Google and the world's largest solar power plant

The web giant invests $168 million in a clean energy plant in California. Why is the tech behemoth making such an aggressive bet on solar?

A rendering of the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System to be built in California's Mojave Desert, partially funded by $168 million from Google.
(Image credit: googleblog.blogspot)

Google is investing $168 million to help build the world's largest solar power plant in California's Mojave Desert. The project, being developed by BrightSource Energy, is also being financed with $1.6 billion in federal loans and $300 million from NRG Energy. Why is the web giant making such a big bet on thermal energy? Here, a brief guide:

What is this project?

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