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

Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom is at risk, advocates warn

Rooftop solar has been a lifeline for the U.S. territory during blackouts. Now a government entity wants to undo a law protecting a key solar program.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 May 2024
Solar

TVA's local solar program is about to get its biggest project yet

The huge public utility has built little solar capacity so far. Now the region's local power companies are driving a buildout with help from developer Silicon Ranch.

By Julian Spector . 16 May 2024
Clean energy

Chart: Renewables generated a record 30% of global electricity in 2023

Solar and wind are cleaning up the global power grid — so much so that research firm Ember says global power sector emissions may have peaked last year.

By Eric Wesoff . 10 May 2024
Batteries

Batteries are taking on gas plants to power California's nights

California's record 10 gigawatts of grid batteries are finally pushing solar generation into post-sunset hours at a meaningful scale, new data shows.

By Julian Spector . 9 May 2024
Clean energy

Clean energy in rural America gets another big boost of federal funding

The Biden administration announced $78 million — the latest from a $1 billion program — to install solar, batteries, and more in rural communities.

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 May 2024
Solar

Minnesota's biggest solar project will help replace a huge coal plant

Xcel Energy’s 710-megawatt Sherco solar facility will create union jobs in a coal community, pilot long-duration storage tech, and advance the state's climate goals.

By Eric Wesoff . 1 May 2024
Solar

Major US solar manufacturers call for strict new solar-panel tariffs

First Solar, Qcells, and other domestic solar-panel makers are petitioning the Commerce Department for new tariffs on panels imported from Southeast Asia.

By Eric Wesoff . 24 April 2024
Solar

Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households

The EPA’s historic $7 billion Solar for All program will help every state fund solar projects for lower-income residents. In many states, that will be a first.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 April 2024
Solar

California’s rooftop solar policies threaten progress on climate

NEM 3.0 rules have undermined California’s rooftop solar industry and could hamper the state's efforts to meet its climate targets.

By Julian Spector . 16 April 2024
Solar

California derailed its booming rooftop solar buildout. Can it be fixed?

Over the past year, California regulators have kneecapped small-scale solar needed to hit the state's climate goals. These lawmakers are trying to bring it back.

By Jeff St. John . 15 April 2024