PASADENA, Calif.—A Caltech professor was named as the recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists.

Amnon Yariv, a professor of applied physics and electrical engineering, will receive the award, along with 10 others, during a ceremony at the White House later this year.

“The extraordinary accomplishments of these scientists, engineers and inventors are a testament to American industry and ingenuity,” President Barack Obama said.

ROSEMEAD, Calif.—Construction is under way at a site in the San Joaquin Valley on what’s described by Southern California Edison as the state’s largest investor-owned utility photovoltaic power plant.

The construction project is expected to create about 125 jobs for Central and Southern California workers, according to SCE’s Gil Alexander.