LONGi Sets New World Records: 28.13% Cell and 26.4% Module Efficiency
LONGi Green Energy announced on April 29, 2026 that its Hybrid Interdigitated‑Back‑Contact (HIBC) solar cell achieved a certified 28.13% conversion efficiency and its HIBC‑based modules reached 26.4% efficiency, the highest ever for crystalline silicon. The breakthroughs, certified in Germany and the United States, close the gap to the theoretical limit and position LONGi’s mass‑produced EcoLife series at a 25% efficiency level.
Europe to Quintuple Battery Capacity by 2030, Still Trails US
European battery capacity is expected to grow 5x in 5 years to 2030, says Aurora's Richard Howard – but it will still be behind the US https://t.co/ECA3wrhf3U
Wisconsin PSC Mandates Full Cost Recovery for Data Centers, Setting New Regulatory Baseline
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission approved a revised tariff from We Energies that forces large‑load data center customers to shoulder the full cost of electricity generation and grid upgrades. The decision, made after a year‑long review, establishes a stricter regulatory...
European Energy, Mars Sign PPA for Lithuanian Wind Project
European Energy and Mars have signed a long‑term power purchase agreement for the 161 MW Skuodas Wind Farm in Lithuania, slated for commercial operation in 2028. The wind farm is expected to generate about 490 GWh annually, supplying most of its output...
Colombia and Netherlands Host Santa Marta Summit to Accelerate Fossil‑Fuel Phase‑Out
Colombia and the Netherlands co‑hosted the first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, drawing over 50 countries to discuss concrete steps to phase out coal, oil and gas. The summit, set against the backdrop of Colombia’s...
A Thirst for Water Poses Challenges for New Data Centres
Canada is courting hyper‑scale AI data centres with cheap power and a cool climate, but water demand for cooling is sparking scrutiny. Microsoft’s Ontario sites have been cleared to withdraw 1.2 billion litres and 730 million litres annually, while new proposals in...
Capacity Cost Explosion: What PJM’s $80B Bill Means for the AI Buildout
The PJM Interconnection’s 2025 financial report shows capacity costs exploding from $2.69 billion to $10.39 billion—a 285% increase—while total market settlements rose 56% to $80.5 billion. Energy, congestion, and reserve expenses all surged, reflecting a grid strained by AI data‑center demand and broader...
ABB Teams with Alcemy to Deploy AI for Cement Quality and Emissions Cuts
ABB announced a partnership with AI specialist Alcemy to embed artificial intelligence into cement and concrete production. The joint effort combines ABB's automation hardware with Alcemy's real‑time analytics to boost product consistency, cut energy use and lower carbon emissions, a...
‘Suicidal’ Model of Capitalism Leading to War and Fascism, Climate Summit Told
Colombian President Gustavo Petro opened the first global conference on phasing out fossil fuels in Santa Marta, warning that the current “suicidal” model of capitalism fuels war, fascism and climate catastrophe. The summit gathered ministers from 57 nations, with France unveiling a...
Have Electric Heat? Here’s How Much You Could Save with Heat Pumps
A new RMI analysis shows that swapping electric resistance heating for heat pumps can save a typical single‑family home about $1,530 a year, or roughly $23,000 over a pump’s life. If every eligible U.S. home made the change, annual savings...
UK Energy Tsar Chris Stark: 'I Don't Worry Too Much About Data Centres'
UK clean‑power tsar Chris Stark told BusinessGreen he isn’t overly concerned that the surge in AI‑driven data‑centre demand will derail Britain’s climate agenda. He argues the nation’s expanding renewable capacity and grid‑flexibility measures can absorb the extra load without compromising...
Ocean Winds’ First French Offshore Wind Farm Moves to Full Operation
Ocean Winds, the 50‑50 joint venture between EDPR and ENGIE, has installed the final turbine at the Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier (EMYN) offshore wind farm, completing construction and moving the 488 MW project into full operation. The farm comprises 61 turbines...
Maine Vetoes Data Center Moratorium, but Pressure Continues
Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have imposed a statewide moratorium on large‑scale data‑center projects, citing the need to protect a $550 million development in Jay that promises 800 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions. Instead, she will...
Measure Carbon per Workload, Not Just Cloud Spend
Move beyond cloud spend to master carbon per workload for a smarter, sustainable software business. https://t.co/IHqFIwUDgL
BASF and Nutrien Partner to Help U.S. Farmers Access Low-Carbon Biofuel Markets
BASF and Nutrien have launched a joint initiative that links BASF’s xarvio digital farming platform with Nutrien’s on‑farm agronomy network to help U.S. corn growers document and lower the carbon intensity of their crops. The xarvio BIOENERGY tool records field‑level carbon...
Cloud Sustainability at Scale: Why Open Source Will Define the Next Era of Green Computing
Data centers now account for about 1.5% of global electricity use and could nearly double by 2030 as AI workloads expand. The article argues that open‑source projects such as Kepler, the SCI specification, and the Kubernetes Emissions Insights Tool are...
Sandvik Gives Annual Award to Its Electric Train
Sandvik awarded its own “electric train” system the company’s annual sustainability prize. The fully integrated, electrified crushing and screening solution combines two all‑electric machines with a hybrid unit, delivering a 25% reduction in fuel consumption. The award, presented to the...
California Will Soon Have More Than 300 Data Centers. Where Will They Get Their Water?
A $10 billion, 330‑megawatt data center is slated for Imperial County, California, with construction targeted for 2028. The 950,000‑square‑foot facility would consume roughly 750,000 gallons of water each day, sparking local opposition over potential rate hikes and water scarcity. While the...
It’s Time to Make a Plan for Nuclear Waste
Nuclear power is enjoying bipartisan support and a surge of private investment as tech firms seek reliable, low‑carbon electricity for data centers. The United States now generates about 2,000 metric tons of high‑level nuclear waste each year, but lacks a...
UK Gets First Marketplace for Second-Hand Steel Bridges
The UK has launched Re‑Bridge, an online catalogue that lists redundant steel bridge components for reuse, aiming to lower material costs and embodied carbon. Asset owners can upload detailed specifications, creating a searchable inventory for engineers, contractors and local authorities....
Hormuz Crisis Proves Clean Energy Urgency for Security
The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz shows us why the #energytransition can’t wait. Clean energy is not only the solution to volatility; it is also the most practical path to to deliver #climate, #energyaccess & national security across the world. https://t.co/6s1wqOACHg
Local Electronic Environment Regulation of Crystalline/Amorphous NiSe/NiFe(OH)x Heterostructure Enhancing Catalytic Activity of Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Researchers have engineered a crystalline NiSe/amorphous NiFe(OH)x heterostructure that dramatically improves alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The catalyst achieves an ultralow overpotential of 233 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm⁻², and retains 93.7% of its activity after 250 hours at...
A New Bill Would Help VPPs Replace Peaker Plants in California
A California Senate bill, SB 913, would let virtual power plants (VPPs) compete with fossil‑fuel peaker plants by counting customer‑owned batteries, EVs and smart devices toward resource adequacy. The legislation passed the Senate Energy Committee and now heads toward a...
Norway Powers Ahead: Two‑Thirds of Homes Use Heat Pumps
Norway is the heat pump king of the world. They achieved the highest penetration of heat pumps anywhere in the world with now 2/3 of all homes using heat pumps. More in my next Bright Spots substack newsletter. Sign up here...
OYAK Cement Launches Turkiye’s Largest Industrial Solar Power Plant
OYAK Cement has commissioned Turkey’s largest industrial solar power plant in Beypazarı, Ankara, with a peak capacity of 115.5 MW and a grid connection of 97.8 MW. The 150‑hectare site houses 211,000 panels, expected to generate 182 GWh annually, raising the company’s renewable...
South Africa Film Sets Ditch Diesel in Green Energy Shift
South African film sets are swapping diesel generators for solar‑powered mobile energy, highlighted by Netflix's production of the second season of "One Piece" in Cape Town. Cinergy Mobile Power supplied a 150 kW solar array and a 400 kWh battery system, cutting...
Romania Signs First Hydrogen Train Contract
Romania’s Railway Reform Authority has signed a €229.3 million (≈$250 million) contract with Siemens Mobility to supply 12 Mireo Plus H hydrogen trainsets, including a 15‑year maintenance package. The first unit is slated for delivery in 2028, with passenger service expected to begin in...
Aviva Investors, Climate Impact Partners Launch Forest Project to Remove up to 6 Million Tonnes of Carbon
Aviva Investors and Climate Impact Partners have launched the Llanos Vivos afforestation project in Colombia’s Vichada region, covering up to 13,600 hectares of degraded grassland. The first phase aims to remove more than 2.4 million tonnes of CO₂, with the full...
State Stumps up $10.8 Million to Help Customers Electrify as City’s Gas Network Shuts Down
Western Australia will invest roughly $7 million USD to help Albany’s 8,000 LPG customers transition to electricity as the privately‑owned gas network is decommissioned. The $9 million AUD ($5.9 million USD) budget allocation targets social‑housing conversions, while $1.8 million AUD ($1.2 million USD) funds planning...
Ormat (ORA): The Best Geothermal Stock to Buy Now
Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA) remains a leading geothermal power developer, operating assets across the United States and abroad. On April 16, JPMorgan trimmed its price target to $106 from $108 while keeping a Neutral stance, citing a catalyst‑rich environment that includes...
Morgan Stanley Raises Its Price Target on Nabors Industries (NBR) to $100
On April 15, 2026, Morgan Stanley increased its price target for Nabors Industries (NBR) to $100, up from $80, and kept an Overweight rating. The upgrade reflects expectations that higher oil prices, driven by Middle East disruptions, will spur upstream...
Here Is Why Weatherford (WFRD) Is Among the 7 Best Geothermal Stocks to Buy Now
Weatherford International (WFRD) was highlighted among the seven best geothermal stocks, and Piper Sandler raised its price target to $118 while keeping an Overweight rating. The company posted Q1 earnings of $1.49 per share and $1.15 billion in revenue, beating consensus...
Central European Giant Seeks Partner for Tender-Winning Baltic Sea Offshore Project
Poland's energy giant Orlen, the largest company in Central and Eastern Europe, announced it is looking for a joint‑venture partner to develop the Baltic East offshore wind project, which recently secured a competitive Baltic Sea tender. The project will enable Orlen...
Singapore's EMA to Study Geothermal Energy Systems
Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) announced a feasibility study on geothermal energy systems, with consultant proposals due by 29 June and a selection expected by 2026. The study follows a 2024 assessment that identified potential subsurface heat zones, despite the...
“When Can I Get a Job?” Community Leaders Say Coal Country Ready – and Waiting – for Offshore Wind
Community leaders in Victoria’s Gippsland region unveiled the Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan, signaling strong local backing for offshore wind as coal plants wind down. The plan supports nine feasibility‑licensed projects, including the 2.2 GW Star of the South, and aligns...
Mars Accelerates Net Zero Ambitions with Landmark Energy Deal
Mars, Inc. has signed a long‑term power purchase agreement with European Energy for the upcoming Skuodas Wind Farm in Lithuania. The 158.4 MW project will generate about 490 GWh of electricity each year—enough to power roughly 250,000 homes—and will feed Mars' full...
SP Mobility, ComfortDelGro Engie Bag Contracts to Deploy EV Fast-Charging Hubs in HDB Towns
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority subsidiary EVe awarded contracts to SP Mobility and ComfortDelGro Engie to install eight electric‑vehicle fast‑charging hubs across HDB towns. Each site will host six to eight 50 kW fast chargers, with one location also offering three 7.4 kW...
Geolander Advances Angola Seismic Campaign for CO₂ Storage Assessment
Geolander has launched a high‑density nodal seismic survey in Angola to map subsurface structures for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The campaign uses autonomous STRYDE nodal equipment, enabling tightly spaced data acquisition that improves imaging of reservoirs, caprock integrity,...
Australia’s Sliding Doors Moment: From “Dig and Ship” To Trusted Renewables Transition Partner
WWF‑Australia’s new report declares that Australia’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels makes it one of the most energy‑insecure nations in the Indo‑Pacific, while its abundant renewable resources position it to lead a new, partnership‑based energy‑security model. The analysis shows clean‑energy...
Hong Kong Expands Charging Infrastructure Planning for Electric Public Transport
Hong Kong’s government announced expanded charging infrastructure guidelines for electric public transport, requiring new transport interchanges to reserve space and power for fast chargers. The first interchange with ten 100 kW+ chargers opened in March 2026, supporting up to 21 electric buses...
Solar Insiders Podcast: Can We Make Climate Action Great Again?
The Solar Insiders podcast features author Thom Woodroofe discussing his new book, *Power, Prosperity & Planet*, which argues that making residential solar as ubiquitous as smoke alarms is essential for effective climate policy. Woodroofe outlines a nationwide book‑tour spanning eight Australian...
Thailand Pilots ‘Zero Burn to Earn’ Model Turning Farm Waste Into Renewable Energy
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has launched the PMUC Zero Burn to Earn pilot, beginning 5 May 2026 in Chiang Mai. The program swaps crop residues for farm equipment and renewable‑energy inputs, creating a market for agricultural waste. Pilot...
Massive Six-Hour Battery Project Seeks Federal Green Tick for Site in Victoria’s Main Coal Hub
Renewable developer Res Australia has publicly entered its 400 MW, 2,400 MWh Bunyip North battery into the federal EPBC (environmental) approval queue, a rare move in the sector. The six‑hour storage project sits beside Ampyr’s proposed 750 MW Wimpole battery on the main transmission...
Hong Kong Expands Electric Vehicle Adoption Across Government Fleet
Hong Kong’s government has mandated that all new or replacement private cars for the public sector be electric, unless specific operational constraints apply. The policy, outlined in the updated Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, also signals a possible future...
Off-Grid Gold Mine Achieves Record 93.8 Pct Renewables Share over Whole Month
The off‑grid Bellevue gold mine in Western Australia recorded a 93.8% share of wind and solar power in February, the highest monthly renewable contribution for any remote mining operation. Over the March quarter the 90 MW hybrid plant averaged 85.2% renewable...
E-Fuels in Cars: Unaffordable for Drivers
An independent study commissioned by Transport & Environment finds that producing e‑petrol by 2030 will cost about €4 per litre (≈$4.40) and sell at roughly €7 per litre (≈$7.70), four times the price of fossil gasoline. The analysis shows that...
China’s Clean Shift Spares Saudi a Year’s Oil Output
China’s clean energy transition has already - alone - saved 1 entire year of oil production of Saudi Arabia, led by a domestic market where EVs captured 50% of new car sales in 2025 https://t.co/duBuQqX0vX
How PowerLabs Is Helping Nigerian Businesses Cut Energy Bills
PowerLabs, a Lagos‑based startup, has launched Pai, an intelligent orchestration layer that links diesel generators, solar panels, inverters and grid connections for Nigerian businesses. By analysing real‑time usage data, Pai can automatically shift loads to the cheapest or most reliable...
SMDC Brings Solar Power to Iloilo with 1st Renewable Energy Energization in the Visayas
SM Development Corporation (SMDC) celebrated Earth Day 2026 by energizing its first solar power system in the Visayas at the Style Residences in Iloilo City. The installation, part of a pilot rollout with Buskowitz Energy, is expected to shave roughly...
15 Years of Australian Solar Manufacturing: Tindo Highlights Growth and Next Phase
Tindo celebrated 15 years of continuous Australian solar panel manufacturing, underscoring its status as the nation’s sole domestic PV producer. The company highlighted its Mawson Lakes facility’s expansion to 180 MW annual capacity and a feasibility study for a 1 GW gigafactory....