clean energy

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms as the country struggles to find open land for renewable energy. With mountainous terrain, limited flat space and growing pressure to cut emissions, developers see retired golf facilities, many closed after declining demand, as ready-made sites with existing grid access for solar panels.

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.

Grupo Enhol has secured financing from Proparco and Santander for a 467MW solar PV project in Peru. The deal marks a significant investment in the country's renewable energy capacity, adding large-scale solar generation. The project is expected to strengthen Peru's energy transition and is drawing attention as one of the region's notable recent clean-energy financings.

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.

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.

Arab News has published a piece arguing that, despite dire headlines about global warming, there are genuine reasons for optimism in the climate fight. The article points to progress in clean energy and emissions efforts as grounds for hope, offering a counterpoint to the prevailing sense of climate pessimism.

French renewable energy company Qair has secured €37.9 million in financing to develop hybrid solar projects in Chad. The funding will support solar installations paired with other generation capacity in a country where reliable electricity access remains limited. The deal marks a significant clean energy investment in one of the world's least electrified nations and reflects growing investor interest in African renewable infrastructure.

Shares of First Solar rose after KeyBanc removed its underweight rating on the solar panel maker. The move by the brokerage signaled a more neutral or positive stance on the company, prompting investors to buy the stock. First Solar, a major US-based solar manufacturer, has been closely watched amid shifting policy and demand dynamics in the clean energy sector.

Scotiabank is pointing to data centers and the energy transition as the most promising areas for project finance in Brazil, according to BNamericas. The bank sees growing demand for financing as digital infrastructure expands and companies invest in renewable energy and decarbonization projects across the country.

A Massachusetts startup has unveiled a new solar-powered boat designed to be versatile in its uses. The company is floating the vessel as a clean-energy alternative on the water, adding to growing interest in electrified and solar marine transport. Details about the boat's specifications, performance and intended markets remain limited in early coverage.

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.

Costa Rica will invest 300 million dollars in funding from the European Union and France to modernize its electricity system and advance its transition toward greater renewable energy generation. The announcement highlights continued European support for clean energy projects in Latin America, with the funds aimed at upgrading infrastructure to support more power from renewable sources.

University of Alberta researchers are developing methods to help native grasses establish themselves on solar farm sites, pairing renewable energy infrastructure with native plant restoration. The work aims to make solar projects more environmentally beneficial by supporting groundcover beneath and around panels. It highlights growing interest in combining clean energy development with land stewardship.

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.

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.

KeyBanc has upgraded its rating on First Solar, telling clients that the solar panel maker's current valuation limits further downside risk. The call comes as investors weigh the outlook for US solar manufacturers amid shifting policy and demand conditions. Analysts' comments suggest the stock's recent weakness has already priced in much of the negative news.

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.

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.