clean energy

China has become the first country in the world to exceed 1,000 gigawatts of installed solar power capacity, a milestone in the global shift to renewable energy. The achievement underscores the scale of Beijing's clean-energy buildout, which has grown rapidly through massive domestic manufacturing and large-scale solar farms. Observers highlight it as evidence of China's dominance in the solar sector and its accelerating transition away from coal.

Nevada is outperforming expectations in solar energy growth, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with desert landscapes and abundant sunshine, is expanding its solar capacity faster than anticipated, drawing attention from energy analysts and observers of the US clean-energy transition.

Japan is converting closed golf courses into large-scale solar farms as the country struggles to find land for renewable energy. With limited flat terrain and a push to expand clean power after Fukushima, disused golf facilities have become attractive sites for developers. The story, reported by Yale Environment 360 and picked up by Yahoo, has drawn attention as an example of creative land reuse in the energy transition.

California is using and storing greater amounts of solar energy, according to Environment America. The environmental group highlights the state's progress in both generating power from the sun and saving it for later use through storage, a key step in cutting reliance on fossil fuels. The finding points to continued growth of solar capacity and battery infrastructure across California's grid.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar power sites, as the country searches for open land to expand renewable energy. Many courses have closed as membership declines, leaving flat, sunny, already-cleared land that suits solar panels. Bloomberg reports the trend is emerging as a practical answer to Japan's land scarcity for clean energy projects.

A copper mine in Utah has installed more than 71,000 solar panels that use tellurium, a metal extracted from the same refinery sludge already processed for gold and silver. Around 90 percent of the world's tellurium is locked inside copper ore, making copper refining a key supply route. The panels now power the mining operation itself, closing the loop between extraction and clean energy production.

Used electric vehicle batteries could be given a second life as large-scale storage, helping Europe hold on to the solar and wind power that is currently wasted when supply exceeds demand. Reporting describes the retired batteries as 'a gold mine' for the energy transition, since they can store cheap renewable electricity and release it when the grid needs it, easing curtailment and supporting Europe's shift away from fossil fuels.

Power Electronics has announced plans to build the country's largest power conversion manufacturing campus. The facility would consolidate production of inverters and power conversion equipment used in solar and energy storage projects at a single large-scale site. The move signals growing investment in domestic clean-energy manufacturing, though details on location, size and timeline were not included in the initial report.

A project in Minnesota combining agriculture with solar panels is drawing attention as an example of agrivoltaics, the practice of sharing farmland between crops and renewable energy generation. Reports say the setup shows promise, allowing farmers to keep producing food while hosting panels that generate electricity, a model being watched as interest grows in land-efficient clean energy.

Shares in South Korean solar and battery companies rallied after a US-China summit ended without progress on easing trade barriers. Investors interpreted the failure to reduce tariffs as a boost for Korean suppliers, who could gain if Chinese solar and battery products remain restricted in the US market, lifting shares in Seoul's clean-energy sector.

Australia's most powerful battery has been completed and is now operating as a giant shock absorber for the electricity grid, according to Renew Economy. The project is designed to smooth out sudden fluctuations in supply and demand as the country relies more on variable wind and solar power. The news is being shared in renewable energy and climate circles, with commenters highlighting it as a milestone for Australia's clean energy transition and grid stability.

Arab News has published a piece arguing that, despite dire headlines about global warming, there are genuine reasons for optimism in the climate fight. The article points to progress in clean energy and emissions efforts as grounds for hope, offering a counterpoint to the prevailing sense of climate pessimism.

French renewable energy company Qair has secured €37.9 million in financing to develop hybrid solar projects in Chad. The funding will support solar installations paired with other generation capacity in a country where reliable electricity access remains limited. The deal marks a significant clean energy investment in one of the world's least electrified nations and reflects growing investor interest in African renewable infrastructure.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms, reusing cleared, open land for renewable energy generation. With many courses closing as membership declines, the sites offer ready-made space for panels without competing with farmland. Observers see it as a practical model for other countries with aging leisure facilities and growing clean-energy targets.

The City of Cleveland has announced the launch of two solar projects aimed at providing locally generated clean energy and cost savings for residents. The announcement, made by the city government, positions Cleveland among US cities investing in municipal renewable power. The projects are expected to reduce energy costs while expanding local clean energy capacity, though details on scale and timelines have not been widely reported yet.

Costa Rica will invest 300 million dollars in funding from the European Union and France to modernize its electricity system and advance its transition toward greater renewable energy generation. The announcement highlights continued European support for clean energy projects in Latin America, with the funds aimed at upgrading infrastructure to support more power from renewable sources.

New York Governor has signed into law a bill sponsored by State Senator Peter Harckham and Assembly member that supports solar energy projects at schools. The measure makes it easier for school districts to develop solar installations, expanding renewable energy use on public school property. The signing is being reported by the New York State Senate as part of the state's push toward clean energy in public buildings.

Researchers have reported using solar panels to convert plastic waste into hydrogen fuel, according to a new report. The approach could offer a double benefit: reducing plastic pollution while producing clean energy. Details on how the process works are drawing interest, with the method combining sunlight-driven technology with plastic recycling to generate hydrogen.

Reports highlight India's rapid rise in solar manufacturing, crediting domestic production policies for building a homegrown industry capable of supplying solar panels at scale. India has become one of the world's fastest-growing solar manufacturing hubs, reducing reliance on imported Chinese modules while creating jobs and supporting its clean energy targets. Commentators point to it as a model for how emerging economies can industrialise around renewables.