The government's decision to cut support for domestic solar by 64% reflects antiquated thinking, writes Doug Parr. Just as the rest of Europe is shifting to ever-cheaper renewable, low carbon, decentralised, participatory, employment generating energy systems, the UK is stuck in a the dirty past of nuclear and fossil fuels.
… Today's solar cut: government turns its back on the … 2015 Comment Energy Politics UK Renewables Solar Nuclear Fossil Fuels gla-solar-cut.jpg The government's decision to cut …
India's renewable power capacity is set to reach 170GW by 2022, write Areeba Hamid & Oliver Tickell - reducing power shortages and bringing electricity to off-grid of rural communities for the first time. But it may also have an unintended consequence - cutting off investment in India's troubled coal sector as prospects for future profitability evaporate..
… India Energy Coal Fossil Fuels Renewables Solar Finance China solar-power-india-cut.jpg India's renewable … Describing the fall in the cost of power from solar as a " game changer " he told 2,000 …
Just as the UK's entire renewable energy industry is up in arms against fierce cuts to support for the sector, energy Minister Andrea Leadsom suggested to MPs that the measures were supported by solar firms in her constituency. They beg to differ.
… Minister: 'solar companies back support cuts' Joe Sandler … October 2015 News Politics Energy Renewables Solar Green Economy andrealeadsom-cut.jpg Just … to MPs that the measures were supported by solar firms in her constituency. They beg to …
New reports show the huge potential of renewables in Southern Europe to rekindle prosperity, writes Helle Abelvik-Lawson, using clean, low cost energy from wind, solar and geothermal sources backed up with pumped storage hydro, displacing dirty lignite and oil fired generation.
… News Renewables Energy EU Spain Greece Italy solar-canary-islands-cut.jpg New reports show … using clean, low cost energy from wind, solar and geothermal sources backed up with … good examples of utilising wind, wave, solar and geothermal capacity without …
As Greece prepares for its referendum, Takis Grigoriou takes Greece to task for its highly polluting lignite power sector, its ditching of a successful solar program in favour of more coal, the minimal insulation in its buildings that locks in high fuel bills, and Syriza's failure to tackle these issues. The good news? Greece's latest €1.4bn coal project looks like going unfunded.
… Greece’s anti-solar, coal-based energy policies underlie its … EnergyDesk | 3rd July 2015 News Greece Solar Renewable Coal Energy Finance Politics … power sector, its ditching of a successful solar program in favour of more coal, the …
Despite Labour's 'great purge' of left-leaning voters in the leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn remains the odds-on bookies favourite. So if he comes to power, what policies can we expect in energy and climate change? Damian Kahya asks the questions ... and is astounded at the range and scope of his ambitions. But how much could he really deliver?
… Jeremy Corbyn: Big Six under public control, a solar panel on every roof and no new nukes … to bring all this about" , he adds. Solar panels on every home To Corbyn a … a distributed model for power generation with solar panels on every new home and warehouse …
What's the new 'big thing' in energy? Of course, cheap, abundant solar power is very new and very big. But to make it work on a really large scale we need to be able to store its energy to use when we need it, not just when the sun is shining. Soon the batteries will be there to make that possible - at a price we can afford. And that will be a very big thing, indeed.
… Comment Energy Renewables Technology USA UK solar-space-cut.jpg What's the new 'big thing' in energy? Of course, cheap, abundant solar power is very new and very big. But to … lets you store power from your roof-mounted solar panels - or buy it from the grid at …
The government claims that we need nuclear 'baseload' power to keep the lights on, writes Damian Kahya. But a new study shows reliable, low carbon energy can be provided by combining diverse green technologies including efficiency, large scale renewables, 'smart grid', energy storage and rarely used fossil fuel backup.
… more than 80% of its electricity from wind, solar and tidal power within 15 years and keep … UK were relying on renewables - chiefly wind, solar, and tidal power - for more than 80% of … the rapidly falling cost of onshore wind, solar and offshore wind - along with the high …
China's 2015 carbon emissions fell for the second year running, by an amount equal to all of Poland's, while total power consumption increased, writes Lauri Myllyvirta. Credit goes to the massive expansion in renewable energy, with a record-breaking 47GW of wind and solar capacity added.
… Climate Change Energy Coal Renewables china-solar-cut.jpg China's 2015 carbon emissions … with a record-breaking 47GW of wind and solar capacity added. Economic and industrial … 0.5% by adding 30GW of wind power and 17GW of solar capacity - a new world record for any …
With a million families struggling to stay warm this winter, energy bills will be a hot election issue, writes Doug Parr. But Government actions have repeatedly favoured the 'big six' energy incumbents at the expense of consumers, competition, low-cost renewables and energy efficiency, locking us into high bills for years to come.
… than onshore wind, and probably ground-based solar well before it gets built. If it ever … old way of doing things. 6. Blocking wind and solar: The cheapest forms of low carbon power will soon be onshore wind and solar. Senior members of the Government are …
China has just recorded its first fall in emissions from burning fossil fuels in 15 years, writes Lauri Myllyvirta. The sharp decline has surprised analysts, and reflects the fast growing proportion of renewables in the country's power supply.
… has set new global records for wind and solar installations and seen an increase in … in power generation from hydropower, wind, solar, nuclear and gas, along with slower … China has set new global records for wind and solar installations and seen an increase in …
As climate change speeds up, the question of how to adapt our homes to hotter temperatures is becoming increasingly important. Now, a pioneering project on the island of Tenerife has been set up to address those concerns. Paul Miles reports
… plot with three or four bedrooms. All have solar panels for electricity and hot water and … wind turbines and not far from its 24MW solar PV array. The winning design is by …
It's a fair question, writes Doug Parr, but one to which we are getting no answers - the government is keeping its sums and energy models secret. It looks as if the energy department, DECC, is making things up as it goes along to justify its pro-nuclear, anti-efficiency and anti-renewables policies. And when it all goes disastrously wrong, who will end up paying for the mess? We will.
… as the end in support for onshore wind and solar power - can be squared with Prime …
When the Cornish village of Boscastle was devastated by flooding in 2004, few hoped to do any more than salvage the town. Today, it is flourishing, thanks to a new found awareness - and respect - for the power of Nature
… to a green electricity tariff, installing solar water heaters, a more efficient heating …
Habitat loss doesn’t just affect rainforest dwellers, says Paul Miles. New builds and carbon reducing measures have been tough on the species that share our homes. Here's how to bring them back
… bat roosts, bird nesting, living roofs, solar panels and more, was a first year … home’ would more usually expect, such as solar panels for hot water and electricity. …
Disregarding revelations of systemic political corruption in Brazil's hydropower sector, President Dilma Rousseff is ploughing ahead with a cascade of giant dams on the mighty Tapajos river. Among the companies touting to win huge construction contracts are France's EDF and Engie, and Germany's Voith and Siemens - in a consortium led by Brazil's Electrobras, which stands accused of high-level corruption over four other dam projects.
… efficient and less destructive options like solar and wind power, which are capable of …
As presidential contenders gather in Iowa for the beginning of the party selection season, they may have noticed a lot of wind turbines, writes Zachary Davies Boren. And if they have any sense, they will find only nice things to say about them. Wind supplies 30% of the state's power, more than any other US state, and Iowans are all for it. Ted Cruz, mind your words!
… export ban, federal tax credits for wind and solar energy were given a five year extension. …
The main company due to build UK's 'flagship' nuclear power project at Moorside in Cumbria is on the ropes, writes Doug Parr, thanks to its multi-billion dollar nuclear losses on in the US. The obvious solution, (almost) all our politicians insist, is to ignore cheaper, faster, cleaner renewables, and make the taxpayer pick up the cost of yet another nuclear white elephant.
… , what's so special about nuclear? Solar, offshore wind, tidal power and heat …
In the second communiqué from the canals of Britain, a narrowboat newbie finds the pace of life slowing to the speed of the water, offering time for reflection and a deeper appreciation of the great outdoors
… of course be much cleaner and greener with solar panels, a wind turbine and composting …
The Gates Foundation has just announced a $42 million project over several years to develop a toilet that doesn't need water, mains power or sewerage and that will cost next to nothing
… for start-up. (Other teams’ proposals include solar power and even power harvested from the …
The idea has yet to catch on in the UK but in Scandinavia, where the very first 'nature house' was built in the 1970s, the idea of surrounding your existing home with what is essentially a 'greenhouse' to create a living home is one that is catching on. PAUL MILES explores the eco benefits
… In 2012, the couple commissioned UK company, Solardome, to erect a 15m diameter, 7m high … explains Pippa Bailey, managing director of Solardome. "The dome's shape and its 6mm … will contain built-in photovoltaic panels and solar-thermal water heating. The Vegan Eco …