What We’re Reading: California Joins the Balcony Solar Revolution

Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Tell us what you’ve been reading at info@reasonstobecheerful.world and we just might feature it here. Sunny outlook Last year, Contributing Editor Peter Yeung reported on the game-changing potential of balcony solar — that is, small solar arrays that can plug into regular electrical outlets. Now, as Grist reports in a story Peter shared this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will allow residents to get on board — and more states could soon follow California’s example.  These plug-in solar devices, Grist explains, are a way of “turning homes and apartments into a distributed network of tiny power plants.” Peter says: The balcony solar revolution continues. Light room You know how a squid can change its coloration by revealing or hiding different pigments? That’s the inspiration behind a new type of window panel that “dynamically shades in response to the sun’s rays,” according to a Be Giant story shared by Editorial Director Rebecca Worby.  In a typical building, counteracting the heat that enters or escapes through its windows accounts for about a quarter of the energy used. Based on simulations, researchers estimate that one version of these squid-like window panels could lower buildings’ heating use by 75 percent and their total energy use by 43 percent. Becca says: Intriguing — and the artist’s interpretation at the top of the story has James Turrell vibes. What else we’re reading In a warming Arctic, Inuit bear guards protect communities — shared by Rebecca Worby from Grist Women Can Now Assess Their Breast Cancer Risk With the Help of A.I. — shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from the New York Times New York expands free SUNY and CUNY tuition to those with college degrees — shared by Rebecca Worby from News10 ABC In other news… RTBC Founder David Byrne has a new book out this week! If you’re a fan of our journalism, we suspect you’ll also enjoy Sleeping Beauties: Why Good Ideas Go Dormant and How They Wake Up . Publishers Weekly calls it a “wonderful and humbling celebration of the lost and found.” Read an excerpt from the book in Nautilus and pick up a copy wherever books are lent or sold . The post What We’re Reading: California Joins the Balcony Solar Revolution appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful .