 

Built by a BrightSource energy & Bechtel consortium, this Ivanpah solar generating station provided 1,000 construction jobs with 61 permanent jobs during construction. As one of the world's largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) facilities at the time of its inauguration, the Ivanpah plant not only symbolized a remarkable feat in sustainable energy infrastructure but also set a precedent for innovation and scale in the renewable energy sector.

Project Background 

Ivanpah Solar eelctric generating system began its commercial operations in January 2014. It is widespread over 3,471 acres of land. This land is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and built by Bechtel and BrightSource at a project cost of USD 2 billion. 

This project was built with an estimation to generate USD 650 Million in wages during the 30-year period of the contract.  Initiated by BrightSource, a startup company, was approved by CEC (California Energy Commission) in October 2010. Securing funds from Bechtel, DOE, and Silicon Valley Venture Capital. This includes BP, Google, Morgan Stanley, and Chevron. 

Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System has 137-metre high power solar towers with 2,200-ton boilers on top of each tower. A unique feature of the Ivanpah plant is that it was built with a safety record of 7.3 Million hours without lost-time incidents in 36 months. It began its commercial operations in January 2014. It is operated and managed by NRG Solar Energy.

Project Location

Ivanpah Solar plant is located in the Mojave Dessert, near the border with Primm, Nevada, at the foot of Clark Mountain in San Bernardino County, California.

Project Timeline

Technical Specifications

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System includes 173,500 heliostats, a sun trajectory, a solar receiver, steam generators and solar-field integration software. The heliostat layout is designed based on the land and avoids the areas' sensitive vegetation.  

Using the power tower's solar thermal technology leads to power generation using high-temperature steam to drive turbines. Additionally, mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight onto the receiver tower to create steam, which is used for power generation. 

The heliostats used in the Ivanpah solar project are software-controlled solar panels (mirrors) that follow the sun's movements to capture maximum sunlight and reflect the concentrated sunlight onto water-filled boilers. These boilers are located atop three separate 450-foot towers on site.  The sunlight hits these boilers to produce steam that passes through the steam turbines or a solar farm to produce electricity.

Project Technology

The Ivanpah Solar project uses solar thermal technology wherein vast fields of heliostats (mirrors) focus sunlight onto a central receiver tower. These heliostat arrays track the sun's movement throughout the day, continuously reflecting sunlight toward the receiver. These heliostats are software-controlled that track the movement of sunlight and help in concentrating solar power on a larger scale more effectively.

Project Cost 

The entire project is estimated to be USD 2 Billion, of which BrightSource obtained USD 1.37 Billion through DOE (Department of Energy Guarantee). It also includes USD 300 Million equity capital and USD 160 Million equity, which was raised by Round D. One of the largest companies in the USA, Bechtel, assisted with the early investment for this project. The project benefited from a 30% tax credit awarded by the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).

Contractors & Suppliers

The Ivanpah Solar project was developed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract by Bechtel. Solar boilers were supplied by Riley Power, and Siemens supplied Siemens SST-900 steam turbines. 

Gearboxes for heliostats were provided by Cone Drive and Pre-fabricated steel was supplied by Gestamp Renewables.  

Benefits of this project

Situated in the Ivanpah Valley, the Ivanpah solar power plant is a shining example of innovation in renewable energy projects in the United States. Below listed are a few benefits of this project: 

• Solar Energy Production: The Ivanpah project generates electricity using sunlight, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lessening carbon emissions on a large scale. Estimates suggest it reduces about 500,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

• Water Conservation: Ivanpah utilizes a dry-cooling system that reduces water consumption. It is limited to a combined 100 acre-feet per year during the plant operations. Thus, this solar plant project uses 95% less water than other solar thermal power plants. 

• Economic Boost: The Ivanpah solar project created about 1000 jobs during construction, with 61 permanent jobs in the plant. The project's employment impact provides the dual benefit of advancing renewable energy technology while also serving as an engine for job creation and economic development in the area.

• Reducing Environmental Impact: Initially, the Ivanpah solar project was planned to cover 4,073 acres, but later, the project size was reduced to 3,471 acres, leaving behind sensitive vegetation areas. This project management and adaptation showcase a holistic approach to renewable energy development, balancing the need for clean energy with a deep-rooted respect for the environment.

Ivanpah Solar Power Facility to Shut Down in 2026

Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California is set to shut down in 2026. Built with an investment of USD 2 billion the project struggled to meet the energy production targets. The solar plant relied on natural gas for backup power rather than solely on solar energy is considered as one of the significant factor for its underperformance by industry experts. Back in January 2025, NRG Energy announced plans to decommission two-thirds of facility after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) terminated two power purchase agreements. The shutdown of the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility is expected to begin on early 2026.

Conclusion 

The Ivanpah Solar Power facility is a testament to the power of renewable energy. It generates clean electricity by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gases. During the construction of this project, several jobs were created that boosted the local economy and provided clean electricity. Ivanpah Solar project continues to provide clean electricity to 140,000 households while reducing the environmental impact. Through its innovative approach to harnessing solar power, the Ivanpah Solar Project remains at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. It sets a remarkable example for the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.

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