Solar Power

The Biden administration has approved a major high-voltage power line designed to deliver renewable energy from the Mountain West to population centers in the Southwest.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced plans last week to accelerate solar development on public lands in the Mountain West. The efforts build on the Biden administration’s goal to support more renewable energy projects.

The Commission asked Idaho Power to do the study about three years ago to establish a "fair and equitable" net metering program.

New data shows that the Western U.S. produces the most residential solar energy in the nation. California is a main reason why, but it’s increasing across the rest of the region, too.

The build-out of clean energy infrastructure in the West on its current trajectory would occupy about 39 million acres of land – roughly three-fourths the size of Utah – by 2050. A new study by The Nature Conservancy, however, suggests that the right mix of technologies can cut the amount of land needed in half.

Wyoming researchers show that utility-scale solar developments can directly and indirectly affect habitat and create movement barriers for ungulates such as deer, elk and pronghorn.

From Florida to Alaska, dozens of tribes are working to harness energy from wind, sun and water to generate millions of dollars in revenue, create short- and long-term jobs and reduce utility costs for citizens, while also helping combat climate change and boost energy independence.

A new report shows many states in the West have the largest solar energy industries relative to the size of their economies, with Nevada in the top spot.

An upcoming study by Idaho Power could determine how much the utility will credit people who produce extra solar energy and sell it back to the electric grid.

It's been a tough year for gas and oil prices, but solar power has seen steady growth during this pandemic year.