The United States reached a milestone in solar panel installation earlier this year, after 40 years of the industry attempting to gain a foothold. Now the industry is preparing for "warp speed."
"Sometime around the end of February, the millionth solar installation came on-line in the United States" reports Julia Pyper, "a milestone that says as much about where the solar industry is going as it does about how far the industry has come."
Dan Whitten, vice president of communications at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), is quoted directly in the article to put the achievement in perspective: "It took us 40 years to get to 1 million installations, and it will take us only two years to get to 2 million…"
The article includes a lot more detail about the industry context for the achievement of one million panels, how the industry got to this point (including an example of local actions taken from Clayton, Missouri), and a preview of some of the remaining challenges facing the industry.
FULL STORY: The US Solar Market Is Now 1 Million Installations Strong
This Low-Cost, Organic Material Could Bring Solar Energy to All Electronics
Solar energy has been a game changer in energy production in recent years, but the game could be about the change again. Add graphene to the list of disruptive technologies that could transform energy infrastructure as we know it.
California Leads in Solar Rooftops
A combination of state and local incentives and building code mandates has helped California far outpace other states in residential rooftop solar permits.
Arizona Native Community Launches First Solar-Over-Canal Project
Covering an irrigation canal with solar panels doubles its utility, producing renewable energy while protecting canal infrastructure and reducing water evaporation.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service