An analysis of power prices in the US state of Pennsylvania shows that if solar power increased from the 0.1% of electricity it supplies now, to 5%, then all customers would save $25 a year. Far from 'net metering' for solar being a 'burden' as utilities claim, it makes money for them, and their customers!
… Solar power is good for consumers, good for … State University | 30th October 2015 Comment Solar Renewables Energy Economics USA solar-pa-cut.jpg An analysis of power prices …
A new study shows that the cost of 'integrating' the variable power output of large scale solar PV is surprisingly affordable, writes Oliver Tickell, at just a few pence per unit. Costs will fall further as more wind power, batteries and ever-cheaper solar drive the transition to a 100% renewable power system.
… chips! 'Negligible' cost of integrating big solar into UK grid Oliver Tickell | 4th October 2016 News Energy Renewables Solar Nuclear Economics solar-bham-cut.jpg A new study shows that the …
The UK will soon complete a record year for solar installations, almost doubling the nation's solar capacity. But drastic and overtly discriminatory changes to support for renewables may see solar installations collapse to 1% of current levels.
… After UK's record solar year, government tries to kill the … Tickell | 3rd March 2015 News Renewables Solar Politics UK Economics Corporations fsp_castle_donington_solar-cut2.jpg The UK will soon complete a …
A KPMG study shows that the cost of solar power in India, revealed by public auctions, is barely half a cent above that of cheap local coal , writes Chris Goodall, with generators bids falling well below 5p (UK) / 7¢ (US) per kWh. The idea put about at COP21 that India and other poor but sunny countries need coal to develop their economies is fast running out of steam.
… India: solar head to head with coal, says KPMG, and … Goodall | 3rd January 2015 Comment Energy Solar India Economics Coal solar-india-cut.jpg A KPMG study shows that …
China has now overtaken the European Union as the largest new market for solar power, writes Paul Brown - as solar PV becomes one of the world's fastest growing industries - and one that's sure to keep on getting cheaper!
… Asia powers into the forefront of solar revolution Paul Brown Oliver Tickell | 4th February 2015 News Renewables Economics Solar Wind EU Africa China Asia solar_leo_house_bipv-cut.jpg China has now …
The EU's decision to renew 'punitive' tariffs on imports of PV modules and cells from China will cost the EU's solar installers an extra £700 million, writes Oliver Tickell - just as the UK industry is reeling from 87% government cuts.
… EU renews 70% 'solar tax' on Chinese PV Oliver Tickell | 7th … EU China Renewables Finance Economics Trade Solar bentley-array.jpg The EU's decision to … and cells from China will cost the EU's solar installers an extra £700 million, writes …
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has found India's huge solar initiative 'guilty' of breaking trade rules, write Dipti Bhatnagar & Sam Cossar-Gilbert, because it gives domestic manufacturers a small 10% quota for the supply of panels, leaving up to 90% for foreign competitors. It's a warning for perils of the entire WTO system, and of even harsher trade rules like those in TPP, TTIP and CETA.
… World Trade Organisation smashes India's solar panels industry Dipti Bhatnagar Sam … | 28th February 2016 News Energy Solar India Economics WTO Trade Agreement solar panels india.jpg The World Trade …
Last week a massive 350 hectare open cast coal mine at Druridge Bay took an important step towards winning panning permission. This got Chris Goodall wondering: what if the land was turned into a solar farm instead? His surprise discovery: solar power on England's south coast already costs no more than coal - and it's only getting cheaper.
… Solar on the best UK sites is competitive with … Chris Goodall | 15th July 2016 Comment Energy Solar Fossil Fuels Coal UK Economics … wondering: what if the land was turned into a solar farm instead? His surprise discovery: …
Solar power has a sunny future - even without any major breakthroughs, writes Ralph Gottschalg. There are huge gains to be made simply by getting smarter and using existing technologies more effectively. A new report shows that - given political support - solar PV could be competitive in the UK by 2020.
… Here comes the sun: explosion in solar power beckons Ralph Gottschalg | 12th December 2014 Comment UK Energy Solar Economics pv-brighton-earthship-cut.jpg Solar power has a sunny future - even without …
The effect of wind and solar generation in the UK is to push down wholesale power prices, writes Oliver Tickell, taking over £1.5 billion off our bills in 2014 - that's 58% of the subsidies paid to renewable generators. Keep it up and the benefit will rise to over 100% of cost.
… Wind and solar's £1.5 billion electricity price cut … 2015 News Energy Renewables Economics Wind Solar UK wind-turbine-erected-wales-cut.jpg … The effect of wind and solar generation in the UK is to push down …
Massive government cuts in solar 'feed in tariffs' threaten to wipe out our highly successful solar industry, writes Sonia Dunlop - and all to save £1 year off our fuel bills. Yes, that's all it would cost to keep the sector in business, employing tens of thousands of expert solar installers all over the UK.
… Back our emergency £1 solar rescue plan Sonia Dunlop Solar Trade Association | 22nd October 2015 Comment UK Renewables Solar Politics Green Economy Economics …
Traveling in the US by boat and train visiting solar laboratories and environmental groups, Keith Barnham found many successful community initiatives in renewable electricity, and brings news of progress towards the ultimate renewable challenge: a solar fuel that could eventually replace gasoline in cars, trucks, buses, trains and aircraft.
… | 21st July 2016 Comment Energy Renewables Solar UK US Economics Transport Fossil Fuels Oil solar-leaves-cut.jpg Traveling in the US by boat and train visiting solar laboratories and environmental groups, …
According to oil company executives, oil is going to be a major energy source to 2100 and beyond. So after hearing an oil man make his case, Chris Goodall went home and crunched some numbers. Money invested in solar power already produces more energy than if it's put into oil exploration and production, and the gap is only going to widen from here. Is this the new 'peak oil'?
… The new 'peak oil'? A dollar invested in solar yields more energy than a dollar … and crunched some numbers. Money invested in solar power already produces more energy than … and production or, for example, in solar PV? Oil versus solar - the arithmetic …
The renewable energy revolution is in full swing, writes Jeremy Leggett, with costs falling to new lows, deployment of wind and solar surging to unprecedented highs, and confidence ebbing away from fossil fuels. But global warming is also accelerating, with global temperature records broken every month for a year. Will the energy transition happen in time to avert catastrophe?
… | 7th June 2016 News Energy Renewables Solar Wind Climate Change Oceans Finance … falling to new lows, deployment of wind and solar surging to unprecedented highs, and … Deployment explodes, costs implode The latest solar auction, in Dubai, saw a power plant …
China's State Council has announced plans to make green industries central to the economy by 2015.....
… News Energy Economics Climate Change Nuclear Solarsolars.jpg China's State Council has announced … protection industries may help China's ailing solar industry. In recent years the Chinese …
'My solar ironing cart shows we have the technology to stop climate breakdown.'
… Fund vinisha_ironing_cart_image_.jpg 'My solar ironing cart shows we have the … up with an alternative, an innovation: the solar ironing cart. New beginnings come back … of renewable energy, the science behind solar energy and different kinds of electrical …
Off-grid renewable energy is key to achieving the global goal of 100% electricity access by 2030, writes Adnan Z. Amin, and to achieving the emissions reductions enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Thankfully, a confluence of factors - including rapid cost declines and impressive technology innovations - are making this goal more achievable than ever, and investment in the sector is taking off.
… 2016 News Energy Renewables Development Solar Water Finance Economics … examples of off-grid success In Bangladesh, a solar home system programme deployed 280,000 … of the total population. In Africa, M-KOPA Solar has connected more than 375,000 homes in …
The UK government is punishing renewable energy for its success in generating 25% of the country's electricity, writes Stuart Parkinson. But there's no austerity when it comes to the bloated military-nuclear industrial sector, no matter how egregious its failures or extreme its cost overruns. Our future prosperity is being sacrificed - and its costing taxpayers billions.
… Wind turbines and solar panels into nuclear weapons: the UK's … announcing cuts to financial support for solar panels, wind turbines and other green … for small-scale renewables - especially solar - by up to 87% . The reduction in help …
Renewable electricity is already undermining the big energy utilities' business model, writes Emma Howard, breaking their monopoly and bringing down energy bills. But with the unfolding battery revolution, it's going to reach a whole new level as wind and solar powered families and communities become ever more self-sufficient, leaving utilities high and dry.
… going to reach a whole new level as wind and solar powered families and communities become … - which allows him to use the energy from his solar panels when the sun isn't shining. By … authority and a start-up called North Star Solar, which has the former CEO of RWE Npower …
China's growing 'bling' culture has taken off big time, writes Thembi Mutch - yet it is widely reviled among ordinary people who in the face of China's industrial boom hold resolutely to traditional values of economy and frugality, quietly yearning for the old days of clean air and safe, wholesome food to fill their stomachs.
… may be soon. Chinese domestic consumption of solar light bulbs (and new-builds with Solar as standard) has shot up, and an entire Solar Valley has been built. For the first …
What's the biggest threat to your life savings you've never heard of? Rebecca O'Connor shows how the world's exposure to unburnable carbon assets, and competition from clean energy technologies, could hammer your savings, pensions and investments.
… competition. The five-year growth rate for solar PV is 50% globally, with uptake boosted … market being flooded with zero marginal cost solar energy, which can now meet a huge chunk … need to be switched on at times of high solar output. If solar continues to grow at …
New York has approved a massive $7.6 billion subsidy to keep four ageing upstate plants open on the false promise that they provide 'clean and renewable energy', writes Karl Grossman. Campaigners for genuine clean energy fear that other pro-nuclear states may follow NY Governor Cuomo's dubious lead.
… as much money for nuclear as for wind and solar The 'Clean Energy Standard' earmarks … it does for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Its claim is that nuclear … equal energy output from offshore wind and solar power "would be cheaper and would create …
Workers will build the green transition: their rights and lives must be enhanced in the process.
… be enhanced in the process. Industries like solar, wind and battery storage must expand … safe working conditions - workers producing solar panels, for example, deal with a number … they require. Global production of batteries, solar panels, electric car motors, fuel cells, …
The UK's troubled Hinkley C nuclear power station faces a legal challenge from Germany's biggest energy co-op, which claims that the subsidy package will distort energy markets across Europe and disadvantage renewable generators and vendors.
… subsidy is far higher than that for wind or solar power in Germany." It's also much higher … generators were bidding £82.50 per MHh, and solar generators came in even lower, at £79.23 … will be to almost kill off the flourishing solar sector, reducing the rate of new solar …