Americans in some states are realizing the benefits of renewables. Better than in Europe: it saves low-income people money. But its overall numbers are still comparatively small. Paul Hockenos takes a look at the development Coming from Europe and stepping into the renewable energy scene in Donald Trump’s US is like entering another universe. It’s not simply that there’s less clean-energy tech on display and a thinner public understanding of the subject matter, but the laws, incentives, and models for renewables are also a foreign world. Of course, we know that the Trump administration has rolled back much of the Obama-era clean energy legislation. But this hasn’t halted progress. Much of energy regulation in the US is in the hands of the states anyway, which means that there are 50 renewable energy frameworks in the US – plus the federal laws.  The up-side of that: it’s already a decentralized energy system. Some states, such as California, New York, Minnesota, New Jersey, Colorado, Vermont, Oregon and Massachusetts are way out in front. Others in the Mid-West … Continue reading In US, Community Solar is the Next Big Thing