Canary Media’s top 10 clean energy stories in 2024

When it comes to the clean energy transition, there’s been plenty to be hopeful about this year: Global solar installations shattered expectations. Battery adoption went bananas in the United States. The United Kingdom phased out coal from its grid. Through June, wind and solar produced more power for the European Union than fossil fuels. EVs are set to make up one-fifth of new car sales worldwide. China’s emissions may have peaked, and the world’s emissions may have started to decline too.

And then there’s been some bad news: Automakers backslid on their EV commitments. California dealt blow after blow to its rooftop solar industry. Global coal use remains stubbornly high. And the policy achievements of the most pro-climate administration in U.S. history seem certain to be watered down by the incoming Trump administration.

Throughout this year’s ups and downs, we here at Canary Media did our best to provide you with reliable and sharp coverage of the most important energy transition stories. More than 500 stories later, here are the 10 articles that resonated most with all of you in 2024. Thanks for reading. 

10. Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom is at risk, advocates warn

In May, Maria Gallucci reported on a threat to the policy that has propelled Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom: the island’s net-metering program. The Financial Oversight and Management Board pushed to undo a law that extended the program through 2031, sparking fear among advocates that a major energy lifeline — rooftop solar — could suffer as a result.

9. How Texas became the hottest grid battery market in the country

This has been a breakout year for energy storage in the U.S., and Texas might just be the place that best exemplifies that. The Lone Star State has seen wind and solar installations take off in recent years owing to its abundance of cheap land, lax permitting laws, and easy-to-enter power market. Those factors — a huge base of renewables and a good environment for building — have helped Texas rise to the top of the battery storage world, Julian Spector reported in May.

8. SunPower, a solar icon once valued in the billions, files for bankruptcy

Even soaring U.S. solar installations and huge domestic manufacturing subsidies couldn’t save SunPower, a pioneer of the solar industry, from going belly up this year. Despite its successes, the road was never easy for the firm, which struggled with financial problems for years, Eric Wesoff wrote in August. When California neutered its rooftop solar policy right as interest rates were spiking, there was little the company could do in response.

7. Why heat-pump water heaters could soon take off

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re well aware of the virtues of heat pumps, which can efficiently heat and cool a home using electricity. But did you know that heat pumps can also cut your carbon footprint and save you money on your water heater too? Alison F. Takemura explained why, thanks to a mix of federal and local policies, this tech is set to take off in the U.S.

6. Renters, you too can get a heat pump — a micro one, at least

Speaking of heat pumps, you may feel left out if you, like many in the U.S., rent rather than own your home. Don’t fear, renters can get in on the action too: Miniature heat pumps that can meet or supplement renters’ heating and cooling needs are now available, and more efficient ones may be on the way. Alison F. Takemura took stock of what’s available and the limitations of the tech in a February piece. 

5. The biggest solar-plus-storage project in the US just came online

At the start of last year, Eric Wesoff wrote a story that we’ll probably write some version of every year for the next decade: A record-breaking solar and storage project started producing power for the grid. As both solar and battery costs decline each year, the economics of big installations like this one just keep getting better and better.

4. A new generation of cheaper batteries is sweeping the EV industry

One of the most exciting trends in the EV world is the rise of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. Sounds dorky, we know, but this development is really important for a few reasons. One, LFP batteries are cheaper than the most commonly used alternatives. Two, they don’t contain cobalt or nickel, minerals whose extraction is linked to serious environmental and human rights issues. Three, LFP batteries are safer; they don’t really catch fire. There are some caveats too — you can read the story, written by Tim Stevens in November, to learn about those.

3. New York will replace gas pipelines to pump clean heat into buildings

What happens to the country’s fossil-gas utilities once everyone switches their homes over to heat pumps? Post-gas visions are taking shape in several states, and they generally go like this: Gas utilities will use their pipeline expertise to set up and maintain neighborhood geothermal networks that can boost the effectiveness and efficiency of heat pumps. In this piece, Jeff St. John examines New York’s pilot project in detail. 

2. California regulator takes income-based electric bills off the table

There’s never any shortage of controversy surrounding the California Public Utilities Commission. In March the regulator shelved what was perhaps the most polarizing proposal under its consideration: a plan to charge utility customers different rates based on their income. As Jeff St. John reported at the time, that idea is off the table — at least for now.

1. A huge battery has replaced Hawaii’s last coal plant

Dealing with climate change means phasing out coal. But what will take the place of the dirty-but-dispatchable energy source on grids worldwide? Batteries offer at least a partial answer, as Julian Spector wrote in this article about Hawaii’s big coal-to-battery switch — our most popular piece of the year.

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