If We Ruin Or Outgrow Earth, Can We Colonize Mars & Other Planets?
It’s going to be a long way off before we can hope to colonize Mars or other planets, but space travel proponents are still holding out hope…
solar
Rooftop Solar: Which States Are Friendliest?
Northeastern and southwestern states among the best for residential solar, while some sunny southeastern states lag behind…
Affordable Solar: Sunshine to the People in DC
Washington DC’s new Community Renewables Energy Act ensures that low-income households will have access to solar power, and the city government is now working through implementation…
Udall Calls for Clean Energy Victory Bonds in Senate Energy Bill
Earlier this week, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced an amendment to the Senate Energy Bill calling for the inclusion of Clean Energy Victory Bonds. These bonds would allow regular people across the country to do their part to invest in our nation’s clean energy future. Modeled after war bonds, which raised billions of dollars during World War […]
Solar Grows Exponentially, But Is It Right for You?
Like mushrooms after a spring rain, solar panels are springing up on rooftops across America. Solar capacity has multiplied by some 30 times since 2015, enough to power over 5.5 million homes by the end of this year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). This astonishing burst is happening largely because the cost […]
What’s on the horizon in terms of new solar power technologies?
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest in cutting-edge, hyper-efficient solar cells? Are we really moving beyond huge photovoltaic panels anytime soon? —Michael Williams, Hartford, CT Many people still consider environmentalists’ favorite black panels as the cutting edge of renewable energy. However, the burgeoning solar industry has […]
Can solar desalination help an increasingly thirsty world?
Dear EarthTalk: What exactly is solar desalination and how can it help an increasingly thirsty world? —Maryann Dell’Amore, Howard, MN Solar desalination is a technique used to remove salt from water via a specially designed still that uses solar energy to boil seawater and capture […]
Domino Energy Concierge Helps Consumers Choose Best Alternatives
Most of us would like to help save the world by taking green actions, but often it’s just too much trouble. We are busy and distracted and, beyond recycling and buying a fuel-efficient car, aren’t sure what to do next. And those who take the imposing step of looking into solar are faced with contradictory […]
Geothermal Redux
EarthTalk’s Ethan Goffman caught up with Karl Gawell, Executive Director of the Geothermal Energy Association, to find out more about the promise of geothermal as a carbon-busting alternative to fossil fuel derived power… Or read the transcript below… Earth Talk: So briefly, why is geothermal such a useful source of energy and what does it provide […]
Is solar power cost-competitive with the grid yet?
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that the price of getting solar panels installed on a home is lower than ever, but has it gotten to the point anywhere in the U.S. where it’s actually cheaper than traditional grid power yet? — Lester Milstein, Boston, MA Rooftop solar panels on have always been the province of well-to-do, […]