Obama's Solar Story Shows Success, Not Failure
But let's not kid ourselves -- Solyndra is a sideshow to the real, incredibly exciting story of solar power over the course of this administration.
CBS Runs Error-Ridden Report On "New Solyndras"
Media MattersIn a misleading segment painting a skewed picture of the Department of Energy's clean tech investments, CBS News' new morning show purported to reveal 11 "New Solyndras" -- companies CBS said "are having trouble" or "have filed for bankruptcy" after receiving federal assistance. But CBS only identified 7 companies and included some that did not actually get federal funds.
Cheap Solar Power at Night
Solar power has two main problems: it's expensive, and it's intermittent, since the output of a solar power plant depends on the time of day and cloud cover. Halotechnics, an early-stage solar-thermal startup, could help solve both problems.
New Solar Panels Blossomed Despite a Tough Year for the Industry
System prices fell 20 percent because of cheaper components, more options for financing, better installation methods and the shift to larger arrays
Solar Leaders Talk Future of Financing and Policy at COSEIA
During the introductory keynote of the Solar Power Colorado conference last week, a group of solar thought leaders discussed what would happen in 2012 and what was needed for the solar industry to move forward.
More Schools Try Solar Power
The solar panels at Bluffsview Elementary School were once such a novelty that people flew in from Chicago just to take a look. The vice principal of the Worthington school was invited to Washington, D.C., to speak about the project.
Connecticut Public Library Goes Solar
New Hampshire RegisterNew Haven recently cut a ribbon to commemorate another step in energy savings: solar panels atop the Fair Haven Branch Library. The project was made possible because more than 1,300 New Haven residents participated in a statewide clean energy options program launched in 2005. The solar panels were a reward from the state, said Christine Eppstein Tang, director of the city Office of Sustainability.
SolarCity and Shea Homes Team Up to Build Solar Homes for Retirees
Good MagazineAn average American's greenhouse gas emissions begin to decrease around age 60. Retirees aren’t struck by a sudden commitment to the environment, but because they're not working full-time, they drive less. They might buy fewer clothes. They move into a smaller house. Now, two companies are betting that the promise of ditching electric bills for the rest of their lives will compel them to choose a net-zero energy house, too.
IKEA Powers Up Stronger Solar Commitment, New EV Charging Stations
IKEA now plans to bring rooftop solar power to 85 percent of its stores and distribution centers in the United States. Installation of arrays and EV charging sites continues apace with one each completed since the first of the year.
Industry petitions U.S. to ease grid limits
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is sending a petition today to federal regulators proposing a solution to a standard that has limited the amount of solar power that can be added to homes in booming regions like California, Hawaii and New Jersey.