Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Solar Power v. Power Companies

    Solar power: it’s not just for rich hippies anymore. Solar has gotten cheaper, better, and easier to install in recent years. It’s a win for everyone: manufacturers, consumers, and the environment. Everyone, that is, except the traditional power companies.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    By Madeleine Brand • Aug 14, 2015 • 1 min read

    Solar power: it’s not just for rich hippies anymore. Solar has gotten cheaper, better, and easier to install in recent years. It’s a win for everyone: manufacturers, consumers, and the environment. Everyone, that is, except the traditional power companies. In many states, utilities view renewable power as a threat and they’re fighting to limit it. Here in California, utility giant PG&E is looking to reduce financial incentives to go solar.

    The full episode

    3 of 5
    Solar Power, Watts Riots: Pop Culture, and 'Straight Outta Compton'
    1. 0:17Rafe Esquith Sues the LAUSD
    2. 9:07Exide Plant Contamination Worse Than Previously Believed
    3. 16:19Solar Power v. Power CompaniesYou’re reading this
    4. 24:21Watts Riots: Watts in Pop Culture
    5. 40:05Film Roundup: 'Straight Outta Compton' and More
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      David Roberts

      Vox

      News

    The full episode

    3 of 5
    Solar Power, Watts Riots: Pop Culture, and 'Straight Outta Compton'
    1. 0:17Rafe Esquith Sues the LAUSD
    2. 9:07Exide Plant Contamination Worse Than Previously Believed
    3. 16:19Solar Power v. Power CompaniesYou’re reading this
    4. 24:21Watts Riots: Watts in Pop Culture
    5. 40:05Film Roundup: 'Straight Outta Compton' and More
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand