Ivanpah – solar thermal sets record in the desert
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), America has doubled the amount of energy produced using solar technologies over thelast five years.Last week, a massive new solar resource was dedicated in southern California.
By Melissa C. Lott
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), America has doubled the amount of energy produced using solar technologies over the last five years. Last week, a massive new solar resource was dedicated in southern California. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is the largest concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the world. Furthermore, with its 173,500 mirrors, three solar power towers, and total generating capacity of 392 megawatts (MW), this facility can supply enough power to meet the demand of approximately 94,400 American homes.
Ivanpah's construction was supported by $1.6 billion in investments in DOE's loan program funding and most of the power that it generates will be sold under power purchase agreements to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison Company.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images for Bechtel via the U.S. Department of Energy.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
