Renewable Energy News

As the size of wind turbines increases, the design of blades, control systems, and supporting structures becomes more complex because stress and other factors that cause failure are on a bigger scale. This creates greater engineering challenges as well as those in sourcing, manufacture, logistics, installation and maintenance. New designs need to be quickly tested for fatigue and twisting under expected operating conditions on- or offshore.

China’s Chamber of Commerce and Europe’s trade minister Karel De Gucht have announced that a solution has been reached in their spat over solar panel import pricing, averting what neither side wanted to become a trade war.

Samsung SDI Co., a maker of lithium-ion batteries, and S&C Electric Co. will develop an energy storage project in the U.K. as authorities spur work on an electric grid that can handle more renewables.

In advance of a vote on a European directive that will shape the Union’s future policy for biofuel use in the transport sector, an annual report published today by renewable energy analysis group EurObserv’ER shows a far from booming market.

One of the striking differences between the U.S. and Japanese solar PV markets is the number of new solar homes. In Japan, homebuilders promote “smart homes” to differentiate their products and appeal to new homebuyers who are conscious about saving energy amidst rising electricity costs.

Given that the effects of energy efficiency measures tend to be offset by a greater energy consumption that comes with economic growth, these measures, while important, will not by themselves be sufficient to achieve major reductions in emissions – making the move toward cleaner energy a rising priority for climate change mitigation.

The electricity industry’s been abuzz recently about the need for a more resilient grid. As a result, microgrids are quickly becoming the industry’s topic du jour. However, nobody is talking about what is likely the most compelling reason to invest in microgrids: to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

Like many home improvement projects, solar power can be complicated. Unfortunately, the solar industry make it worse; sometimes it’s like manufacturers and installers speak a completely different language. To make matters more challenging, there are literally hundreds of companies, almost all of whom have great products at the "best" price. So how do you as a consumer decide what system is best for your home or business?

Following months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, it appears the Senate will begin debate soon on critically important legislation which could help American consumers, businesses and the federal government to save hundreds of millions of dollars each year by using less energy.  And using less energy gives us a big leg up in the fight against clima

In a move to avoid imposing anti-dumping duties, Europe is nearing an agreement with China on minimum prices at which Chinese solar panels may be sold in Europe, according to some reports.

Insurance costs for the renewable energy industry may more than triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 as projects become more complex and risky, a report commissioned by Swiss Re Ltd. found.

Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest utility is trying to gut its support of net-metering, and recently they got a boost from two swift-boat style attack ads, which may or may not be tied to the company itself. But the whole thing is being watched by the solar and utility industry to see how it plays out and whether or not the ads and

Do consumers need to pay someone to manage their solar equipment warranties? The answer will determine whether there will be a growing market for warranty management plans, which are novel and starting to pop up in the residential market.

Construction of Minnesota’s first community solar project finished last week and is expected to be up and running by the end of July. Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, through a partnership with Clean Energy Collective, has found a way to provide residents in Rockford, Minn., with solar energy for their homes without the stress of c

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the world’s largest public financial institution, has announced that, effective immediately, it will no longer finance most coal-, lignite- and oil-fired power stations in an effort to help Europe meet its climate targets.

By the end of 2013, the largest solar power plants in the world will be generating power from the sun and they won't be using photovoltaic (PV) technology. Brightsource's 277-MW Ivanpah in California, Areva's 250-MW project in Rajasthan, India and many others are all set to come online by the end of the year. The 100-MW Shams 1 project commenced operation in Abu Dhabi in March. "The outlook for CSP has never been brighter," said Alison Mason, Director of Marketing at SkyFuel.

Swedish energy company Vattenfall has invested in innovative radar technology to enable it to go ahead with extending one of its offshore wind farms in the UK.

The largest state in Brazil plans to generate almost 70 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2020.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its quarterly rankings of organizations that supply their electricity needs with renewable energy. You'll recognize a few of the new additions, and several that are raising the bar for everyone.

Energy storage has emerged as the next big opportunity for the solar industry. With significant improvements in PV technology and new balance-of-system innovations, the solar industry has dramatically reduced both commercial and residential solar system costs in the last year — leading to a substantial increase in the amount of solar connected to the grid in the U.S. The U.S. solar industry achieved impressive growth in 2012, and there is no slowdown in sight. In 2013, EuPD Research projects that the U.S. will add approximately 3.9 GW of new solar capacity and continue robust installation rates for both residential and utility-scale PV systems.