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solar energy
Trends
- 1Farmers combine crops and sheep with solar panels●Why some farmers are pairing crops and grazing sheep with solar panels
Farmers are adopting 'agrivoltaics', installing solar panels above fields while continuing to grow crops or graze sheep beneath them. The approach lets land produce both food and electricity at once, and sheep keep grass around panels trimmed. Interest in the practice is growing as pressure rises to expand renewable energy without taking farmland out of production.
- 2California studies solar panels over irrigation canals●What California is learning from solar panels built over irrigation canals
California is testing solar panels built over irrigation canals, a design that generates renewable energy while shading water and reducing evaporation. The shade may also cool the panels, improving their efficiency. Early findings from pilot projects in the state are offering lessons on costs, construction and water savings, and the approach is drawing attention as a model for dual-use infrastructure in other regions.
- 3Australia's main grid runs on 80% renewables for consecutive days▼Australia's main grid hits 80% renewables on consecutive days, rooftop solar tops half of demand
Australia's main electricity grid has recorded 80% renewable energy across consecutive days, with rooftop solar at times supplying more than half of total demand. The milestone highlights the rapid growth of household solar and wind capacity in the country, with observers pointing to it as evidence that a heavily renewable grid can reliably meet everyday power needs.
- 4Solar and wind hit record 80% of Australia's power demand●"Solar and wind generation meet record 80% of power demand on Australia’s national grid" # Australia # Energy # Renewabl
Renewable sources supplied a record 80% of electricity demand on Australia's national grid, according to a report shared widely online. The milestone highlights the country's rapid shift from coal and gas toward solar and wind, reinforcing Australia's position as one of the world's faster energy transition stories and prompting discussion about grid reliability and the pace of decarbonisation.
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Researchers have successfully generated solar power from panels placed 10 metres below the sea surface, according to a Euronews report. The experiment suggests underwater photovoltaic systems could one day complement offshore wind and floating solar farms, though questions remain about efficiency losses, maintenance costs and marine impact. The findings have drawn interest as countries look for new ways to expand renewable energy capacity.
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Renewable sources are now generating 61 percent of Turkey's electricity, according to a report by Informed Comment. The figure is being highlighted against the backdrop of an energy crisis tied to the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments. Turkey's growing reliance on wind, solar and hydro is being framed as insulation from disruptions in Persian Gulf energy supplies.
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Nevada is outperforming expectations in solar energy growth, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with gaming and desert landscapes, is expanding its solar capacity, adding to its existing reputation as a national leader in renewable energy production. The report highlights the state's rapid progress in a sector often dominated by California and Texas.
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Nevada is outperforming expectations on solar energy growth, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with vast desert landscapes and abundant sunshine, is seeing notable advances in solar deployment and capacity. The development is drawing attention as the US pushes to expand renewable energy and states compete to lead the transition away from fossil fuels.
- 9Fossil Fuel Industry Shifts Goalposts as Solar Beats Skeptics●The Fossil Fuel Industry Keeps Shifting the Goalposts How denial tactics have evolved as renewable energy succeeds... Th
Australian commentary is revisiting how fossil fuel interests have repeatedly moved the goalposts on renewable energy. A key example: during a 2013 Senate debate on renewable energy, Barnaby Joyce dismissed the idea that solar could reach even 5% of supply, calling it impossible. As renewables have since surpassed targets once dismissed as fantasy, critics argue denial tactics have evolved from outright rejection to new arguments about cost and reliability.
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Construction of a new solar farm is set to begin in November, according to a report carried by the BBC. The project is part of the wider push to expand renewable energy capacity, though the report gives no further details on its location, size or the companies involved.
- 11Indonesia's Solar Lessons from ASEAN and Pakistan at Climate Week▼Highlighting Regional Insights: What Indonesia Can Learn from ASEAN and Pakistan's Solar Boom at New York Climate Week
During New York Climate Week, attention turned to Indonesia's solar potential in light of rapid solar growth across ASEAN countries and Pakistan's unexpected boom in rooftop and off-grid solar adoption. Observers argue Indonesia can draw on these regional experiences to accelerate its own clean energy transition, reduce reliance on coal, and meet its renewable energy targets faster.
- 12Turkish Parliament to run entirely on solar power from Konya▼Parliament to meet all electricity needs with solar power from Konya
Turkey's Parliament is set to meet all of its electricity needs through solar power sourced from Konya, according to Hürriyet Daily News. The move would make the legislative body fully reliant on renewable energy from the central Anatolian province, a region known for high solar potential. It signals a symbolic step in the country's push toward clean energy in public institutions.
- 13Ohio village installs 9,222 solar panels on reservoir●Ohio village puts 9,222 solar panels on reservoir, now has 13 times the state's solar per resident
An Ohio village has installed 9,222 floating solar panels on its reservoir, giving it 13 times more solar capacity per resident than the state average. The project uses water surface otherwise going unused, and coverage in outlets including The Cool Down highlights it as a model for small communities looking to cut energy costs and expand renewable power without sacrificing land.
- 14Ohio solar farm becomes home to 3 million honey bees▼This Ohio solar farm is now home to 3 million honey bees across more than 50 hives, turning an energy sit
A solar farm in Ohio is now hosting around 3 million honey bees across more than 50 hives, turning the energy site into an active pollinator habitat. The project pairs renewable energy production with beekeeping, and reports highlight it as an example of solar sites being used to support declining bee populations while continuing to generate power.
- 15Alberta adds $10 fee on solar panels to fund recycling program●Alberta adds $10 fee to new solar panels to fund first-of-its-kind recycling in North America
Alberta is introducing a $10 fee on new solar panels to pay for a solar panel recycling program described as the first of its kind in North America. The fee will fund the collection and processing of retired panels as installations grow across the province.
- 16An unlikely power player emerges in the fight over solar on farmland▼An unlikely power player in the fight over solar on farmland
Politico reports that an unexpected figure has become influential in the growing battle over solar projects on agricultural land. Conflicts between renewable energy developers and farmers over land use continue to intensify across the United States, and new players are shaping how these disputes play out at the state and local levels.
- 17FAO Distributes Solar Cookers to 468 Families▼FAO: 468 Families Receive Solar Cookers in Five Provinces
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has provided solar cookers to 468 families across five provinces, according to an announcement carried by regional media. The distribution is intended to give households a clean, free cooking energy source, reducing reliance on firewood and fuel. Further details on the provinces involved and the wider programme have not been released.
- 18Farming and solar energy projects show promise in Arkansas●Promise seen in mixing farming, solar energy production projects
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that combining farming with solar energy production is seen as promising. The idea of pairing agriculture with solar panels, sometimes called agrivoltaics, allows land to be used both for crops or grazing and for generating electricity. Details of specific projects, locations and stakeholders were not provided beyond the report's claim of potential in this approach.
- 19Noor Energy 1 Refinances Phase 4 of Dubai Solar Park▼Noor Energy1 Announces Refinancing Of Phase-4 Of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park-GDMO
Noor Energy 1 has announced a refinancing of Phase 4 of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, one of the world's largest concentrated solar power projects. The move is expected to lower financing costs and support the park's continued expansion under Dubai's clean energy strategy. Further details on the financing terms have not yet been disclosed.
- 20Sun King Gets USD 5 Million Acumen Investment for Zambia Solar▼Sun King Secures USD 5 M Acumen Investment To Expand Solar Access In Zambia
Off-grid solar company Sun King has secured a USD 5 million investment from impact investor Acumen to expand solar access in Zambia. The funding aims to bring affordable solar energy products to more Zambian households that lack reliable electricity, supporting the company's broader push across African markets where access to the power grid remains limited.
- 21New York farmer converts 30 acres of farmland into solar field▼In 2023, New York farmer Tony Emmi began turning 30 acres of good farmland into a solar field; three year
In 2023, New York farmer Tony Emmi began converting 30 acres of productive farmland into a solar field, part of a growing debate over whether solar development should occupy good agricultural land. Three years in, the project highlights the tension between clean energy goals and preserving farmland in rural New York.
- 22Argentina launches its first solar-powered battery train●"Argentina’s first solar train runs on batteries charged by the Andean sun" # Argentina # Trains # PublicTransport # Sol
Argentina has put its first solar train into service, running on batteries charged by solar power in the Andean region. The initiative is being shared as an example of renewable energy applied to public transport, with coverage from Euronews drawing attention to the use of Andean sunlight as the train's power source and the project's significance for sustainable transit in the country.
- 23Alex Honnold's Foundation Brings Solar Power To Remote Areas▼Alex Honnold’s Foundation Brings Solar Power To Remote Areas
The Honnold Foundation, founded by rock climber Alex Honnold, is expanding access to solar energy in remote communities that lack reliable electricity. The foundation funds solar installations in off-grid regions, supporting local partners to deliver clean power. Forbes highlighted the effort, drawing attention to how the climber best known for free soloing El Capitan has channelled his fame into renewable energy philanthropy.
- 24Column Slams Trump's Diesel Push as Solar Gains Ground▼Whitcomb: Trump’s Diesel Desperation; Solar Looks a Little Brighter; Rudy Cheeks
A commentary by Whitcomb on GoLocalProv criticises the Trump administration's push for diesel, calling it an act of desperation, while arguing that solar energy is looking increasingly promising. The piece also touches on Rudy Giuliani under the heading 'Rudy Cheeks'. It frames US energy policy as tilting toward fossil fuels even as renewable momentum builds.
- 25PKSF to provide Tk 7,245 crore for microenterprises, solar power●PKSF to provide Tk 7,245cr for microenterprises, solar power
Bangladesh's Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) will provide Tk 7,245 crore in funding for microenterprises and solar power initiatives, according to New Age Bangladesh. The allocation is aimed at supporting small businesses and expanding renewable energy access in rural areas. Further details on the programme's timeline and beneficiaries were not given in the report.
- 26California homeowner under NEM 3.0 reports first negative PG&E bill▼California homeowner on NEM 3.0 gets first negative PG&E bill, thanks to August battery exports
A California homeowner on the state's NEM 3.0 solar billing plan says they received their first negative PG&E bill, crediting battery exports during August for pushing more power back to the grid than their household used. The case is being cited as an example of how storage can offset the reduced export credits introduced under the state's net energy metering overhaul.
- 27CPS Energy relaunches community solar program in San Antonio●CPS Energy's community solar program is back. Here's how it works.
CPS Energy has brought back its community solar program, allowing San Antonio residents to subscribe to solar power without installing panels on their homes. The San Antonio Express-News outlined how the program works, covering enrollment details and how subscribers receive credits on their utility bills for the solar energy generated.
- 28Google's space-based data center experiment is leaving Earth●Google's strangest data center experiment is finally leaving Earth
Google is moving forward with an unusual experiment to test running data centers in orbit, a project long discussed as a way to harness continuous solar power and ease the energy and cooling demands of AI computing. The news that the project is finally leaving Earth is drawing attention across the tech press, with observers weighing whether space-based infrastructure could become a realistic answer to data centers' growing power needs.