renewable energy

Spray-on solar windows use teeny tiny solar cells to capture energy

If the Internet has taught us anything, it is that everything is better when it is smaller. Kittens are better than cats. Cake pops are better than cakes. LEGO models of anything are pretty great, even if the full-sized version is pretty iffy (say, a meth lab). Thus: Solar panels? Good. Teeny tiny solar cells? […]

Critical List: Massive tariffs for Chinese solar panels; Bike to Work Day

The Commerce Department announced that the U.S. could put tariffs of up to 250 percent on Chinese solar panels imported into the country. It’s Bike to Work Day! First the Arizona Congress wanted crazy legislation to ban all government work on sustainability, now it’s the New Hampshire Congress. So trendy!

Critical List: A blueprint for a ‘bioeconomy’; urban chicken retirement

The Obama administration is going to release a blueprint for a “bioeconomy” — an idea that includes renewable energy and biological manufacturing. Here is what conservatives think about energy and the environment, for real. Apparently environmentalists want America to suffer, to follow not lead … TO FAIL. Watch this video to get angry. China’s reaching […]

One giant, offshore wind turbine can provide power for 6,000 people

Off the coast of Belgium, truly gigantic wind turbines are going up. They're rated at 6.15 megawatts and the blades of these monsters cover the surface of two soccer fields.

Batteries could make power grid unnecessary in some countries

Aquion specializes in making large batteries, cheaply. They don’t look like much -- they live in a former TV factory outside Pittsburgh, and you'll probably never buy any of their products.

Why climate change is irrelevant to clean energy

Maggie Koerth-Baker, science editor at BoingBoing, has written a book. Here’s the basic idea: In America at least, if we want to get anything done on clean energy, we have to divorce it from conversations about climate change.

11 important clean energy provisions in Obama’s budget proposal

By including investments in clean energy and efficiency that will create jobs and save taxpayers money, the president has proposed a budget for the 99%.

Critical List: Obama budget ups clean energy funding; Monsanto poisoned farmer

Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy that chocolate now: it could be harder to find as climate change takes its toll on the cacao tree. Here are some other “green(ish)” ideas for presents to the one you love, be it your sweetie, your kid, your BFF, or your favorite teacher. And here’s Grist’s V-day roundup. President Obama’s […]

DOE Loan Guarantee Program will cost $2 billion less than expected

Shocker: An independent analysis of the DOE Loan Guarantee Program found that loan guarantees for energy have been successful, cost-effective investments.