The latest World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that solar power is quickly becoming the cheapest source of new electric generation. The report also found that the world’s energy demand will be 30 percent higher by 2040 but would be almost twice as high if without energy efficiency improvements. 

Last week, as both the tax reform plans from both Houses of Congress were scrutinized, it became apparent that the reforms could impact renewable energy. Meanwhile the Department of Energy’s  (DOE’s) proposal on coal subsidies could increase costs. Solar, as always, remains ready to help and recently launched Solar Saves Lives to help Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands recover from Hurricane Maria. 

As Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands struggle to recover from Hurricane Maria, which left Puerto Rico essentially powerless, The Solar Foundation and solar companies have come together to launch Solar Saves Lives. The new organization has already received promises for more than $5 million in solar equipment from 20 solar companies to provide relief. 

The Republican tax reform proposals are all the talk across the nation right now. After accessing the House proposal renewable energy experts are finding that while the proposals would impact renewable energy growth, the wind and electric vehicle (EV) industry would negatively feel the impact much more than solar power. 

The Trump Administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) proposal to subsidize coal and nuclear power plants would amount to a flawed bailout, according to a broad, diverse, coalition of energy associations. The organizations, which include the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), grid operators and even American Petroleum Institute.

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) have created a magenta-colored greenhouse with integrated solar panels that allows it to produce electricity while growing plants more efficiently. The combined technologies could make greenhouses self-powering, according to the university’s research. 

Last week in the annual “Blocking the Sun” report Environment America found that more than 90 percent in the US want more solar power, however a handful of entities and people across the US are blocking access to more solar power. Then there’s the ongoing Suniva and SolarWorld Americas tariff case. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) made a series of recommendations last week, none as draconian as Suniva originally proposed. 

Yesterday (Nov. 2) Cypress Creek Renewables said it will build 2 gigawatts of solar power in South Carolina across 80 solar projects, representing an investment of $1.5 billion and creating 10,000 jobs in the process. To support the build out the company partnered with Greenville Technical College to create a Solar Training Center with an initial $25,000 investment.

Over the past year at least 20 entities in 12 states have pushed to make rooftop solar power harder to get. That’s according to a new “Blocking the Sun” report from the Environment America Research & Policy Center and analysis conducted by Frontier Group. The new report, introduced today (Nov. 2), also found they’re in opposition to the 89 percent of US residents who support the development of more solar power in the country. 

Yesterday (Oct. 31) the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made recommendations in the Suniva trade case. The case for implementing tariffs was supported by SolarWorld Americas and First Solar, but widely opposed by the rest of the US solar industry. However, in ITC’s recommendations both sides of the solar industry saw hope.