The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California’s Mojave Desert—once hailed as a breakthrough in solar energy—is nearing its end. Built in 2014 using solar thermal tower technology, the $2.2 billion plant has been outpaced by rapidly falling costs of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
With 300,000 mirrors focusing sunlight on central towers to generate steam and electricity, the plant once symbolized innovation. However, PV panels are now significantly cheaper and more efficient, with utility-scale PV costs dropping 82% since 2010. As a result, PG&E plans to phase out its contract with Ivanpah by 2026, 13 years ahead of schedule.
This shift reflects a broader trend: thermal solar systems are giving way to PV and battery storage, which now dominate the solar market due to affordability, scalability, and efficiency.