For over 40 days, disenfranchised Americans have been occupying parks, streets, and plazas all over the country. Many are beginning to realize that those fighting for environmental justice and those fighting for economic justice share a common enemy.

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Our friends at the Solar Foundation released a sneak peek at the results of their 2011 National Solar Jobs Census. It comes as no surprise to any of us working in solar that this fast growing industry continues to brighten the American economy . . .

The census data shows that 100,237 Americans are (more…)

Biofuels remain the orphan child of western energy interests – like adopting children, everyone agrees that it’s a good idea, but not many want an alien rugrat in the house.

Now China, arguably the world’s most influential and dynamic economy, is beginning to eye renewables as (more…)

I’m generally pessimistic about the quality of life that I see for most Americans in the foreseeable future. There are so many general reasons for this: lack of American competitiveness in the global marketplace, our failures in education, declining work-ethic, dogged adherence to clearly unsustainable business (more…)

According to a new study by the Carbon Trust up to 240 GW of capacity of marine energy could be installed worldwide by 2050. Out of these, 75 percent could be coming from wave, and the remainder by tidal energy.

The total market for both wave and tidal energies (more…)

Hurricane Irene, which knocked out power for approximately six million customers in 13 states and the District of Columbia last week, raises a question: What smart grid technology could have enabled homes, businesses, and mission critical institutions to have played a more vital role in providing reliability, security, and (more…)

The U.S. stands at an energy crossroads. With or without new direction from policymakers, huge sums will be invested in the electricity system as aging infrastructure is replaced and new infrastructure is built to meet our country’s growing energy needs. In the 11 states that comprise the Western (more…)

Looking to build a more sustainable, secure and prosperous energy future for California, Governor Jerry Brown has called for the development of 12,000 MW of distributed renewables like rooftop solar. To put that impressive goal in perspective, it’s more than twelve times the amount of solar that’s (more…)

No doubt, a few eyebrows were raised when Gamesa, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of utility-scale wind turbines, recently invested in a company that builds micro-solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and mobile microgrids that are being deployed in Afghanistan by the U.S. military. This is rightly so, since it shows that (more…)

In Boulder, Colorado, a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit, environmental enthusiasm, and “go local” attitude, the government has turned its attention to going local in energy. Since the city let its 20-year franchise agreement with the incumbent utility, Xcel Energy, expire without renewal, we are in the midst of (more…)