Earth Wise

A look at our changing environment.

You are here: Home / Archives for solar farms

solar farms

Utility-Scale Solar Power

By

Solar panels on the roofs of houses have become a familiar sight in recent years, but utility-scale solar – installations of 10 megawatts and greater – are really booming these days.   Throughout the United States, more than 10.5 gigawatts of utility-scale solar were added to the electric grid in 2016 – enough to power more than 2 million homes – and at least 8 gigawatts more are scheduled to come online this year.

[Read more…] about Utility-Scale Solar Power

Solar Power As A Crop

By

The historic, relentless drought in California has caused a number of the state’s farmers to start planting photovoltaic panels instead of crops.  Because of the drought, Federal water deliveries to farmers in the Central Valley and elsewhere have been dwindling.   As a result of the water shortage, more than 500,000 acres will lie fallow this year.

[Read more…] about Solar Power As A Crop

Solar Power And The Landscape

By

solar-array

The use of solar power is growing rapidly but with all the growth, solar power only provides 1% of the country’s electricity.  On the other hand, in 2014, solar power accounted for almost a third of all the new US electric generating capacity.  According to the International Energy Agency, solar power could be the world’s leading source of electricity by the year 2050.

[Read more…] about Solar Power And The Landscape

WAMC Northeast Public Radio

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio is a regional public radio network serving parts of seven northeastern states (more...)