Google has just sealed a deal to invest $168 million in a Mojave Desert solar energy plant. The investment is going to BrightSource Energy, a company that develops and operates large-scale solar power plants, specifically to fund its Ivanpah project.

Forbes - April 6, 2011 by Osha Gray Davidson

-Origin: Boots on the Roof

It is easy to make predictions for solar power growth, but when it continues to occur- people sit up and take notice. According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight, utility PV installations more than tripled in 2010, up 72% from 2009. Grid-connected PV installations increased by 102% and the industry rose from $3.6 billion in 2009, to $6.0 billion in 2010.
This makes the total solar power sector the fastest growing energy sector at 67%.

From the looks of it, Michigan and Wisconsin have the two lowest renewable energy standards in the Midwest. The states have committed to ramping up their renewable use to 10 percent by 2015, while other states in the region, like Minnesota and Illinois, are shooting for more than 20 percent by 2025.

Posted by: Michael Noble on Mar 21, 2011 with Fresh Energy

Although the effectiveness is debatable, it is uplifting to see the United Nations set goals in reducing fossil fuel usage and raise renewable energy accessibility. At the January 17, 2011 4th Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon commented upon the expected increase of energy consumption of 40% over the next 20 years, mainly in developing countries which makes sense due to increasing populations. Ban Ki-Moon estimates that 1.6 billion people lack access to electricity.

Oil prices are rising as we can see by how much it is now costing to fill our gas tanks and heat our homes. The Northeast of the United States is making efforts to reduce this stress by implementing more renewable energy for average home and business owners. Here is an article we found where a coalition is determined to advance the use of biomass for heat and power.

Electric bills can become overwhelming, especially in mid-winter. Here are some tips that can have an impressive impact on lowering your electric bill.

Xcel Energy has voluntarily created a solar rewards program in Minnesota. This reward pays it's customers a large sum of money to help offset the cost of installing solar. In exchange Xcel takes ownership of the Renewable Energy Credits - a bi-product of generating renewable energy. It is a huge incentive and truly brings the upfront investment down to a manageable amount. But what is Xcel doing elsewhere?