Solar

Energy storage

Big batteries are booming in California, but the outlook for small-scale storage just got more uncertain

A new plan for solar net metering could slow adoption of home batteries — just when the state needs them most.

By Elizabeth McCarthy . 23 December 2021
Solar

The solar industry in 2021: Big, complicated and kind of weird

The top 11 solar power trends, from rising component costs (a first!) to online sales of rooftop systems.

By Eric Wesoff . 20 December 2021
Policy & regulation

The avoided-cost calculator: The controversial metric at the center of California’s solar net-metering fight

Tying rooftop solar payments to climate and grid benefits makes sense in theory. But in the real world, it could get very messy.

By Jeff St. John . 16 December 2021
Policy & regulation

California net-metering proposal would decimate rooftop solar market, industry says

The solar industry is “shocked” by plan to impose new fees for rooftop systems and slash payments for solar fed to the grid. Will the CPUC change course?

By Jeff St. John . 14 December 2021
Solar

The controversies at the heart of California’s solar net-metering fight

The future of rooftop solar in the country’s biggest solar market is up for grabs. Here’s what’s on the table.

By Jeff St. John . 10 December 2021
Solar

Chart: The top 10 solar states include some unexpected contenders

Markets and policy matter more to solar success than geography and politics.

By Eric Wesoff, Maria Virginia Olano . 3 December 2021
Utilities

Solar and green groups buy into Duke's net-metering plan in North Carolina

The state's dominant utility has proposed time-varying solar rates and smart-thermostat incentives, and solar advocates are on board.

By Jeff St. John . 2 December 2021
Climate justice

Helping Native communities attain 'energy sovereignty' with solar

Nonprofit Grid Alternatives develops solar projects on reservations and provides job-training opportunities.

By Natasha Ferguson . 1 December 2021
Solar

How to turn trash into treasure: Put solar panels over landfills

Building solar on closed landfills can add costs and complications, but it could bring gigawatts of clean energy to underserved communities, a new report says.

By Jeff St. John . 30 November 2021
Clean energy

What 24/7 carbon-free energy can achieve over the long term

New modeling from Princeton projects the expected impact from companies and cities procuring carbon-free electricity for every hour of every day.

By David Roberts . 24 November 2021