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Wait, how much will the Inflation Reduction Act's climate provisions cost?

Mar 13, 2024
We break down the role of uncapped tax credits in the IRA's climate provisions with John Bistline of the Electric Power Research Institute.
Many of the IRA's tax credits are not capped and last for at least 10 years, creating variability in the total projected cost.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Solar a bright spot in slow progress toward U.S. renewable energy goals

Aug 30, 2023
Shipments of solar panels reached a record high last year, though most were imported. They're also getting cheaper.
Solar is projected to grow even more in the next couple of years, largely because of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

U.S. industry group commits to $6 billion solar panel buy — on one condition

Jun 22, 2022
(They'll have to be made here in America.)
U.S. companies know how to build solar panels. Sourcing the inputs will take time.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

In Maine, some wonder if solar panels are starting to cover up too much farmland

Mar 14, 2022
One possibility: finding ways to use land under and around solar panels to grow crops.
Farmer Bussie York stands amidst the large solar array of about 300,000 panels on his farm in Farmington, Maine.
Robbie Feinberg/Maine Public

Renewable energy generating capacity hit a record this year. But that's half the story.

Dec 1, 2021
Because no form of electrical generation operates at full capacity all the time.
Onshore windmills generally produce energy about one-third of the time, an expert said. Above a wind farm near Palm Springs, California.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images

Why Trump's solar and washing machine tariffs may play well in Michigan

Jan 25, 2018
A former Democratic state politician says the taxes are one of the few things the president has done that he can support.
President Donald Trump displays a Section 201 action as US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer witnesses, in the Oval Office, at the White House, January 23, 2018, in Washington, DC. The administration is issuing tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines to protect American manufacturing companies against dumping by foreign countries, mainly China, and including South Korea.
Mike Theiler-Pool/Getty Images

Puerto Rico's solar industry wins big after hurricane

Nov 30, 2017
Why people are banking on solar for the future of Puerto Rico.
Solar panels cover a rooftop in Puerto Rico's San Juan. The island's solar industry is witnessing a boom post Hurricane Maria.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace

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A move from natural gas to electricity for homes

Oct 17, 2017
Natural gas used to be hailed as less polluting, but experts now urge a change to clean electrical energy generated by wind and solar power.
The National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA) once issued medallions like this one to promote the all-electric home and spur demand for electric appliances. 
Photo courtesy NEMA

Solar tariffs request is dividing the industry

Jun 23, 2017
Cheap imported panels hurt manufacturers but are key to other solar businesses.
China went from producing very little of the world's solar equipment 20 years ago to becoming the leading producer.
John Moore/Getty Images

Portable solar units fill the electric charging void

Mar 27, 2017
It could take years to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, options exist.
The EV Arc is a solar array that charges electric vehicles, providing as much as 220 miles' worth of electricity each day.
Jed Kim/Marketplace