Julian is a senior reporter at Canary Media, where he covers batteries and emerging technologies to store clean energy and unlock a carbon-free grid. He also reports on the clean hydrogen industry, and chases down clean energy breakthroughs in far-flung locales.
Prior to the launch of Canary Media in 2021, Julian covered the rise of the grid storage industry for much-loved industry news outlet Greentech Media. Previously he covered clean energy and transportation for CityLab at The Atlantic, and conducted grant-funded climate journalism in Bangladesh. His stories have appeared in The Guardian, HuffPost, Al Jazeera America, and other outlets. He speaks regularly at energy-related events and on podcasts. He graduated from Duke University and still misses Carolina barbecue, but enjoys investigating local cuisine wherever his reporting takes him.
The Latest from Julian Spector
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Politics
Solar PAC got revenge on clean energy’s enemies in Congress
Most of the GOP lawmakers targeted by the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition lost reelection. The PAC is now looking toward 2028.By Julian Spector .
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Food and farms
Where’s the beef? Under the solar panels.
A Tennessee developer thinks it’s cracked the code for mixing solar panels and cattle. Scaling the model could make it easier to build clean energy in rural America.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy manufacturing
The wins and weak spots in America's solar supply chain
The U.S. has gotten pretty good at churning out finished panels. But what goes into them is another story.By Julian Spector .
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Batteries
As US grid batteries surge, risk of fires plummets
Concerns about fires loom large in communities, but data shows the tech is no more at risk of failure than boring legacy infrastructure like substation transformers.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy
New Mexico’s transition to clean energy is actually ahead of schedule
The state is forging ahead on wind, solar, and batteries after hitting its 2030 renewables goal early. The transition for coal workers has been more complicated.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy jobs
US clean energy jobs fell in 2025 for the first time in years
Employment in the sector dipped in Donald Trump’s first year back in office — and many more expected jobs won’t materialize thanks to canceled clean energy projects.By Julian Spector .
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Politics
Solar industry spends to flip control of Georgia utility commission
The nation's leading solar trade group is supporting two Democratic candidates who could make a pro-solar majority on the Georgia Public Service Commission.By Julian Spector .
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Solar
Qcells aims to build a giant factory for next-gen tandem solar
Layering perovskites onto regular silicon panels unlocks higher efficiency. Qcells hopes to beat the competition to market by leveraging its legacy manufacturing skills.By Julian Spector .
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Food and farms
How a reluctant Iowa farming county undid a ban on battery storage
Three brothers wanted to use some land for solar, batteries, and cattle grazing. First they had to convince local officials — and the community — to allow batteries.By Julian Spector .
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Affordability
Here's why your energy bills are going up
Politicians talk about the energy affordability crisis but don't always grapple with the root causes — or the solutions. Here’s the lowdown.By Julian Spector .
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