The cost of the cheapest solar power could be on par with that of electricity from coal plants by 2010.

An interactive map allowing exact calculation of the solar electricity potential of any given location in Europe and its neighbouring regions will help determine each member state’s share of solar power in the EU’s overall 20% EU renewables target.

Using the sun, an Australian company invented an energy-saving way to rid wood of pests prior to export. Their technology, called a “cryola drying kiln,” avoids two environmentally unfriendly ways wood has been dried in the past – heat from combustion sources and chemicals.

Analysis of scientific data on solar variations over the last 25 years shows no evidence of it causing global warming, a report states.

“The temperature record is simply not consistent with any of the solar forcings that people are talking about,” said lead author Mike Lockwood at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.

Santa Monica opens a “sustainable” parking lot, powered by solar energy, marking another first for the United States. However, some argue if this is really sustainable:

“North Americans still believe in the myth of endless wide-open spaces; perhaps that’s why things like the Santa Monica garage make sense here. If we can’t be pried out of vehicles, at least we can park them in environmentally decent buildings.”

Italy is behind in developing renewable energy compare to its European counterparts. However, Italy aims to increase its efforts by offering incentives for photovoltaic development.

The WoodGreen community, located on Queen Street, now houses the largest rooftop solar thermal heating system in Ontario. The 108 solar panels installed will help save money and energy.

“New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton says he would shift the province toward a “greener” energy supply that would fulfill Ontario’s power needs.”

EU leaders signed a mandatory target to devote a fifth of their energy supply from renewables by 2020, but the details are yet to be determined. Some industry players “fear a lack of ambition” from British leaders.

Cloncurry, a remote Australian town, will become one of the first towns to rely solely on solar power. The Queensland state government will invest A$7 million (US$6.5 million) to build a 10-megawatt power station in the town.