California

Solar

California's first solar-covered canal is now fully online

The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 September 2025
Ocean energy

Will this startup be the first to successfully scale up ocean power?

Many companies have failed to harness the sea’s energy. Eco Wave Power thinks its shore-mounted tech, which it just installed at a wharf in LA, can buck the trend.

By Julian Spector . 10 September 2025
Solar

Can utilities replace power lines with solar and batteries in remote areas?

Expanding the grid to reach far-flung customers can be a costly fire hazard. So utilities like PG&E are testing out microgrids using solar, batteries, and generators.

By Jeff St. John . 8 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California quietly guts ambitious virtual power plant bill

Bills boosting solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats to rein in California’s utility costs moved ahead — but the most innovative approaches were cut.

By Jeff St. John . 5 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California’s biggest virtual power plant may get a funding reprieve

Home batteries enrolled in the program can provide 700 MW of cost-effective grid support, new analysis finds — but only if state lawmakers preserve its funding.

By Jeff St. John . 21 August 2025
Hydrogen

This hydrogen microgrid is the first of its kind. Is it a good idea?

Energy Vault, Plug Power, and PG&E partnered on a project that replaces diesel generators with fuel cells to provide backup power for a small town in California.

By Julian Spector . 11 August 2025
Carbon-free buildings

San Francisco fast-tracks all-electric standard for major renovations

With the state set to pause code updates in October, the city is racing to close what some saw as a loophole in its existing all-electric building code.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 August 2025
Utilities

California lawmakers have a radical idea for lowering electricity bills

Two bills would replace $15 billion in utility power-grid investments with cheaper public financing — a new approach to cutting sky-high electricity rates.

By Jeff St. John . 7 August 2025
Carbon-free buildings

California halts building code updates in a blow to electrification

Local jurisdictions may still be able to adopt ambitious codes that help homes ditch gas and promote heat pumps under exceptions in the new law, AB 130.

By Alison F. Takemura . 4 August 2025
Solar

LA has a plan to stop copper thieves: Solar-powered streetlights

As U.S. cities battle thieves who swipe copper wiring from streetlights, solar fixtures are becoming a financial no-brainer despite their higher price tag.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 4 August 2025