Blockstream and Block to harness solar for bitcoin mining facility

Blockstream and Block to harness solar for bitcoin mining facility

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Block (formerly Square) and Blockstream (a long-time Bitcoin company) have agreed to co-finance a pilot project to mine bitcoin off the electric grid in an all-solar facility.

Why it matters: The energy overhead of Bitcoin has become hotly controversial, but some bitcoiners argue the technology can help finance further development of renewable energy.

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Source: AXIOS

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Solar overtakes wind energy for first time in global rush for renewables

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Solar power has overtaken wind for the first time, in the race to develop renewable energy capacity around the globe.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar energy now accounts for 28% of the world’s renewable electricity generation capacity, just ahead of wind with 27%. This time last year, the two were evenly matched at 26% each.

The figures come from the latest Renewable Capacity Statistics report, released by the UAE-based organization on April 11.

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Source: Forbes

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Oil companies are collapsing, but wind and solar energy keep growing

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A few years ago, the kind of double-digit drop in oil and gas prices the world is experiencing now because of the coronavirus pandemic might have increased the use of fossil fuels and hurt renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms.

That is not happening.

In fact, renewable energy sources are set to account for nearly 21 percent of the electricity the United States uses for the first time this year, up from about 18 percent last year and 10 percent in 2010, according to one forecast published last week. And while work on some solar and wind projects has been delayed by the outbreak, industry executives and analysts expect the renewable business to continue growing in 2020 and next year even as oil, gas and coal companies struggle financially or seek bankruptcy protection.

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Source: The New York Times

Sunday’s Super Bowl will feature a special guest: solar power

This Super Sunday will not only feature Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars…there will be a “behind the scenes” special guest:  Solar Power.

The host to Super Bowl 50 is Levi’s Stadium, the first professional football stadium in the NFL to be LEED Gold certified, of which a primary qualification is clean, renewable energy.  The solar at the stadium produces 375 kilowatts (kW) of peak power from more than 1,150 solar panels, generating enough power in a year to meet electricity demands during every home game for the team inhabiting Levi’s, the San Francisco 49ers.

SunPower built all of the solar panels for the stadium (544 on the stadium roof and another 642 on the NRG Energy Bridges).  In addition to producing power, the solar panels act as a shade canopy for the bridges and terrace.