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solar power
Trends
- 1California tests solar panels over irrigation canals●What California is learning from solar panels built over irrigation canals
California is studying solar panels installed over irrigation canals, an approach that generates renewable energy while shading water to reduce evaporation. Early results from pilot projects are offering lessons on costs, maintenance and how much water and power such installations can realistically save as the state weighs wider rollout.
- 2Solar 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.
- 3Google announces Project Suncatcher to put AI infrastructure in space●Google’s Project Suncatcher to put ML infrastructure in space
Google has unveiled Project Suncatcher, an initiative to run machine learning infrastructure in space, with details published on its research blog. The plan points to solar-powered data centers orbiting Earth to expand computing capacity for AI. The announcement is drawing attention among technologists debating the feasibility, cost and environmental logic of moving AI compute off-planet.
- 4Australia'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.
- 5Argentina 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.
- 6An 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.
- 7
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.
- 8Renewables Hit 61% of Turkey's Electricity Amid Hormuz Crisis▼Amid Hormuz Energy Crisis, Renewables generate 61% of Turkish Electricity
Turkey generated 61% of its electricity from renewable sources at a time when the Strait of Hormuz crisis has raised fears over global oil and gas supply. Analysts point to the figure as evidence that investment in wind, solar and hydro can reduce exposure to Middle East energy shocks. The milestone has drawn attention to Turkey's energy strategy and to renewables more broadly as a hedge against supply disruption.
- 9Solar and wind cut Europe's electricity costs by 25%●»‘Decoupling from fossil fuel shocks’: Europe’s electricity made 25% cheaper thanks to # solar and # wind […] An analysi
An analysis by SolarPower Europe says the expansion of solar and wind has made electricity across Europe roughly 25% cheaper, saving more than €100 million per day by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The report describes the shift as 'decoupling' European power prices from volatile fossil fuel shocks, adding weight to arguments that renewables deliver both climate and economic benefits.
- 10Solar Storms Pose Growing Threat to Power Grids●Disasters from the Sun: Threats to Power-grids and Digital Infrastructure
An analysis published by the Observer Research Foundation examines how solar activity can trigger disasters on Earth, warning that solar storms threaten power grids and digital infrastructure. The piece highlights the vulnerability of modern electricity networks and communications systems to severe space weather events, and the potential scale of disruption if a major storm were to hit.
- 11UK study finds silicon solar cells could slash satellite power costs▼UK study says silicon solar cells could cut satellite power costs by up to 90%
A UK study has found that silicon solar cells, a cheaper and more mature technology than the specialist cells currently used in space, could reduce satellite power costs by up to 90%. The finding points to silicon as a viable alternative for powering satellites, potentially lowering the cost of space missions.
- 12Alex 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.
- 13Underwater Solar Panels Tested at Ten Metres in South China Sea●Underwater Solar Panels Tested at Ten Metres in the South China Sea
Researchers have tested underwater solar panels at a depth of ten metres in the South China Sea, according to an industry report. The trial explores whether photovoltaic technology can generate usable power beneath the surface, where light is weaker but conditions are more stable. Observers are watching to see if the approach could support offshore installations, marine research stations or subsea equipment in the future.
- 14
Texas is turning its attention to solar power as part of a broader shift in its energy mix, long dominated by oil and gas. The move highlights how the state, already a leader in wind generation, is increasingly adding large-scale solar capacity to meet growing electricity demand and diversify its power sources.
- 15Indonesia Urged to Learn from ASEAN and Pakistan's Solar Boom▼Highlighting Regional Insights: What Indonesia Can Learn from ASEAN and Pakistan's Solar Boom at New York Climate Week
At New York Climate Week, analysts highlighted lessons Indonesia could draw from the rapid solar power growth across ASEAN countries and Pakistan, where falling costs and distributed installations have driven a boom. The discussion urged Indonesia to accelerate its own solar adoption as it weighs its energy transition amid rising regional competition for clean investment.
- 16SunCulture Secures $10 Million to Expand Solar Irrigation in Africa▼SunCulture Secures USD 10 M Financing To Expand Solar Irrigation In Africa
SunCulture, a company providing solar-powered irrigation systems for smallholder farmers, has secured USD 10 million in new financing to scale its operations across Africa. The funding will support expansion of its solar irrigation solutions, which help farmers boost yields while cutting reliance on rain-fed agriculture and costly diesel pumps. The deal highlights growing investor interest in African climate-focused agritech startups.
- 17Ohio 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.
- 18Ohio 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.
- 19Turkish Parliament to run entirely on solar power from Konya▼Parliament to meet all electricity needs with solar power from Konya
Turkey's Parliament plans to meet all of its electricity needs through solar power supplied from Konya, according to Hürriyet Daily News. The project would make the legislature fully reliant on renewable energy generated in the central Anatolian province, a notable step in the country's push to expand solar capacity.
- 20Three-layer perovskite solar cell hits 30.1% efficiency▼Smoother perovskite films lift three-layer solar cell efficiency to 30.1%
Researchers report that making perovskite films smoother has pushed a three-layer, or tandem, solar cell to a power conversion efficiency of 30.1%. Reducing surface roughness in the perovskite layer helps the stacked cell convert more sunlight into electricity, a level approaching the performance of top commercial silicon technology and a step forward for next-generation photovoltaics.
- 21Google'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.
- 22Noor 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.
- 23Sun King Lands $5 Million Acumen Investment to Expand Solar Access in Zambia▼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 Acumen to expand access to solar energy in Zambia. The funding is aimed at growing the company's pay-as-you-go solar products among households with limited or unreliable access to electricity. The move highlights continued investor interest in African off-grid energy startups working to close the continent's power access gap.
- 24California homeowner gets first negative PG&E bill with battery exports●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 scheme has received their first negative PG&E bill, with excess electricity exported from a home battery in August more than covering their usage charges. It is being cited as an example of how battery storage can offset the steep export-rate cuts introduced under NEM 3.0, which slashed payments for rooftop solar power sent to the grid.
- 25NextPower Says Solar and Storage Demand Defies Policy and Grid Hurdles●Nextpower Sees Solar, Storage Demand Powering Through Policy and Grid Challenges
NextPower says demand for solar power and battery storage remains strong despite policy uncertainty and grid connection bottlenecks. The company's outlook suggests the clean energy buildout is continuing through regulatory headwinds, reinforcing confidence among investors and industry watchers that renewables growth will hold up even as permitting and infrastructure issues persist across major markets.
- 26America's Battery Boom Shifts From Cars to the Power Grid●America’s Next Battery Boom May Be About the Grid, Not Cars
A new report argues the next wave of American battery demand will come not from electric vehicles but from grid-scale storage, as utilities add batteries to balance growing amounts of wind and solar power and to stabilize an aging electricity network under rising demand from data centers. Industry watchers see this as a structural shift in where battery manufacturing and investment will flow next.
- 27Philadelphia-area schools turn to solar power to cut utility costs●Philadelphia-area schools are tapping the sun’s energy and saving money on utilities
School districts in the Philadelphia area are installing solar energy systems to reduce their utility bills. District officials say the move to solar power is delivering meaningful savings on energy costs, which can be redirected toward educational priorities. The shift reflects a broader trend of Pennsylvania schools adopting renewable energy as a way to manage tight budgets while cutting emissions.