Solar

A new scientific analysis shows the U.S. is generating more electricity from wind and solar than ever before, and several states in the Mountain West are helping lead the charge. However, the future growth of wind and solar is uncertain.

Jack’s Solar Garden in Longmont, Colorado is a nationally recognized site for agrivoltaic research. The farm's 3,276 solar panels generate enough electricity to power approximately 300 homes.

The Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority was recently awarded almost $8 million in funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Electrification Program. It aims to build up green electricity infrastructure around the country and will be used to purchase, assemble and install solar for homes on the Wind River Reservation.

A new report shows the nation’s solar workforce grew 6% to nearly 280,000 jobs last year, which is a record high. And a lot of that growth was led by the West.

The Ute Mountain Ute tribe of Southwest Colorado is turning to solar generation to provide cheap electricity for its members and infrastructure. But it also has solar ambitions that go beyond the community level. As Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Lucas Brady Woods reports, they include generating solar power that can be sold for a profit.