All articles tagged with #solar
A 19-day Type IV solar radio burst from a helmet streamer, likely re-energized by three CMEs, suggests coronal magnetic structures can trap electrons for weeks, making the event a persistent rather than transient structure and prompting a rethink of how solar activity and exoplanet habitability are modeled.
Rising fuel costs from the Iran conflict are driving a rooftop solar surge across energy-short Asia, with the Philippines alone reporting a 70% jump in weekly installations and a sixfold increase in inquiries since the war began. The trend is global, boosting demand for clean energy tech as China benefits from a surge in solar exports and Southeast Asian nations consider ambitious rooftop solar targets to curb rising energy bills.
Renewables became the world’s largest electricity source in 2025, led by a record solar surge and wind gains that pushed coal’s share below one-third for the first time. Fossil-fuel generation still rose with demand, but the clean-power boom is tipping the global power mix away from coal, aided by falling battery costs and EV-driven oil displacement, with Asia remaining the last region where coal still dominates.
A federal judge struck down several Trump administration actions that had slowed wind and solar energy projects, signaling a rollback of restrictions and potentially speeding up clean-energy development.
Ember’s 2025 global analysis shows clean power generation outpacing demand growth, pushing fossil-fuel output into a rare decline for the first time this century; solar and wind led the surge (solar alone met roughly three-quarters of demand growth, with wind adding much of the rest), storage expanded as costs fell, and China and India drove much of the expansion. Coal’s global share fell below one-third, while the US and Europe posted modest solar gains. The report suggests renewables can reliably meet rising demand while enhancing energy security, even amid political headwinds against clean energy in some countries.
Britain awarded a record 4.9GW to 157 solar projects in a renewables auction (also funding onshore wind and tidal bids) as part of a push to hit about 45-47GW of solar by 2030 and expand storage, while local opposition to large solar farms and lingering questions about meeting the 2030 clean-power target persist; the package includes plans for a Local Power Plan and up to £1bn for local energy projects to empower communities.
An Oregon cattle ranch has installed a unique, cattle-friendly solar array that provides ample clearance for grazing, supporting sustainable land use and creating additional revenue streams through agrivoltaics, with ongoing studies and plans to expand this innovative approach.
Despite efforts by the Trump administration to slow renewable energy development through policy and permit restrictions, the sector is experiencing a surge in installations driven by companies rushing to utilize expiring federal tax credits, leading to a record pipeline of solar, wind, and battery projects in the US, although future growth may slow down post-2027 and could result in higher energy prices.
The first half of 2025 saw a significant shift in the global energy landscape, with renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, surpassing coal for the first time and driving a decline in fossil fuel use, despite ongoing political support for coal in the US. This marks a crucial turning point towards cleaner energy, supported by falling costs and increased capacity, although challenges remain in fully transitioning away from coal and addressing policy and market dynamics.
For the first time globally, renewable energy sources like solar and wind have surpassed coal in power generation in the first half of 2025, driven by rapid growth in renewables and a decline in fossil fuel use, marking a significant shift towards cleaner energy and a potential decline in fossil fuel dependence.
U.S. solar capacity is projected to surpass wind and soon replace coal as a major energy source by 2028, driven by significant additions in solar projects and a decline in coal capacity, with solar expected to reach 250 GW compared to coal's 173 GW.
China's rapid investment in solar, wind, and storage is transforming its energy system, reducing fossil fuel use domestically and leading global clean tech exports, which could signal a shift towards declining global fossil fuel demand. This shift is driven by cost-effective clean energy, economic benefits, and technological leadership, impacting global markets and fossil fuel exporters.
Renewable energy executives warn that President Trump's recent stance against solar and wind projects, including blocking permits, could lead to a power shortage, higher electricity prices, and increased costs for projects due to tariffs and regulatory uncertainty, ultimately threatening the stability of the U.S. electric grid and slowing the growth of renewables.
President Donald Trump announced that his administration will not approve new solar or wind power projects, citing land use concerns and recent permitting restrictions, which could impact the U.S. energy supply and the growth of renewables amid rising electricity prices.
The Trump administration has limited subsidies for solar and wind projects by directing the Treasury Department to revise the rules for remaining tax credits, potentially impacting renewable energy development.