Solar

In Michigan, homeowners associations can’t stop rooftop solar anymore

Tens of millions of Americans live under HOAs, which sometimes block rooftop solar for aesthetic reasons. Michigan is the latest state to protect access to solar.

By Carrie Klein . 2 July 2024

Michigan home with solar panels on rooftop — (John Jevahirian)

Energy equity

Community solar expands access to clean energy, new study shows

Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings.

By Alison F. Takemura . 1 July 2024
Electrification

New startup aims to bring ‘solar-led electrification’ to California homes

Balto Energy, founded by a longtime energy modeling veteran, is the latest startup building software to try and predict the value of solar and home electrification.

By Jeff St. John . 18 June 2024
Solar

‘Floatovoltaic’ solar panels on lakes could unlock lots of clean energy

New research finds that covering even a small portion of a lake or reservoir’s surface with floating solar panels could generate a significant amount of electricity.

By Matt Simon . 17 June 2024
Solar

Swift Solar nabs $27M to chase solar efficiency holy grail: perovskites

Many startups have tried to commercialize alternative solar panel materials, with little success. Swift says its next-gen modules will hit the market in a few years.

By Eric Wesoff . 14 June 2024
Utilities

This coal-heavy rural co-op utility is buying its first solar plants

Colorado-based Tri-State will soon serve half its customers’ electricity needs with renewable energy, thanks to new Inflation Reduction Act policies.

By Julian Spector . 13 June 2024
Solar

Can AI help community solar projects hold onto their customers?

Solar firm Solstice has developed AI tools to identify disengaged community subscribers in hopes of decreasing churn and making programs more efficient.

By Kari Lydersen . 4 June 2024
Solar

Coal-producing Wyoming could soon host one of largest solar farms in US

The 771-megawatt project, slated to start construction in 2025, is part of a trend of big solar-plus-storage plants in unexpected places.

By Eric Wesoff . 3 June 2024
Clean energy

Will new tariffs on EVs, solar, and other cleantech help Americans?

The Biden admin has launched an election-year barrage of trade restrictions on Chinese imports, but they're unlikely to spur a domestic manufacturing surge.

By Eric Wesoff . 31 May 2024
Solar

Chart: Which 10 countries generated the most solar power in 2023?

China was the top solar power producer last year, but it's not the only nation that saw a big leap in solar production.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 31 May 2024
Solar

California regulators torpedo popular plan to boost community solar

The CPUC rejected a broad coalition’s effort to enable community-solar-and-battery projects, voting instead to approve a proposal solar groups say is dead on arrival.

By Jeff St. John . 30 May 2024