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Three Easy Additions to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

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

Product Review: Deelat Solar Security Light with Remote Control

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

Cap and Trade

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 Mining Using Renewable Energy

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”.

Tesla Solar Roof: Should You Get It?

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.

Carbon Tax

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.

Renewable Fuel Standards

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.

Phasing Out Coal Power Plants

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.

Concentrated Solar Stove

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

Top Rated Solar Panels (2017)

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.

Product Review: Sunforce 100 LED Solar Motion Light

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.

Rescuing the Earth’s Ozone has Unexpected Benefits

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 for Renewable Energy

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%.

Why Renewable Energy?

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.

Solar Panel Incentives in Ontario (2017)

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

Feed-in Tariff (FIT)

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.

The Battery Storage Disruption

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.

Solar Panel Incentives in New Brunswick (2017)

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

Solar Panel Incentives in Manitoba (2017)

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

Solar Panel Incentives in BC (2017)

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

Solar Panel Incentives in Alberta (2017)

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

Electrical Vehicle Strategy for Governments

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.

Three Awesome Environmental Facts on Google

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 Showcases Amazing Technologies to Help 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!

Hail Destroys Normal Roof Tiles While Tesla’s Solar Roof is Unscratched

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

Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells

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.

Gallium Arsenide Solar Cells

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

7 Things to Consider Before Getting Solar Panels for Your Home

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, […]

Stanford University – Solar Cells Course Review

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

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

Silicon Solar Cells

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.

Star Wars TIE Fighters Use Solar Panel Technology

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.

How do Solar Panels Work?

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?

Why Solar Cells Will Power Our Future

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 Energy Map

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.

An Unbelievable Look at the Canadian Oil Sands

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

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.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a Country That is Carbon Negative

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

79% of US Homes are Suitable for Solar Panels

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

Deep Soil Layers Could Release a Lot of CO2 as Climate Warms

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.

The Tipping Point for Renewable Energy

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.

Here is What 4,000,000 Solar Panels Look Like

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.

Amazing Portable Solar Chargers

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

Stanford University – Economics of Competing Energy Technologies Course Review

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 […]

Drake Landing Solar Community

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.

Stanford University – Past, Present and Future of Fossil Fuels Course Review

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 […]

The Levelized Cost of Electricity

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!

How Government Policies can Help Reduce Carbon Emissions

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:

3 Things You Need to Know About Alberta’s Renewable Electricity Program

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.

The Clean Energy Disruption

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.

Cold Energy Storage

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.

Energy is Life – An Unbiased Look at Energy (Part 4)

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

Energy is Life – An Unbiased Look at Energy (Part 3)

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.

Energy is Life – An Unbiased Look at Energy (Part 2)

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 Life – An Unbiased Look at Energy (Part 1)

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.

How Can Solar PV Companies Become More Profitable?

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.

Guest Article: Can Space-based Solar Power Actually Work?

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

Q & A with World Tree – An Amazing Tree-Based Carbon Offset Program

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”.

Perovskite Solar Cells

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.

Using LED Street Lights Can Save Cities Millions of Dollars a Year

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.

Welcome to the Future of Electricity Distribution

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.

An “All of the Above” Approach To Decarbonize our Energy Infrastructure

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.

Natural Gas Will Be The “Bridge Fuel” For Our Renewable Energy Future

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 Wants to Use Traffic Jams To Generate Power

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

Tesla Model X Production Mania

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.

University of Waterloo Researcher Recognized For Breakthroughs In Fuel Cell Technology

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

Did You Know Microsoft Is Powered By 100% Renewable Energy

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

Amazon Wants to Power Data Centers Using 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.

Alberta Will Support 5,000 MW of New Clean Energy Initiatives

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.

Paris Climate Agreement Has Yet To Enter Into Force

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 To Introduce Tesla Rival

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

New Calgary Community Is Bundling Solar Panels With New Homes

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.

New Record for Solar Thermal Efficiency

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.

The Pros and Cons of Solar Roofing

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.

Solar PV Manufacturing Capacity Soars

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.

China Amazes With Dramatic Increase In Solar Energy Capacity

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.

Nunavut Solar Panel Installation Taking Advantage of 24 Hour Sunlight

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.

What Does a Solar Farm Meltdown Look Like?

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

Environmental Impact of Solar Panel Shading

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.

Has Artificial Photosynthesis Been Perfected?

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.

How Does Molten Salt Energy Storage Work?

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.

Interview with Solar4All

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.

3 Thoughts On Energy From Bill Gates

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.

Camouflage Solar Panels

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.

A Brief History of Solar Cells

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

San Francisco Solar Show 2016

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

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

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.

Is Clean Coal Really Clean?

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

Will Solar Farms Overpower Rooftop Solar?

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 Using Solar Panels To Combat Power Shortages

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

Tesla’s Autopilot Mode Involved In Deadly Crash

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

IBM Uses Supercomputer Cooling Technology on Concentrated Solar PV

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

New Solar Road On Missouri’s Route 66

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

This Amazing Sea Slug Feeds On Sunlight

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

Apple Implements Fuel Cells To Help Power New Headquarters

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.

Solar Panel Incentives in PEI

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

Using Hydrogen to Power Cars

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

Can Any Energy Source Replace Oil?

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

Solar Panel Incentives in Nova Scotia

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

Can We Turn CO2 Into Stone?

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

Solar Panel Incentives in Quebec

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

Hyperloop Prototype Hits 116 MPH in 1.1 Seconds

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

India’s Solar Train

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

Police Cruisers Go Electric With Tesla’s Model S

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

Solar Panel Incentives in Saskatchewan

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

Degrees and Certificates in Solar Energy

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

What’s a Duck Curve?

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

Solar Thermal Stove

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.

Germany’s Revolutionary Community: The Sun Ship

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.

3 Interesting Facts on Tidal Power

Do you know what tidal energy is?

What is Geothermal Energy?

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. 

5 Most Amazing Images in Renewable Technology

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

Does It Cost More to Insure a Tesla Model 3 Than a Gasoline Car?

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?

The Sunniest Cities in Canada

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

Oil Sand Giant Suncor Submits Proposal for Solar Farm

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

What to Expect From the Tesla Model 3 When it Launches.

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

How You Can Own Your Own Solar Farm

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.

How efficient can we make a solar cell?

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

A 3D Solar Array From MIT Can Double Energy Production

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

Can roads generate solar electricity?

Can roads be designed to collect solar energy?

Q and A with EverCharge – A Car Charging Solution for Condo Buildings

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

Can Solar Farms Float on Water?

Are engineers installing floating solar farms?

Disney’s Solar Farm

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

3 Questions on Climate Change From Arnold Schwarzenegger

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

Reality Check on Solar Energy (2016)

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

Find Your Home’s Solar Potential with a Tool From MIT

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.

Tesla Model S Vs. BMW i8

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.

The Ultimate Solar Panel Guide for your House

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!

Tesla Model 3 To Sell for $35,000

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).

FINOLHU – The Solar Powered Five Star Resort

Who says luxury and sustainability can’t mix?

Google’s Project Skybender

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

What is Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)?

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

Can Windows Be Turned Into Solar Panels?

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

The surprising facts on how solar panels perform in snowy areas.

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

Will solar energy get integrated into future homes?

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

Q+A Session with the Yeloha – the AirBnB of Solar!

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

Can solar panels survive hail?

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…

The Airbnb of Solar Energy

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

Commercial Scale Battery Energy Storage

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

New Solar Farm in Approved in California

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

How Much Area Would it Take to Power the Globe with Solar Energy

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

How do Solar Vacuum Tubes Work?

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