BrightSource Energy
 | This article's lead section may be too long. (February 2010) |
| Company type | Venture backed private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Solar thermal power |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Arnold J. Goldman |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Arnold J. Goldman (Chairman) John Woolard (CEO) |
| Website | BrightSourceEnergy.com |
BrightSource Energy is an Oakland, California, corporation that designs, builds, finances and operates utility-scale solar power plants that deliver clean, low-cost solar energy to utility and industrial customers worldwide at prices that compete with fossil fuels.
In March 2008, BrightSource entered into a series of power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for up to 900 MW of electricity.[1] BrightSource is currently developing a number of solar power plants in Southern California, with construction of the first plant planned to start in 2009.[needs update]
In February 2009, BrightSource contracted to sell power from seven solar power towers in the Mojave Desert to Southern California Edison (SCE). The plants will have a combined capacity of 1,300 MW, producing 3.7 billion kilowatt-hours per year. The first 100 MW plant, part of BrightSource's 400 MW, 3,900-acre (1,600 ha) Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, could be operating by 2013. The cost of the project was not disclosed.[2][3][4]
Greentech Media ranked BrightSource as one of the top 10 greentech startups in the world in 2008.[5]
History
BrightSource Industries (Israel) Ltd., formerly named Luz II Ltd.,[6] is a wholly owned subsidiary of BrightSource Energy, Inc. Based in Israel, BrightSource Industries is responsible for solar technology development, plant design and engineering.
BrightSource was formed with seed capital from VantagePoint Venture Partners. It secured $115 million in additional corporate funding from its Series C round of financing in May 2008. This brings the total the company has raised to date to over $160 million. Investors include Google.org, BP Alternative Energy, Morgan Stanley, DBL Investors, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Chevron Technology Ventures, StatoilHydro Venture, and Black River.[7]
Coyote Springs Development
BrightSource Energy has plans to build a 960 MW (1,290,000 hp) solar thermal power plant in Coyote Springs.[8]
See also
- Solar thermal energy
- Concentrating solar power
- Solar power tower
- List of solar thermal power stations
- List of concentrating solar thermal power companies
References
- ^ "BrightSource Energy signs whopper solar contract with PG&E". CNET News. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ Revkin, Andrew C. (February 11, 2009). "California Utility Looks to Mojave Desert Project for Solar Power". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
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"Agreement for 1,300 Megawatts of Clean and Reliable Solar Thermal Power". Southern California Edison (SCE). February 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
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"BrightSource Energy and Southern California Edison (SCE) Power Purchasing Agreement FAQs" (PDF). BrightSource & SCE. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help); Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "Greentech Media's Top Ten Startups". Greentech Media. 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2008-06-11.[dead link]
- ^ Alexis Madrigal, Crimes Against the Future: The Demise of Luz
- ^ "BrightSource Energy Exceeds $115 million in Latest Round of Funding" (PDF). BrightSource Energy. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-06-11.[dead link]
- ^ Tavares, Stephanie (December 23, 2009). "Vision for desert solar power plant expands". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
