renewable energy

Nevada is reportedly outperforming expectations on solar energy growth, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long known for its desert sunshine and large solar farms, is seeing stronger-than-anticipated gains in solar capacity and investment. The development draws attention as US states compete to expand renewable energy and meet clean power targets.

Solar and wind generation supplied a record 80% of power demand on Australia's national electricity grid, according to a Guardian report. The milestone highlights the rapid growth of renewable energy in Australia and is being shared widely in energy and climate discussions as evidence that renewables can cover the bulk of demand on a major national grid.

California's power grid has reached a point where renewables meet 56% of demand, and the state runs on clean energy for nearly one-fifth of all hours. The figures highlight how far the state's shift toward solar, wind and other renewable sources has progressed. Observers point to it as a benchmark for grid decarbonisation efforts elsewhere, while debates continue over reliability and storage needs as renewable shares climb.

Costa Rica will invest 300 million dollars in funding from the European Union and France to modernise its electricity system and advance its transition toward greater renewable energy generation. The announcement highlights the country's push to strengthen its power infrastructure and build on its already high share of clean electricity.

An analysis by SolarPower Europe has found that solar and wind energy have cut Europe's electricity prices by 25% and saved the continent more than €100 million per day. The report describes Europe as 'decoupling from fossil fuel shocks', arguing that home-grown renewables are shielding consumers from volatile gas prices and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Argentina has put its first solar train into service, running on batteries charged by solar power harnessed in the Andean region. The project is being presented as a milestone for sustainable public transport in the country, combining renewable energy with rail travel. Early coverage highlights it as an example of how solar power can replace fossil fuels in transport, drawing attention from environmental and clean-energy observers.

Researchers have raised the efficiency of a three-layer perovskite solar cell to 30.1% by producing smoother perovskite films, according to a report by Tech Xplore. The refinement of film texture reduces defects that limit energy conversion. The result marks another step forward for perovskite technology, which is seen as a promising route to cheaper, more efficient solar power.

Researchers have produced solar power from panels placed ten metres underwater, according to a report by Euronews. The development points to a possible new frontier for renewable energy, using submerged installations where space on land is scarce and waves can damage surface floating farms. The report is drawing attention as countries look for ways to expand clean energy capacity.

Climate coverage is highlighting reasons for optimism despite grim global warming trends. Arab News reports that progress in renewable energy, policy action and green technology offers grounds for hope even as warming continues. The piece counters widespread climate pessimism by pointing to areas where the world is making measurable headway on emissions.

A large battery storage facility is being built in Waltrop, Germany, at a cost of around 500 million euros. It will use 800 containers of lithium batteries to store up to 1,800 megawatt hours of electricity and deliver up to 900 megawatts of power, allowing surplus wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid later.

CleanTechnica reports that next-generation geothermal energy systems are advancing as a serious alternative to fossil fuels in the United States, supported by favorable US energy policy and framed as both renewable and sustainable. The article argues geothermal can provide reliable clean power where other renewables fall short. Commentary being shared focuses on geothermal's potential to displace fossil fuel generation.

Alex Honnold, the climber famous for free soloing El Capitan, runs a foundation that is bringing solar power to remote communities. The initiative funds off-grid solar installations in areas without reliable electricity, extending the Climbing Gold-honed athlete's conservation work beyond the mountains and into energy access for underserved regions.

An agrivoltaics project in Minnesota is showing that farmland can host solar panels while crops continue to grow, according to an Associated Press report. The setup allows farmers to generate electricity and income from the same land they cultivate, and supporters see it as a model for expanding renewable energy without taking farmland out of production.

Combining agriculture with solar energy production is drawing interest as a way for land to serve both farming and power generation. Reporting from Arkansas highlights early promise in these dual-use projects, suggesting farmers could host solar panels while continuing to work the land, though questions remain about costs, land use and long-term results.

Generate has secured $117 million in financing to fund a 114 MW community solar portfolio, giving a new batch of distributed projects the capital needed to advance. The deal reflects continued investor appetite for community solar, which lets households and businesses subscribe to local solar projects and receive credits on their electricity bills. The funding is expected to move the portfolio toward construction and operation.

A village in Ohio has installed 9,222 floating solar panels on its reservoir, giving it roughly 13 times the solar capacity per resident of the state average. The project turns unused water surface into a clean power source while the panels can also help reduce evaporation. The initiative is drawing attention as an example of how small communities can lead on renewable energy adoption.

A solar farm in Ohio has become home to roughly 3 million honey bees living in more than 50 hives, turning the energy site into a pollinator habitat. The project pairs renewable power production with agriculture, and coverage highlights it as an example of how solar installations can double as space for bee conservation at a time of widespread concern over declining pollinator populations.

Kubota has introduced an agrivoltaic system that lets farmers grow rice and harvest it with standard combines beneath elevated solar panels. The setup raises photovoltaic arrays high enough for machinery to work underneath, letting the same land produce both food and electricity. Coverage in energy media is highlighting it as a practical answer to land-use conflicts between agriculture and renewable energy expansion.

Levi Strauss & Co. and Marks & Spencer have announced the launch of the Fashion Renewable Collaborative, an initiative aimed at advancing renewable energy use across the fashion industry. Details of the partnership's structure and targets remain limited, but the move signals growing cooperation between major apparel brands on sustainability and decarbonisation of supply chains.

Schools in the Philadelphia area are installing solar energy systems to reduce their utility bills. By tapping the sun's energy, districts aim to lower operating costs and free up funds for classrooms. The move reflects a broader trend of public institutions adopting renewable energy to manage budgets and sustainability goals.

Farmers are increasingly combining solar panels with agriculture, growing crops beneath panels and grazing sheep on solar farms. The practice, known as agrivoltaics, lets land produce food and electricity at the same time, with panels providing shade for plants and pasture while sheep keep grass under the arrays trimmed.

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is moving to solar power as part of an effort to eliminate fossil fuels from its operations. The Providence Journal reports the conservation organization's switch, which aligns its energy use with its environmental mission. The move highlights how nonprofit groups in the region are investing in renewable energy to reduce reliance on oil and gas.