Solar

Solar

TVA's local solar program is about to get its biggest project yet

The huge public utility has built little solar capacity so far. Now the region's local power companies are driving a buildout with help from developer Silicon Ranch.

By Julian Spector . 16 May 2024
Clean energy

Chart: Renewables generated a record 30% of global electricity in 2023

Solar and wind are cleaning up the global power grid — so much so that research firm Ember says global power sector emissions may have peaked last year.

By Eric Wesoff . 10 May 2024
Batteries

Batteries are taking on gas plants to power California's nights

California's record 10 gigawatts of grid batteries are finally pushing solar generation into post-sunset hours at a meaningful scale, new data shows.

By Julian Spector . 9 May 2024
Clean energy

Clean energy in rural America gets another big boost of federal funding

The Biden administration announced $78 million — the latest from a $1 billion program — to install solar, batteries, and more in rural communities.

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 May 2024
Solar

Minnesota's biggest solar project will help replace a huge coal plant

Xcel Energy’s 710-megawatt Sherco solar facility will create union jobs in a coal community, pilot long-duration storage tech, and advance the state's climate goals.

By Eric Wesoff . 1 May 2024
Solar

Major US solar manufacturers call for strict new solar-panel tariffs

First Solar, Qcells, and other domestic solar-panel makers are petitioning the Commerce Department for new tariffs on panels imported from Southeast Asia.

By Eric Wesoff . 24 April 2024
Solar

Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households

The EPA’s historic $7 billion Solar for All program will help every state fund solar projects for lower-income residents. In many states, that will be a first.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 April 2024
Solar

California’s rooftop solar policies threaten progress on climate

NEM 3.0 rules have undermined California’s rooftop solar industry and could hamper the state's efforts to meet its climate targets.

By Julian Spector . 16 April 2024
Solar

California derailed its booming rooftop solar buildout. Can it be fixed?

Over the past year, California regulators have kneecapped small-scale solar needed to hit the state's climate goals. These lawmakers are trying to bring it back.

By Jeff St. John . 15 April 2024
Solar

Nexamp nabs $520M to build community solar across the US

Community solar helps people who can’t get rooftop solar access the benefits of solar ownership. Developer Nexamp just raised a boatload of money to build more of it.

By Eric Wesoff . 12 April 2024