To the Point
The Coming Age of Solar Power
Sunlight is free, and solar-power will soon be cheaper than oil, coal or natural gas — even in the United States. We hear what that could mean for current energy industries, public utilities, government regulators and the homeowners of America.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenSunlight is free, and solar-power will soon be cheaper than oil, coal or natural gas — even in the United States. We hear what that could mean for current energy industries, public utilities, government regulators and the homeowners of America.
Also, the US economy, the year in review. On today's Talking Point, looking for an alternative to eating meat or fish? We hear where you can get burgers made from mealworms and "crispy snacks" from the larvae of the honeycomb moth.
In this episode
3 storiesThe US Economy: Year in Review
In 2014, the news has been grim — from ISIS to Ferguson to Ebola. But the US economy has been one relative bright spot. Each year around the holidays, Neil Irwin sits down and writes about economic trends to be thankful for and this year he says it was a whole lot easier.
Read the story7 minThe Coming Age of Solar Power
The cost of fossil fuels is going up, while the cost of solar power is going down. The tipping point has already arrived in many developing countries. In the US, it could happen by 2020. A decade later, fossil fuels could be economically obsolete. We've heard such predictions before, and the transition will not be easy.
Read the story36 minWhy Not Eat Bugs for Dinner?
The Dutch supermarket group Jumbo has announced it will start selling edible insect products in all its stores next year. At some upscale restaurants in New York and London, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and spiders are now on the menu. Will American supermarkets be next?
Read the story8 min
