Solar

A Virginia school district pioneers solar and battery microgrids

Roanoke City Public Schools is building the state’s first solar-plus-storage systems to keep emergency shelters going during extreme weather and cut down on costs.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2026

Overhead view of red school building with solar panels on its roof, surrounded by lawn and trees with mountains in distance — Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke, Virginia, which leads the state in school solar installations (Roanoke City Public Schools)

Solar

Solar is now bigger than coal in China — and yet still way behind

China has more solar capacity online than coal capacity. It’s a remarkable milestone, but the fossil fuel still generates far more electricity than solar does.

By Dan McCarthy . 4 September 2026
Solar

Solar-plus-storage is having a global growth spurt

Investors spent a record amount in the first half of 2026 on projects that combine renewable energy — mostly solar — with batteries.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 4 September 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 . 3 September 2026
Politics

Meet the super PAC working to crush clean energy's political foes

After Republicans voted to undo much of the Inflation Reduction Act, a few cleantech professionals set out to exact electoral revenge. So far, it seems to be working.

By Julian Spector . 1 September 2026
Solar

Can the Obama Presidential Center help Chicago embrace community solar?

As an anchor tenant for several off-site arrays in development, the center will help spur investment and educate residents on the benefits of shared solar.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 September 2026
Climate crisis

Gary power outage underscores stakes of Solar for All cancellation

Some city residents went two weeks without power following storms. The federal program, ended by Trump, would have enabled many to access solar and batteries.

By Kari Lydersen . 31 August 2026
Solar

Virginia to cut rooftop solar costs with nation-first bulk-buy program

Teaming up to buy solar can get residents deep discounts. Virginia is the first to try a statewide campaign as utility bills rise and data centers stress the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 31 August 2026
Clean energy

As Ohio grapples with fake comments on clean energy, some want crackdown

Apparently fake public input has promoted fossil fuels and attacked clean energy in Ohio and beyond. Here’s what officials could do to try to stymie the problem.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 25 August 2026
Solar

Solar delivers as Europe’s power plants struggle amid heat and drought

Extreme weather spiked power demand just as nuclear, gas, and coal plants had to reduce their output. Solar and batteries helped keep people cool.

By Austin Corona, Grist . 25 August 2026
Solar

Tesla ditches solar roof — and embraces regular solar panels

The product that was supposed to redefine both roofing and home solar never moved beyond expensive niche status. Does the new plan reflect lessons learned?

By Dan McCarthy, Julian Spector . 24 August 2026