solar energy

China has become the first country in the world to surpass 1,000 gigawatts of installed solar power capacity, a milestone underlining the scale of its renewable energy buildout. Observers are highlighting the achievement as evidence of the pace of China's clean energy expansion and its lead over other major economies in solar deployment.

New analysis indicates that growing solar and wind generation is limiting natural gas consumption in the United States even as overall electricity demand increases. The finding suggests renewables are increasingly meeting incremental power needs, reducing reliance on gas-fired plants and marking a notable shift in the US energy mix amid rising consumption.

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 large-scale solar farms as the country struggles to find open land for renewable energy. With mountainous terrain, limited flat space and growing pressure to cut emissions, developers see retired golf facilities, many closed after declining demand, as ready-made sites with existing grid access for solar panels.

Germany has generated 90.2 terawatt-hours of solar power through September, already surpassing its total solar output for all of 2025. The milestone underlines the pace of the country's solar expansion and its growing reliance on renewables in the power mix.

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.

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.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar power sites, easing the country's shortage of open land for renewable energy. As golf's popularity declines, closed courses offer flat, sunny, pre-cleared terrain well suited to panels. Bloomberg reports the trend is accelerating as Japan pushes to expand renewable capacity to meet its climate and energy security goals.

Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has set a new world record, achieving 28.29% efficiency for a single-junction silicon solar cell. The result, reported by pv magazine, marks a benchmark for silicon photovoltaic technology and underscores Longi's lead in solar research. Industry observers see such gains as key to lowering the cost of solar power and accelerating the global energy transition.

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.

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.

Renewable energy developer Low Carbon has announced plans to build a 500MW solar-plus-storage project in the UK, one of the larger combined schemes in the country's pipeline. The project would pair large-scale solar generation with battery storage to supply power more flexibly to the grid. The announcement lands as the UK pushes to expand renewable capacity and grid-scale storage.

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.

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.

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.

Grupo Enhol has secured financing from Proparco and Santander for a 467MW solar PV project in Peru. The deal marks a significant investment in the country's renewable energy capacity, adding large-scale solar generation. The project is expected to strengthen Peru's energy transition and is drawing attention as one of the region's notable recent clean-energy financings.

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.

Australia's most powerful battery has been completed and is now operating as a giant shock absorber for the electricity grid, according to Renew Economy. The project is designed to smooth out sudden fluctuations in supply and demand as the country relies more on variable wind and solar power. The news is being shared in renewable energy and climate circles, with commenters highlighting it as a milestone for Australia's clean energy transition and grid stability.

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.

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.

Shares of First Solar rose after KeyBanc removed its underweight rating on the solar panel maker. The move by the brokerage signaled a more neutral or positive stance on the company, prompting investors to buy the stock. First Solar, a major US-based solar manufacturer, has been closely watched amid shifting policy and demand dynamics in the clean energy sector.

Researchers have pushed back against claims that their work overlooked grid expenses, saying the analysis directly measured them and found that large-scale solar power reduces overall system costs. The findings, published via Commonwealth Beacon, argue utility-scale solar delivers savings for electricity customers rather than added burdens, in a contribution to ongoing debates over renewable energy economics.