IKEA has teamed up with LG Chem to offer customers solar panel and storage battery packages. Meanwhile, a new study says government support of storage battery research is essential to driving down prices in the future.
Elon Musk managed to get off a lot of really pithy comments in his recent appearance at the National Governors Association meeting — he spoke of a future in which gas-burning cars will be like horses, and explained how China has taken environmental leadership away from the US. He also discussed the personal sacrifices required of a superhero, and his failed efforts to exert a positive influence on America’s Climate-Change-Denier-in-Chief.
In a major, and much-needed, boost for the Indian rooftop solar power market, a US-based private equity firm will invest $100 million in one of the leading rooftop solar developers in India.
File this one under “E” for “Elections have consequences.” Former Republican North Carolina Governor and fossil fuel fan Pat McCrory lost his 2016 re-election bid in stunning fashion to Democrat Roy Cooper, who leveraged public enthusiasm for renewable energy during his campaign. As a result, the state’s renewable energy activity is set to accelerate. On July 27, Cooper signed HB 589 into law, putting new regulations in motion aimed at reaching a statewide solar target of 6,800 megawatts by 2020 — more than double what it has now.
Tesla kicked off Project Loveday in response to a letter from 10 year old Bria Loveday, who suggested the company make use of the eager energy of its fanbase to generate its first official commercial. The contest was kicked off in 2016 and was set to end earlier this year but the close of the contest was pushed back at the last minute. When it resurfaced, 10 finalists were announced with the final selection date tied to the upcoming reveal of the production version of the Tesla Model 3.
Most people are not aware that the train system is one of the most efficient means of moving people and merchandise around. However, there is room for improvement and some Indian train operators are turning to solar panels on cars, as well as wind and solar energy near the tracks.
Since 2009, Mark Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy, and more than 85 coauthors have written a series of peer-reviewed journal articles evaluating the scientific, engineering, and economic potential of transitioning the world’s energy infrastructures to 100% clean, renewable wind, water, and solar (WWS) power for all purposes by 2050, namely electricity, transportation, heating, cooling, and industrial energy uses.
Elon Musk advocated for more solar power at the NGA summer conference last week, calling for more solar farms, rooftop systems, and battery manufacturing facilities.
Florida generates less solar energy than several far cloudier states, including Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. When it comes to solar, policy is key. And there, Florida is sorely lacking.
German startup Sono Motors will unveil its Sion, a solar powered car with a range of 75 to 155 miles on July 27.
