AI created vision of GlassPoint solar steam plant.
In the harsh, salt-caked landscape of the Mojave Desert, a historic shift is underway. Trona, California—a town synonymous with a century of industrial mining—is becoming the testing ground for a massive technological leap. In June 2025, GlassPoint, a leader in industrial solar steam, announced a landmark partnership with Searles Valley Minerals (SVM) to deploy 750 megawatts thermal (MWth) of solar power.
This project isn’t just about “going green”; it’s about the survival and modernization of one of America’s most critical mineral operations.
The Challenge: Decarbonizing the “Hard-to-Abate”
Searles Valley Minerals has operated in Trona for over 150 years, extracting essential minerals like boron, soda ash, and lithium from the brine of Searles Lake. These minerals are the backbone of industries ranging from glass and detergents to fertilizers and high-tech electronics.
However, the process is incredibly energy-intensive. Traditionally, SVM has relied on coal and natural gas to generate the massive amounts of steam required for mineral processing. As coal prices rise and environmental regulations tighten, the facility faced a double threat to its economic viability and its carbon footprint.
The Technology: Solar in a Box
GlassPoint’s solution for Trona is their proprietary Enclosed Trough technology. Unlike traditional solar panels that generate electricity, GlassPoint uses mirrors to generate direct heat.
- The Greenhouse Design: The system places large, lightweight curved mirrors inside agricultural-style glasshouses. This “enclosure” is the secret to its success in the desert. It protects the mirrors from the fierce Mojave winds and abrasive sand, allowing them to be much thinner and cheaper than outdoor alternatives.
- Robotic Maintenance: Automated robots clean the exterior of the glasshouses at night, ensuring maximum sunlight penetration with minimal water use—a critical factor in the arid Searles Valley.
- Molten Salt Storage: For the first time, this project will integrate GlassPoint’s Unify storage system. By using liquid salts to store thermal energy during the day, the facility can continue to deliver steam 24/7, providing the “baseload” power necessary for continuous industrial operations.
Impact: Shutting Down California’s Last Coal Plants
The environmental and economic stakes of the Trona project are high. The first phase of the project aims to:
- Decommission Coal: The 750 MWth installation is designed to begin the process of shutting down two coal-fired power plants—the last of their kind in California.
- Carbon Reduction: The project is expected to slash carbon emissions by up to 500,000 metric tons per year.
- Economic Sovereignty: By lowering energy costs from “day one,” the project helps ensure that SVM remains competitive against international suppliers, protecting over 600 local jobs in Trona.
A Global Milestone
With this project, GlassPoint has solidified its position as the dominant player in the $444 billion industrial process heat market. While they have successfully deployed massive projects in Oman and Saudi Arabia, the Trona facility represents their most significant U.S. deployment to date.
For the residents of Trona and the wider mining industry, the partnership proves that even the most “hard-to-abate” industrial sectors can transition to renewable energy—provided the technology is as rugged and cost-effective as the environment it operates in.
Project Quick Facts:
- Location: Trona, CA (Searles Valley)
- Capacity: 750 MWth
- Primary Partner: Searles Valley Minerals (SVM)
- Key Technology: Enclosed Trough mirrors + Unify ternary salt storage
- Project Goal: Replace coal-based steam with zero-carbon solar steam