solar panels

Politics & Government

The U.S. imports most of its solar panels. A new ruling may make that more expensive

12:21pm August 18, 2023

by Eric McDaniel

The Commerce Department says solar panel makers in four Southeast Asian countries are evading U.S. duties on Chinese solar components. The finding could raise costs in the United States.

A worker walks past lines of solar panels at the Roha Dyechem solar project in the western northwest Indian state of Rajasthan.

'Sunny Makes Money': India installs a record volume of solar power in 2022

12:00pm November 22, 2022

by Lauren Frayer

India, on track to become the world's most populous country, gets about 70% of its electricity from coal. But the government is aggressively investing in renewable energy — particularly solar.

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Arts

Piedmont Arts Association set for expansion

4:08pm June 01, 2022

by David Ford

The Piedmont Arts Association in Martinsville, Virginia, is getting ready for a large expansion through its $1 million Grow

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Winston-Salem prepares first solar panel project for city-owned buildings

2:25pm April 22, 2022

by Keri Brown

The City of Winston-Salem is investing in solar power to help meet future clean energy goals. The first project is slated for one of its main downtown facilities.

Vinisha Umashankar and her solar ironing cart. She came up with the idea when she was 12 — then worked with engineers to create a prototype. Now she's in Glasgow, Scotland, to speak at the COP26 climate change conference.

A 15-year-old girl invented a solar ironing cart that's winning global respect

10:57am November 03, 2021

by Sushmita Pathak

Vinisha Umashankar came up with the idea of solar power instead of charcoal to heat street irons. "Iron-Max" was a finalist for Prince William's Earthshot Prize, and this week, she spoke at COP26.

Daniel and Helen Pemberton support the huge solar farm planned in Spotsylvania County. They already have 40 solar panels in their own yard.

National

A Battle Is Raging Over The Largest Solar Farm East Of The Rockies

4:48pm March 25, 2019

by Jacob Fenston

As demand for solar energy continues to grow in the Eastern U.S., the fight over a massive solar farm in Virginia is a harbinger of conflicts to come.

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California predicts mandatory solar panel installations will add nearly $10,000 to the upfront cost of a home — money that will be recouped through energy savings.

California Gives Final OK To Require Solar Panels On New Houses

12:48pm December 06, 2018

by Bill Chappell

Single and small multi-family homes must include solar panels starting in 2020. Recent extreme weather events such as wildfires and drought make the need clear, a state official says.

The Sahara desert creeps up on a palm field.

A Scientist Dreams Up A Plan To Stop The Sahara From Expanding

7:00am September 09, 2018

by Dan Charles

It involves a super solar farm the size of the United States.

Luminalt solar installers Pam Quan (right) and Walter Morales (left) install solar panels on a roof in San Francisco on Wednesday. The California Energy Commission approved a regulation that would require all new homes in the state to have solar panels.

California Moves Forward With Plan To Require Solar Panels On New Homes

5:33pm May 09, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

The state is poised to become the first in the country to require the panels on new single-family houses, with a few exceptions. The mandate will kick in as of 2020.

Solar panels that make up the Public Service Company of New Mexico's new 2-megawatt photovoltaic array in Albuquerque.

Trump Slaps Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels And Washing Machines

9:18pm January 22, 2018

by Richard Gonzales

The move has met with both praise and criticism from the solar energy industry. Manufacturers lobbied for the tariffs, while solar installers warned that American jobs will be lost.