Solar for All

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.

Data gathered by Hawaiʻi's W. M. Keck Observatory has led to the discovery of the youngest planet yet found outside our solar system. The finding, reported via observations made from the Maunakea facility, gives astronomers a rare glimpse of a planet in the earliest stages of formation and could reshape understanding of how planetary systems develop.

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.

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.

An analysis by SolarPower Europe has found that solar and wind generation made Europe's electricity 25% cheaper and saved the continent more than €100 million per day by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The report frames the shift as 'decoupling from fossil fuel shocks', arguing renewables are now delivering measurable savings for consumers and energy systems across Europe.

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 main electricity grid has recorded 80% renewable energy across consecutive days, with rooftop solar at times supplying more than half of demand. The milestone highlights how quickly household solar and other renewables are displacing coal and gas generation in the national market, drawing attention as one of the fastest energy transitions among advanced economies.

Nevada is outperforming expectations on solar energy growth, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with vast desert landscapes and abundant sunshine, is seeing notable advances in solar deployment and capacity. The development is drawing attention as the US pushes to expand renewable energy and states compete to lead the transition away from fossil fuels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Researchers have reported using solar panels to convert plastic waste into hydrogen fuel, according to a new report. The approach could offer a double benefit: reducing plastic pollution while producing clean energy. Details on how the process works are drawing interest, with the method combining sunlight-driven technology with plastic recycling to generate hydrogen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reports highlight India's rapid rise in solar manufacturing, crediting domestic production policies for building a homegrown industry capable of supplying solar panels at scale. India has become one of the world's fastest-growing solar manufacturing hubs, reducing reliance on imported Chinese modules while creating jobs and supporting its clean energy targets. Commentators point to it as a model for how emerging economies can industrialise around renewables.

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.

Community solar is increasingly being treated as a bankable infrastructure asset class, according to an interview with Renewables Now. The sector is drawing lender and investor interest as projects multiply across markets, with participants discussing its financing appeal and growing role in the renewable energy mix.