Category: solar power

Giant step by California to require solar power systems on all new homes

We need more jurisdictions to show the leadership that we are seeing in California. It is encouraging to see how the state plans to significantly increase the use of solar power. Ivan Penn explains in an article in the New York Times.   California Will Require Solar Power for New Homes Long a leader and … Continue reading Giant step by California to require solar power systems on all new homes →

Solar industry needs to take broader perspective for long-term success

Varun Sivaram writes a good article on the Washington Post website arguing that solar power could be the star of a clean power revolution, rising to become the world’s largest source of electricity but only if it realises that it might not push for the policies needed for solar and other clean power sources to … Continue reading Solar industry needs to take broader perspective for long-term success →

Canadian companies react to tariffs imposed by USA on solar panels

There have been lots of concerns about the tariffs on solar panels that the Trump Administration imposed recently. Dan McCue writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website on the reaction of some solar companies in Canada.   Canadian Solar Companies Sue Trump Administration Over Tariffs The White House slapped steep tariffs on imported solar panels … Continue reading Canadian companies react to tariffs imposed by USA on solar panels →

Smarter subsidies and not tariffs are a better way to sustain the US solar industry

There are many concerns about current policies from the Trump Administration on almost all aspects of the low-carbon energy transition. Edward Barbier, Professor of Economics and Terry Iverson, Associate Professor of Economics at Colorado State University provide their own alternatives to the tariffs imposed on imported solar panels.   There are better ways to foster … Continue reading Smarter subsidies and not tariffs are a better way to sustain the US solar industry →

Solar and storage new competing with coal and other fossil fuels

We know that the costs for various renewable energy technologies have been coming down significantly in recent years. Travis Hoium writes on the Motley Fool website about some of the progress that has been made. Importantly, solar together with storage can now compete with coal and other fossil fuels on its own.   The Energy … Continue reading Solar and storage new competing with coal and other fossil fuels →

Windows will provide more than a room with a view

We are reading about important technology developments practically every day. Niamh Mcintyre writes in The Independent about using solar windows and what their potential impact will be.   Solar windows could meet 'nearly all' of America's electricity demand Solar cell technology could soon tap into the massive energy potential of windows and other transparent objects, … Continue reading Windows will provide more than a room with a view →

There is a need to better understand the solar industry

According to Chelsea Harvey, writing in the Washington Post, there has been an on-going underestimation of the expansion of solar energy and that could have serious policy implications. What do you think?   We’ve been underestimating the solar industry’s momentum. That could be a big problem. Analysts have been underestimating the expansion of solar energy … Continue reading There is a need to better understand the solar industry →

It’s time to reassess the notion of “new energy”

Werner van Zyl, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Lecturer in sustainable energy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal writes that our long-term sustainable energy solution has to focus more on the sun.   All roads to sustainable energy lead to the sun Humans consume 221 tonnes of coal, 1,066 barrels of oil, and 93,000 metric cubes of … Continue reading It’s time to reassess the notion of “new energy” →

Major investments taking place in Australia to increase capacity for producing solar panels

It is an encouraging sign of the energy transition that, as Michael Slezak reports in The Guardian, there is major investment taking place for the solar industry in Australia. This is most encouraging.   Large-scale solar industry takes off as 12 new plants secure finance Australia’s large-scale solar industry now appears to be on solid … Continue reading Major investments taking place in Australia to increase capacity for producing solar panels →