solar energy
Newsletter
Credit: Niko Vassios/Unsplash
Wildlife faces new challenges with large-scale solar energy projects
Researchers are studying how utility-scale solar developments in New Mexico impact pronghorn and other wildlife to find ways to mitigate negative effects.
In short:
- Wildlife researchers are capturing and collaring pronghorn in New Mexico to track their movements and study the effects of large-scale solar projects.
- Solar development is expanding in the Four Corners region, often overlapping with wildlife migration corridors, but data on its impact on large mammals is scarce.
- The study aims to inform future solar projects to ensure they are developed with minimal harm to local wildlife populations.
Key quote:
“We can’t make the same mistakes over and over again with our policies. I just felt like we were doing that by saying, ‘We’ll figure it out later; all that matters is we get green energy.”
— Aaron Facka, senior wildlife biologist at Wildlands Network
Why this matters:
Solar farms, with their extensive fencing and altered landscapes, can disrupt migration routes and access to vital resources. Researchers are meticulously studying these impacts to devise strategies that could help mitigate the negative effects on pronghorns and other wildlife. Early findings suggest that simple adjustments, such as wildlife-friendly fencing and strategic placement of solar arrays, could make a significant difference.
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Credit: Derek Sutton/Unsplash
A family farm in China thrives with solar energy investment
Shi Mei and her husband in Shandong Province diversified their farming income by investing in rooftop solar panels, earning $10,000 annually from generating electricity.
In short:
- The Shi family installed 40 solar panels on their roof in 2021, significantly boosting their income.
- China aims for 20% of its power to come from renewables by 2025, leading to an oversupply of solar energy in some areas.
- Efforts are underway to improve grid flexibility and energy storage to handle the excess power.
Key quote:
“China has the great potential and opportunity to make its power sector achieve its carbon peak by 2025.”
— Grace Gao, climate and energy senior campaigner at Greenpeace in China
Why this matters:
By turning their rooftops into mini power plants, the Shi family reduces their carbon footprint and promotes sustainable energy practices within their community.
This initiative emphasizes the potential for renewable energy to transform livelihoods, especially in regions like Shandong Province where sunlight is abundant. For other farmers, Shi Mei's success story could serve as a powerful example of how embracing green technology can provide both economic stability and environmental benefits.
Some more good news from EHN’s Brian Bienkowski in this 2019 piece: Global renewable energy has quadrupled over past decade.
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Newsletter
Biden announces $7 billion for solar energy in low-income communities
President Biden's new initiative allocates $7 billion to support solar energy in underprivileged areas, aiming to reduce energy costs and emissions.
In short:
- The Solar for All program will fund solar and battery installations in low-income neighborhoods, benefiting approximately 900,000 households.
- Funding will be managed by state, municipal and tribal governments along with nonprofits, with implementation slated for the summer.
- The initiative will help achieve the administration's clean energy goals and reduce energy expenses for families by an average of $400 annually.
Key quote:
“Low income families can spend up to 30 percent of their paychecks on their energy bills. It’s outrageous.”
— U.S. President Joe Biden.
Why this matters:
As President Biden noted, many low-income families spend a significant portion of their income on utility bills. Solar energy can drastically reduce these costs, easing financial burdens and increasing disposable income for other essential needs.
Black, Indigenous and people of color and low-income communities bear the brunt of climate change's negative impacts but renewable energy technologies like solar cells primarily benefit wealthy and predominantly white communities.
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Credit: Jongsun Lee/Unsplash
Eclipse puts US power grid to the test
As the U.S. prepares for a solar eclipse on April 8, the event poses a unique challenge for the nation's solar-powered energy grid, potentially affecting millions.
In short:
- The eclipse will dramatically reduce solar power production across a wide swath of the US, impacting areas with a combined population exceeding 31 million.
- Power grid operators have planned meticulously to manage the sudden drop and subsequent surge in solar energy, ensuring a steady electricity supply.
- The situation is particularly critical in Texas, where recent hail storms damaged solar installations, adding another layer of complexity to managing the grid during the eclipse.
Key quote:
"ERCOT has analyzed the ramping challenges posed by the eclipse and will continue to monitor this aspect of the eclipse as updated weather forecasts are received."
— ERCOT spokesperson
Why this matters:
For solar-dependent regions, eclipses serve as a reminder of the variability of renewable energy sources and the importance of having a diverse energy portfolio. Despite the temporary disruption, solar eclipses are predictable events, allowing for advance planning to mitigate their impact on solar power generation.
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Virginia's move toward expanded access to shared solar energy
Virginia is poised to broaden shared solar programs, aiming to include more residents in the push towards solar energy.
In short:
- The proposed legislation seeks to increase shared solar capacity in Virginia, allowing more people to participate in renewable energy without installing panels.
- Low-income participants have been the primary subscribers under the current program, with new bills aiming to extend benefits and reduce costs for a broader audience.
- Additional measures include analyzing shared solar's benefits to the grid and potentially lowering the minimum bill, making the program more attractive to a wider range of customers.
Key quote:
"Where we ended up, we view it as incremental progress to continuing to move the market forward."
— Charlie Coggeshall, Mid-Atlantic regional director of the Coalition for Community Solar Access.
Why this matters:
The appeal of shared solar lies in its flexibility and inclusiveness. Renters, apartment dwellers, and those with shaded or unsuitable roofs can still participate in and benefit from renewable energy production. It's a straightforward way for communities to come together to invest in renewable energy, reduce carbon footprints, and support the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
In 2020, Brian Bienkowski wrote that solar power was on the rise at US schools.
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Credit: ep_jhu/Flickr
Churches are plugging into solar power
There's a rise in churches turning to solar power so they can preach sustainability along with their doctrines.
Photo by Karl Fredrickson on Unsplash
Across the country, houses of worship are going solar
There's a rise in churches turning to solar power so they can preach sustainability along with their doctrines.
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