Solar energy

UN News has published a feature looking at how the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is changing the idea of energy security. The piece argues that the recent global energy crisis pushed countries to rethink dependence on imported fuels, and that expanding wind, solar and other renewables can reduce exposure to price shocks and supply disruptions while supporting climate goals.

The US Energy Information Administration projects that solar power generation in Texas will overtake coal-fired generation in 2026, marking a major shift in the energy mix of the country's largest power market. The forecast reflects rapid solar buildout in the state as coal continues to decline.

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the largest source in 2024, producing about 34% of the world's power, while wind and solar together reached 15%, up from just 4% a decade earlier. The data, presented as charts mapped onto the world map, are drawing attention to the slow pace of the energy transition despite rapid renewables growth.

Japan is converting closed golf courses into solar farms because the country has little open land for renewable energy projects. With mountains, farmland and dense cities off-limits, the wide, sunny fairways left behind by shuttered golf resorts are seen as some of the few suitable sites for large-scale solar power, according to a Japan Times report.

First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is trending in financial coverage, with its stock price, quote, and trading history being tracked on Yahoo Finance. The solar manufacturer remains a focal point for investors following the renewable energy sector, though no specific company announcement or price move is detailed in the current coverage.

As solar and wind replace conventional power plants, grids lose the natural inertia that traditionally kept frequency stable, raising concerns about blackout risks. UK-based Reactive Technologies is addressing this by sending sonar-like pulses through the grid to measure live inertia directly, revealing risks that standard models miss. The company has received €19 million in backing from the European Investment Bank to expand the approach.

A federal judge has reinstated a $7 billion solar energy program intended to help low-income families access solar power, after the Trump administration scrapped it. The ruling restores funding under the program, though the administration is expected to appeal, leaving the program's future uncertain. The case has become part of the broader legal fight over the administration's efforts to unwind climate and clean-energy funding approved under prior legislation.

Italian owners of solar installations can exit the Conto Energia incentive scheme starting in 2028, according to new guidance on rules, requirements and deadlines published by ACCA software. Leaving the scheme would free producers from feed-in tariff constraints, allowing them to sell energy on the open market instead. The topic is drawing attention among solar plant owners weighing whether staying subsidised or going independent is more profitable.

Discussion is growing over China's construction of small modular reactors (SMRs), with commentators asking whether the compact nuclear technology could undermine the case for large-scale solar plants. Supporters argue SMRs offer reliable, round-the-clock power on a small footprint, while solar advocates counter that falling panel and battery costs keep renewables competitive. The debate reflects broader uncertainty about how nuclear and renewables will share the future energy mix.

Interest in photovoltaic installations continues across Italy, with online searches on the topic drawing significant attention. Italian households and businesses frequently discuss the cost of solar panels, available government incentives, and expected savings on electricity bills. The conversation reflects ongoing curiosity about whether installing a home solar system is a worthwhile investment in the current energy market.

NextEra Energy and Entergy topped U.S. solar project starts in the fourth quarter, according to Industrial Info Resources. The ranking highlights which utility companies drove the most new solar construction activity at the end of the year, underscoring continued momentum in America's renewable energy build-out despite a challenging policy environment.

Thailand's Electricity Generating Public Company (EGCO) has closed the purchase of a 49% stake in a 339-MW portfolio of solar and wind assets in the United States. The deal adds US renewables capacity to the Thai power producer's portfolio, reflecting continued foreign investment in American clean energy infrastructure. Further financial terms and project details were not disclosed.

Social media users are discussing how coal power plant emissions can directly reduce the performance of nearby solar PV systems. Pollution and particulates from coal combustion can block sunlight and settle on panels, lowering their efficiency. The observation has struck a chord with people interested in renewable energy, who are pointing out that fossil fuel generation may undermine clean power even where it sits alongside it.

Commentators are revisiting how fossil fuel advocates have repeatedly moved the goalposts on renewable energy as clean power exceeds expectations. One example circulating: during an Australian Senate debate on renewable energy in February 2013, Barnaby Joyce dismissed a 5% solar target as never achievable — a target solar has since surpassed. Critics argue denial tactics have evolved from outright rejection to minimising and delaying as renewables succeed.

Google has signed a power purchase agreement with Cloudbreak for solar energy generated in Colorado. The deal adds to the tech company's growing portfolio of renewable energy contracts as it works to power its data centres with clean electricity. Specifics on project size and timeline were not immediately disclosed.

A new analysis argues that solar power is outperforming what is often considered nuclear energy's strongest advantage, most likely its reliability and consistent output. The comparison looks at how falling solar costs, improved storage, and rapid deployment are challenging nuclear's case as the go-to clean baseload source. Energy commentators are debating whether renewables can realistically displace nuclear in future low-carbon power plans.

A commentator named Owen argued that solar and wind energy avoid the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint because they can be produced domestically. He said reliable, cost-efficient electricity means accepting generation infrastructure, 'sometimes that's going to be in your backyard.' The remarks tie local renewable build-out to energy security amid ongoing concerns about oil shipping routes through the Gulf.

The Solar Energy Industries Association has released an outlook on US solar photovoltaic manufacturing, examining policy trends and the broader industry landscape with an emphasis on opportunities for European-American cooperation. The analysis highlights how US manufacturing policy is shaping investment and trade ties, and what it means for European partners looking to engage with the growing American solar supply chain.

French renewable energy company JP Energie has announced acquisitions totalling 202 MW of wind and solar capacity. The company is expanding its renewables portfolio across France through a series of project purchases. Details on the individual assets, sellers, and financial terms have not been disclosed, but the move underlines continued consolidation in the country's fast-growing wind and solar sector.

A new explainer is drawing large audiences by arguing that humanity may never truly leave the solar system, pointing to the vast distances, energy requirements and physics constraints that make interstellar travel so daunting. The piece highlights that even the fastest spacecraft ever launched would need tens of thousands of years to reach the nearest stars, reigniting debate about whether interstellar travel will ever be achievable.