Articles

Virtual power plants

Federal ruling hands virtual power plants a win in PJM

Firms that enlist homes to reduce energy demand — and costs — have long complained that utility data rules prevent them from helping in PJM. FERC agrees.

By Jeff St. John . 13 August 2026
Solar

Solar on storage units? Here’s how Illinois is making it happen.

Illinois community solar incentives spurred plans to put 60 arrays on top of Public Storage facilities in the state. So far, 10 are online.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 August 2026
Batteries

In Puerto Rico, Trump admin backs big battery project but snubs solar

The Energy Department closed a $490 million loan to Pattern Energy for a 220-MW battery project in Puerto Rico, which could be tied to natural gas instead of solar.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 August 2026
Utilities

3 ways to fix California's utility spending problem — if lawmakers act

SB 905 would curb returns on wildfire costs, seek new financing, and explore performance metrics to curb sky-high electric rates. Can it overcome utility opposition?

By Jeff St. John . 11 August 2026
Solar

Why Illinois has struggled to turn old coal sites into solar farms

The state’s plan to replace defunct coal infrastructure with renewable energy has fallen short, but the experience holds lessons for future coal-to-solar efforts.

By Kari Lydersen . 11 August 2026
Offshore wind

Trump’s war on offshore wind is robbing a generation of workers

Building trades spent the past five years preparing for an offshore wind boom that went bust, leaving workers to mourn good-paying jobs that may never come back.

By Ajani Stella, Inside Climate News . 11 August 2026
Solar

In North Carolina, rooftop solar is alive and well despite headwinds

While the industry has suffered the loss of federal tax credits and other economic hits, leasing and batteries make the panels pencil out for many homeowners.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 10 August 2026
Heat pumps

World’s oldest cheddar-maker slashes energy bills with novel heat pumps

Innovative tech from U.K.-based Arkaya Energy cools fresh milk and redirects the resulting heat, saving Barber’s Farmhouse Cheesemakers more than $90,000 a year.

By Alison F. Takemura . 10 August 2026
Solar

Trump launched big new solar tariffs. Here's what it means.

The cost of installing solar panels will rise. But now the U.S. has a large and fast-growing solar manufacturing industry to take advantage of the trade protections.

By Julian Spector . 7 August 2026
Electric vehicles

Can Ford’s affordable new electric truck hit the sweet spot?

With the sub-$30,000 Fathom, Ford hopes to capitalize on growing demand for low-priced EVs and avoid the fate of its now-defunct Lightning.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 7 August 2026