Solar technology also will add to the power plant's output, which is estimated to generate a total of 570-megawatts of electricity and meet the power needs of 500,000 people.

That's more than the populations of San Bernardino and Ontario combined.

Terry Caldwell, mayor of Victorville, said the city will have the option of selling electricity to other communities, "depending on marketplace conditions and business opportunities."

Meanwhile, the city still needs to figure out who should operate the hybrid-wonder, Caldwell said.

Barnett added that construction will be paid for through tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds issued by the city and paid off through the sale of electricity to customers.