Concentrated solar is falling out of favor with developers, as decreasing costs for photovoltaic (PV) solar modules have made them more and more competitive and economical. Although just a few years ago, concentrated solar was seen as the future of utility-scale projects, that perception has now changed and it seems likely that such projects in the future will make use of PV. Probably the most notable concentrated solar (or solar thermal) project is the Ivanpah…

The funding for GoSolarSF, San Francisco’s rebate program originally developed to increase the number of solar rooftops throughout the city, faced some unfortunate cuts in 2012, decreasing from $5 million to $2 million and reducing the resources available to consumers who would have liked to benefit from it. Fortunately, Mayor Ed Lee recently conveyed some good news regarding the future of the initiative. According to multiple sources, Lee made an announcement at the swearing-in of new California Energy Commissioner…

The installed generating capacity of U.S. photovoltaic (PV) solar power grew 83 percent in 2012, according to a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The NREL released its annual Renewable Energy Data Book on November 21, and the information contained therein provides a good picture of the status of renewable energy in the United States, particularly regarding the solar industry. Overall, renewable energy now accounts for 14 percent of all installed generating capacity, up from 12.9…

It was announced on August 22 that Germany, the worldwide leader in installed solar energy generation capacity, had set a new record for electricity produced by solar panels. In July, the country was able to derive 5.1 terawatt-hours of electricity from solar, six times higher than the record in the U.S. The German government has a goal of getting 80 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2050, a lofty objective when you consider…

Despite California’s ambitious accomplishments when it comes to adopting solar energy solutions – many of which we’ve documented on this blog – the state’s investor-owned utilities are attempting to destroy a successful policy that serves as an incentive to consumers investing in rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels. The initiative, known as net energy metering (NEM), gives individuals credit for the solar electricity they deliver to the grid, similar to how cell phone companies enable customers to roll their…

According to a recent article featured in Forbes, the rise of solar power is as inevitable as it is unexpected. The benefits of solar may seem obvious to those familiar with the technology, with its relatively cheap cost over time and obvious sustainability advantages, but for some reason solar power hasn’t received the same attention as other energy sources such as oil, natural gas, coal and even wind power. When asked why solar power hasn’t received the hype…

The first round of funding from the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, passed as Proposition 39 on the November 2012 California ballot, is being distributed across the state to educational institutions embarking on new efficiency and alternative energy projects. The Napa Valley Register reports that five schools and two districts will be receiving $362,000 in funds, much of which will be used to finance solar energy solutions. The schools receiving money include Stone Bridge, Shearer Charter, Napa Valley Language…

As you are likely well aware by now, going solar has many benefits including savings, convenience, and reduced environmental impact. In addition, using solar power for your home can help to increase your energy independence and future-proof your energy costs. The Variability of Electricity Costs Here in California, homeowners pay more for electricity than most other residents across the country. In fact, the electricity prices from the grid are about 40% more expensive here in the Brentwood area than…

The White House has issued an executive order that directs all federal agencies to derive 20 percent of their electrical power from renewable sources by 2020. The move is similar to the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that has been adopted by California, requiring utilities in the state to obtain one-third of the power they sell from renewables – including Northern California solar energy – by the end of the decade. Currently, federal agencies such as…

As environmental activists continue to promote the use of renewable energy across the United States, one question critics have raised is whether such alternatives would result in a less reliable electricity grid. However, a new report may help to dispel this apprehension. On April 17, the Civil Society Institute and Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. released the results of a joint study that revealed that if the United States stopped burning coal, cut back on the use of natural gas and shut…

As 2013 comes to an end, it’s important to reflect on the past year in the solar industry and figure out what we can learn from the last 12 months. The year was especially successful for the proliferation of Bay Area solar power, so it’s a good idea to analyze what made the technology so popular among homeowners and businesses in order to continue this progress in 2014. Greentech Media sat down with Nat Kreamer, CEO of Clean Power Finance, to discuss…

Back in March, we reported on the results of a year-in-review survey conducted by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) that detailed trends in photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) markets. The data revealed that 2012 was a record-breaking year for the industry. Solar panel installations increased 76 percent throughout the United States compared to the previous year, jumping from 1,887 to 3,313 megawatts. It’s understandable that such a huge surge in solar has prompted…