Google invests $168 million in world’s largest solar tower power plant

By Andrew Couts Published April 13, 2011

Ivanpah-power-tower-Google-solar-farm-green-energy — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google announced this week that it has committed $168 million in funding for what will be the world’s largest solar power tower plant, which is currently being built in California’s Mojave Desert.

The massive alternative energy project, spearheaded by BrightSource Energy, will reportedly generate 392 grow megawatts of clean energy, enough to power 140,000 homes. “That’s the equivalent of taking more than 90,000 cars off the road over the lifetime of the plant, projected to be more than 25 years,” writes Google in the official announcement on its blog.

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In addition to Google’s investment, as well as a $300 million investment from NRG Energy Inc., BrightSource recently announced that it has secured a total of $1.6 billion in loans and guarantees from the US Department of Energy, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Google has now committed a total of about $250 million toward the production of green energy, which it says “makes business sense and will help ensure that one of the world’s largest solar energy projects is completed.” Google’s co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have long championed the need to develop clean, alternative energy sources. This project is a move towards that end — as well as a way to save money on electricity.

Because of its massive data centers, Google currently consumes staggering amounts of electricity to fuel its operation. This led the company to submit a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) early this year, which, if approved will allow Google to buy and sell wholesale electricity, which would help better manage its energy costs.

The plant, known as the Ivanpah Power Tower, will stand 450 feet tall, and use 173,000 heliostats, each with two mirrors. This type of solar plant is “very efficient,” says Google, “because all those mirrors focus a tremendous amount of solar energy onto a small area to produce steam at high pressure and temperature (up to 1000 degrees F).”

Construction of the Ivanpah Power Tower began in October 2010, and is expected to last until 2013.

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Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

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Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

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Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode

Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

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