Solar

To effectively map out the current and future states of power delivery, it’s imperative to discuss what the landscape looked like in the past. Understanding the evolution of any industry typically requires a healthy dose of historical context, and making sense of today’s energy grid is no exception.

Separated by decades of progress and technology’s endless march, it’s easy to think electric vehicles share little heritage with their internal combustion forebears. But even as they bookend the automotive spectrum, today’s EVs are much like the first automobiles in one important respect: When the first cars were made, they had an outsized dependency on infrastructure. Without a robust system of roads (let alone highways), what was the incentive to buy?

To offset the energy used to produce Sunweave, Mohawk engaged in a unique “handprinting” initiative, partnering with Virginia’s Hampton University to install 152 low-flow showerheads, equating to an annual water savings of approximately 4 million gallons. Mohawk has also partnered with Groundswell to ultimately install 10 smartflower™ solar systems at community centers and schools with STEM programs across the U.S. Mohawk is not only committed to bringing warmth back to commercial interiors through flooring products like Sunweave, but to leaving a lasting impact through meaningful initiatives and manufacturing practices that give more back to the environment than they take.

Today, Walmart announced that it has reached an agreement with SunPower to have the commercial energy provider install solar systems at 19 stores and two distribution centers in Illinois.

Through an ongoing collaboration with Mohawk Group, Groundswell recently worked with Chicago-based nonprofit Elevate Energy – a fellow Citi Foundation Progress Maker -- to install a SmartFlower solar system in a community garden in South Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

Bolstered by decreasing costs and strengthening regulatory support, demand for renewable energy is increasing as wind and solar photovoltaics continue to become more prominent contributors to utilities’ generation and revenue mix. As enthusiasm for renewable energy grows, wind and solar remain hampered by how much energy can be stored when generated to be used subsequently when energy is needed.

The cost of energy storage has fallen to the point where the power generation industry is moving from demonstration projects to full deployment. Driven by demand and a federal order designed to nurture broader adoption of storage capabilities, practical applications of energy storage are emerging that are competitive with conventional solutions.

Pollinate Energy is improving the lives of India’s urban and Nepal’s rural poor by giving them access to sustainable everyday household products and empowering local entrepreneurs.

Building on its long-running record of sustainability leadership, Duke Energy was recently named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for North America for the 13th consecutive year.

The long-term strategy at Caterpillar India Private Limited in Thiruvallur, India, includes embedding sustainability in manufacturing through renewable energy and energy conservation.