The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, located in California’s Mojave Desert, is closing down after over a decade of operation since its 2014 launch. The $2.2 billion project used towers and thousands of mirrors to concentrate solar energy, but failed to deliver on its promises.
Ivanpah’s need for natural gas to power up daily and its failure to keep pace with falling photovoltaic solar panel costs led to the decision to shut down by 2026. PG&E terminated agreements citing cost savings.
Conservation groups have condemned the project for damaging habitats and killing desert birds due to the high temperatures created by the mirrors. As the plant winds down, owners plan to explore photovoltaic solar alternatives at the site.
