The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last week approved seven grants totaling up to $7.65 million in funding for the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Research, Development, Deployment, and Demonstration (RD&D) Program’s third grant solicitation. The latter’s primary focus is on grid integration of solar energy and a secondary focus is (more…)

Likely a result of mass protesting, the German government recently announced that their scheduled cuts in solar subsidies would be delayed and perhaps revised. Cuts for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been delayed until May. At that time, incentives will undergo gradual reductions each month. Cuts for solar utilities have been delayed until June. (more…)

Most homeowners looking to go solar either buy a system for thousands of dollars or lease one.

Now, thanks to Sharp’s new SunSnap product, they’ll soon have a new option. For as little as $1,000, you can buy a single panel with a micro-inverter built right into it.

The new Sharp Solar system made its (more…)

Solar power works best of course where the sun is brightest. However, another major factor is the capital cost for a solar installation. If your are poor, you cannot get started easily. One of the big opportunities positive climate action has presented the developing world is the chance to leapfrog a generation of energy technology straight into clean, green generation (more…)

Maryland policymakers are considering two bills that would kick solar growth into high gear.

With a solid 2% solar goal and core policies like net metering driving in-state growth, Maryland is already well on its way to building a robust solar market. As costs have come down and the local industry has scaled, solar has been installed at a (more…)

Three-dimensional solar power is a legitimate technology, one that is being investigated and developed by serious scientists. Whether the company Solar3D is a legitimate participant in this innovative technology remains to be seen.

This week, Solar3D released a news release touting (more…)

Given all the variables involved, it’s not surprising that predicting the efficiency of solar panels over time is so challenging. Every residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is unique. The amount of sunlight exposure and air temperature may not only vary from installation to installation, but from day to day.

(more…)

Israel is aware that clean, alternative energy is the most secure solution for its energy needs. And with the huge amount of sunlight that shines on the Middle-Eastern country, the potential for the country to become a solar powerhouse is significant.

Jewishpress.com managing editor Yishai Fleisger (more…)

A team of engineers from Stanford University in the US has successfully managed to improve the performance of solar PV materials by using a nanomaterial called nanocrystalline silicon, tiny spheres of which have been used by the scientists to improve the light absorption of solar panels. (more…)

Apple’s image in terms of social responsibility and environmental friendliness is not as pristine as its reputation with geeks is because of reports on the conditions offered to factory workers in China and the company’s poor recycling record.

However, Venture Beat reports that the company’s (more…)