The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) for boosting its use of clean energy at the first campus in America to be heated by geothermal energy, achieving a major milestone toward its goal of making all seven schools in the Oregon University System carbon-neutral by 2020. 

Carrier has announced a new partnership with SolarCity, a full-service solar power provider, that allows Carrier-trained technicians and comfort consultants to offer solar services to Carrier customers. Those who purchase a new Carrier product and choose to install SolarCity solar panels will receive a $1,000 rebate.

Promise Energy celebrated the installation of the largest solar water heating system in the city of Norwalk at the grand opening of the Norwalk Tower, an 11-story 185-unit affordable housing retrofit project.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a growing sector of the U.S. solar energy industry has reached a major milestone, with 5 million square feet of building-integrated solar air heating collectors now installed in North America. 

Enphase Energy Inc. has announced a major expansion of its philanthropic partnership with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that makes solar power and solar job training available to underserved communities.

NRG Energy Inc. has announced the acquisition of Roof Diagnostics Solar (RDS), to support and expand the company’s residential solar business. NRG said RDS will complement its network of independent solar installers and dealers and significantly increase its ability to meet the growing demand for residential solar.

Between 2009 and 2012, there were steady declines in consumer favorability for energy and environmental concepts such as solar and wind energy, according to an annual national survey by Navigant Research. In the latest consumer survey, however, favorability has rebounded.

ABM, a leading provider of facility solutions, announced that its energy business has started construction on a 2 MW solar array to be implemented on Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, N.Y., representing the university’s first large solar installation.

With the decision to launch the nation’s largest Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program, the CaliforniaFIRST residential PACE program is expected to make energy and water efficiency projects more affordable and accessible for California homeowners.

First Solar Inc. announced that it has set a world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) solar photovoltaic (PV) module conversion efficiency, achieving a record 17 percent total area module efficiency in tests performed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).