With the energy generating business in upheaval, utility-scale solar energy projects have done well since 2009, culminating in a record year for installation in 2013.
Mark Jaffe details the findings of a report by SNL Energy that provides statistics on the largest year ever for the installation of utility-scale solar projects around the country.
“Utility-scale solar set a record with 2.3 gigawatts installed 2013, with bulk of the construction in California, Arizona and Nevada…”
The 2013 totals represent a 35 percent improvement on 2012, the previous record year for installation. The record numbers continue a narrative of steady growth for the industry: “Utility-scale solar has been the fastest growing electricity generation source since 2009 – up 23 percent…”
The SNL data echoes recent reports indicating that the boom might be coming to a close: “The U.S. has 35,700 MW of utility-scale solar capacity in development, with 17,675 MW scheduled to come online by the end of 2016…”
Read the full story: A record year for utility-scale solar power in the U.S.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Malls are becoming the midtowns of the future
Mall and office park redevelopments are a generational opportunity to create new nodes of urbanity.
NYC breaks ground on anti-flooding infrastructure project
New York City's new system will reduce stormwater flows to local sewers by 90%.
One Kentucky town’s secret to affordable housing
The Smoketown Community Land Trust has already built seven affordable homes for community members.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority