Project Planning Solar Energy" data-title-tablet="" data-alt-mobile="" data-original="" data-src-tablet="" data-src-mobile="" data-title-mobile="" data-title-desktop="" data-src-desktop="https://www.renovateamerica.com:443/-/media/renovate-america/blog-images/2017/sep/quick-guide-solar_header.jpg?modified=20170926180424" /> Imagine keeping your home breezy in the summer, cozy in the winter, and bright all year long without having to deal with outrageous electricity bills. Switching to solar can make this your reality. Learn about the ways solar energy can benefit your home and family using this …

“How would a giant solar panel system on the border wall affect electricity prices throughout southern Texas” (Kevin O’Brien) Donald Trump said Mexico was going to pay for the wall. Then he said Mexico would be paying “at a later date so we can get started early.” Now it looks like America’s southern neighbor might not have to pay anything …

Energy Commission Approves Biomass System in Shasta County and Zero-Percent Loan for Solar System in Soledad Schools New energy standards approved for Lancaster SACRAMENTO – The California Energy Commission today approved a $1.5 million grant to demonstrate a containerized biomass-to-energy system in Shasta County as part of the state’s effort at creating economic drivers to support renewable energy that also benefits California’s forest health crisis. The Berkeley-based …

September 29, 2017 Miles Farmer  Originally posted on NRDC Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry just proposed a massive bailout for coal and nuclear power plants. The radical and unprecedented move is couched under a false premise that power plants with fuel located on site are needed to guarantee the reliability of the electricity system. The proposal relies on a mischaracterization of …

Q&A with GenCell CEO, Rami Reshef   Hydrogen based fuel cell technology seems to be a hot topic at the moment, especially in the automotive market, what are your thoughts on this?     It’s true that the automotive industry sees great potential in fuel cells. No doubt this is the result of growing consumer concern for the environmental effect …

ATLANTA, August 17, 2017 – The Home Depot® today announced the addition of solar installations at 50 stores as it continues to expand its alternative energy portfolio, essentially creating mini solar farms out of unused rooftops. The project will reduce electricity grid demand by an estimated 30 to 35 percent annually at each Home Depot store; the equivalent of powering …

by Alex Perera and Colin McCormick – March 31, 2015 As electric grids around the world rely more and more on solar and wind power, there are concerns about how they’ll handle renewable energy’s sometimes inconsistent generation. Unlike conventional power plants, which produce energy on a fixed schedule, renewables can’t be fully controlled because they rely on the available sunlight and wind speed. Grid operators’ response to Europe’s recent …

Despite some pushback from the Trump administration, there’s no stopping renewable energy. Renewables continue to surge, while U.S. coal production has dropped to its lowest level since 1978. Although initiatives to resuscitate a dying coal industry remain, such as Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s push for coal mining expansion, renewable energy isn’t going anywhere. The abundant types of renewable energy, from …

LED lighting has been around for several years, but it has only recently reached the mass market and became more accessible to residential homes and businesses. Investing in LED bulbs may seem expensive initially, but the energy-saving and money-saving benefits far outweigh the upfront cost. Let’s take a look at why LED bulbs are the most important energy-saving investment that …

Madison, Wisconsin and Abita Springs, Louisiana showcase bipartisan support for 100 percent clean energy OAKLAND, Calif. – 25 U.S. cities have now committed to transition entirely to clean and renewable energy, following city council votes on Tuesday establishing 100 percent renewable energy goals in Madison, Wisconsin and Abita Springs, Louisiana. Madison and Abita Springs represent the first Wisconsin and Louisiana …

NRDC Report: Replacing Coal with Renewables and Energy Efficiency Can Lead U.S. to Cleaner Energy Future WASHINGTON (March 2, 2017) – It’s cheaper and cleaner to replace retiring coal-fired power plants with wind and solar power and energy efficiency upgrades rather than to saddle the nation with more costly and climate-polluting natural gas plants, according to a report released today …

February 14, 2017 Luke Tonachel Despite the Trump administration’s apparent affection for the fossil fuels industry, individual states are looking at the numbers and coming up with a different conclusion: The future belongs to pollution-free electric vehicles, and the sooner we get them on the road, the better off we’ll all be. And there are some important new studies out …

WASHINGTON (Feb. 7, 2017) – Though market forces and external regulatory factors have combined to retire roughly 10 percent of the American nuclear power fleet, the facts don’t justify subsidies or other policy interventions specifically to save the energy source, according to a new policy study by R Street Electricity Policy Manager Devin Hartman. Hartman cites “increased capital investment requirements, …

PG&E Submits $250 Million Proposal Expanding Support for Electric Vehicles in California   SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today submitted a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for projects aimed at accelerating widespread electric vehicle adoption and combatting climate change. For the seven proposed projects, PG&E is requesting a total budget of approximately $253 …

UCI is first college in nation to convert to all-electric bus fleet Irvine, Calif., Jan. 23, 2017 – The University of California, Irvine is poised to be the first college campus in the nation to convert its buses to an all-electric fleet. The student-funded and -operated Anteater Express shuttle service is acquiring 20 buses from BYD (Build Your Dreams) for $15 …

by Joel Jaeger, Paul Joffe and Ranping Song – January 06, 2017 As 2017 begins, China is poised to leap ahead of the United States on clean energy to become the most important player in the global market. Last year, China increased its foreign investment in renewables by 60 percent to reach a record $32 billion, according to a new …

Epiphany School Installs 25 kW Solar PV System through Partnership with Solect Energy DORCHESTER, MA – January 4, 2017 – Epiphany School, an independent, tuition-free middle school dedicated to serving children from economically disadvantaged families, has partnered with Solect Energy of Hopkinton, MA to install a 25 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on the roof of its Dorchester location. The …

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced the company will soon reach a milestone of 2,409 megawatts of installed private rooftop solar capacity on the energy grid, representing more than 275,000 solar customers in Northern and Central California. PG&E expects to reach this state-mandated limit for its current rooftop solar program this month.   With this milestone, …

NREL opens data to help planners and regulators understand implications of higher wind and solar generation August 31, 2016 – A new study from the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) used high-performance computing capabilities and innovative visualization tools to model, in unprecedented detail, how the power grid of the eastern United States could operationally …

Modernize Launches ModSun Solar Cost Calculator for Homeowners Nationwide Human-Centered Approach to Going Solar Leverages Industry-Leading Technology  Modernize, the online service that connects homeowners with contractors specializing in energy-efficient home improvement projects, today announced the launch of ModSun, an easy-to-use residential solar panel cost calculator focused on providing a transparent, human-centered approach to going solar. Powered by the only solar …