AUSTELA

Ivanpah 392 MW concentrated solar project now online

The world's biggest concentrated solar power project is connected to the grid after spending January offline, SolarServer reported. Data analyzed by renewable energy consultant Bernard Chabot shows little power production at the 392 megawatt Ivanpah Solar Thermal Project, which covers 3,500 acres in San Bernardino County in California. Energy firm NRG Energy, tech company Google and CSP firm BrightSource Energy own the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System.

Combining thermal and solar energy generation, the Ivanpah project uses over 300,000 mirrors to reflect sunlight to boilers held on three 459-foot towers, the website for the project said.

"The $2.2 billion project represents a durable model for far-reaching employment and economic benefit both locally and nationally," according to the Ivanpah project's website.
A dedication ceremony for the Ivanpah solar electric system is expected to be held on Feb. 13.
Data shows utility scale solar photovoltaic production generated enough power to meet 2.9 percent of electricity demand in California in January. California is fast becoming a leader in CSP and utility scale PV as these power sources met 2.4 percent of demand in the state in 2013.
More information on the CSP market in the U.S. can be found on PennEnergy's research area.