Why did Ivanpah Fail?

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System was initially celebrated as a groundbreaking advancement in utility-scale clean energy, aiming to transform solar power generation through concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. However, as the facility ceases operations, its failure prompts critical examination of whether the technology itself was flawed or if Ivanpah was simply outpaced by rapidly advancing and more cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies. The project’s decline highlights the challenges faced by CSP in an evolving energy market dominated by cheaper and faster-to-deploy PV systems. Ivanpah’s shutdown raises broader questions about the viability of concentrated solar power as a long-term solution, suggesting that its struggles may be less about inherent technological shortcomings and more about unfortunate timing amid shifting energy economics and market preferences.