Solar energy
🥵 Texas handled record electricity demand in the heat thanks to solar and batteries
High temperatures pushed electricity demand in Texas to record levels in late July. The old record was broken two days in a row. Still they did not need to ask residents to conserve electricity. Such calls have otherwise been common during the hottest months in recent years.
☀️ Solar replaces coal as the world's largest source of electricity within six years
Solar overtakes coal as the world's largest source of electricity generation within six years, according to research firm BloombergNEF. Solar is the cheapest source of new electricity generation. Coal costs almost twice as much.
☀️ 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.