The clean energy boom is a rural jobs bonanza

Jun 10, 2024
Clean energy is exploding in the U.S., bringing high-paying jobs to the rural areas that often produce it.
Student Benjamin Sussman practices safe climbing on a 20-foot ladder in Sterling, Colorado. When he's a technician, he'll need to climb 300 feet or more to maintain turbines.
Rae Solomon

Biden administration will award $7 billion in solar energy grants for homes

Apr 22, 2024
The funds will help 900,000 low-income and disadvantaged households benefit from solar energy, including by cutting their electric bills.
President Biden announced the Solar for All program Monday in Virginia during an event commemorating Earth Day.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

As Texas uses more renewable power, it bets on batteries to keep the lights on

Jun 8, 2023
They help when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing but everyone's AC is on full blast.
A wind energy plant in Dawson, Texas. As the state leans into renewable sources of energy, it's also been expanding its battery capacity.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Biden moves to restore stability of U.S. solar industry

Jun 7, 2022
The president also ruled out solar tariffs for two years on several Asian countries the U.S. imports solar panels from.
Chinese workers producing parts for solar panels. The U.S. has been investigating whether Southeast Asian nations have been laundering Chinese panels, which carry U.S. import tariffs.
STR/AFP via Getty Images

The forecast for the U.S. solar industry? Partly cloudy.

May 16, 2022
A federal investigation into the true origin of imported solar panels is causing postponements and delays for U.S. solar projects.
An inquiry into the origin of solar panels from Southeast Asia could slow down several U.S. projects. One core facet of the dispute: taxation.
INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images

Grid operators struggle with volume of connection requests from renewables

Feb 7, 2022
The number of proposed solar projects has spiked as costs have declined, but the transmission system can't accommodate them.
Energy experts say grids are not prepared for the tidal wave of renewable energy coming their way.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

What will the clean energy transition look like?

Oct 28, 2021
The road to a clean, affordable and reliable power grid won’t be straightforward.
"If you look at where wind and solar need to be placed in this country, it's mainly in the Midwest, and your demand centers are on the coasts," said Gary Kruse, managing director of research at Arbo.
Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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Investment in solar power key to Biden's green energy goals

Sep 9, 2021
A Department of Energy study out today shows that the U.S. has the potential to power 40% of its electricity needs with solar power.
The 100-megawatt MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array is launched on June 28, 2021 in Dry Lake Valley, Nevada.
Ethan Miller via Getty Images

China dominates the solar energy industry. Can the U.S. catch up?

Jul 7, 2021
It will take a lot to make the U.S. a meaningful competitor in the production of solar equipment.
China went from producing very little of the world's solar equipment 20 years ago to becoming the leading producer.
John Moore/Getty Images

French oil giant Total going big on solar energy

Jan 19, 2021
It's one of a number of growing examples of oil companies adjusting to changing energy needs.
Above, photovoltaic solar panels at the power plant in La Colle des Mees, Alpes de Haute Provence, in southeastern France in 2019.
Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images