The UK-built Zephyr solar-powered plane has smashed the endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The craft took off from the US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona at 1440 BST (0640 local time) last Friday and is still in the air. Its non-stop operation, day and night, means it has now gone four [...]

“Solar Power” no longer refers just to chunky photovoltaic panels. A variety of tools for turning sunlight into usable energy– thin-film solar, solar thermal, solar heating, and more– are undergoing a burst of technological acceleration. Whether it’s powering an entire housing development or simply heating your house, taken together, their potential is huge. [...]

This is not a typical town square in Uruguay. The square, in the town of Suarez some 40km from the capital Montevideo, has gone over to solar energy and LED technology. The aim is to reduce electricity costs and at the same time light more streets. If it works, the plan could serve as a [...]

President Barack Obama has called for the US to become energy independent, saying its reliance on foreign oil and global warming posed threats. Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held “hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet”. He called for greater fuel efficiency and an “energy economy” [...]

The New Energy Economy: Global warming issues have been pushed to the back burner by many doubting political and corporate leaders in view of the government bailouts, unemployment surge, and rise in home foreclosures. Venture capitalists are getting cautious about investments. Amid this despair some voices are saying it is the right time to launch [...]

Engineers are constantly coming up with new ways to dispose of greenhouse gases. The latest idea is to hide carbon dioxide exhaust in cement. The method could revolutionize one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world. Vinod Khosla has a lot of money, and he wants to put it to good use, which explains [...]