Solar

Throughout the entire first half of 2015, solar and wind energy accounted for 2,518 megawatts of new electricity generating capacity brought online in the US — some 65 percent of all new capacity added so far this year. Coal accounted for a mere 3 MW during that time period, while natural gas accounted for 1,173 MW (there was no new oil). That’s less than half the amount of solar and wind energy added January to June. Wind alone, at 1,969 MW, was more than all fossil fuels combined.

Coal, the fossil fuel that largely sparked the industrial revolution, may be facing the beginning of the end — at least in terms of generating electricity.

Environmental Entrepeneurs, an organization devoted to promoting green jobs and job creation, released a Labor Day report highlighting the ever-growing number of clean energy jobs out there helping to drive the economy.

The SunZia Transmission Line project, which will help generate wind and solar energy for western states, will move forward after negotiations and compromise from high ranking officials. Hurdles remain — such as an environmental impact analysis — but the project could be in service as early as 2018. The news is welcome for workers. A new study predicts the project will create a total of 43,000 construction jobs.

In a speech Friday at the UMass Amherst Commencement Address, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick called for a "future free of fossil fuels." The history books and future generations will rightfully judge today's "leaders" harshly if they fail to act. Leaders like Gov. Deval Patrick, on the contrary, should and likely will be hailed as heroes and visionaries.

One of the dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the U.S. will soon shut down, thanks to a well-known billionaire and previously passed legislation.

When Google makes renewable energy news, it usually showcases the company’s sustainability as opposed to directly impacting the average American. That could change following this week’s announcement of a nine-figure solar fund.

The sun obviously provides the power source when it comes to solar energy, but an Oregon State University researcher says it can also produce the materials needed to harness that energy.

Costs are down, profits are up, and renewable energy is contributing an increasing amount of electricity to the world's energy grids, according to a report published Monday by the United Nations.