Articles

Solar

Illinois' push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off

A state-funded hub for clean energy workforce development is creating employment and business opportunities in the surrounding community.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 September 2025
Emissions reduction

Chart: Trump is slowing climate progress. Here’s how much.

After Trump’s budget law and regulatory rollbacks, the country’s carbon emissions are set to fall much slower than they would have under the Biden admin.

By Dan McCarthy . 12 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’

The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2025
Solar

Illinois farmers find that sheep and solar arrays go well together

The agrivoltaics practice of raising sheep under solar panels is a win-win for Illinois farmers — but first the market for lamb meat needs to grow.

By Kari Lydersen . 11 September 2025
Solar

California's first solar-covered canal is now fully online

The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 September 2025
Ocean energy

Will this startup be the first to successfully scale up ocean power?

Many companies have failed to harness the sea’s energy. Eco Wave Power thinks its shore-mounted tech, which it just installed at a wharf in LA, can buck the trend.

By Julian Spector . 10 September 2025
Batteries

Tesla just launched the Megablock, a big, easy-to-deploy grid battery

The new storage product combines four Megapacks and a transformer in one handy package, aiming to pack in more battery cells and streamline installation.

By Julian Spector . 9 September 2025
Energy efficiency

North Carolina families see lower bills with new Duke Energy program

The utility refers low-income customers to groups like Energy Savers Network, which provides free efficiency retrofits for long-term savings.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 September 2025
Heat pumps

This startup says it can halve the cost of a heat pump — here’s how

The Vancouver-based Jetson has a simple cost-cutting formula: lots of tech, no middlemen. Today, it’s launching its own heat pump product.

By Alison F. Takemura . 9 September 2025
Solar

Can utilities replace power lines with solar and batteries in remote areas?

Expanding the grid to reach far-flung customers can be a costly fire hazard. So utilities like PG&E are testing out microgrids using solar, batteries, and generators.

By Jeff St. John . 8 September 2025