NRG Solar says the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System has produced its first output of energy when the Unit 1 station was synced to the power grid for the first time.
The company says this critical “first sync” is a major milestone for the concentrating solar power (CSP) project, widely seen as a showcase for the technology.
Power generated from Ivanpah’s initial sync testing will go to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which has a power purchase agreement (PPA) for energy produced out of the plant’s Unit 1 station. Power generated from Ivanpah’s Unit 3 station is also sold under a PPA with PG&E, while Unit 2 is under a PPA with Southern California Edison.
NRG Solar says proof-of-concept testing will also be conducted at Unit 2 and 3 in the coming months.
