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A worker installs solar panels containing photovoltaic cells.

Economics

How Battery-Based Storage Systems Are Leading More Germans to Opt for Solar Power

The budding popularity of solar panel and battery systems, driven by a drop in lithium-ion battery prices, has thrown a lifeline to Germany's moribund solar sector.

Paul Hockenos

Social Justice

Why Communities of Color Disproportionately Miss Out on the Benefits of Rooftop Solar Power

A recent study found that, even after controlling for income and homeownership, the racial and ethnic disparities remained.

Amal Ahmed

California Governor Jerry Brown talks during a discussion at the America's Pledge launch event.

Environment

Can California Actually Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2045?

Governor Jerry Brown has signed multiple pieces of legislation that codify California's ongoing transition away from relying on fossil fuels for energy.

Sarah Kurtz

A wind farm near the town of Canakkale, in northwestern Turkey.

Environment

Wind and Solar Could Meet 80 Percent of Americans’ Energy Needs

But getting there will require investment in better energy storage technologies.

Candace Butera

Solar Panels at Fort Hunter Liggettt in California.

Economics

The Trump Administration’s Solar Tariffs Could Stunt Industry Growth

The tariffs could eliminate up to 88,000 jobs on the installation side, according to one estimate.

Kate Wheeling

A team member from the Netherlands prepares their vehicle, "Nuna9," for racing on day two of the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge on October 9th, 2017, in Dunmarra, Australia.

News in Brief

Viewfinder: Vehicle Preparation at the World Solar Challenge in Australia

A team member from the Netherlands prepares their vehicle, "Nuna9," for racing on day two of the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge on October 9th, 2017, in Dunmarra, Australia.

Pacific Standard Staff

News in Brief

A California Bill Would Require Solar Panels on All New Buildings

The new statewide legislation is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance that went into effect on January 1st.…

Pacific Standard Staff

Environment

The Solar Revolution That Wasn’t

Concentrated solar plants are a relatively new technology that has the potential to provide hundreds of thousands of homes with clean energy. So why hasn't it caught on?

Ani Ucar

Environment

Why Millions of Chinese-Made Solar Panels Sat Unused in Southern California Warehouses for Years

A panic over renewable energy and billions in subsidies turned the world’s biggest carbon emitter into the world’s largest solar panel maker nearly overnight—but that doesn't mean those panels were put to use.

Yingzhi Yang

Economics

When It Comes to Solar Power, the Market Is Finally Making Environmentalism Easy

The price of this renewable energy source is now competitive with older, dirtier alternatives—and getting cheaper by the day.

Kyle Chayka