US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $68 million in funding Thursday for 540 US renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the nation’s rural communities. This legislation is part of the “Swiss Army knife” of tools for jobs, innovation, infrastructure, research, and conservation President Obama has been talking about. Of … [continued]
Solar power systems are ideal for buildings with large, flat roofs. That type of building is universal in public schools in the US. Thus, public and private schools offer huge, mostly untapped potential to increase solar energy use in the US. Installing rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems on US … [continued]
Following up on last week’s “Top 10 CleanTechnica Stories” roundup, which seemed to do pretty well, here’s a top 10 list for the past week. Check out this top cleantech news if you didn’t read it the first time! 1. Honda Pounds Another Nail Into Fossil Fuel Coffin 2. Electric Car With Best Price … [continued]
What a lovely sight to see the sheep among the solar panels. Modern farming is becoming dual purpose. The land between and underneath rows of PV models is accessible for grazing of small livestock, such as sheep and free-ranging poultry. Simultaneous farming results in ecological and economic benefits. Home-grown power … [continued]
A competition that began a few days ago invites students to design imaginative entries, artwork, or film in order to illustrate why they want their school powered by solar energy. Friends of the Earth is sponsoring its first renewable energy project for primary schools that span England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The … [continued]
Environment America Research and Policy Center recently released Lighting the Way, a fascinating hard numbers–based take on the US solar energy boom, the top states that fostered it last year, and what the others are up to. The research organization finds that the top 10 solar energy states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, … [continued]
Many cities served by private utilities think they have little capacity to encourage local renewable energy development. But a largely untapped tool – utility franchise contracts – may hold the key. There are two kinds of city energy systems: publicly owned or privately owned. Cities with municipal utilities already have … [continued]
I can’t decide what is more intriguing, Rosana’s seductive voice in her teasing narrative or Solar Man’s Exotic solar charisma*. It matters not; this is one smooth, funny short film series explaining Solar Man’s super solar prowess, in 3-minute pops. “He once installed 100 panels in a day, by himself…. … [continued]
Energy Central. Darshan Goswami. By 2050, India could rely entirely on renewable energy to create a sustainable energy future. In the coming years, India will face seemingly insurmountable challenges to its economy, environment and energy security. To overcome these challenges India needs to shift to non-polluting sources of energy. As … [continued]
Late last week, Minnesota regulators made a decision that may finally allow community solar projects to move forward (for Xcel Energy customers) in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. However, the Public Utilities Commission decision also highlighted the shortcomings of the legislature’s distributed solar policy adopted in 2013. What was missing? … [continued]
