BrightSource Energy's controversial Ivanpah solar project is rounding the bend toward the finish line, getting clearance Wednesday from the California Energy Commission to start construction.

If the company also gets approval in the coming weeks from the federal Bureau of Land Management, it could break ground this fall on the planned 370-megawatt Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System.

The project, slated for a patch of the Mojave Desert near Primm, Nev., is expected to nearly double the amount of solar thermal electricity currently being produced in the U.S., the commission said. The energy coming out will be enough to power 140,000 homes while creating more than 1,000 local jobs at the height of construction.

It hasn't been an easy process for BrightSource, which has had to . The intended 3,600-acre site was trimmed down from an original plan for 4,073 acres producing 440 megawatts after complaints about potential effects on the endangered desert tortoise population.

The company...

BrightSource Energy's controversial Ivanpah solar project is rounding the bend toward the finish line, getting clearance Wednesday from the California Energy Commission to start construction.

If the company also gets approval in the coming weeks from the federal Bureau of Land Management, it could break ground this fall on the planned 370-megawatt Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System.

The project, slated for a patch of the Mojave Desert near Primm, Nev., is expected to nearly double the amount of solar thermal electricity currently being produced in the U.S., the commission said. The energy coming out will be enough to power 140,000 homes while creating more than 1,000 local jobs at the height of construction.

It hasn't been an easy process for BrightSource, which has had to . The intended 3,600-acre site was trimmed down from an original plan for 4,073 acres producing 440 megawatts after complaints about potential effects on the endangered desert tortoise population.

The company...

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eurus Energy America and NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), have joined forces to build what will be, upon completion, the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facility in California. When operating at full capacity, the three Avenal zero-emission solar projects—Avenal Park, Sun City and Sand Drag—will generate a total of 45 megawatts (MW), enough power to meet the needs of 36,000 homes cleanly and efficiently. The Avenal projects, located in Kings County, CA, were developed by Eurus and are owned jointly by Eurus and NRG.    Eurus and NRG have completed construction financing on all three projects, and given full notice to proceed on Sun City (20 MW) and Sand Drag (19 MW) to the Ryan Company, Inc., the engineering, procurement and contracting firm that will construct the Avenal projects. Ryan Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR), will begin mobilizing immediately to start co...

TIGARD, Ore., Sept. 23  /PRNewswire/ -- The Arlington Heights Community, another successful collaboration between LiveLight Energy, LLC, and Stone Bridge Homes NW, opens this weekend on Bull Mountain in Tigard.  Complimentary refreshments from NW Natural will be available and KINK FM will be on-site with prizes and giveaways. Solar displays and a fully furnished model will be open for tours from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept. 26. Further details about the new homes being built at Arlington Heights, as well as driving directions and more, can be found at dmrealty.com/arlingtonheights.html. According to LiveLight Energy solar assessments, these new Bull Mountain green certified homes maximize savings on annual utility bills. The homes at Arlington Heights on Bull Mountain are priced from the mid-$300,000s and offer options for customizable solar panel systems. Multiple financial advantages are currently available to homebuyers interested in solar panel s...

Solar panels on the roofs of homes across America could free this nation from energy dependence on Mideast oil supplies, make the Canadian tar sands obsolete, and provide decades of clean, renewable energy.

Unfortunately, home solar panels are expensive, with systems big enough to cover a home’s energy needs running as high as $60,000 or more. This is increased by as much as 30 percent in some cases when , though the average is closer to 10 percent.

Unfortunately for most of us, limited engineering and electrical skills make dangerous, if not actually illegal.

One way conundrum is to lease panels, from such reputable solar firms as , , , and – the last also known as One Block Off the Grid, though you don’t have to be off-grid to take advantage of their solar leasing program.

In fact, leasing is becoming an increasing percentage of the U.S. solar power market, with more and more companies – supported by the 30 percent credit from ARRA (t...

GEYSERVILLE, Calif., Sept. 13  /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation Wines U.S., the country's leading premium wine company, announced today a major expansion of its solar energy initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  The company plans to invest in three new solar energy installations across California at its Clos du Bois winery in Geyserville; Ravenswood winery in Sonoma; and Estancia winery in Monterey County. The projects build on the company's solar initiative which began in 2009 with the inaugural installation at the Gonzales winery in Gonzales, Calif.   Approximately 17,000 solar panels will be installed at the four wineries by the end of 2010, making the initiative the largest solar footprint in the U.S. wine industry. The solar power generated is projected to cover most if not all of the wineries' energy needs. Specifically, the systems will provide the Estancia and Ravenswood wineries with 100 percent of their annua...

An activist caravan to bring one of Jimmy Carter’s solar panels back to the White House symbolizes the time that the U.S. has lost in developing new energy technologies – and the urgent need for taking action on climate. BY BILL MCKIBBEN...

Ever since 9/11, the American people have had an ongoing love affair with the men and women of the New York City fire department.

Usually identified only as NYFD, and instantly recognizable for their courage on that day of infamy, these brave individuals have given us yet another reason to love them. At the Bellevue Fire District No. 9, the crew has , freeing themselves from total dependence on the aging New York electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.

The move also frees the city from generating a small portion of electricity from fossil fuels. primarily burns , which – though 45-percent than coal – still produces carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides, greenhouse gases associated with global warming (or climate change), acid rain and smog. Natural gas is also quite expensive.

Number 9 now boasts a significant number of – 140 200-watt panels, to be exact – and all ready to generate more than 23 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per ye...

located in Salt Lake City will be the new home of the largest rooftop solar panel installation in America. The installation is expected to be finished next year.The array is a 600,000 square feet and will provide a quarter of the energy needs for Salt Palace. Mega-powerful at 2.6 megawatts, the installation is being done by several companies including and.Learn more at .