Solar Energy
Community Solar, an Alternative Energy Win-Win
Across the country, community solar is taking off and making the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy more accessible.
Solar in Michigan Facing Challenges From Net Metering Changes
New proposals targeting customers could derail solar energy’s future in the state.
U.S. Solar Continues to Grow Despite Headwinds from Federal Government
Industry experts say that the Trump Administration has slowed and will continue to slow the expansion of U.S. solar, but expect solar to grow nevertheless.
It's Rural vs. Urban in Kentucky's Anti-Solar Energy Bill
A bill that would cut back on the feed-in tariffs paid by utilities to solar panel owners in Kentucky.
New Tariffs Will Shake Up the Solar Industry
The first protectionist policies implemented by the Trump Administration, a key part of the president's campaign platform, will affect the renewable energy industry.
Clean Energy's Impact on Public Health
Because of the coal power it displaces, solar and wind energy generated in the Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest has an outsized impact.
Can Public Transit Run on Solar Power?
California's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has recently been exploring ways to power its system using renewable energy sources, but is it really possible to power one of the state's "top 10 power consumers" with alternative energy?
Another Reason to Watch Florida on Election Day
While Florida may well determine who becomes the next president, renewable energy advocates are worried about a measure on the ballot that will have far-reaching effects on solar power should it pass.
What's Powering the Texas Wind Energy Industry?
The Wall Street Journal provides detailed coverage of the Texas wind energy industry, as well as the prospects for even greater adoption of renewable energy in the state.
Texas Solar Market Poised to Grow
Over the past decade, Texas has led on wind but lagged on solar power. That may soon change. Texas solar companies are now offering "all-solar" plans to take advantage of an improved market.
Oil Export Ban Lifted—After 42 Years
Thanks to a 'must-pass' omnibus spending bill that President Obama indicated he would sign, the ban on crude oil exports, a relic of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, will be lifted. In exchange, energy credits will be extended for wind and solar products.
Las Vegas to Go 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2017
"Every city light, city park, community center, fire station and service yard," in Sin City will be powered by renewable energy in January 2017, according to an announcement by Mayor Carolyn Goodman.
A Skeptical Take on the World's First Solar Bike Path
Big news out of the Netherlands this week: a Dutch company has installed the world's first solar-powered bike path. But are the system's inefficiencies worth its costs?
Berkeley Ideas Spark Uncharted Inspiration
A recent festival of ideas called Uncharted proved to be an inspirational, learning experience for Bay Area architect Sandhya Sood, AIA, principal of Accent Architecture+Design. At the end of it, writes Sood, her “brain cells were dancing. Again.”
Lancaster Becomes First U.S. City to Mandate Residential Solar
As part of its quest to become the "Alternative Energy Capital of the World", Lancaster, California will require all new single-family homes to incorporate solar energy systems beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
India's Innovative Green City Ignores Timeless Design Lessons
Rajarhat's Rabi Rashmi Abasan (Solar Housing Complex) is being hailed as a trend-setter for India's efforts to increase its use of renewable energy. But the urban design of the new city rising on the edge of Kolkata ignores timeless lessons.
Innovative Energy-Storing Solar Power Plant Debuts in Arizona
Energy storage is acknowledged by many as a missing link of renewable energy, particularly by those quick to cite the intermittency of solar and wind power. A new solar thermal plant in Arizona stores energy in the form of heat for peak hour needs.
Turning Infrastructure Into Amenity
As part of its ongoing series on "Reimagining Infrastructure", Orion Magazine features five projects that show how a new generation of infrastructure projects are creatively integrating form with function to create community amenities.
Big Solar: It's Green vs. Green
No form of energy production comes without controversy, including solar, despite it being renewable. In advance of the world's largest solar thermal plant opening in Calif's Mojave Desert, KQED's Lauren Sommer shows both sides of the green debate.
The True Cost of Solar Power
By the numbers, solar energy comes with a hefty price tag in comparison to other sources. But energy experts claim that the overall value to society offsets the initial high production cost.
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 Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
