Google abandons CSP engineering project

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Google is shutting down its in-house CSP engineering project due to the rapidly falling cost of PV panels.

The programme, which focused on bringing down the price of heliostats and reducing water usage at CSP plants, was the centerpiece of the RE<C (Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal) campaign Google launched in 2007 and its premature termination is another hammer blow to the ailing CSP industry.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Over the past year, the cost of PV technology has dropped significantly – module prices have fallen 40% – prompting a number of developers, including Iberdrola and Solar Millennium, to abandon CSP in favour of PV. RE<C’s demise will also impact upon CSP power-tower pioneers BrightSource and eSolar, which were both recipients of investment from Google.

Engineering hurdles and the resignation earlier this month of Bill Weihl, the leader of Google’s clean-energy team, are also thought to have contributed to the decision, which was part of an end-of year cull that saw seven ventures dropped. “In addition, we’ve reached a point in our engineering projects where we’re facing new challenges related to our solar-receiver design. At this point, other institutions seem better positioned than Google to take this work to the next level,” a Google spokesperson told Recharge.

However, Google has insisted that, despite rumours to the contrary, it will not be walking away from the US$850 million it has committed to other renewable projects, such as the 392MW Ivanpah solar power-tower project.

Read Next

July 3, 2025
Malaysian engineering and infrastructure giant Gamuda has expanded its presence in the Australian renewables sector by partnering with Tasmanian landowners to build a 1.2GW portfolio, which includes solar PV.
July 2, 2025
A new state-owned green bank, the Energy Security Corporation (ESC), has launched in New South Wales, Australia, with an initial funding allocation of AU$1 billion (US$640 million).
July 2, 2025
Asset management firm Capital Dynamics has secured €110 million (US$129.4 million) in financing for three solar PV projects in Spain.
July 2, 2025
The US Senate has narrowly passed – with a 51-50 vote and with vice-president JD Vance breaking the tie – the reconciliation bill yesterday (1 July) without the solar and wind excise tax.
Premium
July 2, 2025
ANALYSIS: China's leading PV manufacturers are locked in a new round of competition, aiming to outpace each other through record-breaking feats.
July 2, 2025
Investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has begun commercial operations at a 373MW solar PV plant in the UK.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK