solar power

China has become the first country in the world to surpass 1,000 gigawatts of installed solar power capacity, a milestone in the global energy transition. The achievement underlines the scale of China's investment in renewables, far outpacing other nations and cementing its lead in solar manufacturing and deployment.

Germany has already generated 90.2 terawatt hours of solar power in 2026, according to the Federal Association of the Solar Industry. That means production by the end of September has surpassed the full-year total for 2025, which stood at 90.0 terawatt hours. The association credits an unusually high number of sunshine hours and the continued expansion of solar capacity for the record pace.

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.

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.

Renewables covered a record 80% of electricity demand on Australia's main grid, according to a report picked up by international outlets. The milestone, driven by solar and wind output, highlights how far the country's clean energy transition has progressed and is drawing attention as an example of high-renewable grid operation.

Ukraine is relying increasingly on distributed renewable energy to keep power flowing despite Russian strikes on its centralised grid. Small-scale solar, wind and other decentralised installations are harder to knock out than large power plants, allowing hospitals, communities and businesses to maintain electricity through attacks. The approach is being highlighted as a model of wartime energy resilience.

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.

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.

Environment America reports that California is using and storing more solar energy, reflecting the state's continued expansion of clean power capacity. The finding points to growth in both solar generation and battery storage, helping the state rely less on fossil fuels. Solar advocates are highlighting California's role as a national leader in the energy transition.

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.

A large battery storage facility is being built in Waltrop, Germany, at a cost of around 500 million euros. It will use 800 containers of lithium batteries to store up to 1,800 megawatt hours of electricity and deliver up to 900 megawatts of power, allowing surplus wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid later.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms, reusing cleared, open land for renewable energy generation. With many courses closing as membership declines, the sites offer ready-made space for panels without competing with farmland. Observers see it as a practical model for other countries with aging leisure facilities and growing clean-energy targets.

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.

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.

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.

An agrivoltaics project in Minnesota is showing that farmland can host solar panels while crops continue to grow, according to an Associated Press report. The setup allows farmers to generate electricity and income from the same land they cultivate, and supporters see it as a model for expanding renewable energy without taking farmland out of production.

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.

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.

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.

Scientists have produced solar power from panels placed 10 metres underwater, according to a report by Euronews. The experiment suggests solar panels can work effectively below the sea surface, where water cools the equipment and space is abundant. If scalable, underwater solar could open new sites for renewable energy generation, though costs, maintenance and efficiency underwater remain open questions for the industry.

Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has set a new world record of 28.29% efficiency for a single-junction silicon solar cell, according to pv magazine USA. The figure marks a milestone for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, pushing closer to the technology's theoretical limits. Industry observers see such records as key to lowering solar power costs and strengthening Longi's position in the fiercely competitive global panel market.

Indonesia has set out its priorities for turning its 100 GWp solar power ambition into concrete global investment opportunities. The announcement positions the country's large-scale solar expansion as a magnet for international capital, with the government framing clear priorities to make projects investable. Details of the specific measures remain limited, but the move signals Indonesia's intent to court foreign investors for its renewable energy build-out.

The Honnold Foundation, founded by climber Alex Honnold, is expanding access to solar energy in remote and off-grid communities. Forbes reports on the foundation's work funding solar projects that bring reliable electricity to areas lacking grid access. The initiative highlights how renewable energy can reach places that traditional infrastructure has left behind.

Nevada is seeing unexpected growth in solar energy, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with gambling and desert landscapes, is emerging as a notable player in renewable power, drawing attention to how quickly its solar capacity and clean-energy ambitions are advancing.