Solar

California’s rooftop solar is a benefit, not a cost, to the state

A new study finds rooftop solar will save California $2.3B this year — a rebuttal to the ‘cost-shift’ math that’s led regulators to stifle solar growth.

By Jeff St. John . 15 November 2024

(Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Solar

Biden to halt solar tariff threat for two years

The president will restart the U.S. solar industry by waiving new tariffs for 24 months, and he’ll spur more U.S. manufacturing of solar panels by invoking the Defense Production Act.

By Eric Wesoff . 6 June 2022
Solar

Chart: Most US solar jobs are in installation, not manufacturing

The Auxin trade probe aims to support U.S. solar manufacturing, but if it succeeds, it could kill jobs in the much larger installation and development sector.

By Eric Wesoff, Maria Virginia Olano . 3 June 2022
Policy & regulation

Can Biden end the Auxin solar tariff investigation?

The president wants to prioritize climate action and solar power. That’s running up against the Commerce Department’s enforcement of a 1930 trade law. Now what?

By Julian Spector . 26 May 2022
Solar

Chart: Which 12 US cities outshine the rest in solar energy?

A new report ranks cities by total amount of solar power capacity and solar per capita — and most of the top contenders are not in California!

By Maria Virginia Olano . 20 May 2022
Solar

BNEF says Auxin misinterpreted its research in calling for solar tariffs

Researchers from BloombergNEF say Auxin Solar used data inaccurately in petitioning the Commerce Department to consider new tariffs on imported solar panels.

By Julian Spector . 18 May 2022
Solar

Chart: US solar installations could fall 50% or more under new tariffs

If the Commerce Department imposes trade sanctions sought by Auxin, the solar industry could be set back years and lose tens of thousands of jobs.

By Eric Wesoff, Maria Virginia Olano . 13 May 2022
Solar

California heads back to drawing board on solar net-metering policy

Will yet another round of public input finally yield an equitable and balanced system for compensating rooftop-solar owners?

By Jeff St. John . 10 May 2022
Clean energy

How California can get to a reliable, 85% clean grid by 2030

A new report finds that more offshore wind and geothermal power could reduce risks of overreliance on massive solar and battery growth to meet state goals.

By Jeff St. John . 10 May 2022
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