Misaligned mirrors blamed for fire at solar plant near Primm
Misaligned mirrors caused a small fire that shut down a generating tower at the world’s largest solar power plant on the California-Nevada border, according to authorities.
Firefighters had to climb some 300 feet up a boiler tower at the Ivanpah plant near Primm on Thursday morning.
San Bernardino County fire Capt. Mike McClintock said a malfunction focused sunbeams on an upper level of the 459-foot tower, causing electrical cables to catch fire.
Plant personnel had the blaze nearly out when firefighters arrived.
The fire melted and scorched steam and water pipes.
David Knox, a spokesman for plant operator NRG, said the tower is offline while crews assess the damage.
The plant can produce enough power for 140,000 homes but a second tower is shut for maintenance, leaving only one running.
