What If Solar Power Was Affordable For Everyone?
Because solar power is produced with expensive, cutting-edge, high-tech materials, it’s too expensive for average people in developing countries to afford. A team of MIT students is trying to change that by building a solar collector out of readily available, cheaper materials.

While their “dish” isn’t intended for individuals, it’s a step toward accessible solar for villages or cooperatives wherever inexpensive, renewable power is needed. More …
On The Road to Greener Asphalt
India and Africa have been doing it for years, and now the US is going to go for greener asphalt by using a cold-mix process. Heating asphalt, which is the sludge that’s left over after petroleum is refined, takes a lot of energy and ups the costs of building roads.

By using an emulsion, as the cold-mix product is called, US road-builders hope to shave costs and also lessen the burden on the power grid. More …

Oregon’s Underground Renewable Energy Source
While hydroelectric has long been a power-generation method in the Pacific Northwest, geothermal energy is being tapped by several projects in the state. Klamath Falls, which has run heating on geothermal for years, is looking into using it to generate electric.

Because the Northwest is running out of hydroelectric capacity and natural gas prices are rising, expect to see more geothermal projects in the works for the Northwest. More …Parking Lots That Generate Power
Envision Solar’s new Solar Grove parking lot canopies provide shade for car owners and solar power. The customizable canopies are like trees, in that they use a single support column, thus making them suitable for places where cars must be maneuvered around them.

They also help with water runoff and reduce the urban heat island effect. Plus, there’s no direct skyward lighting, which reduces light pollution. More …

Los Angeles Surprises With Small Carbon Footprint
Southern California is often seen as the epitome of pollution and wastefulness with its smog and car-clogged highways and big-spender mentality. But apparently, we’ve got it all wrong.

According to this article in The New Republic, LA has the smallest carbon footprint of any continental US city. Who knew? More …