To date, energy efficiency has had a far larger impact on reducing carbon emissions than renewables – and it’s not even close.

The Deelat Industrial Solar Security Light is one of the best products we have ever tested, and received a 10/10 in our review.

Many people consider a cap and trade system to be our most palatable option when it comes to reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that was invented by someone using the alias “Satoshi Nakamoto” in a paper called “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash system”.

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in your future, and that of the planet, by powering your home with solar energy. The next step is deciding which solar technology is right for you.

In the renowned book “Physics for Future Presidents”, the author (Richard A. Mueller) makes a statistical calculation indicating that the observed global warming from 1957 to now has < 5% chance to be a result of ordinary climate variation.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program in the United States is a national policy that mandates a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of hydrocarbon-based transportation fuel.

Coal is one of the most abundant fossil fuels in the world, and is commonly used as the energy source in thermal power stations. The fuel’s low cost and high availability has resulted in 40% of the world’s power getting generated from coal.

An innovative product is harnessing the power of the sun to help you cook anywhere with cooking temperatures of up to 550 F.

So you’ve decided to go solar and want to get started on installing your first set of solar power panels on your roof. Maybe you’re tired of paying so much to the big power companies and want to cut the umbilical cord, so to speak.

The Sunforce 100 LED Solar Motion Light is a great option if you are looking for an outdoor solar light, and received a 9/10 in our review.

The ozone layer is a region of our stratosphere that absorbs the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It contains roughly 10 ppm of ozone, and is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere approximately 20 to 30 kilometers above the ground.

Tax incentives are a critical renewable energy subsidy tool that can take the form of investment tax credits, and depreciation tax shields. When combined, these tax incentives can reduce the cost of renewable energy by more than 50%.

Renewable energy is the most sustainable way to generate power, and we must continue to develop the various technologies in order to replace fossil fuels.

Do you know what Ontario offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Feed-in Tariff (FIT) is a renewable energy subsidy policy that essentially guarantees the price that a renewable energy producer can sell their electricity at.

In order for intermittent sources of renewable energy (such as solar and wind) to become mainstream, we need to have an economical way of storing power. Luckily, energy storage prices are dropping faster than most people have predicted.

Do you know what New Brunswick offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Do you know what Manitoba offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Do you know what BC offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Do you know what Alberta offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

With the tremendous growth of electric vehicles (EV’s), careful planning by the government needs to take place at the municipal, province/state, and federal levels to meet future demand.

Google employs energy and policy strategists, mechanical and software engineers, sustainability experts, and 65,000 other creative thinkers who are all focused on finding new ways to do more with less. Here are three awesome facts on what they have achieved so far when it comes to the environment.

Google has a long tradition of caring about the environment – even before it was considered mainstream. It all started in 1999 when it was decided that company desks would be made from repurposed wood. Check out some of the latest things they are doing today!

One thing that’s always on people’s minds is whether solar panels can survive extreme weather events such as hail.

Cadmium Telluride is the material of choice for making thin film solar cells. The main advantage of thin film solar cells is that they use less semiconductor material than traditional cells.

Today, we are taking a look at one of the highest performing solar cell materials available – Gallium Arsenide.

The newness of mainstream consumer solar power poses a challenge. If you want to buy a car, for instance, there are plenty of people who’ve done it and can tell you how the process works. Putting solar panels on your roof costs as much as a car, but the cohort of experienced buyers is far, […]

Solar Cells (XEIET132) is a course offered by Stanford University as part of their Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Certificate. The goal of the course is to give the student a broad overview of solar photovoltaic technology.

Multi-junction solar cells are the most expensive, and highest performing solar cell design available today.

There are many different materials and methodologies to constructing solar cells. Today, we are taking a look at the current market leader – silicon solar cells.

The TIE (twin ion engine) fighter was the signature one-man fighter used by the Galactic Empire, and now the First Order. A fact that you may not know about this fighter is that its wings are actually covered by solar panels.

You probably know that solar panels are going to play a big part in powering our renewable energy future, but do you know the amazing details of how they work?

Today, the world has about 15 TW of generation capacity. In 2050, it is projected that the world will need 30 TW of generation capacity. Our society is in the awkward position of having to generate more power without producing more CO2. It is clear to most people that climate change is directly driving the […]

Solar power is quickly becoming a mainstream energy source. As of December 2016, the United States had over 40 GW of installed solar photovoltaic capacity.

There is much controversy surrounding the oil sands in Alberta. Some people see it as an economic engine which provides a stable supply of friendly oil for North America. Others see it as an attack on the environment, and an operation that must be stopped.

Outdoor solar lights are becoming a popular option for many homeowners. Which one should you go with? We will review five of the top solar light models on the market to give you a solid idea of what is out there.

Bhutan holds the rare distinction of a country that is not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative.

According to Google, 79% of all buildings in the United States are suitable for solar panel installation.

Scientists estimate that the soil contains roughly three times the amount of carbon that is present in the Earth’s atmosphere. Climate change may get accelerated dramatically if the CO2 trapped in the soil gets released at increasingly faster rates.

A new estimate from the McKinsey Global Institute is predicting that renewables (mostly solar and wind) will contribute over 35% of global energy production by 2035.

When China decides to do something, the country usually goes all out. In 2013, China started construction on the Longyangxia solar panel power plant on the Tibetan plateau, and the facility has now grown to over four million panels.

Innovative designers have been succeeding in packaging portable solar cells in new and exciting ways! Check out some of the latest designs in this video. Video Credit: Science Nature Page

The Economics of Competing Energy Technologies (XEIET201) is a course offered by Stanford University as part of their Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Certificate. The goal of the course is to give the student an overview on the detailed economics of various energy technologies such as natural gas, coal, and solar. In addition, the course also […]

The Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is a neighbourhood in the Town of Okotoks, Alberta (Canada).  It is one of the few communities in the world that has a central solar heating system.

The Past, Present, and Future of Fossil Fuels (XEIET135) is a course offered by Stanford University as part of their Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Certificate. The goal of the course is to give the student an overview on the history of fossil fuels, technologies related to fossil fuel extraction, and how fossil fuels fit […]

Have you ever heard the term “levelized cost of electricity” and was confused by what it meant? If so, you have come to the right place!

There is very little controversy surrounding the fact that humans have increased global CO2 emissions over the past 150 years. The main controversy stems from people claiming the following link:

The first phase of Alberta’s plan to add 5 GW of clean energy by 2030 will commence in the first three months of 2017. This phase involves the procurement of 400 MW of utility-scale projects (over 5 MW per installation). Here are three keys things you need to know.

Nearly 100 million barrels of oil are used around the world daily. At the end of 2014, fossil fuels accounted for 85% of world energy consumption. If we flicked a switch to change from fossil fuels to renewables overnight, there would be world panic. However, make no mistake that the clean energy disruption is coming.

When we think of thermal energy storage, we typically think of things that are hot. However, all we really need for thermal energy storage is a temperature differential – regardless of whether it is hotter or colder than our baseline temperature.

In the final portion of this series, we would like to share a video that provides great information on potential energy solutions going forward.

In part 3 of this four part series, we would like to share a video that provides great information on what kind of obstacles climate change and our growing need for energy may bring.

In part 2 of this four part series, we would like to share a video that provides great information on Earth’s climate and its relation to CO2.

Energy is directly correlated with our quality of life. In this four part series, we would like to share a series of videos that provide a great overview on the history of energy, where we are today, where we are headed, and some potential solutions to the current issues in energy.

Solar energy is becoming a big deal. In 2015, China added an amazing 15 GW of solar capacity while the United States added an impressive 7.5 GW. Over 160 billion dollars were injected into the solar industry last year – the largest investment for any energy source.

Earth-based renewables have the potential to provide our energy needs, but their intermittency poses technical barriers to mass implementation.

We produce carbon emissions with many of our daily activities. One method that people are turning to as a way to reduce their environmental footprint is “carbon offsets”.

In the last seven years, perovskite-based solar cell efficiency has gone from less than 4% to over 22% – which is the fastest rise in efficiency ever seen in the solar PV industry.

LED (light emitting diode) technology utilizes an effect called “electroluminescence” to generate light. This is distinctly different, and far more efficient, than traditional incandescent technology which utilizes heat to generate light.

Smart grids are electrical grids that include new technological innovations such as smart meters, automation, communication networks, and design features that accommodate distributed renewable energy generation such as rooftop solar panels.

Growth of renewable energy is extremely exciting (and very much needed), but the rate at which it is coming online is slow. It will be decades before renewables can carry the majority of the electricity load. In the meantime, we need to keep global temperature rises in check with the tools at our disposal.

There is no doubt that we need to decarbonize our energy infrastructure, but renewable energy sources are simply not coming online fast enough for us to switch overnight. In our opinion, we need a “bridge” fuel to sustain us through the transition to a renewable energy future that is powered by solar, wind, and other […]

California has a lot of traffic jams, and the State is looking to generate power from them using piezoelectric crystals.

Elon Musk is challenging Tesla employees to deliver “every car we possibly can” before the end of September, and it looks like the troops are responding.

Dr. Drew Higgins (University of Waterloo) has developed an alloy catalyst that is more effective than traditional platinum catalysts.

Did you know that the technology giant Microsoft is an environmental leader, and is powered by 100% renewable energy?

Amazon has announced a Texas wind farm that will have over 100 wind turbines. This wind installation is part of Amazon’s commitment to power all of its cloud data centers using renewable energy.

The Canadian province of Alberta is mostly known for its significant oil reserves, but the provincial government has committed to creating 5,000 MW of new clean energy capacity over the next 15 years.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark framework within the United Nations that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted by the United Nations in December 2015, and was open for signature in April 2016. In order for the treaty to enter into force, it needs 55 of the 180 countries present at the […]

BMW appears to have had enough of Tesla, and is planning to launch an all-electric version of its popular 3 series sedan.

Most solar panel installations today are retrofitted onto existing houses. However, Zen Townhomes is including solar panels with new townhouses getting built in the Calgary community of Cranston.

A new record for solar thermal efficiency has been set at 97% by a team at the Australian National University using a 500 square meter solar concentrator. The record was set as part of a project aimed at reducing the cost of concentrated solar thermal technology.

Solar roofing isn’t new, but Tesla and SolarCity has certainly brought this technology into the mainstream with the recent announcement that they will be entering this market.

Consumers are enjoying low solar panel prices thanks to dramatic increases in manufacturing capacity. However, the solar industry now appears to be oversupplied and many solar manufacturing companies are feeling the pain.

In 2015, China added over 15 GW of solar capacity. To put this in perspective, the United Kingdom has roughly 8.8 GW of total solar capacity. In one year, China almost doubled the solar energy generation capabilities of the UK.

Kugluktuk translates into “place of moving water”. It is a small settlement with roughly 1,500 residents, and located on the shore of the arctic ocean. The recreation complex in town recently completed a 10 kW solar panel installation.

Concentrated sunlight has the ability to inflict significant damage, and that is exactly what happened at the Ivanpah solar power plant in 2016.

It is well known that solar panel farms can affect the microclimate around them. A new study in the UK has shown that shading caused by solar panels can decrease the temperature around the panels by as much as 5 degrees Celsius.

Photosynthesis is the process that plants use to turn sunlight, CO2, and water into energy. Scientists at the University of Illinois have now produced a solar cell that can efficiently utilize photosynthesis.

One of the biggest hurdles with solar energy is that the sun doesn’t always shine. This means that we need an effective way of storing solar energy – and molten salt could be the answer.

Solar4All is pushing for more solar energy in Alberta – a great Canadian province when it comes to solar energy potential. We recently had a chance to catch up with the Solar4All team for a Q & A session.

Bill Gates knows a thing or two about driving change in the world. In 2015, he started the billion dollar “Breakthrough Energy Fund” to further the development on clean energy.

One of the issues that many people have with rooftop solar panels is that they simply do not look aesthetically pleasing. One Boston start-up is looking to change that.

Though we think of solar panels as modern equipment, the journey for this technology started over 100 years ago.

San Francisco hosted an impressive solar show this past July. From the show, five trends for solar power emerged:

Most solar panels are designed to last 25 years. The useful lifetime of solar panels is determined by the amount of performance degradation that the solar PV cells suffer.

Clean coal definitely sounds like it burns cleanly. Is this actually the case?

Utility scale solar farms will account for roughly 70 percent of the new solar power coming online this year. Will rooftop solar installations become less common in the future?

North Koreans are turning to solar energy as a way to battle the frequent power shortages in the country.

After 130 million miles driven with Tesla’s autopilot, there has been a fatal crash involving the system.

IBM’s Zurich laboratory is incorporating cooling technology used in supercomputers into its “Sunflower” concentrated solar PV technology.

As part of Missouri’s “Road to Tomorrow” initiative, the state is planning to build its first solar road.

The amazing brilliant emerald green slug has the ability to live off only sunlight for months.

A portion of the new Apple headquarters will be powered by 4 MW worth of natural gas fuel cells when the building opens in 2017.

Do you know what PEI offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the known universe, so why isn’t it widely used to power our transportation?

This is a highly controversial topic as there is no clear front runner for our next major energy source.

Do you know what Nova Scotia offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

We can slow the rise of global temperatures by turning CO2 into rock.

Do you know what Quebec offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

The Hyperloop is a concept that was originally proposed by Elon Musk.

Indian Railways has a vision for solar energy. They want to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels by installing solar panels on their trains.

The LAPD has been piloting the Tesla Model S P85D as a police cruiser.

Do you know what Saskatchewan offers when it comes to solar panel incentives?

Solar energy is a fairly narrow discipline, and most major universities place their solar energy research programs in the faculty of engineering.

The duck curve refers to the anticipated shape of the electricity demand curve as more solar panels get installed. 

A new product uses the power of the sun to generate temperatures of up to  371°C  (700°F) in a small and convenient package.

Freiburg is one of the sunniest cities in Germany with an average of 1,740 hours of sunlight per year. A good supply of sunlight coupled with Germany’s advanced renewable energy programs have resulted in some amazing projects such as the Sonnenschiff.

Do you know what tidal energy is?

Geothermal energy is generated and stored in the Earth. The source of the energy comes from the radioactive decay of materials in the Earth’s crust. 

Check out the most five most amazing images in renewable technology.

The Tesla Model 3 is the car that the company has been looking to build ever since CEO Elon Musk introduced the Tesla Roadster back in 2008. Does a revolutionary car like this cost a lot to insure?

How do Canada’s sunniest cities stack up against the rest of the world?

Oil sands giant Suncor is looking into building three solar farms in the Canadian province of Alberta.

The Tesla Model 3 is launching soon, and here is what we think you can expect!

Large scale solar farms are expensive to build, but you can own a piece of your very own solar farm through a solar co-op.

The efficiency of a solar cell refers to how effectively it can convert the light that hits its surface into electricity.

The amount of solar electricity production from a given area can be increased by changing the arrangement of the solar cells.

Can roads be designed to collect solar energy?

How do you charge an electric car in a condo building?

Are engineers installing floating solar farms?

Can you guess what the latest “hidden Mickey” is?

Arnold Schwarzenegger has three questions for you on climate change. How would you answer them?

How close are we to having solar electricity supply a sizable portion of our electrical consumption?

A company called Mapdwell has developed a great solar mapping tool based on technology from one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the world – MIT.

The BMW i8 and the Tesla Model S are two of the higher end options if you are looking for something that operates more environmentally friendly than pure gasoline cars.

How much do solar panels cost? What components do you need in your system? Should you have a battery or tie into the local electricity grid? We have the answers!

The Tesla Model 3 will be an electric car for the masses with a price point of $35,000 (versus around $90,000 for the high performance Tesla Model S).

Who says luxury and sustainability can’t mix?

Can high-speed internet be delivered via solar-powered drones? Google sure thinks so.

Have you ever wondered how engineers maximize the output of a solar panel?

What if all the windows on an office tower could generate energy? Could this be possible with transparent solar panels?

Should you bother cleaning the snow off your solar panels? The surprising answer is…

Most homes getting built today do not include options for integrated solar power. However…

How do you access solar power without having to put in your own panels?

One thing that’s always on people’s minds is whether these panels can survive extreme weather events such as a hailstorm. The answer is…

How would you like to get solar energy directly from roof-owners?

One of the challenges with renewable energy is always how to store the power.

The US federal government has approved a new 485 MW solar plan in Riverside County (California).

The global electrical consumption hit 19,090 billion kWh in 2012.

A solar vacuum tube is a type of solar thermal collector.