Solar For All

Astronomers report the likely discovery of a new dwarf planet orbiting beyond Pluto, according to a New York Times report. The finding adds to the growing list of icy bodies in the distant outer solar system, a region still only partially mapped. People are discussing the object's size, orbit, and what it may reveal about the solar system's far edges.

PBS's NOVA is reporting on the possible discovery of a new dwarf planet hiding in our solar system, drawing over a million likes from viewers. The find would add to the small roster of known dwarf planets beyond Neptune, such as Pluto and Eris, and is fueling public excitement about what else may remain undiscovered in the outer solar system.

NASA is preparing two spacewalks on October 29 and November 5 to complete the final stages of its International Space Station solar array upgrade. Astronauts will install new rollout solar arrays that boost the station's aging power system. The work marks the end of a multi-year power upgrade effort drawing attention from spaceflight watchers.

Solar power has grown larger than nuclear energy as a source of electricity, according to a BBC Future analysis of the global energy transition. Falling costs for panels, rapid build-out in China and elsewhere, and policy support have driven solar past nuclear in output. Commenters are debating whether solar's momentum can continue without storage and grid upgrades catching up.

A major solar storm in 2024 drove ultrarelativistic electrons deep into the Van Allen radiation belts, crossing a region scientists long considered an 'impenetrable barrier' that normally blocks such energetic particles from approaching Earth. The finding shows the most powerful space weather events can breach this shield, with implications for satellites and spacecraft whose electronics are vulnerable to radiation damage in these inner zones.

Taiwan has pushed back its renewable energy target to 2029, after power generation from renewables reached 13.3% in 2025. The delay suggests the island is falling behind its original energy transition goals, despite ongoing investment in solar and offshore wind. Observers are weighing what the slower pace means for Taiwan's energy security and its commitments to cutting carbon emissions.

The Saguaros beat the Solar Sox 13-2 in an Arizona Fall League game on October 28, 2026. The one-sided final score drew attention as the Saguaros' offense overwhelmed the Solar Sox pitching across the contest. The game is part of MLB's developmental fall league, where top minor league prospects compete each season.

Solar panels are becoming a popular wedding gift in Nigeria as couples opt for reliable electricity instead of traditional presents. With chronic grid outages affecting homes and businesses, guests and families are contributing solar installations to new households. The trend highlights how Nigerians are turning to distributed solar energy as a practical solution to unreliable national power supply.

An astronomy explainer is asserting that the long-standing mystery surrounding Uranus has been resolved, drawing heavy engagement from space enthusiasts. The claim centers on the ice giant's unusual traits, likely including its extreme axial tilt, odd magnetic field or strikingly low temperature, though the exact finding is not specified. Viewers are discussing what the purported solution means for understanding how Uranus became such an outlier among the solar system's planets.

Speculation is spreading that a black hole could exist within our own solar system, a scenario scientists have occasionally floated in connection with anomalies in the orbits of distant objects. The idea, popularized in space-themed content, captures attention because a tiny primordial black hole would defy the usual picture of black holes as distant, massive objects.

A new solar facility is being developed in Albemarle County, Virginia, with the stated goal of lowering electricity costs for residents. The project reflects broader local efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and ease rising utility bills, though details on its size, timeline and expected savings have not yet been made public.

A Gujarat government resolution on the state's solar subsidy scheme was published just hours before promotional advertisements for the scheme began running, prompting discussion about the timing. The Gujarati-language coverage has drawn significant attention, with residents weighing what the revised subsidy terms mean for households planning rooftop solar installations.

DIY solar power discussions are centering on whether large-format solar panels make sense for home-built systems. Will Prowse, a well-known voice in the off-grid and DIY solar community, is examining the pros and cons of using bigger panels, drawing strong engagement from hobbyists weighing cost, handling, and installation trade-offs.

Space news outlet Cowboy Space has revealed details of a rocket concept dubbed Big Iron, designed to launch data center hardware into orbit. The announcement ties into the growing push to move computing infrastructure to space, where continuous solar power and cooling are seen as advantages. Discussion is focused on how such heavy-lift capacity for orbital data centers could reshape the space and cloud computing industries.

Attention is turning to the most affordable ways to install solar power in 2026. The discussion focuses on how falling equipment prices, changing incentives and new financing options could make home solar cheaper than in previous years. Viewers are weighing DIY installs against professional systems and comparing payback periods as energy costs remain a concern for households.

A newly unveiled solar power station is being presented as a breakthrough that could permanently change how solar energy is generated or used. Beyond the claim that it 'changed solar forever', no technical details, location, or company behind the project are specified, so the significance of the announcement remains difficult to assess.

Greenpeace is arguing that solar panels, heat pumps and electric cars can shield household budgets from oil and gas price spikes. The group stresses, however, that high upfront costs keep many people from switching, and it is calling on governments to subsidise and expand access so cleaner energy becomes affordable for everyone, not just wealthier households.

Greenpeace is arguing that wind and solar power do more than cut emissions: renewables help protect people from the worst climate impacts such as heatwaves and floods, while also insulating households from soaring bills when oil and gas prices spike. The message ties clean energy to both climate resilience and energy security, with references to fossil fuels, war and geopolitics in the wider discussion.

Astronomers are studying a dead star whose surroundings reportedly hint at what lies ahead for our own solar system. The dying star offers a preview of the Sun's eventual fate, including how planetary material may be scattered or destroyed billions of years from now. The finding is drawing attention for what it suggests about Earth's long-term cosmic future.

Tesla is pursuing a $10 billion solar factory in Fort Bend County, Texas, and local officials are considering granting the project tax breaks lasting up to 35 years. The proposed incentive package is unusually long for an industrial facility and would significantly reduce the company's property tax burden. The story has drawn attention because of the scale of the subsidy and its implications for taxpayers and clean energy manufacturing in Texas.

Researchers have found that bushfire smoke can significantly reduce electricity output from solar farms, with measurable losses occurring even when fires burn more than 100 kilometres away. The findings highlight how far-reaching wildfire haze is for renewable energy generation, a concern especially relevant in Australia, where intense bushfire seasons coincide with peak solar production periods.

Local officials and residents in the Watertown, New York region are weighing competing proposals to redevelop a former landfill, with options under discussion including a solar installation and a nuclear-related energy project. WWNY covered the debate, asking which energy use should go ahead at the site. Details of the proposals and timelines have not been widely reported.

A guest essay in The Daily Tar Heel argues that access to solar power should not hinge on whether a person owns a suitable roof. The piece makes the case for expanding community solar and other shared arrangements so renters and homeowners without usable rooftops can benefit from clean energy. It adds to a broader debate over making renewable energy equitable.

Researchers have defined specific performance targets that next-generation batteries must meet to power solar-powered aircraft, according to a report by Tech Xplore. The work outlines requirements for energy density and other capabilities needed for solar aviation to advance. Details beyond the headline are limited, and there is no indication yet of broader public debate around the findings.

A new spectroscopic survey plans to study small solar system bodies such as asteroids and comets using the Ariel space telescope, a European Space Agency mission primarily designed to characterise exoplanet atmospheres. The work aims to reveal the composition of minor bodies and their link to planet formation, drawing attention from planetary scientists and astrobiology researchers.