BrightSource

BrightSource Energy, Inc. said Monday it has finalized U.S. federal government loan guarantees of $1.6 billion and has received a $168 million equity investment from Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) for its proposed 392-megawatt (MW) Ivanpah thermal solar power project under construction in California’s Mohave Desert.

In 2010 utility-scale solar developer BrightSource Energy, Inc. broke ground on what is expected to be the world's largest solar power plant.

Renewable energy critics are quick to point out the environmental impacts of large-scale renewable energy projects, like the birds killed by wind turbines or the wildlife displaced by solar arrays. 

Google, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG) has been one of the biggest corporate investors in clean energy.  The internet-giant is a major energy user; so, reducing energy consumption is good for Google's profit margins, while eliminating its carbon footprint is great for its public image.

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is still planning on being a big player in the clean technology boom.  So, the company is changing its investing tactics.