Solar Power

A former coal mine in Keenesburg, Colo., is being transformed into a solar farm with 16,000 panels. This project will generate about 7.2 megawatts of electricity and supply roughly 7% of the annual demand for Molson Coors Golden Valley operations. The development gives new purpose to the land and contributes to Colorado's clean energy landscape.

Heatwaves impact power generation sources like nuclear, gas, wind, and solar, with France's nuclear reactors shutting down during a 2026 heatwave. Extreme heat reduces nuclear efficiency due to cooling challenges, lowers gas plant efficiency, and decreases wind speeds, while increased electricity demand strains networks.

TotalEnergies agreed to acquire Shell's European onshore renewable energy businesses, including 4 GW of solar and wind projects in Italy, the Netherlands, and other countries, for an undisclosed amount. Simultaneously, TotalEnergies will sell a 50% stake in a 1.2 GW renewable energy portfolio in Germany, Spain, France, and Poland to KKR for €1.8 billion.

Hippies and libertarians have formed an unexpected alliance to oppose solar power, which is now perceived as a threat to the traditional energy industry and a national economy. Rooftop solar panel users are being labeled as dangerous freeloaders, with potential punitive taxes proposed to discourage self-generated solar power.

New York challenges the claim that solar power projects are consuming farmland, with evidence showing this is not true. Opponents in rural U.S. areas argue utility-scale solar arrays are seizing valuable farmland, but data contradicts this.

Northern Virginia Republicans are competing to challenge US Sen. Mark Warner. Additional headlines include Virginia Beach being named the safest large city in America, Virginia farms exploring solar power integration, and a new Black history center in Danville.

Researchers and companies are exploring space-based data centers to address AI's energy demands while reducing Earth's resource pressures. A patented cooling system by the California Institute of Technology and Sophia Space aims to enable orbital data centers by the 2030s using constant solar power and deep-space heat dissipation. Critics highlight concerns about space debris, costs, and practicality compared to improving Earth-based energy systems.

Rwanda's government is exploring a system that would allow households, businesses, and institutions with rooftop solar panels to sell surplus electricity to the national grid. The initiative aims to expand electricity generation to meet rising demand.

In 2025, wind and solar power generated 44% of Germany's electricity, surpassing fossil fuels for the first time. Renewables grew under the Energiewende strategy, despite opposition from the AfD and government plans for gas plants. The EU as a whole also saw wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in 2025.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the procurement of 200 megawatts (MW) of solar power combined with 100 MW/400 megawatt hour (MWh) of energy storage through the SECI scheme.

Pakistan's trade deficit surged to $39.47 billion in FY26, driven by a 32.1% increase in crude oil imports and rising petroleum import costs. The article highlights the need to shift to solar power, battery storage, and electric mobility to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to the trade deficit.

The Department of Energy highlighted on social media that solar panels do not generate power at night, a known fact often criticized by renewable energy opponents. Grid operators are aware of this limitation and plan accordingly.

Spanish energy firm Naturgy Energy Group SA's Australian unit will invest over 300 million euros ($344 million) to build its largest renewables project in Australia, combining solar power and battery storage.

Rising electricity costs and frequent blackouts in the Philippines have led businesses like Dream Latte Cafe to adopt solar power as a practical necessity. The cafe, run by Joab Jorge and his mother Ces, has raised prices by 10% to offset higher costs driven by an energy crisis linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February.

A severe heatwave in New York City exposed vulnerabilities in the city's electrical infrastructure, prompting Con Edison to manage outages and reduce voltage for thousands of customers. The article highlights Con Edison's $30 billion grid upgrade plan and advocates for expanded solar power adoption to address growing electricity demand and grid resilience.

Electra Research, a Brooklyn-based startup, is repurposing stoves into batteries to enhance energy storage for the electric grid. The initiative aims to balance renewable energy sources like wind and solar by reducing strain during peak hours.

The Philippines has become the world’s largest spender on solar panels as rising electricity prices drive households to adopt rooftop solar power. Power distributor Meralco increased rates by 10% following the Middle East conflict, leading to 12% of median household income being spent on electricity for average consumers.

US restrictions on oil shipments have caused fuel shortages in Cuba, prompting China to support the island's rapid solar energy transition through increased solar panel and battery imports, leading to the construction of new solar parks.

North Korea's border city Sinuiju is now visibly brighter at night due to solar power, as reported by satellite imagery and eyewitnesses. Experts suggest this shift addresses chronic energy shortages, with areas like Wihwa Island showing increased nighttime illumination.

Energy Minister Luz Elena González announced a plan to add 32,475 megawatts of new power generation capacity by 2030, with 70% from renewables like solar and wind. The government aims for 38% renewable electricity by 2030, highlighting the Rafael Galván Maldonado Solar Farm in Sonora, set to become the largest in the Americas. President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated her 64th birthday during the press conference.

In the first 5 months of 2026, solar power in California generated more electricity than natural gas for the first time, ending the latter's long dominance in the state's energy production. California is highlighted as a climate-conscious region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for a ₹25,016 crore coal gasification unit and ₹700 crore rail infrastructure in Odisha, signaling strong tribal outreach. He highlighted eastern India as a gateway to progress and announced the President’s in-laws’ village will be fully powered by solar energy.

Mexico selected 37 renewable energy projects totaling 7,411 MW, primarily solar and wind, as part of a tender that received over 200 bids worth nearly 38 GW. The initiative uses a mixed funding model to expand private participation in the power grid.

Solar power has become Asia's third-largest electricity source, surpassing gas for the first time, driven by rapid growth in China, India, and Pakistan. Annual solar output in Asia increased nearly fourfold since 2020, while gas power output stalled due to supply disruptions and high prices.

Colombia opened a long-term auction to contract new wind, solar, and battery power with 15-year supply contracts starting in 2030. This is the first auction to include a dedicated category for battery storage.

Solar power supplied 12.8% of US electricity in May, surpassing coal's 12.2% for the first time. Despite federal policy favoring coal, solar remains the leading source of new power in the US, with data from Ember, Solar Energy Industries Association, and Wood Mackenzie highlighting its growth and coal's decline.

In May, solar power supplied 12.8% of US electricity, surpassing coal's 12.2% for the first time. Reports from Ember, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and Wood Mackenzie highlight solar's growth and coal's decline despite federal policy favoring coal under Donald Trump.

Solar power in the U.S. supplied more electricity than coal for the first time in May, reaching 12.8% of the nation’s electricity, while coal’s share dropped to 12.2%. Despite federal policies under President Trump favoring coal, solar and wind energy continue to grow, with renewables expected to surpass coal globally by 2030.

Solar power in the US surpassed coal in electricity generation for the first time in May 2026, according to reports by Ember, Solar Energy Industries Association, and Wood Mackenzie. Despite federal policies favoring coal under President Trump, solar remains the leading source of new power, with coal's share declining to its fourth-lowest monthly level.

Solar power is achieving new milestones in the U.S. despite President Donald Trump's efforts to prioritize coal over clean energy. Solar remains the leading source of new power in the country.

Solar power surpassed coal as the third-largest electricity source in the U.S. in May, supplying 12.8% of the nation’s electricity compared to coal’s 12.2%. Despite Trump’s efforts to boost coal with $700 million in support, solar and wind energy continue to grow, driven by reports from Ember, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and Wood Mackenzie.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has requested irrigation department officials to utilize lands, reservoirs, and canal systems for generating solar power. The initiative aims to enable the department to create its own power sources.

Brazil cut solar power for the first time on June 7, switching off surplus rooftop output as a holiday glut threatened to overload the grid. The action was taken to manage an excess of energy production during a period of high output.

Iraq has significant solar power potential due to abundant sunlight, which could alleviate its annual summer electricity crisis. However, the government has only recently begun prioritizing solar energy as a solution.

China’s CO2 emissions rose 2% in early 2026 due to increased coal and gas use amid a 23% year-on-year rise in wind-power capacity and 33% for solar. The surge in 'wasted' wind and solar output, caused by inflexible coal power management and grid systems, led to a 4% rise in power-sector emissions, despite record renewable energy additions.

Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, leading to a 10% drop in electricity prices in parts of the country. The nation already has solar panels on one in three homes but remains a major fossil fuel exporter. Batteries are now accelerating this energy transition.

The Oto Smart Sprinkler is a solar-powered device that makes it easy to keep lawns watered with minimal effort. It requires three hours of direct sun daily to stay charged. This product simplifies lawn maintenance.

Spain experienced a blackout but is advancing its renewable energy transition with increased solar and wind power, alongside grid modernization efforts to ensure energy security.

Meta is developing a space-based solar power system to supply energy to its datacenters and has partnered with an energy storage company to maintain a 100-hour power reserve. This initiative aims to address growing AI demand and ensure uninterrupted operations during grid overloads or outages.

Solar power experienced significant growth globally in the past year, outpacing other renewable energy sources. Energy think tank Ember highlighted this trend in its recent analysis of global electricity sources.