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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

For the first time in the United Kingdom, annual sales of new electric vehicles have surpassed those of petrol-powered cars. Data analyzed by Carbon Brief reveals that in the twelve months leading up to May 2026, consumers purchased 516,490 battery electric vehicles compared to 504,010 petrol models. This shift arrives ...

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 ...

Amsterdam-based Ore Energy has partnered with major energy supplier Budget Thuis to deploy one gigawatt-hour (GWh) of iron-air long-duration energy storage (LDES) in the Netherlands. This agreement, finalized on June 22, 2026, marks the largest project of its kind in continental Europe. The initiative aims to address the intermittency of ...

As the United Kingdom grapples with a severe heatwave and temperatures climbing past 37°C, new data from the energy think tank Ember highlights the vital role of residential solar power. Households equipped with rooftop solar modules are currently generating enough electricity to offset the energy demands of air conditioning units ...

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed an innovative artificial photosynthesis system capable of producing formic acid from carbon dioxide and water using solar energy. Unlike traditional setups that rely on complex battery-based hardware to stabilize fluctuating sunlight, this new device features a redesigned electrolyzer that self-regulates. By utilizing a ...

The LEGO Group is advancing its commitment to renewable energy by constructing a significant solar power plant in Billund, Denmark. Boasting an installed capacity of 116 MW and a grid connection of 80 MW peak, the facility is projected to generate approximately 99 GWh of electricity annually once it becomes ...

Logistics giant Prologis is transforming vast warehouse rooftops into community solar hubs, turning underutilized urban space into clean energy generators. A recent 720-kilowatt installation in Oakland, California, exemplifies this shift, feeding power directly into the grid to provide low-income households with guaranteed utility bill savings. By leveraging flat, expansive commercial ...

Solar technology is undergoing a significant aesthetic transformation, moving away from utilitarian, rigid grids toward expressive, sculptural forms. For decades, solar panels were treated as secondary technical additions, often hidden from view due to their stark appearance. Today, architects and designers are integrating advanced photovoltaics into the built environment as ...

A new study by NERA Economic Consulting, commissioned by the Corporate Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), reveals that placing permitting restrictions on new solar and wind energy projects could significantly increase electricity costs across the United States. By modeling a constrained market environment against an unconstrained scenario, researchers found that limiting ...

Researchers at Xidian University in China are advancing a space-based solar power project called Zhuri, or “chasing the sun,” designed to transmit clean energy wirelessly from geostationary orbit to Earth. By capturing solar energy 36,000 kilometres above the planet, the system avoids the limitations of weather and night cycles, potentially ...

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released an interactive map demonstrating that solar energy infrastructure occupies only 0.07% of prime farmland in the United States. Designed to provide context during ongoing Farm Bill negotiations, the tool highlights that solar development has a significantly smaller land footprint than suburban sprawl ...

For the first time in the United Kingdom, annual sales of new electric vehicles have surpassed those of petrol-powered cars. Data analyzed by Carbon Brief reveals that in the 12 months leading up to May 2026, consumers purchased 516,490 battery electric vehicles, compared to 504,010 petrol models. This milestone arrives ...

Designer Ahmad Eghtesad has unveiled a visionary concept titled the Baobab Waterfall, a floating infrastructure project designed to address Madagascar’s severe energy crisis and social challenges. Inspired by the resilient native baobab tree, this maritime structure utilizes deep-ocean water to generate significant renewable electricity. Beyond its primary role as a ...

Europe has already established a powerful defense against energy price volatility through decades of efficiency gains. Data from the Odyssee-MURE project reveals that EU final energy consumption in 2024 was 249 million tonnes of oil equivalent lower than it would have been without improvements made since 2000. This 29% reduction ...

The Trump administration has dropped its legal challenge against a court ruling that overturned a federal freeze on wind energy projects. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit dismissed the appeal following a voluntary motion by the Justice Department. This decision upholds a December 2025 ruling by Judge ...

A coalition of solar manufacturers known as American Manufacturers for ENergy Resilience (AMER)—comprising Heliene, SEG Solar, and Canadian Solar—has petitioned the US Department of Commerce to launch an anti-circumvention inquiry into solar cell imports from South Korea. The group alleges that South Korean producers, including Hanwha, are bypassing long-standing anti-dumping ...

The NESTOUT 4-Panel Solar Charger brings a new level of portability to renewable energy, mirroring the compact design of modern camping gear. By integrating a solar regulator and storage pouch directly into the unit, the device eliminates the cable clutter often associated with portable PV systems. Featuring high-efficiency Maxeon solar ...

Honda has entered into a strategic partnership with battery startup QuantumScape to advance the development of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. Following a period of private evaluation, the two companies have formalized a multi-year joint research agreement focused on both battery technology and the manufacturing processes required to scale production ...

Spain’s self-consumption energy sector experienced a significant surge in storage capacity last year, with new installations rising by 65 percent. According to data from the Spanish solar association Unión Española Fotovoltaica (UNEF), the market reached 540 MWh of new capacity, up from 327 MWh the previous year. This expansion was ...

A new report from Eurelectric and AFRY highlights that long-duration energy storage (LDES) is becoming a viable solution for Europe’s evolving power grid. By providing flexibility over periods exceeding eight hours, these technologies—including iron-air batteries, compressed air, and liquid air storage—can mitigate grid congestion and reduce renewable energy curtailment. The ...

A newly formed industry group, the ABLC, has launched to position sodium-ion batteries as a cornerstone of United States energy storage, manufacturing, and national security. By advocating for federal policies that support domestic production, the coalition aims to provide a scalable, cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion technology. As electricity demand from ...

IBC Solar has successfully launched the Veringenstadt agrivoltaic project in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, marking a significant advancement in dual-use land management. By integrating 8.5 MWp of solar capacity with ongoing farming operations, the facility generates 11 GWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power over 3,100 households. The project distinguishes itself through ...