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

Gigawatts of solar could be built in the open land around US interstate highways

Solar development at interstate interchanges could feed the grid, charge EVs and steer money to local communities. The Biden admin is now behind the idea.

By Jeff St. John . 26 October 2021
Solar

US solar deployment is on a hot streak, while manufacturing is stalled out

Can the country regain its solar production mojo? Plus, trade wars!

By Eric Wesoff . 26 October 2021
Video

Hawaii has a one-year deadline to ditch coal. Can it keep the lights on?

The Aloha State’s race to clean up its electricity sector makes it a real-world test case for rapid decarbonization.

By Julian Spector . 25 October 2021
Batteries

Newsletter: A play-by-play from the frontlines of Hawaii's race to replace coal

Plus, a new twist on our newsletter.

By Julian Spector . 25 October 2021
Energy storage

Used EV batteries are storing solar power at grid scale — and making money at it

B2U Storage Solutions raises $10M to scale up site that sells solar power stored in Nissan Leaf batteries in California's wholesale markets.

By Julian Spector . 18 October 2021
Solar

Chart: Solar’s breathtaking price plunge and dizzying generation growth

Introducing Chart of the Week, a new feature from Canary Media.

By Maria Virginia Olano, Eric Wesoff . 15 October 2021
Clean energy

A secret stash of good climate news

“The ceiling of the possible is constantly rising.”

By Julian Spector . 14 October 2021
Climatetech finance

Top home solar lender GoodLeap scores mammoth $800M investment

The company formerly known as Loanpal is making the leap from home solar and batteries to financing broader home efficiency improvements.

By Jeff St. John . 13 October 2021
Grid edge

Can customers' batteries, thermostats and EV chargers keep California's grid up and running?

AutoGrid and Clean Power Alliance are harnessing the full range of home energy devices for a new virtual power plant.

By Jeff St. John . 12 October 2021
Solar

What's behind solar's polysilicon shortage — and why it's not getting better anytime soon

One of the main ingredients in PV cells has been getting more costly all year, putting developers in a tight spot.

By Jason Deign . 7 October 2021

Solar

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

Gigawatts of solar could be built in the open land around US interstate highways

US solar deployment is on a hot streak, while manufacturing is stalled out

Hawaii has a one-year deadline to ditch coal. Can it keep the lights on?

Newsletter: A play-by-play from the frontlines of Hawaii's race to replace coal

Used EV batteries are storing solar power at grid scale — and making money at it

Chart: Solar’s breathtaking price plunge and dizzying generation growth

A secret stash of good climate news

Top home solar lender GoodLeap scores mammoth $800M investment

Can customers' batteries, thermostats and EV chargers keep California's grid up and running?

What's behind solar's polysilicon shortage — and why it's not getting better anytime soon