Today, solar’s dominance feels inevitable. But in 1979, when Neville Williams started promoting the industry at the Department of Energy, it felt like a far-off dream.
That didn’t stop the early pioneers from thinking big and pushing the government to invest in the early technology – helping solar module costs fall from $55 per watt in the 1970s to 50 cents ... Show More
Nov 19
What happened in COP30’s first week? Support for energy efficiency and a status report on methane show which climate initiatives are still making progress
<p>Negotiations in the COP 30 climate talks are continuing in Belem, Brazil. The headlines are focusing on the divisions between countries that are shaping this year’s climate talks. But despite the doom and gloom, there are some practical steps being taken to support the transit ... Show More
52m 49s
Nov 13
The COP30 climate talks are under way In Brazil. What is the point of the conference?
<p>COP30, which began this week in Belém, Brazil, marks a decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015. It’s being billed as the “implementation COP”: instead of grand new announcements of international agreements, governments are supposed to be focused on delive ... Show More
48m 13s
Nov 11
How are businesses rethinking energy and sustainability? COP30 starts in Belem as climate action falters
<p>COP30, now getting under way in Belem, Brazil, has been billed as “the implementation COP”, which means a focus on governments taking real steps to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. We will be examining all the key issues for government negotiators in the talks very so ... Show More
31m 1s
Feb 2024
Leading the charge in commercial solar | Steve Raeder, CEO of Summit Ridge Energy
<p>In this week's episode, Gil Jenkins sits down with Steve Raeder, the founder and CEO of Summit Ridge Energy. As a leading player in the community solar market, Summit Ridge Energy (SRE) has made significant strides since its inception in 2017, deploying over $1.6 billion into ... Show More
26m 36s
May 2023
The Four Horsemen of the Energy Transition: Where’s The Money Going?
<p>Solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear – we need more investment in these renewables, but where can the money come from? </p><p>In 2022, worldwide investment in renewables hit almost half a <em>trillion </em>dollars. Investment in solar – the largest sector - jumped 36% to 308 ... Show More
55m 28s
Feb 2024
The Solar-Powered Scammer
When Jeff Carpoff starts a business making portable solar generators, it becomes an instant hit among big corporations, Hollywood studios, and deep-pocketed investors. They think they’re getting a good deal on green energy – and a huge tax credit to go along with it. But Jeff’s c ... Show More
42m 55s
Mar 2020
A Founder's Tech-to-Climate Journey
<p>This week: what one entrepreneur's story tells us about the migration of talent from tech to climate.</p><p>Jason Jacobs is the founder of <a href="https://www.myclimatejourney.co/" target="_blank"><em>My Climate Journey</em></a>, a podcast, newsletter, and slack room that bri ... Show More
39m 48s
Nov 2022
Climate tech to save the planet: Techno-optimism or greenwashing?
<p>Billions of dollars are being spent by tech companies and investors on new technology to fight climate change. In the final episode of this series of Tech Tonic, Eric Toone, from Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund, tells FT columnist and host Pilita Clark why he bel ... Show More
24m 22s
Apr 2022
Redefining Energy Storage
<p>When the sun stays out for a few extra hours in summer, where do we store the excess energy? This is one of the biggest challenges facing the renewable energy industry. When looking at countries like Norway, which is currently powered by 50% renewable energy, mostly coming fro ... Show More
1h 1m