New Zealand’s Ministry for Regulation has proposed a significant overhaul of the country’s solar energy framework to simplify the adoption of small- to medium-sized systems. The recommendations aim to eliminate the fragmented, time-consuming regulatory hurdles that currently frustrate residential and business consumers. By streamlining approval processes and legalizing plug-in solar ...

Extreme heat across Europe is threatening to push the Rhine River to its lowest water levels in 36 years, creating a severe bottleneck for critical energy and industrial supplies. As temperatures soar, shipping costs have surged to record highs, and the transport of coal and fuel to inland regions has ...

The Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council has expressed support for the European Commission’s Electrification Action Plan, highlighting the essential role of long-duration storage in Europe’s transition to clean energy. As the continent shifts toward greater electrification in transport, industry, and buildings, the Council emphasizes that LDES technologies are vital ...

Real Madrid and ELITE Solar have entered into a new global strategic partnership, establishing the photovoltaic manufacturer as the club’s official solar panel provider. This collaboration unites a prominent sports institution with a leader in clean energy technology to promote sustainability and innovation on a global scale. By leveraging their ...

The Trump administration has implemented a formal ban on the importation of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing significant national security concerns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added these technologies to its Covered List, arguing that devices manufactured abroad—particularly in China—could be exploited for cyberattacks, remote surveillance, or ...

FAW Group has intensified the competition in China’s electric vehicle sector by unveiling a new ultra-fast charging battery developed for its Hongqi brand in partnership with Lishen Battery. Recent performance testing at 25°C confirmed the battery can charge from 10% to 70% in under four minutes, specifically 3 minutes and ...

Urban mining is transforming the way we view discarded electronics and battery packs, turning household waste into a vital resource. By recovering metals like gold, copper, and lithium from old devices rather than extracting them from the earth, this practice offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional mining. With e-waste ...

As global temperatures climb, Japanese manufacturers SDRS and TRUSCO Nakayama have introduced a novel solution to combat extreme heat: the "Do Hiemon Box." This portable, one-person cooling booth is designed to provide rapid relief for individuals working or traveling in sweltering conditions. Inspired by the ubiquitous Japanese vending machine, the ...

Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, and Macquarie Capital have launched a collaborative initiative to establish a nationwide charging network for electric air taxis. Known as America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES), the project aims to deploy up to 250 charging sites across the United States over the next decade. By utilizing ...

Europe is experiencing a record-breaking summer for solar energy, with the technology emerging as the European Union’s primary source of electricity throughout May and June. According to data from the think tank Ember, solar modules generated 25% of the region’s power last month. This rapid expansion is particularly evident in ...

Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the immigrant neighborhood of Emma is turning to solar energy to bolster its disaster resilience and reduce utility costs. A new 46-kilowatt rooftop solar array at the La Esperanza community center marks a significant step in this effort. By integrating ...

Joby Aviation has officially launched its “Electric Skies Tour,” a nationwide demonstration series aimed at showcasing the viability of commercial air taxi services. The initiative kicked off with a successful flight over the San Francisco Bay Area, where the company’s electric aircraft navigated around the Golden Gate Bridge. This demonstration ...

A major industrial project in Boden, Sweden, is set to transform steel production by replacing traditional coal-based methods with renewable energy and green hydrogen. As the first greenfield steel mill built in Europe in half a century, the facility spans 270 hectares and integrates a 700-megawatt hydrogen plant. By utilizing ...

The UK’s £15-billion Warm Homes Plan, designed to transition households from gas boilers to electrified heating and improve insulation, faces significant criticism for being both environmentally inadequate and socially regressive. While the initiative aims to promote heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, and battery storage, experts argue it fails to meet ...

China has officially delivered the world’s first 10,000-vehicle-class car carrier integrated with a photovoltaic power generation system. Built by Guangzhou Shipyard International for the Korea Ocean Business Corporation, the 755-foot vessel is designed to transport up to 10,800 vehicles. By combining solar energy with dual-fuel engines capable of running on ...

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed innovative "biocells" that utilize cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, to generate electricity through photosynthesis. By functioning as biological solar panels, these units offer a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical batteries, which often cause environmental harm through mining and disposal. Led by Professor Chris ...

Swedish cleantech firm CorPower Ocean has achieved a significant milestone for the wave energy sector by securing a full DNV Prototype Certificate for its C4 wave energy converter. This rigorous safety certification, which took seven years to attain, validates the device’s structural integrity and performance in harsh offshore environments. By ...

Google and Cypress Creek Energy have officially commenced construction on the Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, Arkansas, marking the launch of the largest solar and battery storage project currently underway in the United States. Upon its full completion by 2029, the facility will feature 2.5 gigawatts of solar ...

A new report from the energy think tank Ember reveals that existing hydropower plants across seven European Union nations could host up to 25 GW of additional wind and solar PV capacity. By integrating these renewable sources into current grid connections, the bloc could significantly boost its clean energy output ...

China is set to phase out long-standing consumption tax exemptions for various photovoltaic cells and battery products, marking a significant shift in the nation’s industrial policy. Starting in September 2026, the government will gradually reintroduce taxes on these technologies, moving away from the incentives that fueled their rapid growth over ...

Solar module prices have stabilized for the second time this year, with negligible fluctuations across most technology classes. While availability has significantly improved for standard power categories, back-contact modules exceeding 24% efficiency remain in short supply due to high demand. Although these high-efficiency units currently represent a small market share, ...

California’s Central Valley, historically a powerhouse of American agriculture, is undergoing a profound transformation as climate change and severe water scarcity force farmers to abandon traditional crops. Faced with dwindling irrigation supplies and strict groundwater pumping regulations, many growers are reluctantly leasing their fallowed land to developers for large-scale solar ...

Perovskite materials are emerging as a transformative alternative to traditional silicon in the solar industry, particularly for the development of transparent solarized window glass. By integrating these synthetic crystals into building surfaces, researchers are creating modules that generate electricity while maintaining the cooling benefits of tinted glass. Recent breakthroughs from ...

Researchers have discovered that floating solar farms may serve as unexpected habitats for local wildlife. During a recent study at a solar installation in the Netherlands, scientists were surprised to hear bird calls emanating from beneath the floating solar modules. This observation suggests that the structures provide a sheltered environment ...

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital oceanic conveyor belt, is showing signs of slowing due to human-induced climate change. A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that this weakening could trigger global climatic shifts, most notably by intensifying atmospheric rivers. These concentrated streams of water vapor are ...

CorPower Ocean has achieved a significant breakthrough for the marine energy sector, as its C4 wave energy buoy became the first device of its kind to receive full certification from DNV. This rigorous, seven-year assessment confirms the technology’s safety and structural integrity, marking a transition for wave power from experimental ...

Lithium-ion technology currently serves as the backbone of modern electronics, fueling billions of mobile phones, laptops, and an expanding global fleet of electric vehicles and energy-storage systems. Despite this dominance, a significant shift is underway as a new competitor emerges to challenge the status quo. Sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction ...

An international research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in photovoltaic technology by developing a high-performance, commercial-scale tandem solar cell that eliminates the need for indium. By substituting this scarce, expensive metal with abundant tin oxide, the researchers have created a more sustainable and cost-effective path for solar manufacturing. This ...

Deep Sea Minerals Corp and Impossible Metals have entered into a strategic partnership to explore more sustainable methods for extracting critical minerals from the ocean floor. By utilizing the Eureka Collection System, an autonomous underwater robotic platform developed by Impossible Metals, the companies aim to minimize the environmental impact typically ...

As Europe faces a recurring cycle of intense heatwaves and severe thunderstorms, urban planners and industry experts are increasingly turning to the integration of green roofs with solar modules. This dual-purpose approach serves as a critical climate adaptation strategy, helping to mitigate urban flooding, lower ambient temperatures, and generate clean ...

Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, and Macquarie Capital have launched a collaborative initiative to establish a national charging network for electric air taxis. Known as America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES), the project aims to deploy up to 250 charging sites across the United States over the next ten years. By ...

CATL has unveiled its latest TENER series, a battery energy storage system (BESS) utilizing sodium-ion chemistry, designed to enhance flexibility and stability for utility-scale projects. Debuted at Intersolar Europe 2026, the system offers a storage capacity of up to 30 MWh per container and supports configurable backup durations ranging from ...

Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology have proposed a novel wireless energy transmission system to support lunar exploration. By utilizing laser beams to transmit power from solar-powered stations on sunlit crater rims to rovers operating in permanently shadowed regions, the team aims to overcome the limitations of traditional battery ...

The U.S. power grid successfully navigated a severe heat wave last week, maintaining stability despite record-breaking electricity demand. The surge in cooling needs was met largely by the significant expansion of clean energy resources. Solar power proved vital in Texas, covering over 30% of peak demand, while offshore wind and ...

Effective climate strategy does not require an endless list of speculative technologies; instead, it demands a focus on proven, scalable solutions that align with physics and economic reality. The path forward centers on electrifying the economy, overbuilding renewable energy capacity, and expanding continent-scale grids. By prioritizing direct electrification over inefficient ...

For the first time in history, solar PV accounted for 25% of the European Union’s total electricity generation during June 2026. Data from the think tank Ember confirms that solar modules produced a record 52TWh of power, surpassing nuclear energy’s 21% share to become the continent's primary electricity source. This ...

Wood Mackenzie has released its inaugural global ranking of battery energy storage system (BESS) integrators, naming Sungrow as the industry leader. The report arrives as annual global battery storage installations surpassed the 100 GW milestone in 2025. The assessment evaluates factory-assembled, AC-integrated solutions based on ten key metrics, including safety, ...

As of 2026, the energy storage sector is grappling with the long-term viability of lithium-ion technology, which currently serves as the industry standard. While lithium’s high energy density and efficiency have driven its widespread adoption, its market dominance is now sparking critical discussions regarding supply chain concentration and potential technological ...

The International Energy Agency’s "Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026" highlights that critical minerals have become central to energy, economic, and national security. While supply remains a concern, particularly for copper, the focus has shifted toward supply chain resilience and diversification. Prices for key minerals rebounded in 2025 and early 2026, ...

The latest report from financial firm Lazard indicates that the levelized cost of energy for utility-scale solar and battery storage has risen over the past year. Driven by higher capital expenses, interest rates, and supply chain pressures, the cost of standalone utility-scale battery storage has climbed 27% since 2020. Despite ...

Researchers at Tufts University have developed innovative wearable sensors for plants, offering farmers a way to monitor crop health in real time. Unlike traditional methods like drones or soil sensors, which often detect issues only after visible damage has occurred, these new devices provide an early warning system. By attaching ...

Ireland is moving forward with the Rathrush Green Energy Park, a massive project designed to capture surplus wind and solar power that currently overwhelms the national grid. By converting this excess renewable energy into green hydrogen, the facility aims to prevent energy waste while providing a reliable storage solution. The ...

The Netherlands is rapidly closing the gap with Australia in the global race for solar energy adoption, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest market for solar panel capacity per capita. To secure a spot in the top 10 rankings, nations must now exceed a threshold of 1 kilowatt-peak of ...

Europe’s battery storage sector reached a significant milestone in 2025, with total operational capacity surpassing 100 gigawatt-hours. According to SolarPower Europe’s latest market outlook, the industry saw a 48 percent annual growth rate, driven largely by a shift toward large-scale, grid-connected battery projects. While Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy ...

A large-scale engine fueled entirely by pure hydrogen has successfully delivered electricity to Spain’s national power grid, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy technology. As global reliance on intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind grows, the need for reliable backup power that avoids fossil fuels has become critical ...

A large-scale engine fueled entirely by pure hydrogen has successfully delivered electricity to Spain’s national power grid, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy technology. As global reliance on intermittent sources like solar and wind grows, this demonstration proves that hydrogen can provide a reliable, emission-free backup during periods of ...

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are investigating whether agricultural land can simultaneously host utility-scale solar arrays and food production. The Kegonsa Research Campus, which recently entered its second season, utilizes a 17-acre site featuring over 5,400 solar panels to study agrivoltaics. By analyzing variables like soil carbon, water cycles, ...

Researchers at Cologne Technical University have introduced a pioneering deep recycling method for photovoltaic modules that could transform how the industry handles end-of-life solar panels. With Germany projected to generate 5.6 million tons of solar waste by 2045, this technology offers a sustainable alternative to current mechanical recycling, which often ...

A new report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) argues that Oʻahu should prioritize the expansion of solar farms and battery storage over the construction of new power plants to reach the state's 100% renewable energy goal. Researchers suggest that by reducing regulatory hurdles and development costs, ...

Vancouver-based company Moment Energy has officially launched Megafactory 1, currently the world’s largest facility dedicated to repurposing electric vehicle batteries. Opened on June 23, 2026, just six weeks after its announcement, the plant transforms retired EV batteries into reliable energy storage systems. These units provide essential power support for critical ...

Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington have launched the United States' first prismatic battery production line, a significant step toward accelerating the commercialization of next-generation energy storage. While promising technologies like sodium-ion, solid-state, and liquid-metal batteries have long been hindered by high manufacturing costs and technical scaling ...

Medical professionals are increasingly warning that climate change poses a severe threat to human health, with rising greenhouse gas emissions linked to significant increases in mortality and illness. While the immediate dangers of extreme heat and wildfire smoke are well-documented, researchers are now uncovering how persistent, overlapping climate stressors impact ...

Belfast-based Artemis Technologies has unveiled the EF-12, a pioneering 100% electric, zero-emissions hydrofoil pilot boat. Designed to modernize the hazardous maritime profession of harbor piloting, the vessel utilizes the proprietary Artemis eFoiler electric propulsion system to lift the hull above the water. This innovation significantly reduces hydrodynamic drag and wake ...

A Swiss pilot project has successfully demonstrated a novel method for generating renewable energy by installing solar panels directly between railroad tracks. Developed by the startup Sun-Ways, this innovative system utilizes existing rail infrastructure to host PV modules without disrupting train operations. By repurposing space that is already in use, ...

A former coal mine in Minonk, Illinois, has been transformed into a functional solar energy site, marking a significant shift from fossil fuel extraction to renewable power generation. Spanning 40 acres, the project utilizes 16,950 solar panels to generate a combined capacity of 9.8 Megawatts. This brownfield development not only ...

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully scaled up a solar-powered technology capable of transforming plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and industrial chemicals. While previous iterations of this reactor were limited to laboratory settings, the team has now demonstrated a functional, one-square-metre device operating under natural sunlight. By ...

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully scaled up a solar-powered technology capable of transforming plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and industrial chemicals. While previous iterations of this innovation were confined to small-scale laboratory settings, the team has now demonstrated the system's viability in real-world, outdoor conditions. By ...

At Intersolar Europe 2026, industry leaders argued that domestic manufacturing will not disrupt the global solar market, but rather succeed through strategic innovation and specialized development. Peter Fath of RCT Solutions emphasized that the industry’s technology roadmap is already set, with a transition from TOPCon to back contact (BC) and ...

The German energy storage association, BVES, intends to challenge the country’s proposed Electricity Security of Supply and Capacity Act (StromVKG) before the European Commission. The association contends that the legislation’s current framework unfairly favors gas-fired power plants while effectively sidelining battery storage and other flexible technologies. By mandating strict operational ...

Italy’s energy storage sector is experiencing a period of significant, albeit uneven, growth. Federico Brucciani of Italia Solare notes that the residential market has matured rapidly, largely due to tax-based incentive schemes that have made the integration of batteries with solar panels the standard for households. Conversely, the commercial and ...