Solar

Climatetech finance

Swell Energy acquires Renu to help build virtual power plants

The startup aims to combine privately owned batteries into grid resources. Renu, a regional battery installer, will help Swell access new markets.

By Eric Wesoff . 7 February 2024
Solar

The biggest solar-plus-storage project in the US just came online

The new California installation has nearly 2 million solar panels, more than 120,000 batteries, and an enormous amount of clean energy capacity.

By Eric Wesoff . 25 January 2024
Clean energy

Chart: The world is building renewable energy faster than ever before

Renewable energy installations jumped nearly 50% last year, the most rapid growth rate in two decades.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 19 January 2024
Energy storage

Hawaii used rooftop solar to shore up the grid. New rules threaten that

A nation-leading virtual power plant program helped keep the lights on when Oahu's coal plant shut down. But rule changes may drive away future customers, advocates say.

By Julian Spector . 18 January 2024
Solar

The fight over US solar tariffs hasn't gone away — it's just hibernating

A new lawsuit from Auxin Solar is an important reminder that the threat of destabilizing tariffs remains very real for the U.S. solar industry.

By Eric Wesoff . 11 January 2024
Climatetech finance

First Solar cashes in with sale of IRA tax credits worth up to $700M

The Ohio-based solar giant says it's the first major deal to use new tax-credit transfer provisions, which help firms maximize the value of clean energy subsidies.

By Eric Wesoff . 3 January 2024
Solar

Chart: The US installed more solar in 2023 than ever before

The industry saw 55% growth over 2022, according to forecasts — but headwinds threaten to temper the momentum in the years ahead.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 15 December 2023
Solar

Innovative solar tracker startup Sunfolding has folded

Sources say the 11-year-old startup is winding down after struggling to gain a foothold in the multibillion-dollar solar tracker market.

By Eric Wesoff . 8 December 2023
Marine transport

Is solar the future of boating? This engineer turned boat-builder says yes

David Borton is on a mission to make solar-electric boats mainstream. The Solaris, the first-ever Coast Guard–approved solar boat, offers a window into his vision.

By Dan McCarthy . 5 December 2023
Climatetech finance

An IRA grant could help low-income residents in New Hampshire go solar

The state is seeking $70 million in federal funding and partnering with housing advocates to expand access to solar power for low- and moderate-income residents.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 December 2023