Solar Energy

BBC News | — “The plans have been set for the solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2, to take off from Abu Dhabi and then fly around the globe using only the sun’s energy. With a wingspan of 72m (236ft), Solar Impulse 2 is the width of a Boeing 747, but weighs about the same as […]

Climate Change

Dual Use: Solar Panels conserve Canal Water In India

contributors

By Malini Shankar | (IPS) Sunlight pours over a break in canal-top solar panels recently installed over the Vadodara branch of the Sardar Sarovar canal project in Gujarat. Credit: Malini Shankar/IPS BARODA, India (IPS) – It began with an experiment to install photovoltaic cells over an irrigation canal that forms part of the Sardar Sarovar […]

Africa

Why solar power is spreading so fast in Africa

Juan Cole

The Economist | — “Africans have been waiting for decades for the mains electricity which the rich world takes for granted. Sub-Saharan Africa’s 910m people consume less electricity each year than the 4.8m people of Alabama. Many more who are on the grid suffer brown-outs and dangerous surges in current. But a solar revolution is […]

Climate Change

Amazing Green Cars at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — I caught the Detroit Auto Show on Saturday afternoon. As always, it was great to see the concept cars of the future. But if you know me, you know I was there for news about electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. This is mostly just window shopping — […]

Climate Change

Indian State size of Texas requires Solar Panels on Bldgs. by 2015

contributors

Times of India | — “The Haryana government has decided to usher in the New Year with one of the biggest pushes for solar power in the country. The state [pop. 25 mn.] has made it mandatory for all buildings on plot size of 500 square yards or more to install rooftop solar power systems […]

Energy

Indian Green Start-ups: Solar Backpacks & Daily Micropayments,

contributors

NDTV Prime | “Head’s Up” | — “Harvesting renewable energy, solar power, waste management – these concepts have been much explored across the world in the last decade. But has India made its presence felt in this field? Maybe not in the last few years, but now things are changing around. Upcoming start-ups are giving […]

Featured

5 Countries where Solar Power is making a Revolution

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | — Developing countries of the global south don’t have enough electricity. Sometimes rural populations are only just now getting electricity. Ironically, many of them can leapfrog conventional power and go straight to solar and wind. Indeed, in the next generation, renewables will be a central element in national development. SunEdison has […]

Climate Change

Green Continent? Will Solar Power allow Africa to Leapfrog Expensive Grid-Building?

contributors

By Wambi Michael LIMA, (IPS) – Africa is experiencing a revolution towards cleaner energy through renewable energy but the story has hardly been told to the world, says Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Steiner, who had been advocating for renewable energy at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Lima, […]

Climate Change

The Koch Tax: Why are Floridians being denied Free, Clean Energy from the Sun?

contributors

WPBT2 | — “According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks third for solar potential nationally, but ranked 18th when it comes to development of this clean energy option. Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy discusses the untapped clean energy potential in Florida and how climate change plays a role. Guest: […]