Over $2B California Solar Plant Built To Last, Now Closing Over Inefficiency

Daily Caller ^ | 9/24/25 | Hailey Gomez

[CFW]

The partially taxpayer-funded Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California’s Mojave Desert is set to shut down in 2026 due to inefficiency in generating solar energy, according to the New York Post.

The $2.2 billion plant, which features three 459-foot towers, was greenlit in 2010 and completed in 2014. According to the New York Post the closure stems from the site being “outpaced by solar photovoltaic technology” and proving both inefficient and costly. The shutter of the site comes more than a decade ahead of its original 2039 end date, according to the Associated Press.

Speculation about Ivanpah’s early closure began in January, when Pacific Gas & Electric announced an agreement with the plant’s owners to terminate its contracts.

“Ivanpah Solar was built when developers were investing in many different types of clean energy. The goal was to find efficient and affordable technologies to reduce the need for greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels,” PG&E wrote in a January press statement.

[snip]

Funds for the massive plant partially came from former President Barack Obama’s Department of Energy, which in 2011 issued $1.6 billion in three federal loan guarantees under former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. At the 2014 opening, Moniz touted federal support for the project, calling it “a shining example” of America’s leadership in solar energy.

[CFW]

California. Good at spending tax-payer dollars, but not much else.

[CFW]

Related:

“California Dems Scramble To Boost Oil Production After Running Refiners Out Of Town”

https://dailycaller.com/2025/09/19/california-dems-scramble-to-boost-oil-production-after-running-refiners-out-of-town/

[Telepathic Intruder]

Another of Obama’s green energy scams.

[CFW]

Also related:

“Figures show California is state with highest unemployment”

https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_46bdeda4-247a-4bea-8d57-e64d29d478d2.html

[nuke_road_warrior]

Over $2B California Solar Plant Built To Last, Now Closing Over Inefficiency

And this is surprising to anyone?

[anton]

Surprised it opened in the first place. Does that count?

[hecticskeptic]

“Ivanpah Solar was built when developers were investing in many different types of clean energy. The goal was to find efficient and affordable technologies to reduce the need for greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels,”....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Really... If it was just an experiment they needed to run, I could have loaned them an acre or two in the back 40. Mind you, they included the mandatory “reduce the need for greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels PG&E wrote in a January press statement”..... makes it all better knowing that at least their heart was in the right place.

[rellimpank]

—at first, its “inefficiency” was blamed on the sun not shining enough—southern Nevada—

[yldstrk]

Built to last, snort. Just like the rip off of those stupid solar panels and electric cars. They can have them. I’ll stick with natural gas, gasoline, and nuclear power.

[Iron Munro]

You can bet that a lot of politicians, bureaucrats and their well connected friends and families pocketed big money skimmed off this boondoggle monstrosity.

[Sacajaweau]

This is engineering. No way you wouldn’t know this before it was built.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

But it WILL last!

Like the pyramids, and other grave stones.

[thegagline]

Now where will I get my flash fried falcon?

[SuperLuminal]

Might as well close it, there are no birds and tortoises left to kill...

[Lockbox]

I liked the part about using natural gas to keep it running…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[left that other site]

Last Chance for BBQ’d Eagles!

[butlerweave]

FLUSH

[existentially_kuffer]

>>>Over $2B California Solar Plant Built To Last, Now Closing Over Inefficiency.

Just one of the many things wrong with Newsom’s California!

[Teacher317]

I’d love to know if these inefficiencies were a result of the plannings and engineering... or a result of California governance. I know where I’ll lay my bet.

[kaktuskid]

Solar panels have to be washed frequently..a coating of dust reduces their efficiency - especially that fine desert dust. Using water to clean solar panels in an area with little water is insanity.