With the Flip of a Switch, Genesis Solar Energy Goes Live

Genesis Solar Energy Center Dedication Ceremony

With the flip of a giant light switch, Energy Commissioner David Hochschild and other energy leaders turned on the Genesis Solar Energy Center last Thursday in Riverside County. Genesis is an electricity generation facility using solar parabolic trough technology. It’s licensed by the Energy Commission.

Genesis is capable of generating 250 megawatts of solar power, enough electricity to meet the energy needs of 88,000 California homes. This facility further solidifies California’s leadership in solar energy. The Energy Information Administration reported last week that U.S. capacity is up more than 400 percent since 2010. California leads the way. Its solar capacity is more than 38 percent of the nation’s capacity.

Genesis Solar Trough

Commissioner Hochshild joined NextEra Energy Resources CEO Armando Pimentel, PG&E CEO Tony Earley and California Public Utility Commissioner Michael Picker at a dedication ceremony Thursday. NextEra is the operator of the facility. PG&E is purchasing the electricity produced by the facility.



The project is located in Riverside County, approximately 25 miles west of the city of Blythe.