solar power

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.

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.

Solar and wind generation met a record 80% of electricity demand on Australia's national grid, a new high for the country's renewable energy transition. The milestone highlights how quickly rooftop solar and large-scale wind farms are displacing coal-fired power in Australia. Commentators are citing it as evidence that renewables can carry a large share of a major national grid, though questions remain about storage and reliability as coal plants retire.

Retired electric vehicle batteries could be given a second life as large-scale storage units, helping Europe keep the surplus solar and wind power it currently wastes when generation exceeds demand. The approach is being described as a valuable resource for the continent's energy transition, turning battery waste into grid assets that can store clean electricity for later use.

Australia's most powerful battery has been completed and is now operating as what its developer describes as a giant shock absorber for the electricity grid. The project is being discussed as a milestone for the country's renewable energy transition, helping stabilise power supply as coal generation is phased out and more solar and wind capacity comes online.

A Massachusetts startup has introduced a new solar-powered boat designed to serve multiple purposes on the water. The vessel's launch is drawing attention as clean-energy companies look for ways to cut fuel use and emissions in marine transport, with the startup promoting its design as a versatile alternative for a range of boating needs.

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.

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.

Researchers have reported progress in underwater solar power after completing a 10-metre test, marking a step toward generating solar energy beneath the water's surface. The development points to potential new ways of harvesting renewable energy in oceans and other bodies of water, an area attracting growing interest as demand for clean power expands.

South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo reports that a 'blue wave' — a sweeping electoral victory — is expected to lift solar, energy storage system (ESS) and power equipment stocks. The report suggests investors see a politically decisive outcome as positive for renewable energy and grid-related companies, driving renewed interest in these sectors.

Georgia Power has received regulatory approval for 1,137 megawatts of new solar power purchase agreements under the CARES program. The agreements will add a substantial amount of solar energy to the utility's supply mix, expanding renewable capacity for customers across Georgia and advancing the state's clean energy procurement efforts.

French development finance institution Proparco and Finland's Finnfund have committed $33 million to ERCO, a Colombian solar energy platform. The investment is aimed at expanding solar power capacity in Colombia, supporting the country's transition to renewable energy. Development finance institutions have been increasingly directing capital toward Latin American clean energy projects.

French renewable energy company Qair has secured €37.9 million in financing to develop its solar energy projects in Chad. The funding will support the expansion of solar infrastructure in the country, where access to electricity remains limited. The announcement is being reported across energy sector news outlets, highlighting growing investor interest in renewable power projects in Central Africa.

CPS Energy, the municipal utility serving San Antonio, has brought back its community solar program, which lets residents subscribe to solar power without installing panels on their own homes. The utility is explaining how enrollment works, with subscribers typically receiving credits on their bills for the energy produced. The relaunch gives customers another option to support renewable energy and potentially lower costs.