Solar Energy Archives

SunTrain Re-Imagines Battery Storage & Clean Energy

Steve Hanley — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 03:51:34 +0000

SunTrain is an idea that deserves serious consideration. It may seem silly at first but it is just another way of moving energy by rail.

The post SunTrain Re-Imagines Battery Storage & Clean Energy appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Californians Could Save $6.5 Billion With Community Solar & Storage

Derek Markham — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 18:04:50 +0000

A new study has found that expanding community solar and storage across California could save electricity customers a staggering $6.5 billion over the next 20 years. Commissioned by the Coalition for Community Solar Access, the report by Aurora Energy Research shows that investing in 5.4 gigawatts (GW) of local solar ... [continued]

The post Californians Could Save $6.5 Billion With Community Solar & Storage appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Religion & Renewables In Indiana

Steve Hanley — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 16:24:03 +0000

George Lakoff, a communications strategist who advises progressives, always stresses that how an idea is framed is critical to whether it is viewed positively or negatively. If it is viewed positively, it is far more likely to be looked on favorably than if it is viewed negatively. Religion offers a ... [continued]

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What Happens When US Electricity Demand Craters?

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:00:47 +0000

CleanTechnica reader BigWu recently brought an interesting thought experiment to my mind. He brought up the ramifications for fossil fuel power sources if the economy crashes and electricity demand drops more or less commensurately. “We’re about to see US electricity demand crater due to the malignant and willful ignorance of ... [continued]

The post What Happens When US Electricity Demand Craters? appeared first on CleanTechnica.

How I Took My Travel Trailer All-Electric (So Far)

Jennifer Sensiba — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:35:36 +0000

In another recent post, I shared what I learned from going all-electric and taking my travel trailer off-grid for a week. Now, I want to explain to readers what it took to teach my older camper new tricks. It took a surprising amount of hard, intricate work to do this, ... [continued]

The post How I Took My Travel Trailer All-Electric (So Far) appeared first on CleanTechnica.

California Community Solar Project Will Help The Disadvantaged

Jake Richardson — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 18:06:11 +0000

Rooftop solar power is not affordable for all homeowners, and some people rent in structures where rooftop solar is not available. Community solar installations allow access for people who might not otherwise have it. It’s one of the best human uses of clean, renewable electricity. Here at Cleantechnica, we have ... [continued]

The post California Community Solar Project Will Help The Disadvantaged appeared first on CleanTechnica.

There Is One Clear Winner In The Corn Vs. Solar Battle

Steve Hanley — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 01:17:31 +0000

Researchers claim putting solar on less than 4 percent of farmland used to grow corn for ethanol would benefit everyone, especially farmers.

The post There Is One Clear Winner In The Corn Vs. Solar Battle appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Solar Power Surges Around The World

Steve Hanley — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 20:08:41 +0000

Solar power is experiencing strong growth in countries around the world, despite furious push back from the fossil fuel industry.

The post Solar Power Surges Around The World appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Reality Check: Can Perovskite Really Outshine Silicon PV?

Michael Barnard — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:07:56 +0000

Perovskite solar is getting another moment in the sun, with outlandish claims matched by a lack of global perspective on advances. It’s worth stepping carefully through the various dimensions of this photovoltaic technology, weighing what enthusiasts say against what’s demonstrably true today. In doing so, it’s obvious that perovskite’s pathway ... [continued]

The post Reality Check: Can Perovskite Really Outshine Silicon PV? appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Switzerland Unveils World’s First Operational Solar Railway Project

Derek Markham — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 22:10:51 +0000

In a pioneering move toward sustainable energy, Switzerland has inaugurated the world’s first solar power plant installed directly on an active railway line. Developed by Swiss startup Sun-Ways, this innovative project features removable solar PV panels laid between the rails, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy integration within transportation ... [continued]

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Meet The Robot Replacing Four Workers At A Time On Solar Projects

Michael Barnard — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:14:11 +0000

At a dusty solar site outside Culcairn, New South Wales, a tracked robot methodically rolled between rows of steel posts, hoisting large photovoltaic panels with a vacuum arm and placing them onto pre-aligned mounting structures. In the brutal Australian sun, where manual laborers need regular hydration breaks and safety protocols ... [continued]

The post Meet The Robot Replacing Four Workers At A Time On Solar Projects appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Intersolar Europe 2025: SolarEdge Launches New 14a Compliant Solution, Opening German Residential Solar Customers to Smart Integration of Controllable Energy Loads

Press Release — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:10:19 +0000

New ONE Controller device will provide German residential installers with a simple solution to the new and complex §14a EnWG regulatory challenge* Solution also enables integration of SolarEdge’s residential solar systems with leading third-party EV chargers and heat pumps Also on display at Intersolar will be solutions for a variety ... [continued]

The post Intersolar Europe 2025: SolarEdge Launches New 14a Compliant Solution, Opening German Residential Solar Customers to Smart Integration of Controllable Energy Loads appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Tigo Energy Introduces Comprehensive High-Performance Off-Grid Solar Package

Press Release — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:01:19 +0000

Off-grid solar package combines installer activation, increased generation with Reclaimed Energy, and ease of deployment for advanced solar-plus-storage systems. Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, today announced the High-Performance Off-Grid Solar package, a response to customer requests for a solution to ... [continued]

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California’s AB 942 Will Undermine Rooftop Solar — And Why That Matters

Derek Markham — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:19:43 +0000

California has long been a trailblazer in clean energy, with more than two million homes powered by the sun. But a new proposal making its way through Sacramento, Assembly Bill 942 (AB 942), could throw a wrench in the state’s rooftop solar success story, and solar advocates aren’t taking it ... [continued]

The post California’s AB 942 Will Undermine Rooftop Solar — And Why That Matters appeared first on CleanTechnica.

The ORENgE-Powered ElectroShade: Smart Shades That Generate Their Own Power

Derek Markham — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:15:18 +0000

Imagine your window shades doing more than just blocking the sun — they’re also quietly generating clean energy while keeping your space cool and comfortable. That’s exactly what the new ORENgE-powered ElectroShade system brings to the table: a sleek, solar-savvy solution that blends energy production with intelligent design. This new ... [continued]

The post The ORENgE-Powered ElectroShade: Smart Shades That Generate Their Own Power appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Large Solar Power + Energy Storage Projects Completed at Fresno Department of Public Utilities

Jake Richardson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:57:59 +0000

The City of Fresno recently celebrated the completion of several solar power and energy storage projects, which could save taxpayers over $122 million by 2045. The project developer is ForeFront Power. Fresno has about 300 days of sunshine per year and sunlight is a free source of clean, renewable energy. ... [continued]

The post Large Solar Power + Energy Storage Projects Completed at Fresno Department of Public Utilities appeared first on CleanTechnica.

China’s Solar Capacity Installations Grew Rapidly in 2024

US Energy Information Administration — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 03:21:31 +0000

Utility-scale solar power capacity in China reached more than 880 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to China’s National Energy Administration. China has more utility-scale solar than any other country. The 277 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in China in 2024 alone is more than twice as much as the 121 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed ... [continued]

The post China’s Solar Capacity Installations Grew Rapidly in 2024 appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Closing The Loop: OnePlanet’s Solar Panel Recycling Facility Scores Major Funding Boost

Derek Markham — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:02:14 +0000

In a significant move that highlights the importance of sustainability within the solar sector, OnePlanet has secured a substantial financial foundation to build its flagship solar panel recycling facility in Green Cove Springs, Florida. With a freshly closed $7 million seed funding round and an additional $14.5 million in federal ... [continued]

The post Closing The Loop: OnePlanet’s Solar Panel Recycling Facility Scores Major Funding Boost appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Zero-Cost Solar & Batteries? Haven Energy Says Yes To California’s Low-Income Homeowners

Derek Markham — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:27:12 +0000

Imagine transforming your home to run on clean, renewable energy without paying a dime upfront. In a move that might seem too good to be true, but is very much real, Haven Energy has launched an ambitious initiative to install solar panels and battery storage systems completely free of charge ... [continued]

The post Zero-Cost Solar & Batteries? Haven Energy Says Yes To California’s Low-Income Homeowners appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Our EV & Solar Dreams Have Come True

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:42:22 +0000

Note: This is the first Substack column I’m writing for CleanTechnica’s weekly Substack channel. In the future, I might not publish our Substack columns here on CleanTechnica.com — I’m doing it this one time to kick off the new channel, but need to consider what would be best overall. The ... [continued]

The post Our EV & Solar Dreams Have Come True appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Highlights & Lowlights of the Worldwide Renewable Energy Revolution

Letters to the Editor — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 03:40:37 +0000

I was catching up on reader comments from the past several days earlier today, and as it goes, a few comments jumped out at me as interesting comments that could stand alone as individual articles — or at least inspire more. The comment below, graphs included, comes from Amos Batto. ... [continued]

The post Highlights & Lowlights of the Worldwide Renewable Energy Revolution appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Solar & Storage Industry Launches New Grassroots Advocacy Platform to Turbocharge Efforts to Protect Energy Tax Credits

Guest Contributor — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 03:11:11 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today launched Solar Powers America, a new grassroots advocacy platform to empower Americans to stand up for policies that keep electric bills down and protect abundant American-made clean energy. With both chambers of Congress gearing up to return to Washington to negotiate ... [continued]

The post Solar & Storage Industry Launches New Grassroots Advocacy Platform to Turbocharge Efforts to Protect Energy Tax Credits appeared first on CleanTechnica.

New Freight Electrification Report: A Strategic Blueprint For US Truck Charging

Michael Barnard — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:16:40 +0000

The electrification of freight trucking in the United States has quietly become a central strategic challenge for decarbonization efforts. Transportation is now the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, surpassing even electricity generation, and heavy-duty trucking alone contributes disproportionately to this problem. While US rail refuses to ... [continued]

The post New Freight Electrification Report: A Strategic Blueprint For US Truck Charging appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Ford Blows Off Trump On Clean Power, Strikes Biggest Ever PPA With DTE

Tina Casey — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:47:49 +0000

Despite an abrupt shift in federal energy policy, Ford and the Michigan utility DTE have both doubled down on their clean power commitments, through a new 650-megawatt power purchase agreement.

The post Ford Blows Off Trump On Clean Power, Strikes Biggest Ever PPA With DTE appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Lessons Learned Living Off-Grid For A Week in Moab

Jennifer Sensiba — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:32:04 +0000

Last week, I did something many people would consider to be crazy. Instead of getting a hotel or paying for space in an RV park with full hookups, I drove several miles up a rough dirt road and parked my travel trailer. Not only is there no water or electricity ... [continued]

The post Lessons Learned Living Off-Grid For A Week in Moab appeared first on CleanTechnica.

How to Conquer Ground Mount Solar Design Challenges — Coming Webinar

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 20:26:34 +0000

With the support of PVcase, CleanTechnica will be hosting a webinar on May 29 about how to conquer ground mount solar design challenges. Guy Atherton spent 18 years installing solar panels in a wide array of locations, on all kinds of structures. He worked for large solar companies BayWa Solar ... [continued]

The post How to Conquer Ground Mount Solar Design Challenges — Coming Webinar appeared first on CleanTechnica.

China’s Coal Generation Dropped 5% YOY In Q1 As Electricity Demand Increased

Michael Barnard — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 19:49:43 +0000

China’s coal-fired electricity generation took an unexpectedly sharp turn downward in the first quarter of 2025, signaling a potentially profound shift in the world’s largest coal-consuming economy. This wasn’t merely a seasonal dip or economic distress signal; rather, it represented a clear and structural turning point. Coal generation fell by ... [continued]

The post China’s Coal Generation Dropped 5% YOY In Q1 As Electricity Demand Increased appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Spain Will Host A Concentrating Solar Power Plant To Make Jet Fuel From Sunlight

Tina Casey — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 18:45:48 +0000

Solar fuels are beginning to support the economic case for concentrating solar power plants, which produce high heat by focusing sunlight on a transfer medium.

The post Spain Will Host A Concentrating Solar Power Plant To Make Jet Fuel From Sunlight appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Fossil Fuels Were Less Than Half of US Electricity in March!

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 03:57:37 +0000

The cleantech revolution continues on — every … single … day. It seems like such a short time that we’ve gone from the huge milestone of solar and wind power providing more than 50% of new power capacity additions in the US to solar and wind power now providing almost ... [continued]

The post Fossil Fuels Were Less Than Half of US Electricity in March! appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Zero-Emissions Electricity Surpasses 40% of World Electricity

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:10:44 +0000

Solar and wind power have been dominating new power installations all around the world. Renewables accounted for 92.5% of new power capacity globally in 2024, a stunning achievement, even if it’s been expected for the past decade. All of that new power capacity from clean, renewable energy is also gradually ... [continued]

The post Zero-Emissions Electricity Surpasses 40% of World Electricity appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Solar Panel Waste is Tiny—Coal & Gas Emit Hundreds Of Times Mass Per MWh

Michael Barnard — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 19:22:58 +0000

Every few months, another wave of media reports predictably warns about the supposed “looming crisis” of solar panel waste. Given the urgency of climate action, it’s frustrating to see the conversation repeatedly derailed by these exaggerated concerns. I’ve previously examined this narrative around wind energy, demonstrating clearly in my CleanTechnica ... [continued]

The post Solar Panel Waste is Tiny—Coal & Gas Emit Hundreds Of Times Mass Per MWh appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Massive 2-GW Agrivoltaic Project Aims To Restore Desert In China

Tina Casey — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 16:46:23 +0000

A gigantic 2-gigawatt agrivoltaic project in China will generate clean power while restoring vegetation in a desert.

The post Massive 2-GW Agrivoltaic Project Aims To Restore Desert In China appeared first on CleanTechnica.

More Green Buses for Australia

David Waterworth — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 01:32:25 +0000

The trials are over and more green buses are on order for Australia! We’ll look at the progress in three states — South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. Then, we’ll look at the newest offerings from bus companies. With the majority of electricity produced in the state of South ... [continued]

The post More Green Buses for Australia appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Kenya’s Energy Sector Is Making Strides Toward Universal Electricity Access, Clean Cooking Solutions and Renewable Energy Development

Press Release — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:50:48 +0000

New IEA report highlights Kenya’s strong progress in expanding access to electricity and clean cooking driven by robust policies and targeted infrastructure investments Kenya is on track to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, as ambitious implementation plans and electrification using clean energy technologies position the country as an economic ... [continued]

The post Kenya’s Energy Sector Is Making Strides Toward Universal Electricity Access, Clean Cooking Solutions and Renewable Energy Development appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Solar Industry Statement on Texas Senate Passing Bill that Will Harm Needed Energy Generation

Press Release — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 02:00:38 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas — [This week], the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 819 by a 22-9 vote, restricting new clean energy projects in a way that will harm much-needed energy generation in the state. The legislation adds onerous requirements to new solar projects that would not apply to other energy sources ... [continued]

The post Solar Industry Statement on Texas Senate Passing Bill that Will Harm Needed Energy Generation appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Franklin’s Charging Delivers The Fast Charging Experience The World Needs

Kyle Field — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:06:52 +0000

We wrote about a regional EV charging company called Franklin’s Charging when they opened their first location in Little Rock, Arkansas. Reading about cool new EV charging business models online is great, but there’s nothing that can replace checking them out in person. Are the chargers easy to pull into? ... [continued]

The post Franklin’s Charging Delivers The Fast Charging Experience The World Needs appeared first on CleanTechnica.

The Community Solar Movement Beats Coal, Again

Tina Casey — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:37:18 +0000

Global investors continue to support the community solar movement in the US, including PV arrays located at commercial and industrial sites.

The post The Community Solar Movement Beats Coal, Again appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Community Solar Is Booming — And Bringing Big Economic Benefits With It

Derek Markham — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:11:03 +0000

A new report is giving solar advocates even more reason to get excited about community solar. According to The Economic Impact of Community Solar, released by the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), these projects aren’t just delivering clean power, they’re also sparking serious economic growth. Here’s the headline stat: ... [continued]

The post Community Solar Is Booming — And Bringing Big Economic Benefits With It appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Solar Power Surges In Nigeria Thanks To Arnergy

Steve Hanley — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:10:22 +0000

Arnergy is a company in Nigeria that has been promoting rooftop solar for residential and commercial customers since 2013.

The post Solar Power Surges In Nigeria Thanks To Arnergy appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Trump Or No Trump, Coal Is Out And Renewable Energy Is In

Tina Casey — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:45:20 +0000

The global outlook for renewable energy is looking rosy, while coal continues its slide into the dustbin of history.

The post Trump Or No Trump, Coal Is Out And Renewable Energy Is In appeared first on CleanTechnica.

TMX’s C$3B/Year Oil & Gas Subsidy Lesson: Design Energy Corridor For Electrons Not Oil

Michael Barnard — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 02:59:25 +0000

Canada is once again flirting with the idea of an east-west energy corridor. The vision sounds big and bold: a designated path across the country to carry everything from crude oil to natural gas, hydrogen to electricity. In this rapid, Trump-inflected election cycle, political leaders are lining up behind the ... [continued]

The post TMX’s C$3B/Year Oil & Gas Subsidy Lesson: Design Energy Corridor For Electrons Not Oil appeared first on CleanTechnica.

CraftStrom’s Smart Plug & Play Solar Kits Are Already NEC & UL Compliant

Derek Markham — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:57:38 +0000

With the passage of Utah House Bill 340, the state has officially legalized residential plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts AC, marking a major step toward decentralized, homeowner-installed PV. The law exempts these systems from conventional utility interconnection agreements, provided they include anti-islanding protection and do not exceed branch ... [continued]

The post CraftStrom’s Smart Plug & Play Solar Kits Are Already NEC & UL Compliant appeared first on CleanTechnica.

China’s Solar Industry Absolutely Crushing It On Solar Conversion Efficiency

Tina Casey — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:45:56 +0000

The leading Chinese solar manufacturer LONGi aims to shake up the global solar industry with a new 24.8% efficiency rating for its Hi-MO 9 solar module.

The post China’s Solar Industry Absolutely Crushing It On Solar Conversion Efficiency appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Another Headache For Fossil Fuels: Liquid Air Energy Storage

Tina Casey — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:33:12 +0000

The UK firm Highview Power is bringing its liquid air energy storage system to four locations in Scotland and England, providing long duration storage for wind and solar energy.

The post Another Headache For Fossil Fuels: Liquid Air Energy Storage appeared first on CleanTechnica.