Category Archives: Solar Energy

Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Nick

To combat global warming and the other problems associated with fossil fuels, the United States must switch to renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind, and biomass. All renewable energy technologies are not appropriate to all applications or locations, however. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Energy Efficiency, Energy News, Environment, Fossil Fuels, Future, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectricity, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Statistics, Sustainable Design, Wind Energy | Leave a comment

Flexible Electronics and Printable Solar Cells

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Nick

We usually think of solar in terms of panels, flat sheets of polysilicon that are connected to the electric grid, and laid on top of homes or businesses at the cost of thousands of dollars. Tweet

Posted in Electricity, Energy Efficiency, Energy News, Future, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Design, Technology, Thermal Energy | Leave a comment

California Net Surplus Generation Rate is Set

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Nick

The California Solar Initiative requires that solar systems that receive an incentive be sized to meet on-site load. However, what if you install a solar system, then your kids go off to college? Suddenly, without the hairdryers, radios, and extracomputers, you may … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Consumption, Energy Efficiency, Energy Incentives & Rebates, Energy News, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Design, Technology | Leave a comment

Superconductors to Wire a Smarter Grid

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Nick

A superstation for connecting three independent grids could help solar and wind power. A proposed hub for connecting the three independent electricity grids that span the continental United States could make it easier to ramp up production of renewable electricity. … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy News, Future, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Technology, Wave & Tidal Energy, Wind Energy | Leave a comment

SRECs: Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Nick

An SREC is a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (or credit), and is a type of Renewable Energy Certificate (also known as “Green Tag”). Tweet

Posted in Energy Incentives & Rebates, Energy News, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Technology | Leave a comment

Update on Recent State and Utility Solar Water Heating Incentives

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Nick

Let’s face it. Incentives help make the case for solar technologies, whether it’s solar water heating systems or solar electric. Tweet

Posted in Energy Efficiency, Energy Incentives & Rebates, Energy News, Solar Energy, Sustainable Design, Technology | Leave a comment

IREC Reports 2010 U.S. Solar Boom, But What Does the Future Hold?

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Nick

Prices dropped, installations soared, and capacity surged in what proved to be a prosperous year for the solar industry, according to the 2010 U.S. Solar Market Trends Report released late last month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). This … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity, Energy Efficiency, Energy News, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy | Leave a comment

We Don’t Need More Electricity, Just Cleaner Electricity

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Nick

The United States doesn’t need another nuclear or coal power plant. Instead, it’s time to abandon our 20th century electricity system, dominated by large, centralized utilities, for a 21st century electricity system: a network of independently owned and widely dispersed … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity, Energy Efficiency, Energy News, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Design, Technology, Wind Energy | Leave a comment