As solar power approaches and even surpasses fossil fuels in cost, the next goal is to make the source of renewable energy ubiquitous.
Tina Casey shares news of the huge scale that the solar industry has achieved in recent years: "The US solar industry has engineered a 1200% increase in utility-scale capacity since 2008, according to a new blog post from the Energy Department."
The article's title—"Nothing Can Stop the US Solar Juggernaut Now"—implies a long-term pattern that will persist beyond the current "hiccup" (as Casey describes it) in the price of oil. The Obama Administration even has a plan to bring the cost of solar energy into parity with fossil fuels, called the SunShot initiative. Casey declares that SunShot has been "so far so good," but a lot more work remains to be done to make solar " not only competitive but ubiquitous."
Along those lines, the Energy Department last week announced $59 million of new funding to support the solar industry. According to a press release announcing the funds, "[the] Department is making $45 million in funding available to quickly move innovative solar manufacturing technologies to market, and is also awarding more than $14 million for 15 new projects to help communities develop multi-year solar deployment plans to install solar electricity in homes, businesses, and communities." Casey provides additional insight into those programs in the article.
FULL STORY: Nothing Can Stop The US Solar Industry Juggernaut Now

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions