Solar

How solar microgrids are bringing power (and quiet) to North Carolina

In areas hit by Hurricane Helene, the nonprofit Footprint Project is replacing noisy and polluting generators with solar panels and batteries.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 28 October 2024

Solar panels on the ground with people around — Workers installing a solar microgrid in Marshall, North Carolina. (Footprint Project)

Podcast

Beaming 24/7 solar from space

A science-fiction author came up with the idea. But could it actually be closer to reality than we think?

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By Shayle Kann . 49 min . 15 August 2023
Clean energy manufacturing

Maxeon looks to bring solar manufacturing back home with $1B US factory

The SunPower spinout selected New Mexico as the site for a huge solar factory that would be its first in the U.S. The Inflation Reduction Act is to thank.

By Eric Wesoff . 10 August 2023
Solar

Bright raises $32M to speed up rooftop solar installation in Mexico

The startup has helped install solar for 4,700 customers since its 2015 founding. Now, it hopes to build on that — and expand to commercial customers.

By Eric Wesoff . 8 August 2023
Solar

Rivian backs massive solar plant atop old coal mine in Kentucky

The 800MW colossus from BrightNight sets a new standard for renewables construction that benefits communities and the local environment as well as the climate.

By Julian Spector . 4 August 2023
Podcast

Rooftop solar boosts grid reliability in fossil-dependent New England

Solar systems on roofs in the region are helping to shut down a large gas-fired power plant. Meanwhile, utility-scale solar is keeping the lights on as Texas swelters.

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By Stephen Lacey . 32 min . 26 July 2023
Solar

Can America's canals double as solar farms?

Studies show that putting solar panels over waterways could boost clean energy and conserve water. The first U.S. pilot project is getting underway in California.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 July 2023
Clean energy

Chart: Wind and solar are outperforming coal on US grid this year

Renewables are making progress in replacing coal, but to decarbonize U.S. electricity by 2035, they'll need to replace fossil gas too.

By Dan McCarthy . 21 July 2023
Clean energy jobs

Chart: Which states have the most solar and wind power jobs?

Clean energy technologies, including solar and wind, accounted for nearly 87 percent of net new electric power generation jobs in the U.S. last year.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 7 July 2023
Clean energy manufacturing

A key piece of the solar supply chain will now be made in America

Enphase produced its first U.S.-made solar microinverter today — and President Biden was at the factory to tout the role his climate law played in making it happen.

By Julian Spector . 6 July 2023
Solar

Home batteries will help bolster Puerto Rico's grid in emergencies

Sunrun is launching a first-of-its-kind program on the island that will harness rooftop solar and battery storage systems to avoid rolling blackouts.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 June 2023