Solar was the second-biggest source of new electricity generation capacity in 2013. A trade war between the U.S. and China, …
Solar Power
The Power—and Beauty—of Solar Energy
Utility power plants are many things—sprawling, expensive, often polluting—but one thing they are not is beautiful. Power plants are the engines of modern society, but we’d rather they stay out of the way.
The Ivanpah …
Solar Powered Plane Soars Across the U.S.
In the 117 years since the first solar cell was developed and the 110 years since the first powered flight, you’d have thought we would have combined the two technologies by now. When you’re trying to get from place to place …
2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, with a Silver Lining
Wind and solar power had a great 2012, but they face major challenges in the new year
Solar: U.S. Slaps Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels, But the Trade War May Be on Hold
The solar industry in the U.S. has been holding its breath over a much-delayed review by the Commerce Department over allegedly unfair trade practices by Chinese solar panel makers. A few solar manufacturers—notably SolarWorld, …
Light for Haiti: A Feel-Good Tale in a Still-Dark Place
The sun will set early in Haiti tonight. By 5:23 PM, night will have come to the island nation, and while night comes to virtually every part of the world virtually everyday, throughout much of Haiti, the darkness will be much …
Going Green: Why 2012 Will Be a Bad Year for Renewable Energy
My weekly Going Green column is up on the Time.com mainpage, and I take on the worrying state of the U.S. renewable energy industry. It’s not worrying now—2011, like the last few years, has been great for the wind and solar …
The China-U.S. Solar War Heats Up
You might remember that a few weeks ago the U.S. Commerce Department opened up an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by Chinese solar manufacturers. The investigation — instigated at the behest of some, though …
How an Artificial Leaf Could Boost Solar Power
Nature is amazing. Take the humble leaf—it’s capable of absorbing the sunlight and converting it into the chemical energy that fuels the growth of plants. Photosynthesis is one of the fundamental forces of life, and it’s far superior to our technological efforts to harness sunlight. A photovoltaic solar panel can transform …
A Solar Storm Strikes Earth—and Provides a Warning for the Future
I’ll be honest—I don’t pay close attention to space weather. I’m busy enough trying to figure out how scared I should be—and how scared I should make you—of regular old Earth weather, like hurricanes, floods and droughts.
But maybe I should start keeping tabs on what’s going on above us. On September 24 the sun unleashed a …