Solar

Solar and wind try to navigate Trump’s obstacle course for tax credits

Many solar and wind projects will meet a July 4 deadline for tax credits. But to keep them, they must be built in four years — and that involves yet more hurdles.

By Jeff St. John . 15 June 2026

Two workers carrying a panel to attach to a solar grid in a desert landscape surrounded by moutntains — Construction on the Gemini solar project near Las Vegas in 2023 (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Clean energy

This spring, clean energy in the US set record after record

In California, Texas, and other places, solar, wind, and batteries hit new highs. Here are the big takeaways from this year’s shoulder season.

By Julian Spector . 15 June 2026
Solar

Solar beat coal on the US grid in May — a new milestone

It’s the first time that's happened across an entire month, and it comes despite the Trump administration’s efforts to reinvigorate coal and hamper solar.

By Dan McCarthy . 12 June 2026
Solar

New Qcells plant doubles current US capacity to make solar cells

The company’s Cartersville, Georgia, factory is the largest of its kind in the nation — and it just started producing the key solar panel component.

By Julian Spector . 9 June 2026
Solar

Where does balcony solar stand in your state?

Dozens of states are considering legislation to allow residents to use DIY plug-in solar. Follow the efforts here.

By Sarah Shemkus . 8 June 2026
Clean energy

Ohio has blocked a lot of wind and solar. Its residents pay the price.

The clean energy projects thwarted by state lawmakers could have gone a long way toward meeting spiking energy demand, lowering bills, and eliminating pollution.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 5 June 2026
Batteries

Why North Carolina’s electric co-ops are turning to grid batteries

From the suburbs to the barrier islands, the state’s local cooperatives are using aggregated battery systems to weather outages and protect consumers’ wallets.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 4 June 2026
Solar

Thanks to two new laws, more Virginians can save with community solar

The legislation expands subscription-based solar farms from 250 to 875 megawatts and is the product of the state’s “new affordability politics."

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 June 2026
Solar

In new attack on solar, lawmakers spread myths about potato farms

Misinformation about renewable energy fuels local pushback to proposed energy installations and could threaten farmers’ livelihoods.

By Austyn Gaffney . 1 June 2026
Solar

This AI tool helps community solar developers connect to the grid sooner

Startup MeanderX maps bottlenecks on distribution lines in Illinois and seven other states, so projects can avoid lengthy delays.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 May 2026
Clean energy

The grid is in better shape this summer. Thank solar and batteries.

Nationwide grid reliability has improved since last summer — and new solar and batteries, not aging coal plants, are the main reason.

By Jeff St. John . 26 May 2026