The facility will help the Obama administration meets its goal to double the amount of U.S. electricity generated from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
"Solar projects like this are helping the U.S. to compete globally for the clean energy jobs of today and the future," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
"Together, we will create hundreds of jobs and reduce the nation's fossil fuel dependence and carbon intensity," said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company will purchase power generated at the solar plant and deliver it to its customers in California. The plant is expected to be built by 2014.