Solar

Solar

Chart: Solar power keeps beating expectations

Energy forecasters have long underestimated the speed at which solar power is growing around the world. The trend continues.

By Carrie Klein . 27 September 2024
Solar

How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels

The country’s residents installed 200MW of balcony solar during the first half of 2024. It’s becoming an increasingly popular way to take climate action in Germany.

By Akielly Hu . 27 September 2024
Carbon-free buildings

Are solar water heaters worth it? Here’s what to consider.

New data from the IRS shows an uptick of interest in the appliances, which provide one pathway to cutting the carbon footprint of water heating.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 September 2024
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
Solar

US solar manufacturing capacity has quadrupled thanks to climate law

The Inflation Reduction Act has sparked a boom in domestic solar panel manufacturing, though the U.S. still depends on China for certain steps of the supply chain.

By Eric Wesoff . 9 September 2024
Solar

Chart: Solar power is shattering global records

A staggering 428 gigawatts of solar capacity was installed last year — more than in the previous two years combined.

By Carrie Klein, Dan McCarthy . 30 August 2024
Virtual power plants

Xcel Minnesota looks to mimic power plants with solar and storage

The utility’s “virtual power plant” proposal taps an emerging model to replace retiring fossil fuel generation, but advocates say the devil is in the details.

By Frank Jossi . 28 August 2024
Clean energy

Solar and batteries are helping Texas weather heat waves. Here’s how.

Relentless heat has caused Texas to keep breaking electricity-demand records this summer. Good thing solar and batteries are breaking records, too.

By Jeff St. John . 28 August 2024
Solar

How to protect yourself against solar scams

Scams in the solar industry are rare but on the rise. Here are six ways to ensure your solar deal is fair.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 August 2024
Solar

6,000 sheep will soon be grazing on 10,000 acres of Texas solar fields

The largest solar grazing project in the U.S. will reduce mowing costs and emissions — and make for some happy sheep.

By Carrie Klein . 16 August 2024