Latest news with #LightReach
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers use innovative new tool to reveal urgent crisis along coastlines: 'We've seen massive changes'
A groundbreaking new tool is helping people in the United Kingdom better understand one of the most visible effects of our overheating planet, and what it reveals is both shocking and urgent. Researchers at Ulster University in Northern Ireland have launched a publicly accessible tool that maps shoreline changes around the nation's coast, the BBC reported. With 200 years of coastal data, the tool lets users zoom in on over 7,500 miles of coastline and view in plain language how far inland or seaward the coast has moved over time. "We've seen massive changes that we didn't realise actually took place," professor Derek Jackson, a coastal geographer, said. In some areas, the coast has grown outward. Other locations have experienced dramatic erosion. Magilligan in County Londonderry, for example, has seen severe retreat, while parts of County Down have expanded. Coastlines are always changing, but the difference now is how quickly those changes are happening. Human pollution from burning dirty energy such as coal and gas traps heat in the atmosphere, increasing global temperatures and causing sea levels to rise. When water levels rise, erosion speeds up, putting homes, ecosystems, and infrastructure at risk. In Northern Ireland, some coastal areas have been partially protected due to land rebounding from the last ice age, but experts say that advantage is quickly running out. Do you think EVs will dominate our roads in 15 years? No way Absolutely yes Only in some areas I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We probably should not be building on dynamic coasts because they're so mobile," Jackson added in the BBC interview. Scientists agree that while extreme weather has always existed, human-induced overheating supercharges climate events, making them stronger and more frequent. The new mapping tool not only helps residents see how their local coastline is changing but also provides vital context for policymakers and city planners. That information can support better decisions around coastal development and infrastructure for the future. In Turkey, plasma-powered tech is helping farmers fight drought by boosting crop growth and using water more efficiently. Scientists are also leveraging artificial intelligence-powered tools such as BeeMachine to monitor bee populations in Kansas, enhancing ecosystem resilience. For individuals, switching to clean energy is one of the most impactful steps to reduce heat-trapping pollution. Installing solar panels with a battery system can make your home more resilient during extreme weather events with grid outages while cutting your energy costs to or near $0. EnergySage makes it easy to compare vetted local installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installations. Buying panels can be challenging due to the high upfront cost, but leasing programs such as Palmetto's LightReach can be a great alternative, offering no money down and fixed, low energy rates. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scientists warn of dangerous phenomenon as hurricane season begins: 'Getting more intense'
With hurricane season now underway, weather forecasters are closely monitoring tropical waves, as they are often the starting point for dangerous storms. USA Today reported on how technological improvements in weather forecasting over the past two decades have allowed scientists to better track tropical waves. These waves are actually low-pressure weather patterns found in the atmosphere that typically start by moving across the Atlantic Ocean. On their own, the waves are fairly insignificant, and most have little effect on the United States beyond impacting some thunderstorms and wind intensity in Florida. Strong waves, however, especially those from the African coast, can have a major impact on the weather in the U.S. and elsewhere. "Most of the hurricanes that get strongest originate from tropical waves," Chris Landsea of the National Hurricane Center said, per USA Today. In fact, about 85% of hurricanes labeled Category 3 or higher started in tropical waves off the African coast. This makes tropical waves especially important to monitor this time of year, as the Atlantic hurricane season began June 1. As with other weather phenomena, tropical waves have changed along with the climate. Last year, for example, a tropical wave pushed farther north than normal, leading to heavy flooding in the Sahara Desert. "All the entire tropical atmosphere is changing," said Kelly Núñez, assistant professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M, per USA Today. "Tropical waves are getting more intense with the changing climate." As more polluting, heat-trapping gases are released into the environment, more extreme weather events become commonplace. One expert has even compared a warming climate to "basically steroids for weather." Particularly with hurricanes, stronger storms have occurred with greater frequency. Research shows that the rate of major hurricanes — those labeled at least a Category 3 — has doubled since 1980. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The best way to deal with hurricanes is to be prepared well before any storm hits. If the power grid goes down, for example, having solar panels alongside battery storage can provide low-cost energy, even if others are dealing with extended outages. EnergySage's free service allows homeowners to compare quotes from local, vetted solar installers and save up to $10,000 on installation costs. For those who don't want the upfront cost of buying solar panels, Palmetto's LightReach program offers solar-panel leasing, enabling homeowners to lock in low energy rates and help the environment, all for no money down. To be even further prepared for hurricanes or any other extreme weather, have an emergency survival kit and an evacuation plan handy. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla announces launch date for game-changing new service: 'That's how progress works'
Tesla could be launching its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in a matter of days after the automaker tested its self-driving Model Ys ahead of schedule. According to Bloomberg, Tesla is eyeing Thursday as the official launch date — with several caveats. For one, that timeline could still change. Secondly, only 10 self-driving electric vehicles will be in operation, with Teslarati reporting riders will need an invite from the company. If realized, Tesla's robotaxi could be a major win for a brand reinventing itself around driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence. The company has found itself on bumpy roads at the outset of 2025, with plummeting stocks and a 13% year-over-year dip in EV deliveries in the first quarter of the year. While a growing number of automakers are entering the lucrative electric vehicle market, giving consumers more options than ever when choosing an EV, CEO Elon Musk's polarizing involvement in politics did the brand no favors and contributed to the decline. As for the robotaxi, several media reports suggested that Tesla hadn't begun testing it at all, as Teslarati noted, causing a flurry of speculation that a June launch was another one of the company's pipe dreams. However, at the end of May, Bloomberg reported that a Tesla robotaxi had completed its first test run on public roads without someone in the driver's seat. Tesla didn't respond to the publication's request for comment, but on May 28, Musk said on the social platform X that Tesla had been testing for multiple days. When it launches, Tesla won't have the first autonomous taxi service in Austin. Waymo, which completes around 250,000 self-driving rides each week across multiple cities, tested a prototype in Austin in 2015 and began a limited rollout of its self-driving service in the city in March 2024 before opening it to the public. Critics of Tesla's robotaxi worry that a June launch may be premature, as the automaker has well-documented struggles with its autonomous driving features. Recently, a pair of Business Insider writers had their Tesla robotaxi proceed through a red light in San Francisco. If those reported issues are addressed, though, having more EVs on the roadways would be a positive development, contributing to healthier air quality, as they don't release heat-trapping, asthma-linked pollution when driven the way gas-powered vehicles do. EV drivers also report significant savings on energy and maintenance. Many are maximizing their savings by installing solar panels, which are cheaper to use than relying on public charging stations or the grid. EnergySage can save homeowners up to $10,000 in installation costs. Would you ride in a self-driving Tesla Robotaxi? Heck yes Probably Not anytime soon No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, if you're not ready to invest in a system, Palmetto's LightReach solar panel leasing program is another way to tap into the benefits of solar. Its no-money-down plans will lock you into a low monthly rate, protecting you against volatile pricing associated with dirty fuels. Meanwhile, commenters on the Teslarati article had mixed reactions to the robotaxi launch. "They've only tried to run without safety driver for a few days," one person wrote. "If FSD [Full Self-Driving] is really so great, why did it take so long for them to even dare trying this so late, and months after having hundreds of cars roaming around Austin with safety drivers?" "That's how progress works. Lots of minor steps to the end goal," another suggested. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Company develops service that will install solar panels on your home for no money down — here's how it works
Homeowners interested in going solar can get panels installed without the cost of investment. Solar energy company Palmetto is helping consumers save money on clean energy through its leasing program. While the initial price tag for solar installation can dissuade some homeowners, the LightReach energy plan aims to minimize costs upfront. Palmetto described LightReach as "an innovative approach to home energy management for those who value the financial and environmental benefits of rooftop solar but want the ease of an affordable monthly plan." With LightReach, potential savings are calculated, and a specific solar plan is designed for home installation. The plan can be tracked through a personal solar dashboard. Installing solar panels provides many benefits for homeowners. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar panels can lower monthly utility bills and increase home value. In fact, one study showed that solar increased the value of a home by about $15,000 on average. There's also the environmental impact. Solar panels, in addition to other home upgrades like smart home technology, significantly reduce heat-trapping pollution. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are more than 200 gigawatts of cumulative installed solar electric capacity in the United States. That's enough to counteract more than 222 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. In the r/solar subreddit, a solar advocate initiated a discussion about owning versus leasing through companies like Palmetto. "Let me start by saying ownership and leasing a solar system are both excellent ways to go solar," the original poster prefaced before listing pros and cons for both options. In the dozens of responses, many Redditors shared their own experiences with going solar. Some mentioned that their solar decisions were based on a variety of factors, including availability and price. "All kinds of buying/leasing solar have their positives and negatives," one commenter wrote. "The main thing I would say to keep in mind, is that you need to do your due diligence and figure out what is best for the specific situation." If leasing isn't the right move for homeowners, EnergySage has free tools that provide estimates on buying and installing panels. It's a helpful resource that makes it easy to compare quotes. What's the biggest factor stopping you from investing in solar panels? The cost The technology I'm a renter I'm already invested Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
A first in the Solar industry: US company introduces affordable panels with zero upfront costs
Listen to article North Carolina-based clean energy company Palmetto is shaking up the solar market with its new 'LightReach' program, offering homeowners solar panel installation for no upfront cost. The innovative business model allows customers to lease solar panels through affordable monthly payments, with Palmetto retaining ownership of the panels and handling installation, maintenance, and insurance. The company guarantees customers will save money from day one. 'We're guaranteeing that the customer is going to save money when they lease with us,' said Nathan Healy, Palmetto's Vice President. The LightReach plan includes a 90% solar production guarantee and 25-year equipment protection. After assessing a home's solar potential through its online platform, Palmetto customizes an energy savings proposal. Once approved, the company manages the entire process—design, permits, installation, and activation—using its network of over 600 local installers. Backed by $1.2 billion in new funding, Palmetto has removed one of the biggest barriers to solar adoption: cost. The company reported $6.4 million in customer savings in 2024, its first full year of business under this model. CEO Chris Kemper calls Palmetto's mission 'the Apollo project of our generation,' aimed at driving mass adoption of affordable clean energy and achieving national energy independence. Beyond financial savings, solar adoption also reduces reliance on fossil fuels. According to the University of Michigan, residential energy use accounted for 9.2% of US carbon pollution in 2022. Solar panels offer a clean, emission-free alternative. Palmetto's platform allows users to monitor real-time energy usage and production via its app, making clean energy both accessible and transparent. With no-money-down leasing, guaranteed savings, and full-service support, Palmetto is positioning itself as a leader in democratizing access to renewable energy across the US.
