What U.S. cities have the most solar power? New report lays it out

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeCities across the U.S. are working to limit their emissions of climate-change gases turning to solar power, among other tactics. In 2016, programs focused on bringing the benefits of photovoltaic solar power to business and residents helped to expand that capacity with record-breaking growth. Advances in solar technology, improved costs, and...

Clean energy provides far more U.S. jobs than fossil fuels: analysis

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeYesterday, U.S. president Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of rolling back pretty much every vestige of U.S. efforts to address climate change. In both his campaigning and since his inauguration, Trump has claimed that his government and its actions focus on creating or bringing back jobs for working-class Americans...

Bipartisan governors’ group urges Trump to back solar, wind power

wind farmThe new presidential administration seems poised to take a radically different approach to energy policy than its predecessor. That approach is founded on denial of accepted climate science, and an expressed desire to promote the fossil-fuel industry, including the so-called revival of coal. But while the White House prepares to execute what looks...

Tesla’s battery farm on Kauai opens, large-scale solar energy for Hawaii

Solar Panels by Flickr user Chandra MarsonoEven before Elon Musk engineered Tesla's acquisition of SolarCity, the two companies were collaborating. SolarCity was already controlled by Musk, who believes its solar-energy business can be reinforced and complemented by Tesla's energy-storage business. Last year, Tesla announced a joint project with SolarCity to install a large battery farm...

Solar power hits new U.S. heights: utility use exceeds home panels

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeNo matter how you measure it, 2016 was a major year for solar energy. More solar-generating capacity was added last year than either natural gas or wind, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A study by investment bank and research firm Lazard found that utility-scale solar has now become the single cheapest form of unsubsidized electricity...

When lauding renewables, look at utilization, not just capacity

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeThe news on the renewable energy front continues to be good, with the costs of wind and solar generation falling steadily. By some measures, large-scale renewable energy is now cost-competitive (or close) with the most efficient natural-gas electric plants. Moreover, the amounts of clean generating capacity installed continue to rise, both in...

More solar energy was added in 2016 than natural gas or wind

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeRenewable-energy growth has accelerated in 2016, but this may go down as a milestone year for one renewable-energy source in particular. Together, all renewable-energy sources are expected to account for 8 percent of U.S. electricity-generation capacity in 2017, according to the Department of Energy, and solar energy is responsible for most of...

We’re there! Renewables now cheapest unsubsidized electricity in U.S.

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeOver the past few years, the cost of electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has decreased dramatically. So much so, that renewable energy may have just hit an important milestone, according to one study. In the U.S., wind and solar power are now cheaper sources of electricity than natural gas—even without subsidies. DON'T MISS...

Renewable energy to hit 9 percent of U.S. total in 2017

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeU.S. renewable-energy generating capacity is not only growing, but it is beginning to erode coal's share of the electricity-generating mix, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The agency predicts renewable energy—particularly solar power—to continue growing. At the same time, a combination of renewable...