Solar energy
☀️ Solar overtakes coal in US electricity production for the first time
Solar power supplied 12.8 percent of US electricity in May 2026, while coal fell to 12.2 percent. Solar produced 45.5 TWh during the month, 17 percent more than in May 2025. Over five years, solar's share has more than doubled.
💶 Solar power has saved Europe more than €100 million per day since March
Solar energy has saved Europe more than €100 million per day since 1 March, totaling more than €3 billion. Wind and solar power have reduced electricity prices by an average of 24% between 2023 and 2025. If gas prices remain high, total savings in 2026 could reach €67.5 billion.
☀️ Bihar gives 250,000 poor families free rooftop solar panels
The Indian state of Bihar is installing solar panels at no cost for families living below the poverty line. The families will have zero electricity costs for basic usage such as fans, lighting and mobile charging. In the first phase, 250,000 households will receive solar panels
Ukraine builds new power grid with solar, wind and batteries that better withstands Russian attacks
A decentralized power grid with solar, wind and batteries has fewer central points that can be knocked out, unlike the old system with large power plants and centralized transmission lines.
🍽️ The naive optimist who turned out to be right – lunch with Ramez Naam
Two failed hugs framed an interesting conversation with the polymath and renewable energy expert Ramez Naam.
🛰️ Startup successfully transmits solar energy with laser from aircraft – a step toward space-based solar power
Overview Energy has tested transmitting thousands of watts from an aircraft to a ground-based receiver using near-infrared laser light. The technology makes it possible to deliver solar energy to existing ground-based solar facilities when the sun is not shining.
☀️ Africa reaches record levels for solar panel imports
Africa's solar panel imports increased by 60 percent during the past 12 months. Twenty countries set new records for solar panel imports during the period.
📉 Solar power with batteries became 22 percent cheaper in one year
The cost of solar power with batteries dropped 22 percent during 2024 and 43 percent since 2019. Solar power with batteries now costs around 100 dollars per megawatt hour in sunny cities, which is cheaper than coal and nuclear power.
🏭 Ireland shuts down its last coal power plant – becomes the 15th coal-free country in Europe
Ireland became the 15th coal-free country in Europe when the Moneypoint power plant was shut down on June 20. The country now generates 37 percent of its electricity from wind power according to energy think tank Ember.