As the demand for energy continues to rise, it is becoming more important to integrate solar power and other forms of renewable energy into energy infrastructures across the globe. Conventional energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, are often located hundreds to thousands of miles away from where they will eventually be used and their use contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, aging power grid infrastructures can become overburdened as urban populations grow, straining the grid and leading to power outages. Distributed energy generation, such as solar power, can offset the growing demand for power while preserving the environment.
Monocrystalline solar panel.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies were largely developed as a result of the need to provide power in space, and factors in space influenced the chemistry development of these technologies. P-type cells were produced because of their better resistance to cosmic radiation and they are still the leading type of solar cell available on the market today. But they ...read more
Southern Nevada solar installation.
For nearly two decades, electric rates in Southern Nevada have been relatively consistent and low costs in recent years have been attributed to the region’s primary use of natural gas for electrical generation. But the cost of this primary feedstock has jumped considerably over the last two years and consumers are feeling the impact through higher power bills. As a ...read more
Fronius Primo inverter with display screen.
Manual override provides an individual the ability to move past the boundaries of an automated system. In the solar industry, this ability is usually handled by equipment technicians. But for today’s solar professionals, the old system of manual overrides has been overridden. The more recent lines of SolarEdge inverters have joined the ...read more
Solar installation at the Visitor Center in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
About 30% of the states in the U.S. have deregulated electricity markets. Now, in 2018, Nevada is seeking to officially join those states through the second passage of a ballot measure that would provide for the establishment of an open, competitive retail electric energy market in Nevada. It has been said that deregulation has led to customers ...read more
The Hyundai NEXO hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle.
Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle, NEXO, made its debut at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, NV and is currently selling in its home town of South Korea. This clean-lined crossover, available in two editions, emits only water from the tailpipe and actually purifies the air when it is in motion. The NEXO features a 95 kW fuel cell stack ...read more
Industry Analysts, Corrie Bosket (far left) and Amber Bosket (far right), pictured with Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval at the National Clean Energy Summit 9.0 in Las Vegas.
Solar energy, energy storage, and even autonomous electric vehicles were all part of the discussion at the National Clean Energy Summit 9.0: Integrating Innovation, held at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV on October 13, 2017. Hosted by Senator Harry Reid and NV Governor Brian Sandoval, this year’s conversation was ...read more
Harry Allen Generating Station
One of the most significant problems that can occur during a disaster is a loss of electricity. Power loss can lead to many negative consequences such as inoperable fueling stations, limited or non-existent city water supplies, reduced functionality of emergency services, inactive fire alarms and security systems, the inability for homes and buildings to regulate temperatures, challenges for food availability and preparation, and ...read more
Under the hood of the Toyota fuel cell vehicle.
The Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius Plug-in are examples of hybrid electric cars that bring practicality to the table. With their ability to run on electricity and gasoline, they have combined the innovation of the electric car with the advantage of being able to fill up at a gas ...read more
An 8.1 kW solar installation near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Prior to 2014, solar energy was growing in Southern Nevada at a strong, healthy pace. Solar was still rather costly, but consumer interest was growing and the local power company, NV Energy, was offering its customers a monetary incentive to dive in and take the solar gamble…which is exactly what many people did. But it wasn’t until SolarCity came on the scene in May 2014 that solar growth in ...read more
A solar electric installation near the Navajo Generation Station, a 2,250 megawatt coal-fired power plant located on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Page, Arizona.
An agency within the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified air pollution as a leading environmental cause of cancer. Air pollution, which is already associated with heart and lung diseases, is now being classified in the same category as UV radiation and tobacco smoke. Since the majority of air pollution is created from sources such as car exhaust, power generation, and the ...read more