The country’s largest non-profit solar installation organization, GRID Alternatives, recently announced that it will be expanding into the international market, via the acquisition of another non-profit, Power to the People. The expansion will allow GRID Alternatives to bring its off-grid-solar-for-the-poor programs to Latin America, and perhaps beyond as well. The … [continued]
For the last six months, the energy news sphere (perhaps led by the Edison Electric Institute) has been rife with a discussion about the threat to the utility business from distributed energy like local solar, as their customers shift to getting their own power from nearby renewable resources. Reports and … [continued]
It may be one of the oldest cooperative utilities in the country, but in the next six months, Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC) of southeastern Iowa will be leading the nation in this 21st century energy source. Upon completion of a new solar array, the 640-member cooperative will have over 1,500 … [continued]
Originally published on Ecopreneurist. Lack of access to financing can keep many otherwise worthy solar energy projects from being built in poor and underserved areas, but a solar crowdfunding site is helping to connect individual investors with solar energy businesses and working to bring affordable solar energy to communities around … [continued]
When one considers how much is preserved — in fact, many-times replenished — with renewable energy: money, air, water; one wonders why all government does not back clean (renewable) community energy. Perhaps it simply takes time to wean vested interests off of old, toxic resources. Time is of the essence … [continued]
Sports are thriving businesses for many communities and countries. Soccer is our family’s personal favorite. We are not alone — the game is the most popular in the world. The World Cup creates an influx of business for any country where it is held — this sport is the heart … [continued]
For now it remains large, investor-owned utilities, and ostensibly locally-focused rural cooperatives and municipal utilities. But the energy landscape of today gives me uncomfortable reminders of the Athenian tragedy by Sophocles — the Oedipus tale. John Farrell, ILSR’s Director of Democratic Energy, gave this panel presentation at the 23rd annual conference of … [continued]
How did a cold state in the Upper Midwest join the ranks of states with solar energy standards? This presentation (click for presentation with audio) explains the politics, process, and policy that led to Minnesota becoming the 17th state with a solar or distributed renewable energy standard in 2013. It … [continued]
I attended the amazing Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony tonight (for the second year in a row). The Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony is sort of like the Academy Awards of cleantech — quite a show. This year, the event actually included a performance from The Human Orchestra, which has … [continued]
This is a good video from the rather famous “Story of Stuff” people. I think it speaks for itself: Clearly, we need “game-changing” solutions, but we need a ton of them. As I’ve noted before, not just “this or that” but “this and that.” Or, more appropriately, “these and those.” … [continued]
