When the $2.2-billion, 377-MW Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California's Mojave Desert commenced commercial operation in December 2013, the facility became the world's largest solar-thermal powerplant. At a stroke, it also doubled installed U.S. solar-thermal generation capacity. But some industry pundits saw that milestone as the end of the road. During the 38 months the project was in construction, the ground shifted under the competitive playing field. The price of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels plummeted, making solar-generated electricity increasingly competitive with other generation; also, the price of natural gas fell to historic lows, increasing competitive pressure on all other generation.
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