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)

Solar

These California programs steer solar+batteries to low-income households

California's new solar policy leaves low-income families behind. Community energy providers, nonprofits and vendors have come up with some creative workarounds.

By Jeff St. John . 21 December 2022
Solar

California slashes payments to new rooftop-solar customers

A controversial decision to cut the value of power that homes export to the grid by up to 75% could kneecap the nation's biggest rooftop-solar market, critics say.

By Jeff St. John . 15 December 2022
Solar

Floating solar panels could unlock clean power without wasting land

Scientists say "floatovoltaics" hold promise, especially on hydropower reservoirs — but the environmental impacts are still unclear.

By Sofia Moutinho . 15 December 2022
Solar

How will low-income Californians access home solar and batteries?

Pending changes to net metering could put solar and batteries further out of reach for low-income households, renters, schools and churches, advocates warn.

By Jeff St. John . 14 December 2022
Solar

As California guts solar net metering, batteries emerge as a moneymaker

Rooftop solar alone will earn less under new California policy, but firms are developing programs to make it lucrative to add home batteries that help the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 13 December 2022
Solar

What to expect from California’s new rooftop-solar plan? More batteries

California is about to dump its net-metering regime and adopt a new system that emphasizes home batteries. Here’s how companies are preparing.

By Jeff St. John . 12 December 2022
Corporate procurement

Chart: These 10 US companies buy and build the most solar

Tech and retail giants are in a race to get solar to power their operations — but one is far ahead of the rest.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 9 December 2022
Solar

A 100MW solar farm in Texas will mount panels directly on the ground

Startup Erthos says its "earth-mount" approach can reduce utility-scale solar costs by up to 20% by eliminating steel racking.

By Eric Wesoff . 8 December 2022
Solar

Biden admin seeks $3B to fund rooftop solar+batteries in Puerto Rico

Geared toward low-income households, the federal funding could help avert future blackouts, but some question whether they'll ever see the money.

By Brett Marsh . 7 December 2022
Solar

Ruling in Auxin trade case revives tariff threat for US solar

The Commerce Dept. suggests resuming tariffs on solar modules manufactured by certain Chinese companies in 2024. But a tough stance on trade may undermine the Biden admin's ambitious climate goals.

By Eric Wesoff . 2 December 2022