Britain went the entire Easter weekend without using coal power
This weekend, Britain showed that it’s possible in this day and age to live without coal —at least, when the conditions are right. For a stretch of time spanning more than 90 hours this Easter weekend, Britain generated no electricity at all from coal, marking the longest period since the Read More...
Report: Clean energy now accounts for one-third of global power capacity
When the Optimist Daily was just getting started, powering the world via renewable energy was still somewhat of a pipe dream. In the last few years, we’ve witnessed rapid progress when it comes to renewables for a number of reasons. First, the cost of producing solar panels and wind turbines, as Read More...
New study finds solar or wind energy is cheaper than coal in most of America
According to a major new study, the clock is running out for coal energy. Around three-quarters of US coal production is now more expensive than solar and wind energy in providing electricity to American households. The study’s authors used public financial filings and data from the Energy Read More...
Belgian scientists have come up with a solar panel that produces hydrogen
Heating homes and buildings with oil, propane, or natural gas costs a lot of money and pumps a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. How great would it be if there was a solar panel that would convert sunlight into clean burning zero emissions hydrogen to keep us all toasty warm at home and at Read More...
The UK’s renewable sector surpasses fossil fuels in terms of generating power
Britain is showing unprecedented progress in its quest to become carbon-neutral by 2050. A new report shows that renewables in the country have set a new record with 42 gigawatts of capacity, overtaking the 40.6 gigawatts available from fossil fuels. The report also shows that the leading sources Read More...
First California public floating solar power system delivered
Kelseyville County Waterworks District #3 will now host California's first floating solar power system. The innovative new design, announced by its producer, Ciel & Terre USA, will consist of a new 252 kW floating photovoltaic power system which will produce up to 1,650 kWh a year. The 720 Read More...
Tower of power
Martin Lindsay, a London-based businessman, parked his Jaguar in the wrong spot. He left it for several hours beneath a concave skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street, and came back to find that the sun, reflected off the building, had melted his car. We have much to gain from Lindsay’s misfortune. A Read More...
Danny Kennedy: Solar energy entrepreneur
Actress Cate Blanchett applauds Danny Kennedy's work in the solar power industry. He helped in turning the Sydney Theatre Company into a green building. Cate Blanchett | Jan/Feb 2010 issue I first met Danny through my husband, Andrew, and have followed his work on clean energy for years. Read More...
Hot stuff
Bhutanese refugees in Nepal have a new way to prepare meals, without firewood, kerosene or the risk of smoke inhalation - the solar cooker. Marco Visscher | Jan/Feb 2008 issue Bhutanese refugees in Nepal have a new way to prepare meals, without firewood, kerosene or the risk of smoke Read More...
The second coming of solar power
More than just an environmental breakthrough, a new generation of photovoltaics can improve life in remote communities. Craig Cox| September 2007 issue For 40 years, scientists and environmental activists alike have been eagerly awaiting the dawn of the solar age, a time when humans could finally Read More...