For many states struggling to reduce their carbon emissions, solar can be a real game-changer. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to announce new air quality standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants on Monday, June 2, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a comprehensive report, “Cutting Carbon Emissions Under §111(d): The case for expanding solar …

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to make 2014 a year of action. And today, we announced new ways we’re taking action to advance clean energy and create opportunity for hardworking Americans. The Obama Administration has made historic investments in the research, development, and deployment of clean energy. And these investments are paying off; solar power …

Next-Generation Photovoltaic Technologies to Take Center Stage as Solar Expenditures Rebound Advanced photovoltaic (PV) technologies such as diamond wire and n-type substrates will increasingly find their way into mainstream solar manufacturing, especially with capital expenditures set to bounce back this year, according to IHS Technology (NYSE: IHS). In a move that will coincide with the launch of a new spending …

Low-cost solar power could supply more than a third of all energy needs in the Western U.S., if the nation can hit its targets for reducing the cost of solar energy, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.   The UC Berkeley scientists used a detailed computer model they developed of the West’s electric …

So you have decided to get your own generator. This is a good decision. Since, electricity is getting increasingly expensive day by day, it’s better to find a solution that is cheap and affordable; a generator that is powerful enough to power your entire house. There are many options to select from, windmills, solar panels or hydro power. But which …

By Michael Gorton, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Principal Solar Despite the sluggish economy, the US solar industry has seen massive growth in the past two years, creating jobs across the country, driving innovation and attracting investors. In fact, solar installations reached 742MW in the second quarter, up 45 percent over the prior quarter, and a 116-percent increase over …

Pretty much everyone wants to save the environment. At least no one is out there advocating that we have a free-for-all with toxins and pollutants. The problem occurs from the choices we have to make: do it green or do it cheaply? Or more easily? I wrestle with that every time I grab a paper towel off the roll. But …

PV America 2012 West Celebrates The inaugural PV America West conference and trade show concluded on March 21 with more than 160 exhibitors showcasing the products and technologies driving the PV solar energy industry in the western region in 2012. Presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)® and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), the show offered an extensive …

Mix of GIS, technical and financing advice helps countries shift from high-carbon imports to low-carbon domestic energy By embracing an integrated mix of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and grid technologies, countries can put their energy systems on a more sustainable path while developing economically, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. The report, Sustainable Energy Roadmaps: Guiding the …

Our continuing coverage of the PV America show in San Jose CA this past week as we highlight our conversation with AlsoEnergy CEO Robert Schaefer who gives us a breakdown of their solar power monitoring service. This technology helps solar power installations monitor remotely the efficiency of the solar power system output and many other onsite factors so an operator …

SolarCity Raises $81 Million in Growth Capital from Group Led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Valor Equity Partners Investor consortium also includes Elon Musk, Nicholas J. Pritzker and Shea Ventures SolarCity® today announced that it has raised $81 million in equity financing. The round was co-led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Valor Equity Partners, and included investments from Nicholas J. …

By Elisa Wood Fortunately for the rest of us, some people missed the message, the one that says we’re in an economic slide so slippery there is no climbing back up. I had a chance to speak to several of these optimists recently. No, they are not members of the Pollyanna Club; they are green energy entrepreneurs, those who are …

–Philip J Reed, on behalf of Westwood College We all know it’s coming: the environmental event horizon. That is to say, the point of no return. Treat the planet badly enough and, eventually, it will no longer be able to recover. How close are we? Closer than we think, probably, and we can’t keep dragging our feet in the hope …

GOING SOLAR PROGRAM Thanks To The New American Vision Solar™ Power Purchase Agreement Solar panels create a ‘green’, pollution-free source for heat, light and electricity. The technology has been around for a while, in fact, because satellites utilize solar panels, we already rely on solar power for many of the gadgets we use everyday from cell phones to GPS systems …

By Daryl J. Ehrmantraut Our future energy requirements depend on reaching the ‘holy grail’ of electricity generation – Finding a cheaper alternative to coal and other fossil fuels. The availability of an alternative energy source would also contribute significantly to energy self-sufficiency in North America. Every hour more energy from the sun hits the earth than the world’s entire population …

Deal with Silicon Valley’s SolarCity is search giant’s largest clean tech investment. Josie Garthwaite for National Geographic News Google is making its largest investment yet in clean energy, setting up a $280 million fund to finance home    The search giant announced today it was teaming up with the Silicon Valley’s SolarCity—a company chaired by Paypal co-founder and Tesla Motors …

Solar Energy Pools: Keep energy consumption down and pool costs will drop. As we all know, swimming pools require a lot of energy to run and maintain. Pool supplies alone can get costly, and with energy costs going up, it is helpful to find ways to reduce the amount of energy pools use. Solar thermal energy is a great resource …

Affordable Solar & Wind Lars Henderson asked The rising price of power has hit everyone in recent years and especially recent months Homeowners everywhere have seen their power bills increase and often have had to cut back spending on other things because power isn’t very affordable The answer is affordable solar and wind energy systems The power that you use …

homemade charge controller One of the biggest household expenses is the electricity bills The amount you pay for power is next to the bank home mortgage Many home owners are looking into using solar energy to supplement their home energy needs A complete system installed by a professional contractor can be quite expensive Be prepared to invest upwards of for …

59 solar installations include the new On Lok Senior Health Building in San Francisco Affordable housing in the Bay Area is always an issue. For Seniors on fixed incomes it’s particularly important to have access to good quality, affordable housing and services with predictable long-term energy costs for their tight budgets. Solar makes sense because it provides a predictable and …