News

February 26 -- SolarCity and Google liked their partnership that funded residential solar installations so much they're doing it again -- only bigger.

The two Silicon Valley companies are teaming up on a fund expected to finance $750 million in residential solar projects across 14 states -- including California -- and the District of Columbia, which the companies say would be the largest nest egg of its kind. Google will put in $300 million, which the search giant said was its largest renewable-energy investment yet, topping the $280 million invested in a similar SolarCity fund in 2011. >>View Article

February 26 -- Solar is so cheap, the problem now is how to pay for it.

Prices for panels are down more than 65 percent in five years, to less than 70¢ a watt. What's next? >>View Article

February 26 -- On Thursday the Board of Directors of SRP, one of our state’s largest utilities, will vote on a proposal that would impose an across-the-board rate increase and a tax on rooftop solar panels that will drain money from the pockets of Arizona’s families while effectively killing solar energy. In a state with boundless sunshine, it’s a bad idea, and the board should reject it. That was the message delivered to SRP by over 500 customers who rallied outside their recent meeting at SRP’s private country club, including more than 100 Latinos who also represent a third of SRP’s customers and could face as much as $600 more in yearly fees for rooftop solar. >>View Article

February 26 -- In a recent column, Assemblyman Jacque says that energy should be a bipartisan issue. He then presents the partisan position of the MacIver Institute and proceeds to tell us how much he loves coal.

The health impacts of coal are well-documented. Jacque should look into how coal-fired power plants affect the health of the children of Brown County. >>View Article

February 26 -- He’s a businessman who likes his politics conservative. She’s an environmental activist and lover of the outdoors. Tune in next month for a new episode of “County Commissioner Odd Couples” to find out what happens when they get together.

Spoiler: It’s affordable loans for commercial property owners looking to make their buildings more energy-efficient. >>View Article

February 25 -- Solar energy is set to become the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world within the next 10 years, with the cost of photovoltaics (solar panels) continuing to decline. >>View Article

February 25 -- The Eiffel Tower has gone green.

As part of an ongoing facelift of the iconic structure, a New York company this month installed two wind turbines about 400 feet up on the tower, above the second level. They are expected to produce 10,000 kilowatts hours of electricity per year, enough to power the tower's first floor. >>View Article

February 25 -- A new economic report commissioned by the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association says $80 million in state incentives led to investments totaling $900.7 million in clean energy and energy efficiency in 2014. >>View Article

February 25 -- Solar energy has caused a surge in careers for Minnesotans, according to a report by The Solar Foundation.

The foundation found that nearly 940 jobs were added to Minnesota's solar industry last year, bringing the total to about 1,800 workers. The foundation also reported about 120 solar-related businesses operate in the state. >>View Article

February 25 -- Here in Annapolis, sea-level rise fueled by climate change is a big threat to our local economy.

Fortunately, our state legislators can directly address climate change's rising costs — and in the process expand business opportunities that create high-paying Maryland jobs — by passing the Maryland Clean Energy Advancement Act this year. >>View Article