Emerging markets are forecast to help bring stability to ailing solar industry, with up to 12 gigawatts (GW) of new photovoltaic (PV) capacity added in 2017 up from just 1.6 GW in 2012, according to a new IHS solar report. The recently released study, which evaluated the potential for PV additions in 40 countries around the world, found that up …

White rot fungus boosts ethanol production from corn stalks, cobs and leaves The latest episode in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS’) award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series reports new evidence that the so-called white rot fungus shows promise in the search for a way to use waste corn stalks, cobs and leaves — rather than corn itself — to produce …

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 …

When the idea of the electric car was proposed to minimize greenhouse gases and pollution, the two basic platforms were the hybrid platform and a pure electric platform. When it comes to the latter, the main issue is the low range of operation. While the breakthrough in battery technology is unlikely to happen, students, scientists, hobbyists and of course companies …

Listen to Podcast Download Transcript Today’s study could solidify the trend toward construction of gigantic windmills. In a report in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology, scientists have concluded that the larger the wind turbine, the greener the electricity it produces. “Wind power is an increasingly popular source of electricity. It provides almost 2 percent of global electricity worldwide, a …

Nuclear energy has been around for a long time. All the back to Einstein’s formula E = mc^2, the potential in harnessing the energy by a small change in mass has been known. Apart from being the foundation of nuclear bombs, as well as massive environmental disasters such as Chernobyl and the Fukushima Daiichi in Japan last year, nuclear power …

Studies are showing that the interest and push for using new and clean renewable energy sources is growing fast among not just the public sector but also within the corporate world. Investment in technology for cleaner energy has surpassed that of traditional fossil fuel sources. Last week, businesses still on the fence about exploring their options in renewable energy were …

Natural gas is an efficient, safe, and reliable fuel source. It costs less than heating oil, and is one of the cleanest-burning fuels available. If you are not currently using natural gas in your building, converting to natural gas is a wise choice for property owners who want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air quality in your …

Actor and environmental advocate and Energy Upgrade CA in LA County spokesperson, Ed Begley, Jr., gives easy, do-it-yourself tips for homeowners looking to reduce their energy use. This segment highlights how homeowners can easily compost any yard clippings, food scraps, and other organic waste materials and replenish soil nutrients in their yards with the resulting compost. Making your own compost …

consumerreports asked: Are electric cars really the vehicles of the future? Consumer Reports tests the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf to see if they’re ready to go mainstream. Learn more about electric cars and alternative-fuel vehicles on our website: www.consumerreports.org

Solar plane flies to Sahara sun in Ouarzazate, Morocco Highlights World Bank-financed Morocco solar project linking Europe, N Africa to power of Sahara sun After completing its historic 2,500-kilometer intercontinental flight to Morocco earlier this month, the Swiss solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, lifted off from Morocco’s capital Rabat morning of June 21 on the second attempt at its most challenging …

There’s a lot of moaning and hand-wringing whenever gasoline prices approach $4 a gallon. But all it would take for them to hit $10 a gallon overnight would be hurricanes wiping out a couple of refineries or saboteurs disabling a couple of pipelines, says Dr. R. Paul Williamson, founder and CEO of the non-profit Sustainable Systems of Colorado. “The United …

Solar power is one of the most eco-friendly forms of energy available to consumers. Solar technology draws energy from sunlight, which is converted to electricity by exterior-mounted solar panels. One of the disadvantages of solar panels is that a large field of these panels is required to provide the power necessary to fuel a single home, let alone a neighborhood …

Why Wait Till Gas Hits $10 a Gallon? Sustainable Energy Expert Details National Plan of Action There’s a lot of moaning and hand-wringing whenever gasoline prices approach $4 a gallon. But all it would take for them to hit $10 a gallon overnight would be hurricanes wiping out a couple of refineries or saboteurs disabling a couple of pipelines, says …

When power plants begin capturing their carbon emissions to reduce greenhouse gases – and to most in the electric power industry, it’s a question of when, not if – it will be an expensive undertaking. Current technologies would use about one-third of the energy generated by the plants – what’s called “parasitic energy” – and, as a result, substantially drive …

Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, The Cliff House Resort & Spa has installed one of Maine’s largest solar thermal systems. The installation uses 2,100 tubes on 70 collectors. That’s 10 times the size of an average solar project. The solar installation will save an estimated 11,000 gallons of propane annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than …

Solar power fueled homes used to be a thing of fantasy or only something the extreme eco home owners would try to accomplish. But the times have changed drastically. Prices of solar technology have come way down. The efficiency of solar cells has gone up and continues to improve each year. And green homes have become a thing of desire …

Do you think energy tycoon T Bone Pickens can shape a new path for American energy production? He shared his thoughts at this years TED conference. T. Boone Pickens knows energy. The 83-year-old billionaire entrepreneur started his first oil and gas company in 1954 and has been in the industry ever since. In recent years, Pickens has been a vocal …

So you want to go green. But where do you start? Unless your sibling or significant other happens to be a green energy specialist or sustainable living expert, the path to true eco-friendliness and energy efficiency is difficult to take. Often times homeowners will simply spend money on perceived fixes because some TV talking head said so, while failing to …

Let’s face it in earthly terms as well as in business terms the solar energy industry is in its infancy as a maturing market for supplying and allaying the need for other energy such as oil. It is barely walking yet. There are many who would like to belittle its growth and even discount the eventual contribution of solar energy …