Solar

Virtual power plants

California could cut utility bills with distributed energy. Why isn’t it?

Rooftop solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats could help rein in rising grid costs — if only California could pass policies to make it happen.

By Jeff St. John . 10 September 2024

(Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Solar

This nuclear waste site could soon host a massive solar installation

The Hanford Site in Washington state, a radioactive relic of the Manhattan Project and Cold War, was selected by DOE to be outfitted with up to 1 GW of solar.

By Carrie Klein . 30 July 2024
Solar

The climate law is helping bring solar to more apartment buildings

The tax-credit transfer markets created by the Inflation Reduction Act are boosting clean energy in tough-to-crack markets — like rooftop solar on multifamily housing.

By Jeff St. John . 30 July 2024
Solar

Churches are going solar and saving big thanks to the climate law

The Inflation Reduction Act is helping churches, synagogues, and mosques across the nation access the climate, cost, and reliability benefits of solar power.

By Jeff St. John . 29 July 2024
Solar

Puerto Rico could soon build its biggest solar and grid battery plants

A new $861M Department of Energy loan guarantee would help finance 200 MW of solar and 285 MW of grid storage — a huge boost in renewable capacity for the island.

By Akielly Hu . 22 July 2024
Solar

A new front in California’s solar wars: Who’s allowed to install batteries?

Climate groups are suing to block a state agency decision to limit battery installations to licensed electricians, saying it could harm contractors and consumers.

By Jeff St. John . 16 July 2024
Solar

Minnesota creates new ombudsperson role to help connect solar faster

Solar developers have long complained about the state’s lengthy process for connecting to the grid. The ombudsperson will work to resolve disputes.

By Frank Jossi . 11 July 2024
Clean industry

In a first, a solar microgrid will directly power an industrial plant

Timet’s facility in West Virginia will use solar and batteries to make titanium products. The durable metal is used in everything from airplanes to pacemakers.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 July 2024
Solar

The US is about to get its first solar-covered canal

Thousands of miles of canals stretch across the U.S. A pilot project on tribal land in Arizona shows the benefits of covering these waterways with solar panels.

By Eric Wesoff . 8 July 2024
Solar

In Michigan, homeowners associations can’t stop rooftop solar anymore

Tens of millions of Americans live under HOAs, which sometimes block rooftop solar for aesthetic reasons. Michigan is the latest state to protect access to solar.

By Carrie Klein . 2 July 2024
Energy equity

Community solar expands access to clean energy, new study shows

Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings.

By Alison F. Takemura . 1 July 2024