In December 2017, the Thomas Fire killed two people and burned 300,000 acres in the hillsides surrounding Santa Barbara, Calif. One month later, during a winter rain storm, the burnt slopes gave way to mudslides, which killed...
It might sound like newfangled science-fiction tech, but China has plans to build the world’s first space-based solar power station by 2050, according to an article in Forbes . The solar power station, owned by the state’s...
Pennsylvania State University and Lightsource BP are partnering to develop a 70-megawatt (MW) project, which will provide 25 percent of the university’s electricity needs for 25 years, according to a university press release...
As renewable-electricity generation continues to expand across the United States, related employment opportunities are growing, as well. Employers now are seeking experienced and capable workers to install and service...
In many ways, 2018 was not an easy year for solar installers. Two rounds of tariffs raised prices on imported cells and panels (especially those from China), investment tax credit reductions loom ahead and the residential...
There is a change underway in a rural Washington State community that signals a new direction for clean-energy generation. The largest coal operation in the state is transitioning its open pit mines to a solar-generating...
As available land for solar projects in many U.S. markets is becoming increasingly scarce—and the price almost everywhere is escalating—solar photovoltaics floating on water could be a welcome alternative, according to...
The nation’s leading tech giants have shown a penchant for forward-thinking ventures beyond their core business models. Companies like Google, Apple and Amazon have led by example on a number of popular digital and energy...
On November 13, a total of 216 mayors representing cities in all 50 states signed an updated letter calling for continued deployment of solar power. "Cities and towns are natural centers of electricity demand, have the...
While optimism over the role of renewable energy in the United States is high, the challenge of overtaking fossil fuels en route to a larger share of the mix remains large. Despite the enormity of the task, renewable energy...
Fueled by dropping prices and better storage capacity, the rate of solar installations is either holding steady or growing in multiple sectors across the United States. In the first quarter of 2018, the U.S. market installed...
As the nation’s energy mix goes through profound changes, the grid that delivers that power has to keep up. This month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a major funding opportunity for research projects that will...
A new 1-megawatt (MW) solar power plant opened just 330 feet from the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, confirming rumors that the site of the nuclear meltdown will have a second life with green energy. The project opened...
Shining the light on solar energy is one of the main goals of the Illinois Solar Energy Association ’s (ISEA) new educational tools. The ISEA recently launched several educational tools to help the public better understand...
When President Trump enacted trade tariffs against imported photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels in January, he was angling to give U.S. manufacturers a leg up against low-priced Chinese imports. Now, a move by China’s chief...
Minnesota homeowners are joining co-ops to create bulk purchasing power opportunities for solar power systems. Installations can cost $15,000 and higher, but these co-ops help consumers save 10–30 percent of the upfront cost,...
While solar power becomes more common and less complicated to install, some contractors have found a niche in specialty installations that require more expertise and adaptability. These projects offer opportunity for skilled...
Last week, at the International Mayors Climate Summit in Boston, Mayor Martin Walsh of Boston announced his plans to issue a request for information (RFI) for competitive pricing of large-scale renewable energy projects and...
A new solar startup is aiming to bring sustainable solar power to Haiti, an island known for its limited access to electricity. In 2016, only 38 percent of Haitians were connected to the electrical grid, according to data...
College campuses are often at the vanguard of new technology and scientific discovery. A campus on the Hawaiian island of Maui is taking a bold step in the field of renewables and energy storage. In March, the University of...
