The WindFi basestation was initially designed to address issues of rural broadband in the mountainous, undulating and remote terrain of the Scottish Highlands & Islands in communities where fibre or xDSL access is not available. Using open source software, GIS tools, and driven by the broadband needs of rural communities, whole new business models are […]

For years, third world ranchers have been using methane from manure to run electrical generators down on the farm. This clean-burning biogas is not only a good local fuel in countries with little or no infrastructure, now even countries like the U.S. are reaping energy from this foul-smelling source. Some 80 percent of the estimated […]

The sun is shining on homeowners in less affluent neighborhoods who are discovering they can afford solar energy after all — by leasing rather than buying the panels on their roofs. Kyle Travis (left) and Jon Jackson (right) of Lighthouse Solar install microcrystalline PV modules on top of Kevin Donovan’s townhome in Arvada, Colorado. The […]

Transmission system operators must assess precisely the supply of electricity from renewable energies for the next day in order to market this electricity on the European Power Exchange (EPEX) as effectively as possible. The sharply fluctuating supply of solar and wind energy makes reliable forecasts even more difficult. For this reason, Fraunhofer researchers, working jointly […]

So, you want to put solar on your roof. You’re part of the 94 percent of Americans who think it’s important for the nation to develop solar energy, as evidenced by the SCHOTT Solar Barometer, a nationally representative survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research. You call several companies for quotes, and come to […]

by Jonathan Cheszes, Navigant The increase in utility scale wind development across North America has and continues to change the energy supply mix in many jurisdictions. Driven primarily by state-level renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requirements and clean air regulation, state and provincial supply mixes once dominated by coal, hydro nuclear and natural gas are now […]

Scotland’s energy minister Fergus Ewing has announced a new £103m investment fund designed to drive the growth of renewable energy in the country. The Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) will initially focus on supporting communities and rural businesses to develop their own local renewable projects on supporting district heating and on supporting wave and tidal […]

The prestigious $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize has been awarded to Miles C. Barr for his innovative solar technologies and creativity. Barr received his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2012 and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice in 2008. Barr’s most recent inventive breakthrough […]

A startup company has emerged from stealth mode with a new technology that promises to radically change the game for silicon solar photovoltaics (PV) manufacturing, by taking out almost all the starting material and up-front process costs. Progressing further toward the goal of “grid parity” means continually refining all steps along the solar supply chain, […]

With more hydropower than it can use, Canada sells cheap, clean power to U.S. utilities and has been doing so for years. Now, large transmission projects across the Northeast and Midwest will mean more hydro will be used to meet utilities needs. The debate over the Keystone XL Pipeline has overshadowed news that a different […]