Solar

Virtual power plants

California could cut utility bills with distributed energy. Why isn’t it?

Rooftop solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats could help rein in rising grid costs — if only California could pass policies to make it happen.

By Jeff St. John . 10 September 2024

(Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Solar

Auxin Solar: A look at the mysterious company causing a big trade mess

See photos of shoddy Auxin solar panels and the firm’s desolate factory site. Plus: State data raises questions about how many panels Auxin actually produces.

By Eric Wesoff . 6 May 2022
Policy & regulation

Biden solar tariff probe pushes Indiana utility to burn more coal

The Commerce Department’s consideration of new tariffs for Southeast Asian solar-panel makers is stalling solar projects — and undermining the clean energy transition.

By Julian Spector . 5 May 2022
Guest essay

Did California actually hit 97% renewables in April? Yes and no

A close look at California’s latest record reveals a complicated quest to operate an emissions-free grid.

By Mike O'Boyle . 2 May 2022
Solar

Largest solar power plant in US secures $1.3 billion in financing

Gemini, a massive new solar-plus-storage project in Nevada, is a bright spot for an industry that's facing myriad challenges.

By Eric Wesoff . 29 April 2022
Solar

Florida Gov. DeSantis surprises with veto of solar net-metering bill

Rooftop solar in Florida gets a last-minute reprieve thanks to the Republican governor’s unexpected opposition to legislation penned by utility lobbyists.

By Jeff St. John . 28 April 2022
Podcast

How a trade complaint could crush the US solar industry

Auxin Solar has triggered a new spat in America’s trade war with China. It’s already derailing large-scale solar projects — and could create major headaches for Biden.

Play

By Stephen Lacey . 24 min . 27 April 2022
Solar

Will the Biden administration let one company kill US solar?

Auxin Solar's potentially devastating petition for more tariffs could upend the fast-growing sector and derail decarbonization efforts.

By Eric Wesoff . 25 April 2022
Clean energy

Chart: What will a net-zero grid energy mix actually look like?

Massive amounts of new wind and solar will be a make-or-break ingredient.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 22 April 2022
Solar

Chart: Which nations get over 10% of their power from solar?

Hint: Not the U.S or China.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 15 April 2022
Sponsored

Contract prices for renewable power are up 30%. What's going on?

LevelTen Energy’s latest PPA Price Index analyzes the soaring costs of large-scale solar and wind deals.

By 13 April 2022