News and Events
Largest solar array in Pennsylvania begins producing power
The largest solar project in Pennsylvania, built on more than 1,755 acres of former farmland, is producing power in central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s Governor Promised 30% Renewable Electricity by 2030. Will That Happen?
A bill in the Legislature would advance Pennsylvania’s meager renewable energy development. Trade groups are already putting their foot down.
Philadelphia will power 25% of its buildings with solar energy from Adams County array by early 2024
A 230,000-panel solar field in rural Adams County will soon put the city of Philadelphia closer to its goal of powering all of its buildings with renewable energy by 2030.
U.S. solar energy capacity could soon overtake wind power
A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data newly released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that solar has grown faster in electrical generation than all other energy sources as well as outpaced them in new U.S. generating capacity added during the first three quarters of 2023.
Sheep graze on Texas solar farms as renewable energy companies embrace agriculture
The practice of using land for both agriculture and solar power generation, known as agrivoltaics, is becoming increasingly common in Texas and nationwide.
Assessment of Solar Development on Previously Impacted Mine Lands in PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Energy Programs Office, in partnership with a project team from the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (ECAMR) and LaBella Associates has conducted an Assessment of Opportunities for Grid-Scale Solar Development on Previously Impacted Mine Lands in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Falling Behind in Renewable Energy Race
New research by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center shows that Pennsylvania is lagging behind the national pace of renewable energy growth.
Four Southeastern Pennsylvania Counties Unite to Purchase Wholesale Energy
(Philadelphia, PA) – Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties have partnered to take a wholesale market approach to purchasing electricity for county operations. Over the past week, each county’s Board of Commissioners voted to form the Southeast Pennsylvania Energy Board. They will work together with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to access low and stable energy prices, access renewable energy in the future, and use resources more efficiently.
The Power of Partnerships | DOE's Schools Programs
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, November 16th, to highlight different partnership models that can help school districts move forward making energy improvements. It will provide examples of community-based partnerships, and partnerships with energy service companies, universities, and utilities.
Can the U.S. Make Solar Panels? This Company Thinks So.
First Solar kept producing them in Ohio after most of the industry moved to China. President Biden wants many more domestic manufacturers.
Drexel U: 1 of 4 Winners of DOE’s American-Made High-Voltage Direct Current Prize
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity announced the four winners of the American-Made High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Prize. This $200,000 prize—$50,000 awarded to each winning team—incentivized competitors to share new technology solutions that improve the performance and resilience of the U.S. energy grid
DOE to Fund Research to Reduce Costs of High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) and Office of Electricity (OE) plan to fund research to drive innovation and reduce costs of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) voltage source converter (VSC) transmission systems. HVDC transmission systems are more efficient than traditional alternating current (AC) transmission systems for transmitting electricity over long distances while minimizing power losses.
Shape the future of building science! Join the 2023-2024 “JUMP into STEM” Student Contest
JUMP into STEM is back with three new challenges and more opportunities for university students interested in building science. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Office’s annual competition kicks off its sixth year August 1, 2023.
Agrivoltaics finds new fans in US Senate
Agriculture and solar: a winning combination for farmers, the climate and now — thanks to two recently introduced bills — maybe the Senate, too.
U.S. senators on both sides of the aisle have recently proposed two bills to boost agrivoltaics, the double-duty climate solution that pairs solar panels (photovoltaics) with agriculture — or closely related land uses that benefit farmers and ecosystems.
Philly teens learned to install solar panels. Then asbestos closed their school.
The celebrated Bright Solar Futures program went on, but without its key hands-on element.
Hyper-efficient solar panels are 1000X > powerful!
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) have discovered a new method to increase the efficiency of solar cells by a factor of 1,000. The team of scientists achieved this breakthrough by creating crystalline layers of barium titanate, strontium titanate, and calcium titanate, which were alternately placed on top of one another in a lattice structure.
Solar Energy Technologies Office
Did you know that transitioning to a clean energy economy protects every American’s fundamental human right to a clean, healthy environment?
Pennsylvania’s largest coal plant is shutting down in July
The Homer City coal-burning power station – Pennsylvania’s largest coal plant – is going to be retired permanently in July 2023.
NBC Covers Philly Students Building Solar Cars
Philadelphia students are building cars powered by solar panels to take part in a race from the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Support Agrivoltaics R&D
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, are introducing the bipartisan Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023.