Apple’s iCloud data center will use 100% renewable energy by 2013

Apple’s main iCloud data center in Maiden, N.C., will be powered entirely by renewable energy by the end of this year with the construction of two solar array installations.

The feat will be accomplished with the construction of both new solar arrays around the existing North Carolina facility, Reuters reported on Thursday. Together, they will supply 84 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year.

The new solar installations will also reportedly rely on high-energy cells and an advanced solar tracking system. … Continue Reading

Climate change having ‘dramatic impact’ on national security

That's a lot of dirty fuel and money burned if it's not renewable and clean.

Climate change has had a direct effect on national security, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said this week.

Panetta told an audience at the Environmental Defense Fund that climate change has raised the need for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, hitting national security in the process.

“The area of climate change has a dramatic impact on national security,” Panetta said. “Rising sea levels, severe droughts, the melting of the polar caps, the more frequent and devastating natural disasters all raise demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.” … Continue Reading

DOE Aims to Attract More Women in Clean Energy Careers

The Energy Department announced on April 26 a three-part plan to help implement the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Women’s Initiative aimed at attracting more women to clean energy careers and advancing their leadership positions. The new program, in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative, is designed to translate the goals of C3E into action in the United States. … Continue Reading

New Report Highlights Importance of Clean Energy Policy, as Well As Need For Reform

U.S. Clean Energy Policies Risk Losing Lead Over China

Alex Morales, Bloomberg News  – The U.S. government is creating a “boom and bust” in renewable energy investment that threatens to undermine its lead over China, the Pew Charitable Trusts said in a report.

U.S. investment reached $48.1 billion in 2011, largely in wind and solar power, the Washington-based research group said last night in a report based on Bloomberg New Energy Finance data. Those funds trumped the $45.5 billion China allocated to renewables, for lead for the U.S. since 2008. … Continue Reading

Greek Hopes Rest on Solar Power for Economic Recovery

The "Helios" solar power plane on first test flight over Niihau after take off

Greece, perhaps more than any other country in the EU, has been the worst hit in the Euro-zone crisis. However, the Greek Prime Minister has declared that renewable energy investments will prove to be crucial to the country’s recovery. … Continue Reading

New Mexico among solar energy leaders

Visual of First Solar, Southern Co. and Turner Renewable Energy project that will add 30 megawatts of utility-scale solar power to the New Mexico electric grid.

SANTA FE, N.M.—A new report says New Mexico is among the nation’s leaders in production of electricity from solar power. … Continue Reading

North America’s Largest Rooftop Solar Power Plant Formally Completed

The Riverside Project calls for the installation of 27528 photovoltaic rooftop solar - that's plenty of jobs created and energy being saved.

GLOUCESTER CITY, N.J., PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., today presented Gloucester Marine Terminal officials with an award letter announcing an $11 million federal tax credit rebate for the recently-completed groundbreaking new rooftop solar power plant project, the largest of its kind in North America. … Continue Reading