solar energy

China has become the first country in the world to surpass 1,000 gigawatts of installed solar power capacity, a milestone in the global energy transition. The achievement underlines the scale of China's investment in renewables, far outpacing other nations and cementing its lead in solar manufacturing and deployment.

Germany has already generated 90.2 terawatt hours of solar power in 2026, according to the Federal Association of the Solar Industry. That means production by the end of September has surpassed the full-year total for 2025, which stood at 90.0 terawatt hours. The association credits an unusually high number of sunshine hours and the continued expansion of solar capacity for the record pace.

Nevada is seeing unexpected growth in solar energy, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with gambling and desert landscapes, is emerging as a notable player in renewable power, drawing attention to how quickly its solar capacity and clean-energy ambitions are advancing.

Renewable sources supplied a record 80% of electricity demand on Australia's national grid, with solar and wind generation combining to reach the milestone. The result is being cited as evidence that renewables can carry a large share of a major advanced economy's power system, adding to ongoing debate in Australia about the pace of the energy transition and the future role of coal and gas.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into solar farms as the country searches for land to expand renewable energy. With limited open space and hundreds of courses closed since the 1990s golf boom faded, utilities and developers see the sites as ideal: flat, cleared, and already connected to roads. Coverage from Yale E360 and Yahoo highlights the trend as a model for land-scarce countries racing to cut emissions.

Ukraine is relying increasingly on distributed renewable energy to keep power flowing despite Russian strikes on its centralised grid. Small-scale solar, wind and other decentralised installations are harder to knock out than large power plants, allowing hospitals, communities and businesses to maintain electricity through attacks. The approach is being highlighted as a model of wartime energy resilience.

Environment America reports that California is using and storing more solar energy, reflecting the state's continued expansion of clean power capacity. The finding points to growth in both solar generation and battery storage, helping the state rely less on fossil fuels. Solar advocates are highlighting California's role as a national leader in the energy transition.

Germany has reached record levels of solar energy production, with photovoltaic output hitting unprecedented highs. The milestone underscores the country's continued expansion of renewable capacity as it works to phase out fossil fuels. Observers are highlighting the achievement as a sign of Germany's progress toward its climate and energy transition goals.

Germany has generated 90.2 terawatt-hours of solar power by September, already exceeding its total solar output for all of 2025. The figure marks a record milestone for the country's renewable energy expansion. Observers point to it as evidence of the accelerating pace of Germany's solar build-out, though no details on the drivers of the increase were available.

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.

Researchers report a new perovskite solar cell reaching 30.1% efficiency, achieved by engineering smarter perovskite layer structures to reduce energy losses. The result marks another step toward making perovskite-based panels competitive with, or better than, conventional silicon technology, and is drawing attention in the renewable energy field.

Farmers are installing solar panels on farmland while continuing to use the same ground, grazing sheep beneath and between the arrays and in some cases growing crops alongside them. The approach, known as agrivoltaics, allows agriculture and power generation to share land, giving farmers extra income from electricity while keeping land in production. Coverage is highlighting which setups work best and why sheep in particular suit the panels.

Power Electronics has announced it is building the country's largest power conversion manufacturing campus. The facility will focus on power conversion technology used in solar and energy infrastructure. Details on the exact location, investment size and timeline have not been released in the initial announcement, and industry watchers are awaiting further specifics.

Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has set a new world record of 28.29% efficiency for a single-junction silicon solar cell, according to pv magazine USA. The figure marks a milestone for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, pushing closer to the technology's theoretical limits. Industry observers see such records as key to lowering solar power costs and strengthening Longi's position in the fiercely competitive global panel market.

Kenya has begun construction on a project to produce green fertiliser using solar power, according to a report by Renewables Now. The initiative combines renewable energy with agricultural input production, aimed at reducing dependence on imported synthetic fertiliser and cutting emissions from farming. Details on the project's size, location and backers were not provided.

Saudi Arabia's pipeline of solar and wind energy projects has surpassed 44 gigawatts, underlining the kingdom's rapid buildout of renewable capacity as it pursues its Vision 2030 diversification goals. Energy sector watchers highlight the scale of the programme, which places Saudi Arabia among the most ambitious renewable energy markets in the Middle East.

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.

The City of Cleveland has announced the launch of two solar energy projects aimed at generating clean power locally and delivering savings for residents. The initiative is part of the city's push toward renewable energy and reduced energy costs, and is drawing attention for its municipal approach to clean power generation.

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.

Bulgaria is benefiting from its investment in solar power as drought reduces output from hydropower and strains electricity grids across the wider region. With water levels low affecting neighbouring countries' energy supplies, Bulgaria's growing solar capacity is helping keep power flowing, highlighting how renewable build-out can cushion countries against climate-related disruptions to traditional energy sources.

German energy company RWE has commissioned a new 9.5-MW solar farm in the state of Hesse. The project adds to RWE's growing renewables portfolio as Germany continues its push to expand solar capacity and cut reliance on fossil fuels. Energy industry outlets reported the startup, highlighting the utility's ongoing investment in photovoltaic plants across the country.

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.

Japan is building solar farms on disused golf courses because the country lacks open land for large-scale renewable projects. As golf's popularity declines, operators are converting closed courses into solar generation sites, offering a rare spacious alternative in a densely populated nation where flat, unused land is scarce.