California homeowners and businesses, taking advantage of a state rebate program that encourages the installation of solar panels, are now generating 1 gigawatt — or 1,000 megawatts — of electricity, roughly the equivalent of a nuclear power plant, state regulators say.

Launched in 2007, the $2.4 billion California Solar (more…)

It’s arguably crucial for schools and colleges to do all they can to encourage future green builders; this means educating students about how to use sustainable technologies and alternative energy sources, while also conducting practical research. What, then, are schools currently focusing on, and what kinds of subjects are available? Moreover, what enterprise (more…)

Despite tumultuous times for the industry, 2012 marked a banner year for clean technology in San Diego. Numerous organizations within the region’s cleantech cluster – from startups to multinational brands – made significant strides in continuing San Diego’s leadership in the global advanced energy economy. CleanTECH San Diego, a regional non-profit member (more…)

A recent deal has created the largest permitted solar photovoltaic power development in the world, and will create a cool 650 construction jobs in the process. MidAmerican Solar, a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables, bought from SunPower the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects (AVSP), two co-located projects in Kern and Los Angeles Counties in (more…)

Here’s an idea for 2013. Wouldn’t it be nice to have powerful solar chargers all over the place? One Portuguese company is doing something along those lines. With its StarEnergy’s INTI Solar Charge Point, it is possible to charge a cell phone, a tablet or a laptop with solar power from mobile charging stations can be installed in any public space, such as parks, airports, bus (more…)

One of the unmistakable aspects of the traditional v. green energy argument, no matter which jurisdiction you are talking about, is how time and advancement necessarily does funny things to the entire dialogue.

Basically, it is not that much of a stretch to compare what is going on with alternative energy technology (more…)

Due to popular demand, the City of Phoenix, through a partnership with the National Bank of Arizona and Paramount Solar, is expanding a city-sponsored residential solar financing program.

Solar Phoenix 2 allows qualified homeowners in the APS and SRP utility districts to go solar with no (more…)

Did you read this article in Bloomberg about how rooftop solar is costing California ratepayers billions!!!!??? Then you should know it’s largely horsemalarkey.

What the article doesn’t say is how the utilities arrive at their figures–but based on previous assertions, we think it’s safe to assume the approach is grievously (more…)

Sempra U.S. Gas and Power announced this week that Los Angeles and Burbank are going to buy solar power from a 250 MW plant in Boulder City, NV.

The price? According to the city attorney, via this contract (pdf) LADWP will be getting 1.9% of its power from an emission free, global-warming fighting, (more…)

Every year around this time since 2007, as executive editor of a leading global cleantech research and news service, I’ve contributed to predictions on what to expect in the year ahead in cleantech.

We’ve kept that tradition alive here at Kachan & Co. We don’t claim a perfect track record, but we’ve been eerily prescient and nailed some biggies a (more…)