Electricity Archives

Environment

Solar Grand Plans Start Answering Basic Questions

Solar is a great theoretical answer to climate concerns and energy independence. Although some nettlesome questions keep it from becoming a practical solution, skyrocketing oil makes some answers more palatable.

Joan Melcher

Environment

Did Archimedes Solve Our Energy Crisis?

Sticking solar concentrators where the sun shines could potentially generate phenomenal amounts of electricity. But the perfect technology doesn't yet exist.

John Perlin

Environment

Electrifying the Developed World

The German experience offers an excellent model for creating a solar cell marketplace.

John Perlin

Environment

Solar Cells From Space to Earth

How the in-space success of the world's first solar cell-powered satellite encouraged their commercialization across the globe.

John Perlin

Photovoltaics: A Bright Idea

John Perlin chronicles solar electrical generation from wishful thinking to realized dream.

John Perlin

Environment

States’ Action and Climate Change

Individual states are taking occasionally painful steps to rein in emissions.

Christina Switzer and John A. Sauter

Environment

Big Hydro Is Dead! Long Live Big Hydro!

Build new, low-impact hydropower facilities but keep the old: Large dams already in existence can be improved.

Lea-Rachel Kosnick

Environment

Reducing Big Problem With Little Hydro Plants

Hydropower will never be the complete answer to emissions-free energy production in the U.S., but a strong case can be made for it becoming a useful part of the answer.

Lea-Rachel Kosnick

Environment

Hydro Doesn’t Have to Be Big

Looking at the untapped potential for hydropower to supply the U.S. with carbon-free electricity, Lea-Rachel Kosnik finds ample opportunities for expanding hydro.

Lea-Rachel Kosnick

The Low Spark of High-Ideal Bulbs

Cleaning up a broken compact fluorescent bulb (and the toxic mercury inside) can turn any living room into a hazmat site.

Matt Palmquist