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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The City of Cleveland has announced the launch of two solar energy projects aimed at generating clean power locally and delivering savings for residents. The initiative is part of the city's push toward renewable energy and reduced energy costs, and is drawing attention for its municipal approach to clean power generation.

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.

Australia connected a record 9.1GW of renewables and storage capacity to its National Electricity Market, while the pipeline of proposed projects reached 75.4GW. The figures point to accelerating large-scale clean energy build-out across the country's power grid.

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.

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.

A new study using UK data indicates that used electric vehicles hold up better than petrol and diesel cars as mileage climbs, challenging persistent doubts about long-term battery durability. The findings are being shared among electric vehicle advocates and clean-energy commentators, who say they strengthen the case for buying second-hand EVs over comparable gas-powered cars.

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.

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.

Nevada is seeing unexpected growth in solar energy, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The state, long associated with gambling and desert landscapes, is emerging as a notable player in renewable power, drawing attention to how quickly its solar capacity and clean-energy ambitions are advancing.

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.