Solar is no longer alternative energy—it's the new default

Solar is no longer alternative energy—it's the new default

Around the globe, solar power is scaling up at a breakneck pace, reshaping energy systems, economies, and even geopolitics.Bill McKibben reports for The New Yorker.In short:Solar and wind are now the fastest-growing energy sources in history, with global solar capacity doubling in just two years and new projects supplying most of the world’s electricity demand.China, India, South America, Africa, and even U.S. states like Texas are turning to re…

Solar is 77.7% of new capacity added to U.S. grid in 2025

Solar reached 11% of U.S. electric generation capacity, said data through April from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Energy Infrastructure Update, highlighting grid-scale project additions through April 2025. Solar continues to lead as a source of new electric generation capacity. Of the 12.2 GW added to the grid through April, 9.5 GW was solar. Solar represented 77.7% of capa…

New study assesses solar potential at key Pierce County sites

The results of the Pierce County Solar Feasibility Study are now available for the public to review online. In fall 2024, two Pierce County departments were awarded grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy Program. Pierce County Facilities Management was awarded $160,000 to study the feasibility of implementing solar energy and battery storage systems at County-owned facilities. Pierce County Planning and Publi…