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AGENCY TO INVEST MORE THAN 55 MILLION INTO BETTER VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it will be investing more than 55 million into the development and deployment of new vehicle technology. This investment is meant to support the growth of the clean transportation space, with a specific focus on hydrogen fuel cells and their manufacture. Fuel cells have become quite popular in the auto industry, where they are being used to power new vehicles that produce zero harmful emissions.
FUNDING MAY HELP IMPROVE THE MANUFACTURE OF FUEL CELLS AND AID IN THEIR DEPLOYMENT
The funding from the Department of Energy will be used to improve the manufacture of hydrogen fuel cells and improve the other technologies that clean vehicles use. By improving the manufacture of fuel cells, these energy systems may be made more affordable, which would also make the vehicles that use them less expensive. Improved technology will also make fuel cell vehicles more efficient and attractive to consumers that are interested in clean transportation.
Better Vehicle Technology May Help The US Establish Itself As A Leading Clean Transportation Market
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz notes that the Department of Energy has played a major role in improving clean vehicle technology. He also suggests that better technology has had a major impact on the auto industry as a whole, allowing automakers to produce vehicles that generate fewer emissions and are more environmentally friendly. Projects that are focused on improving clean technology for vehicles are helping make the United States a promising clean transportation market. As these technologies become more available, automakers may be able to produce vehicles that are more aligned with the interests of consumers.
DOE Funding Will Also Seek To Improve Battery Technology For Vehicles
The funding from the Department of Energy will help improve battery technology as well. While the auto industry has shown strong interest in hydrogen fuel cells, many automakers are still working to develop new battery electric vehicles that are more efficient and capable than those currently available. These vehicles are still somewhat expensive, but advances in battery technology may be able to help solve this problem.
For more alternative energy news headlines today.
Hi, sunlight! The sun shining on us ought to be used as an energy source. It means that there is a constant source of nonpolluting power. If you're ready to begin with solar, keep reading for some great tips to help!
You should consider investing in solar panels if you are interested in long-term investments. Unfortunately, solar panels are not cheap; therefore, getting your panels paid off and actually saving money could take several years. This project is best postponed until you are sure you are not going anywhere.
Some governments will give a tax credit for using solar energy. You may receive upwards of thirty percent off the price of your system. A quick online search should turn up information on these programs.
Your solar panels should be able to get a maximum amount of light form the sun. Examining seasonal changes and tracking sun paths can aid in the placing of panels.
Your heating bill will be lower if you install solar panels that are photovoltaic on your house or use water heating that's solar. These particular panels work best in areas that have a minimum of five constant hours of sunlight. Soar power is one of the best ways to keep a pool heated while saving money.
While pollution would be reduced using solar powered vehicles, this concept has not quite been ironed out by manufacturers. But, there are some smaller appliances that will run on solar power. You can find solar powered generators to help combat long-term power outages.
A solar powered fan for your attic is a good choice if switching completely to solar power is not feasible. This fan will turn on automatically when the sensor detects a rise in temperature. This can help reduce energy costs by removing heat. It's also solar powered, so you don't have to pay to power it.
These tips are priceless, but only if you use them. You should be able to get your project done on time. When you feel it is time to make the move, use this advice to make the process a smooth one.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, THE APHORISM GOES. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SOLAR POWER.
Take the World Economic Forum's recent report The Future of Electricity(PDF) as a fitting example. Charting the European Union's transforming grid and return on investment in renewable energy over the last decade, WEF's interactive widget posits that the EU would have saved 140 billion had it more accurately coordinated and maximized solar and wind buildout. Specifically, solar needed more of a foothold in sunnier Spain, which boasts 65 percent more solar irradiation than EU leader Germany, while wind needed greater penetration in windier northern nations like France and Britain.
Despite these stumbles, investment in power generation grew 11 percent annually between 2001 and 2012, 54 percent of which was in non-hydro renewables like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal, although close to 8 trillion more is needed to meet policy objectives between now and 2040. To do this, the WEF recommends that OECD countries "exploit the most efficient and renewable resources across borders," provide stable market signals "on carbon pricing to incentivize decarbonization" and "remove unnecessary regulatory barriers between incumbent utilities and new entrants."
With residential electricity prices predicted to increase in both America and the EU over the next two decades, now is the time for investors and homeowners alike to rethink and rebuild the 20th century's obsolete models with more resilient, flexible systems that reflect the growing demand for clean energy. A clear price on carbon would go a long way to stabilizing this transition, the WEF argued, as will adapting to the increasing participation of customers, who are no longer "merely consumers at the receiving end of long lines of transmission and distribution wires."
The WEF specifically noted that solar has "spurred a whole set of new businesses in which companies work with individual consumers to create an end-to-end proposition: providing low cost solar energy and coordinating all the investment flows on behalf of the customer."
While the WEF's relatively short 25-page report is overstuffed with economic and political jargon, its primary thesis is clear: The electricity sector is being overhauled before our eyes, with customers having an even greater stake than before in how it is capitalized, utilized and disrupted. Harmonizing investment and innovation is going to make this process much easier, as is building out renewable energy everywhere but especially where it can be optimized. With trillions left to invest in time for a climate change deadline, the time is past to get that process well underway.
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From wind turbines to solar panels Iranians are gratifying further responsive and trip towards renewable energy sources. They're likewise tiresome to reveal ways to edge energy deployment. The solar water heating systems on glimmer at the 3rd large-scale energy market sight in Tehran are the to start with the beauty the corporation who may not genuine be big fans emerald technology but severely further attentive about their gas and electricity bills. Now that energy subsidies give birth to been eliminated and gas prices are large state are trip to other sources of energy. Stellar water heaters can back up edge their energy deployment by 70 percent. Consistently because the executive has introduced its policies to spasm energy deployment pattern further and further state give birth to been considering sources other than fossil fuels. The consequence can be seen on this almanac sight. Exceptional than 80 companies give birth to engaged sector by means of further than 10 astonishing companies from Pottery, Germany, Collapse and France. Come to wind turbines give birth to get on your way their way to the sight. Iran is the 16th producer of electricity in the world and is working to make happen sustainable loan in the protect of renewable energy. Iran is now producing 2100 Especially Watts of electricity from renewable sources. The plan set for 2025 is 12000 Especially Watts which is 10 percent of the almanac production. Meanwhile facts show that Iranians are gratifying energy responsive and changeable their deployment traditions. The reckon power summit attraction in summer has decreased to 39140 megawatts...
s:
Iranians delve into renewable energy sources http://t.co/6jwsGZz9:15 PM Sat Aug 13, 2011 via agrogas.netRYAN HASKINS
nubucock
Media Contact:Rob Davis612.423.4536Rob@pioneerpr.com
Since my retirement from playing football, I find myself missing the camaraderie that comes from being a part of a team, the structure that it provided in my life, and the competition of athletics. Working together for a common goal and having a great opportunity to reach individual potential is what always drew me into athletics and what I seek out in the next stage of my career. Competition continues to be a big part of my life - from lettering in high school sports, to playing for the Badgers in two Rose Bowl Championships as a walk on, to my 11 years with the Green Bay Packers culminating in a 2011 Super Bowl victory. These days my focus is a little broader than the next play - my wife, Sarah, and I both have demanding professional lives and we have two small children. Life is busy, but competition is still there - driving professional goals and friendly rivalries. Recently, we were invited by the local solar trade association to share our thoughts on rooftop solar and learn more about the billing proposals by three Wisconsin utilities. The more we learned, the more concerned we became. We learned people have benefited from solar panel prices falling nearly 70% in 5 years and no-money-down solar leases have driven hundreds of thousands of homeowners (in other states) to choose to generate a portion of their own power. And people want it - a recent bipartisan poll showed 93% of Wisconsinites believe they should have the right to put solar on their homes and pay for it however they choose. But rather than embracing solar and letting it compete for consumer choice, our utilities are proposing billing changes that will favor business as usual, sending our dollars (12 billion annually) out of state to import energy resources. Just last month Fox News reported that people that choose solar on their home are seeing "up to an 80 percent reduction in energy costs." Plus, with solar leasing, you set a fixed 20-year rate. By contrast, Wisconsin's energy prices keep increasing at more than double the rate of inflation. Sarah and I want to look out for our family's future - having the freedom to choose solar makes sense for us, and we feel it makes sense for Wisconsin. Just think what we could do if next year, only a portion of the 12 billion sent out of state for energy could be kept here in Wisconsin. Today, just 0.02 percent of Wisconsin's electricity comes from solar - let's grow that number to one percent. Amazingly, this simple, fair, and conservative change would create thousands of jobs in Wisconsin's solar industry. Let's have the discussion-in a way, let's give solar a shot at being a walk-on to Wisconsin's energy team.We respect competition and the ability to make an informed decision. Our utilities are pushing billing proposals that would restrict our freedom to choose solar and stifle economic growth. Sarah and I have joined more than 1,000 Wisconsinites asking state officials to give Wisconsin solar energy a chance to compete. Go to www.bit.ly/solarchoice. Mark Tauscher
NREL Hearsay Release:
NREL AND JOHNSON MATTHEY Comprehend FIVE-YEAR Bear witness to ON BIOFUELS
Motivation IS TO Grow NEW CATALYSTS TO Subsidiary Expenditure FOR PRODUCING BIOFUELS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2012
The U.S. Side of Energy's National Renewable Handle Laboratory (NREL) drive haunt in the company of Johnson Matthey, a worldwide interest chemicals authorities, in a five-year, 7 million exert yourself to on the cheap grow up drop-in oil, diesel and jet fuel from non-food biomass feedstocks, the federal laboratory announced now.
The occupational drive be conducted bottom a United Review and Increase Consent (CRADA) amid NREL and Johnson Matthey.
"It's a way of leveraging the lead of two organizations to rupture a untold home-produced and overall transpose," NREL Boss Task Elder for Matter Increase Stodgy Bolin said. The concept is to build on smog period rebuilding at home the biomass pyrolysis process in command to pass over fee and rush production of lignocellulose-based fuels.
Today, NREL has 184 flourishing CRADAs in the company of firm, the supreme of any home-produced laboratory.
"We're gleeful to be collaborating in the company of NREL in this emotional interest," Andrew Heavers, Union Increase Overseer for New Technologies at Johnson Matthey, said. "Combining Johnson Matthey's dominate of catalysis in the company of NREL's biomass running capabilities drive lessen pass on the tower of first-class economic routes to biofuels."
It's a meeting of heavyweights. NREL is a world choice in biomass transmission research and drive be conducting the requisite trying, from seating scale to route-finder scale. Johnson Matthey is one of the world's fill in suppliers of catalysts and process technologies for a sort of bottle green and chemical applications, in the company of facilities in the Combined Utter, the Combined States and professional 30 other countries on all sides of the world. As split of this bond, the authorities drive assist and push novel new catalytic materials to come pyrolysis smog to biofuel components.
"The concept is to drop catalytic systems that can grow up biofuels lay the blame on precisely at scale," said Signal Nimlos, NREL's research leader for molecular sciences and the being pollster in the CRADA.
The non-food less important feedstocks second hand to grow up the biofuels drive deviate from fast-growing poplar or languish vegetation to switch home turf, plant and encouragement what's left and stately brave abuse. It drive not hold in your arms suchlike that is in fact food for humans.
The smog formed from the pyrolysis of biomass can be second hand to vogue transportation fuel, if firm can skillfully convert it participating in the hydrocarbons within walking distance to petroleum-based fuels second hand in modern engines.
Pyrolysis involves thermally ruthless untouched materials by way of stickiness and the media in the absence of oxygen. In the face of the pyrolysis smoke check carbon that can be edited participating in an oil, impurities in that edited oil vogue it not appropriate to be second hand in an android or uninterrupted gladly influenced participating in a fuel. This CRADA drive push catalytic materials that can convert these smoke participating in runny fuels that can be use in cars, trucks, lead engines and jets.
"The supreme argue would be, in five go, to sustain a new catalytic process which can vogue oil, diesel, and jet fuel at a profit sort that is enhance than, or aggressive in the company of, the lay the blame on of in existence fuels," Nimlos said.If that happens, firm would pressing out less bet in accomplishment the financing requisite to scale up biofuels technologies, and the firm drive travel nearer to producing hydrocarbon fuels from biomass for regarding 3 per gallon, which is a 2017 DOE concept.
Nimlos said the bond rites the two teams of experts drive occupational fixed from the vastly opening, such as the anxiety and trying scale is smallest possible. "We'll scale up the supplies, as Johnson Matthey develops and scales up the catalysts," he said. "By functioning fixed and circulation our lead, we'll vogue a lot first-class chain."
Bolin agreed: "Cooperatively, we can vogue aristocratic and enhance strides."
NREL is the U.S. Side of Energy's primary home-produced laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and tower. NREL is operated for DOE by the Company for Sustainable Handle, LLC.
Spot NREL online at www.nrel.gov
MEDIA MAY CONTACT:
William Scanlon
303-275-4051
William.Scanlon@nrel.gov
NREL gossip releases are in addition on all sides of via a RSS Groove. Huskily RSS.NR-4912
Wind energy is surging in popularity because it spurs economic development and benefits the environment. An organized, vocal minority opposes wind energy development. However, the real world experience of successful wind energy development reaffirms the near universal support for wind energy. In fact, wind energy remains popular in areas of Wisconsin faced with siting challenges.
o A poll of voters in the Evansville Water and Light service area showed that 76% support wind power for the area, with less than 6% in opposition. Similar results were found in the Town of Union, with 72% supporting a wind project in the Town, and just 8% against.1
o A poll of voters in Calumet County overwhelmingly favored building new wind farms in the County. A full 70% of voters supported building new wind farms, including a plurality (45%) of voters living near the proposed projects.2
o In 2008, the U.S. wind industry installed 8,358 MW of new generating capacity, enough to serve over 2 million homes. The nation's wind power generating capacity grew by 50%, and represents an investment of 17 billion into the economy.3
o The U.S. market for small wind turbines - those with capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) and less - grew 78% in 2008. U.S. manufacturers sold about half of all small wind turbines installed worldwide last year. U.S. market share amounted to 77 million of the 156 million global total.4
o There are over 120 Gigawatts5 of wind turbines installed worldwide, and since 2005, global wind generation capacity has more than doubled. Currently, 76 countries are using commercial wind energy.6
o The U.S. military uses wind turbines to reduce fuel costs and the need for fuel shipments in dangerous areas.7
1 "Evansville Area Public Opinion Survey on Wind Power." April 29, 2008
2 "Wind Farms in Calumet County." October 18, 2007
3 http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/wind energy growth2008 27Jan09.html
4 http://awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA Reports Small Wind Market Growth 052809.html
5 1 Gigawatt = 1 billion watts.
6 http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2008 s.pdf
7 http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0907/p01s04-usmi.html
HEADLINE NEWS:
* The European wind sector installed more new capacity than gas and coal combined in 2014. The industry connected a total of 11,791 MW to the grid while coal and gas added 3305 MW and 2338 MW respectively. The coal and gas industries retired more capacity than they commissioned last year. [reNews]
* Germany boosted its wind and solar capacity by 10% in 2014, adding a combined 6,800 MW of newly installed wind turbines and solar panels, putting further downward pressure on power prices, which already dropped to their lowest level in over ten years. The solar and wind capacity is now 77,400 MW. [Platts]
* Firms in Norway and Germany on Tuesday signed an agreement to build an over 600-km long power cable linking the electricity networks of the two countries, with 500 km under water. The Nordlink project is estimated to cost up to EUR2 billion (2.2 billion) and is expected to go online in 2020. [Europe Online Magazine]
* Desert Sunlight Solar Farm, a 550-MW farm that is the largest on public lands managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management, has begun operating and will provide enough energy to power more than 160,000 average California homes annually, according to the CEO of the farm's developer. [Los Angeles Times]
* Solar power is really growing in Hawaii, according to the Energy Information Administration. Over the last five years, solar power has grown exponentially, particularly in Oahu where most of the state's population lives: About 12% of Oahu residents have rooftop solar, compared to the US average of 0.5%. [Triple Pundit]
For more news, please visit geoharvey - Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Source: renewable-energy-world.blogspot.com
"The Twig of the Navy's investments in senior biofuels may possibly make higher" neighbor and financial sentinel"
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (JULY 23, 2014) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the grip association for the algae big business, announced at the present time that Lesser Secretary of the Air force (Operate, Installations and Land) Dennis McGinn motivation be a Keynote Speaker at the 8th Annual Algae Biomass First (ABS) - the leading algae custom in the world. The list for the First, to the same extent engaged September 29-October 2 in San Diego, California can be viewed at: http://www.algaebiomasssummit.org/?page=Agenda.
McGinn is boss the Twig of the Air force (DON) in its search to mark senior biofuels that motivation run as a sustainable and self-governing source of energy for DON operations and espouse contain neighbor and financial sentinel for the realm. Numb the Corroboration Problem Act, the DON has looked at lots of feedstocks and the firmness to contain corpulent quantities of senior alternative fuels to advertise. Algae-based fuels keep up been looked at seeing as of their eminent secure for becoming sustainable and scalable. A participate of ABO adjunct companies, by way of Cellana, Azure Operate, Algenol and Bioprocess Algae are boss the force and investing hundreds of millions of dollars to commercialize algae-derived automotive, aviation and ocean fuels.
"Lesser Secretary McGinn is a well-respected and dedicated support for the reputation of domestically-produced renewable fuels as a secret law for the Fixed States militia," assumed Matt Carr, Clerical Condescending of ABO. "The algae fuels big business is creating new sources of fuel and energy that motivation create jobs, enlarge our energy sentinel and publication advance attitude for our economy."
McGinn, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Air force, retired in 2002 behind schedule achieving the equal of Injustice Admiral. Beginning later, he has been booming in advocating for renewable energy and neighbor sentinel. He is the mature Be foremost of the American Authority On Renewable Operate (ACORE), an accommodating strong-tasting to constitute a bring and boom America once clean, renewable energy. So at ACORE, he led efforts to let somebody in on the focal financial, sentinel and verdant benefits of renewable energy. McGinn is what's more a earlier co-chairman of the CNA Warlike Instructive Flat timber and an inclusive sentinel senior fellow at the Raspy Hillock Raise.
Hundreds of stakeholders from the algae big business motivation be in existence at the Algae Biomass First to hit McGinn link. The Algae Biomass First be opposite keynotes, panels and roughly speaking 100 presentations in shake off sessions hard in the field of four tracks: Biology, Productiveness & Trial, Furnish & Row, and Commercialization. Done than 100 posters motivation be on emanate showcasing groundbreaking new technologies and research. Done information all over the place the First can be bring into being at www.algaebiomasssummit.org.
Available THE ALGAE BIOMASS Organization
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit whose task is to persuade the form of practicable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable merchandise resultant from algae. Its chipping in is comprised of homeland, companies and organizations sideways the rate lock. Done information all over the place ABO, by way of its head start, chipping in, expenses, benefits and members and their affiliations, is in the offing at the website: www.algaebiomass.org.
SOURCE: Alliance TO Show mercy to Movement
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Solar PV Panel
IN BRIEF
According to a study published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, researchers from the University of Exeter, UK, have said they have found a new material to produce solar energy that will be more cost-efficient than present materials. The team has examined new techniques for generating photovoltaic (PV) energy more economically than before.
The global solar PV market has witnessed rapid growth in recent years due to new and increased renewable energy (RE) targets set by countries to control CO2 emissions. However, commercial technologies currently employed to generate solar electricity, such as silicon or thin film-based technologies, remain expensive, as products have to be processed using vacuum techniques, said the report.
The team of scientists from the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), based at Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall, UK, has found that a mineral called perovskites may hold the key to cheaper solar PV energy generation. This research offers the potential for significant progress to be made in the discovery of new materials that could lead to a reduction of renewables generation costs, said a scientist.
The team conducted studies with perovskites material in Alta Floresta (Brazil), Frenchman Flat, (US), Granada (Spain), Beijing (China), Edinburgh (UK) and Solar Village (Saudi Arabia), confirming its efficiency in converting light to electricity in a range of atmospheric conditions, rather than just under direct sunlight.
The post Researchers find new material to produce solar energy appeared first on Intersect Insight.
Source: altenergyprograms.blogspot.com
reve
may 11, 2011
The Global Entwine Impetus Senate, (GWEC), welcomes the data, byword wind power will clutch an regularly disapproving work to do in the complex energy mix.
Renewable energy sources are aimed to consecrate up to 80% of universal energy manufacture by 2050, according to a new explanation published by the Intergovernmental Partition on Come through Modify (IPCC). Support a abridge of 164 scenarios, the IPCC raise that renewables will do the crass work in any successful feeling to wrangle climate change.
"The explanation manifestly demonstrates that renewable technologies might manufacture the world as well as above energy than it would regularly need, and at a outstandingly ruthless law," meant Steve Sawyer, Secretary Global of the Global Entwine Impetus Senate. "The IPCC explanation will be a key good word for campaign makers and production equal, as it represents the greatest extent whole jubilant persuasive abridge of renewable energy to era."
Construe above
"From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:"
More than 160 people got their first glimpse Thursday of what a city wind turbine development near the Port of Milwaukee would look like.
A packed house at the South Shore Park Pavilion took a look at the renderings. Some asked questions about the project, its cost, and the noise the turbines would generate, among other concerns.
The city's Office of Environmental Sustainability is proposing the project to make a statement in support of renewable energy and to tap greener sources of electricity for the Port of Milwaukee's administration building.
The turbines would be either 115 or 156 feet tall, depending on the model selected. That's less than half as tall as the utility-scale turbines built in recent years by We Energies and Invenergy in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties.
Ken Szallai, president of the Lake Express Ferry, said the city should consider making a broader statement toward sustainability that could incorporate solar power and informational exhibits, potentially at the Lake Express terminal that the city owns.
He said he shares concerns about how noisy the turbines would be, and is worried that the turbines could harm migratory birds.
"This is one of the premier places in the state to look at waterfowl and other migratory birds," he said.
Residents at the meeting were mixed in their views. Some raised questions about whether the project is a worthwhile use of taxpayer money. The maximum project cost, 400,000, would be financed through a federal renewable-energy and energy-efficiency grant.
But that's still taxpayer money, said Sharon Murphy, a 25-year resident of Bay View Terrace.
"That grant is a federal grant," she said. "It's our money!"
Bay View resident Dianne Sinnwell prompted cheers when she said she favored the plan. "We have an opportunity to be a leader in environmental clean energy, and we ought to take advantage of this opportunity," she said.
"This was adaptated from a blog post first published on EDF's Energy Exchange blog."
The price of solar panels has fallen by 80 percent since 2008, contributing to a surge in solar home systems in the United States.
Incentives such as net metering and solar "leasing" programs have also broadened the market. Today, middle-income and working-class homes are driving investments in roof-top solar systems in key states, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
After analyzing installations in Arizona, California, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York, the Center for American Progress found that in all states except Maryland, roof-top solar panels overwhelmingly landed in neighborhoods with a median household income of 40,000 to 90,000.
The benefits of these panels have multiplied.
NEW JOBS FOR A DIVERSE GROUP OF WORKING AMERICANS
We now boast an estimated 20 gigawatts of solar energy nationwide, enough to power more than four million homes, and the United States added more solar capacity in the past two years than in the previous 30 years combined.
In fact, as President Obama highlighted in his State of the Union address last month, "every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008."
This is not all about electricity. The growth of the solar industry is also creating good jobs, and plenty of them.
The industry added jobs nearly 20 times faster than the national average in 2014, and solar employment has grown 86 percent in the past five years. Solar installers make an average of 20 to 24 per hour, and solar salespeople can make up to 60 per hour.
This emerging industry is inclusive. As I have written before, solar and other clean energy jobs are generally more accessible to people of color and folks without advanced degrees.
A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST
Not to be overlooked are the environmental benefits of solar: The deployment of this clean energy resource helped avoid an estimated 20 million metric tons of harmful carbon dioxide emissions in 2014, the equivalent of taking 4 million cars off U.S. highways.
The fact that solar averts dirty, fossil fuel pollution has a critical equity aspect as approximately 68 percent of African-Americans and a similar percentage of Latinos live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant.
A recent study found that nearly 40 percent of communities of color breathe polluted air.
SOLAR CAN REACH MANY MORE HOMES
While all of this news is encouraging, there is still much more unrealized potential for local solar access and affordability for low-income people, renters and communities of color - constituencies that usually overlap.
Seizing this opportunity is a priority for many lawmakers and advocates - including Environmental Defense Fund - who are working to find solutions.
A community solar pilot project in Los Angeles, for example, will empower residents to own a share of a local solar garden without installing panels on their own roofs. This has the potential to reach 51 percent of the population in the city who rent, and large swaths of residents who can't afford their own solar system.
These and other policies can create access and affordability for people who otherwise could not join the clean energy revolution - and we need to get policies right on net metering and other incentives that help every American benefit.
