Daily updates in appearance of chronological order http://www.solarcompanies.com/ Saudi Arabia is known for many things. Renewable energy is not one of them. Considering it is swimming in oil, the announcement by the country that it intends to launch a hugely ambitious domestic solar power generation initiative is a head scratcher. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-saudi-arabia Wind energy has often been thought of as a fairly stagnant technology. Big advances in wind energy from wind stalks to residential wind power solutions are changing that perception. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/big-advances-in-wind-energy- Europe is a major player in the solar energy market. The economic problems in the EU will have a massive effect on the solar energy industry. This article explains why. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/what-european-economic-struggles-mean-for-solar-power Article discussing new net metering policy for solar energy in Brazil. Discusses how oil discoveries, ethanol and solar energy could radically change Brazil into an energy power. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/brazil-maturing-as-energy-force Article discussing the environmental impact of solar energy and whether it is truly a clean energy platform. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/environmental-impact-solar-energy Recent solar industry study produces some very interesting poll numbers about the future of solar energy in the United States. Perhaps it is a sign the solar industry is maturing. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-solar-industry-can-play-funny-with-study-numbers-to Big business is moving to solar energy in mass. What is the reason for this? A popular PR feedback loop created by consumers in favor of solar power and solar panels. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-big-business-positive-pr-feedback-loop United States slapped tariffs on solar panel imports from China this past week. Once it did so, many wondered what the response of China would be to the decision. We now know that response and it is a very interesting one. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/china-response-to-solar-tariffs-is-very-interesting In a decision sure to set off a trade war, the US Commerce Department has ruled that it will impose tariffs on solar panel imports from China. The decision came down on March 20, 2012. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/commerce-department-imposes-tariffs-on-solar-panel-imports-from-china Europe has long been the biggest supporter of solar energy, but that is about to change. Due to financial problems, solar incentives are going the way of the dodo bird in Europe. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-incentives-die-in-europe In this part 4 of the Zen of Oil expose, we look at the final element of the debate surrounding energy usage in our world. In this case, we are looking at the human element. http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/the-zen-of-oil-part-4-the-human-element- Part 3 of the Zen of Oil expose takes a look at alternatives to our current oil addiction. Topics such as algae biofuels, tar sands, shale oil and natural gas are discussed. http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/the-zen-of-oil-part-3-oil-alternatives Part 2 of the Zen of Oil expose. In this part, we look at the issue of supply and demand, elephant oil fields, peak oil, production problems and the economic ramifications including conflict and depressions. http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/the-zen-of-oil-part-2 The Zen of Oil is an objective expose on oil. Part 1 addresses the fact that without oil, we would be living in a much less prosperous world. Thus we should happy with the discovery of oil, not considering it to be something evil. http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/the-zen-of-oil-part-1 If you follow are musings at all, you know we are mad about the potential for nanotechnology to rapidly advance solar energy as a mainstream energy platform. It never seems to happen, but the nano revolution is coming closer every day! http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/three-nanotechnology-solar-breakthroughs The trade battle between China and the United States over the issue of solar imports is getting heated. The fact China flooded the U.S. with panels just before the end of 2011 makes it all the more so. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/china-flooded-us-with-solar-panel-imports-at-end-of-2011 We at SolarCompanies.com don't often tout certain lifestyles, but we ran across an article on Yahoo.com that is led us to an interesting man. It is all about a guy who simplified his life. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/simplify-your-life As you know, the renewable energy movement has been based on the concern we are using up fossil fuel resources. Shale oil is now supposed to save us from depletion. In truth, this is a myth. http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/the-shale-oil-myth As we enter a new year, it is time once again to look into the crystal ball and predict what we will see in solar energy for 2012. Let me get my magician hat on first… http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-predictions-for-2012 There is little dispute that Chinese solar companies are laying waste to U.S. manufactures. The surprise is American financial institutions help them. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/how-american-financial-institutions-help-china-kill-off-use-solar-companies The biggest solar panel manufacturer and Bank of America are teaming up to put solar panels on military housing. The $1 billion project is a massive commitment. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/the-solarstrong-project In a sweeping move, Google has decided to do some "spring cleaning"…in October and ditch a number of programs. Sadly, this includes ditching its support for solar energy. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/google-ditches-solar-energy The ongoing Chinese takeover of the United States solar panel market has hit a snag. The Justice Department has started an investigation to see if the imported panels violate federal law. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/china-takeover-of-us-solar-panel-market-hits-snag The solar energy industry has been going through a golden period the last decade. That is about to end and we now will see if solar energy can stand on its own. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-energy-must-stand-on-its-own The massive increase in residential solar energy use is running smack dab into a practical problem, the antiquated electric grid in many countries. It points to a bigger problem. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-solar-energy-and-electric-grid-conundrum Solar energy has often been touted as an alternative to oil use, but what if it can actually extend the use of oil in the modern world? As far fetched as it sounds, it appears to be happening. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-energy-key-to-oil-problem China and the United States appear to be heading towards a potential trade war on solar panels of all things. The problem is how the government support their companies. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/china-and-united-states-to-enter-trade-war-on-solar-panels The Solyndra mess might lead one to think solar energy was in for a rough ride. The opposite is true as solar energy use continues to grow in the United States. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-grows-in-us-despite-solyndra-mess Any discussion of solar and renewable energy with critics usually results in the claim that it is to primitive to supply more than a fraction of our energy needs. Germany is proving otherwise. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/germany-destroys-critics-of-solar-and-renewable-energy Well, they say that an industry hasn't arrived until it has had its first major political scandal. For solar energy, the Solyndra boondoggle may just be that scandal. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/the-solyndra-boondoggle The relationship between the military and renewable energy is a complex one. You might be surprised to learn we are not adamantly against it even though we are a solar site. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-military-and-renewable-energy The United States is in need of a big positive development. While politicians flounder, I am here to tell you a solar energy Manhattan project could do the trick in a number of ways. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/we-need-a-solar-energy-manhattan-project The debt debacle in Washington, D.C., is pointing to a near future where renewable energy incentives disappear. Given this, can solar power compete with fossil fuels on its own merits or will it return to being a fringe energy platform? http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/can-solar-compete-with-fossil-fuels-on-its-own-merits The future of solar energy is bright goes the old joke because, well, the sun and all. Still, if we look forward, where will solar energy be ten years from now in 2021? http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/where-will-solar-energy-be-in-2021 Have you been considering buying a solar panel system, but aren't sure if you should? Well, you better get off the fence and buy now or you face losing out on major financial incentives. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/why-you-must-buy-solar-panel-systems-now I hate to say it, but one has to follow the money in the solar industry to see the future viability of the energy platform. In doing so, a clear trend becomes apparent. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/follow-the-money-in-solar-industry Any mention of solar power usually raises images of using the sun to heat things such as water. In truth, you can use solar power to cool a home as well. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/using-solar-power-to-cool-your-home- I am not a big fan of marketing, but I know greatness when I see it. A particular campaign being run by solar company SunRun is a masterpiece. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/greatest-solar-energy-marketing-campaign-ever Waves are an inexhaustible energy source if you can just figure out how to gather the energy. Wave power ships might be the answer. http://www.solarcompanies.com/Wave/wave-power-ships What happens when a car dies? We tend to name our cars, so does it have a soul and where does it go? In the case of the Nissan Leaf, the battery soul lives on! http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/nissan-leaf-battery-soul-to-live-on The Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a power purchasing agreement involving the Block Island offshore wind farm project. It is a huge step to going forward. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/rhode-island-supreme-court-ruling-advances-nations-first-offshore-wind-farm The federal government is currently hotly debating how to come up with a solution to the debt ceiling problem. Unfortunately, federal solar incentives are in serious trouble. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/federal-solar-incentives-under-attack Like a little Matrix and Terminator in your solar energy discussion? The Sahara Solar Breeder Project seems to be a major step towards providing it. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-sahara-solar-breeder-project 2011 is the year of renewable energy for Google. The search engine behemoth has is on pace to invest more than $1.4 billion in wind, solar and other renewable energy projects. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/google-putting-money-where-virtual-mouth-is-on-renewable-energy Our prediction for 2011 was that solar panel prices would go down, down, down. Now it looks like they are going to go up, up, up as silver prices rise and impact manufactures. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-panel-prices-to-go-back-up-because-of-silver-prices President Obama has failed to meet a deadline to put solar panels and a solar water heat on the White House. So much for the green President. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/president-obama-breaks-promise-to-put-solar-panels-on-white-house The 10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011 is a new bill that will be coming before Congress soon. It is a part of the legislature's effort to address energy issues. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/10-million-solar-roofs-act-of-2011 The huge Ivanpah solar farm located in eastern California will move forward after the Fish and Wildlife agency ruled endangered desert turtles would not be threatened by it. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/huge-ivanpah-solar-farm-to-move-forward-after-endangered-turtle-scare The best way to get around Europe is the excellent train system. A new track lets you head from Paris to Amsterdam powered by electricity generated from solar power. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/from-paris-to-amsterdam-on-solar-power The concept of peak oil has evolved from a dismissed theory to one governments actively plan for. You don't hear much from the United States on it, but the government is planning for it. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/federal-government-subtly-plans-for-peak-oil Proponents of a green energy revolution tout the job creation possibilities as a benefit. Is this really true? Does green energy really create jobs and job growth? Let's take a look http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/does-green-energy-really-create-jobs Google likes to say it does no evil as it slogan. Some would roll their eyes at that. Still, the latest move by Google shows it really blows and in a very good way. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/google-blows-and-it-is-a-good-thing Japan's energy situation is dire. To help resolve the problem, it is considering a mandate for solar panels to be included on all new buildings by 2030. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/japan-to-mandate-solar-panels-on-all-new-buildings-by-2030 The big move in solar power is to go industrial with huge solar farms. One version, the molten salt solar farm uses what I call the boys and their bugs technology. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/molten-salt-solar-farms Solar panels are woefully inefficient. It has long been the dream of eggheads like moi to see a highly efficient solar panel. Well, a 90 percent efficient solar panel may be coming soon. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/90-percent-efficient-solar-panel-coming The stats are out and to the surprise of many, New Jersey has come out as the second state using solar power the most. This calls for a recitation of the New Jersey solar story. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-new-jersey-solar-story GM has made a green move with its Chevy Volt. Now it is launching a small solar farm at the plant that builds the car to reduce costs and global emissions. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/gm-launches-solar-farm-for-factory India and China are often criticized for not embracing clean energy. In the case of India, that might be changing with news it is making a massive move towards solar power. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/india-makes-massive-move-towards-solar-power-future- First Solar is a solar firm that is getting pounded on the stock market for poor revenue results. Here is why you should care about problems at First Solar and what you can do. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/why-you-should-care-about-problems-at-first-solar Mention solar and people tend to think of panels on roofs and a certain hippy element. Given this, you might be surprised to learn the role of solar power on the battlefield. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-power-on-the-battlefield The news is out that French oil company, Total, has purchased a majority share in SunPower, an American solar panel producer. This news is significant for a number of reasons. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/why-total-oil-company-purchase-of-solar-company-is-significant The Solar Energy Industries Association is out with its list of the top 10 states that use solar energy. The list is not really comprised of any surprises, which is a bit disappointing. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/the-top-10-solar-states Within just the past decade or so we have been privy to some very exciting discoveries and innovations in the name of renewable energy solutions. There have been some especially promising advances in regards to the potential of solar energy. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/innovation-features-more-facelifts-than-michael-jackson- That's not a mirage you're seeing in California's Mojave Desert—it's renewable energy taking its largest step forward yet through what will be the largest solar electric generating system in the world, dethroning the PS20 solar power plant located near Se http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/more-on-the-huge-ivanpah-solar-electric-generating-system Big Apple Garbage Dumps Going Solar New York has often been called the ultimate concrete jungle http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/big-apple-garbage-dumps-going-solar Google has got its green grove on something fierce. The company that claims to do no evil has just announced a $100 million investment in the world's largest wind farm. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/google-invests-100-million-in-worlds-largest-wind-farm Your own solar farm will help you get paid to save the planet. A law in CA requires electric companies to pay you for solar energy you generate. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-farm General Electric is often considered a bit of a bell weather in the energy industry. The fact GE is investing $600 million into its thin film solar division is a good sign for solar power. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/ge-goes-all-in-on-solar-power 3M is one of the largest companies in the world. Its announcement of a new Chinese plant to produce solar products highlights a fundamental issue in the solar industry. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/new-3m-chinese-plant-raises-fundamental-solar-industry-issues Google has been stretching its investment arms out into a lot of interesting areas. A new move we are seeing is Google getting its solar groove on as it starts considering energy issues. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/google-getting-its-solar-groove-on Article discussing the advancement in solar power in the energy segment. Specifically, the fact that global solar cell production has doubled. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/global-solar-cell-production-doubles We informed you a few weeks ago that the California State Senate passed legislation State Bill 23 (SB 23), which then progressed on to SB 2X, indicating a huge/gigantic/colossal/unprecedented leap forward for renewable energy. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/33-percent-renewable-energy-law-passes Skyscrapers usually consist of a whole lot of glass. Well, what if you could turn that glass into a solar energy producer? A program in Chicago is trying to do just that. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/turning-skyscrapers-into-solar-energy-producers Tidal movements are massive sources of untapped energy, but perhaps not for much longer. The largest tidal energy plant in the world is set to launch in Scotland. http://www.solarcompanies.com/tidal/largest-tidal-energy-plant-in-world-to-launch-in-scotland In the past, we've touted the major breakthrough in solar efficiency that will be solar dots. Here's a quick update as to where things stand in 2011 with these magical dots. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-dots-2011-update Nuclear Disasters Continue to Add Up When Do We Finally Learn Our lesson http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/nuclear-disasters-continue The events of the last week in Japan are simply staggering. The triple tragedy is pure horror and the kind of thing you would not wish on any country. As bizarre as it sounds, however, the tsunami in particular shows the power that moving water can have. http://www.solarcompanies.com/tidal/staggering-power-of-japan-tsunami-shows-potential-of-wave-and-tidal-power Nuclear energy has been making a comeback in the states. The question now is what does Japan's unfolding nuclear catastrophe mean in the world of energy? http://www.solarcompanies.com/fossil-fuels/japan-nuclear-reactor-meltdown Sunlight is chock full of the good stuff we need to create electricity, but solar cells are just to inefficient. A new 40 percent efficient solar cell is coming to the market that will change that. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/40-percent-efficient-solar-cell-coming-to-market Senate Bill 2x Brings California another Step Closer to Renewable Energy The California State Senate recently passed legislation State Senate Bill 23 (SB 23), signifying a gigantic step forward for renewable energy http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/ca-senate-bill-2x Geothermal energy is very clean and a great renewable resource. A proposal to use volcanic magma as a geothermal energy source is just madness. http://www.solarcompanies.com/geothermal/volcanic-geothermal-energy Australia is barreling forward with plans for a 2.7 billion dollar wind farm project. The commercial side is set up. Now the government just has to come through. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/two-billion-dollar-australian-wind-farms-planned Biomass has always been a bit of a joke as a renewable energy. Massive pollution fines leveled against two biomass plants in California bear this out. http://www.solarcompanies.com/biomass/biomass-joke-further-proven-with-huge-pollution-fines Clean and renewable energy is gaining some very positive traction in the world, creating some exciting momentum. http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/another-big-breakthrough-on-the-way-for-clean-energy The solar revolution is on. The move of the Department of Energy to cut solar energy costs by 75 percent shows how short the revolution might be. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/department-of-energy-seeks-to-cut-solar-energy-cost-by-75-percent California SB 23 Our Future Is Only as Certain as Our Energy Sources - Fight for a New Renewable Energy Standard for California http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/california-sb-23 Solar Power and the State of the Union Address Clean and Green Energy Remains Our Choice 2011 http://www.solarcompanies.com/news/solar-state-of-the-union-address The Departments of Energy and the Interior have issued a Solar Energy Zone proposal that is causing a stir. The proposal aims to streamline the solar utility project process. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-energy-zone-proposal A new law is calling for the United States military to go solar with one big caveat. It must buy American solar panels, not Chinese. I believe the slogan is "Vote American!" http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/no-chinese-solar-panels-for-united-states-military The tragic shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords is a blow to the solar industry. Rep. Giffords has long been a friend of solar energy, and the industry is noting as much. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/rep-gabrielle-giffords-a-friend-of-solar-energy The last few years have seen solar energy become a major player in the energy game. So, what can we expect for solar energy in 2011? Here are our predictions. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/predictions-for-solar-energy-in-2011 The cost of solar panel systems has always been a problem. That is about to change. Solar panel prices will fall dramatically in 2011 thanks to a glut of inventory. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-panel-prices-to-fall-dramatically-in-2011- The Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL have joined the renewable energy movement. They are converting their stadium to solar and wind power. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/nfl-philadelphia-eagles-convert-to-solar-and-wind-power Boeing is known as an aerospace company selling commercial and military products. Boeing has announced it is also going to sell 40 percent efficient solar panels to the public soon. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/boeing-to-sell-40-percent-efficient-solar-panels The City of Los Angeles has slammed through a new regulation slashing solar rebates starting January 1, 2011. For Los Angelinos, now is the time to buy to make the cutoff. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/los-angeles-solar-rebates-to-be-slashed-beginning-january-1-2011 PG&E has announced the suspension of a wave energy project in Northern California before it really got off the road. The reason? As always – money. http://www.solarcompanies.com/Wave/pge-suspends-wave-energy-project-in-northern-california Critics of solar power say it has few real world practical applications. To that, all we can say is let us introduce the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/introducing-the-logitech-wireless-solar-keyboard-k750 New Jersey has seen a boom in solar energy the last few years. You might be wondering why? It all comes down to an interesting solar cap and trade system. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/the-new-jersey-solar-cap-and-trade-system Bohai Bay is probably a name you've never heard of. Well, you will hear a lot about it soon. It is the bay in which China is building the biggest offshore wind farm in the world. http://www.solarcompanies.com/wind/bohai-bay-china-biggest-offshore-wind-farm The solar energy industry has received criticism that it is a trend the last few years. A closer look at the numbers show solar energy is still growing massively. http://www.solarcompanies.com/solar-articles/solar-energy-still-showing-massive-growth