XPENG has unveiled new extended-range EV models, the P7+ sedan and G7 SUV, with impressive ranges and fast charging capabilities. The company is rethinking extended-range EVs as electric-first vehicles with gas backup, rather than relying on gas as the primary source of power. XPENG is normalizing advanced charging and computing capabilities across its lineup to address inconsistent charging infrastructure in regions like Southeast Asia. Extended-range configurations with substantial electric-only capability could increase EV adoption without immediate infrastructure upgrades. The company's growth and ambitious targets suggest they are thinking ahead about consumer needs in the evolving auto industry, positioning extended-range EVs as platforms for software-defined operation with charging parity to battery-only vehicles.
Author: Cleantechnica
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Scaling Solar Smarter: Innovation, Supply Chains, & the Future of Clean Energy
Marty Rogers, General Manager for SolarEdge North America, discusses the future of solar energy in terms of inverter and storage innovation, reshoring critical manufacturing to the US, and sustainability practices. SolarEdge is focusing on strengthening the domestic solar supply chain, practicing sustainability in its operations, and innovating in the inverters and storage space. The company is leading the way in developing intelligent, grid-connected devices that optimize performance and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Residential solar trends are shifting towards energy independence and resilience, with a growing demand for battery storage and backup capabilities. States prone to outages or high electricity rates are finding solar + storage more attractive due to sustainability mandates, rising utility costs, and new financing models. Grid services and virtual power plants are becoming essential for sharing and monetizing distributed energy while improving grid stability. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, with options to sign up for newsletters and follow on Google News.
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Solar Power Generation Drives Electricity Generation Growth Over The Next Two Years
The U.S. electric power sector is projected to experience growth in electricity generation, with natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources decreasing to 72% by 2027, while solar and wind power are expected to increase to 21% of total generation. Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing source, with significant capacity additions in Texas, and battery storage capacity is expanding to support solar output fluctuations. Coal-fired generation increased in 2025 but is expected to decline by 5% annually over the next two years, resulting in coal's share in power generation falling to 15% by 2027. Wind generation growth is slowing in certain regions, while natural gas remains the largest source of electricity but its share is declining.
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Jackery Brings Creativity & Design To Solar & Energy Storage
Jackery showcased their new solar-integrated home batteries and innovative solar products at CES, including the HomePower 3600 Plus, solar roof tiles, and the Solar Gazebo. The gazebo, with 2 kW of panels, offers roughly 10 kWh of energy production per day and can be combined with storage systems for backup power, priced in the $12-15,000 range. While not a replacement for utility-scale generation, these products offer creative solutions for specific consumer needs and drive mass adoption through innovation and design. The potential of electrification in products like solar garages and EV charging stations is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of catering to different needs to accelerate clean electrification adoption.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/jackery-brings-creativity-design-to-solar-energy-storage/
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Happy Hour Clean Technology Special: Pubinno Smart Tap at CES
Pubinno's smart beer tap system offers a resource-conserving way to serve draft beer, reducing waste and increasing keg yield. The system has saved over 1.4 billion liters of water and has received industry sustainability awards. It operates without special glassware, adjusts foam levels based on preference, and works well in self-service or with inexperienced bartenders. The system also works with nitrogenated beer and sodas, reducing emissions and water usage associated with packaging and transportation of beverages. Being eco-friendly can save venues money and make business sense, as incremental changes towards sustainability can have a significant positive impact on the environment.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/happy-hour-clean-technology-special-pubinno-smart-tap-at-ces/
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Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress
The Zayed Sustainability Prize announced the winners for 2026, awarding US$5.9M to 11 organizations and high schools from various countries. The winners presented innovative solutions in sustainability categories such as AI-enabled diagnostics, Cooling-as-a-Service, biodegradable antimicrobial packaging, water leak detection technology, eco-bricks production, and resilient homes. The Prize, established in 2008, has positively impacted over 411 million lives globally through scalable innovations in health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools. The winners were praised for their contributions to advancing sustainable development and improving social and environmental benefits, encouraging practical solutions that uplift communities and drive inclusive progress worldwide. The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to support groundbreaking solutions to global challenges in areas such as health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools, driving sustainable development and inspiring innovators to work towards a sustainable future.
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NewYork GreenCloud Acquires Buena Vista Biomass Power Facility to Launch First Carbon-Negative AI Factory
NewYork GreenCloud (NYGC) has acquired the Buena Vista Biomass Power facility in California to create a carbon-negative AI Factory, using biomass-to-pyrolysis energy systems to power an on-site AI factory with renewable energy. This redevelopment project serves as a blueprint for scalable, sustainable compute infrastructure, with NYGC, BucSha Energy, and Impact Capital Partners exploring additional sites for similar conversions in the future. The ultimate goal is to develop carbon-negative AI Factories powered by renewable energy systems to support next-generation GPU clusters, showcasing a promising step towards sustainable and climate-friendly computing solutions.
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BLUETTI Targets Circular Economy & High-Speed Mobile Charging — CES 2026 Launch
BLUETTI is making strides in hardware decarbonization and slow-charging issues for road trips through material science and deep vehicle integration. The Charger 2, powered by alternator and solar energy, offers universal compatibility and bi-directional utility. The Bio-Based Elite 100 V2 power station reduces CO2 emissions with bio-circular plastics, while the Elite 300 and Elite 320 models provide high energy density and home resilience capabilities. With a focus on sustainable material sourcing and efficiency, BLUETTI is leading a positive shift towards clean energy solutions in the industry.
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Ford’s $30,000 Midsize Electric Pickup Truck Will Offer Level 3 Autonomy
Ford is working on developing electric vehicles in Southern California with a team led by Doug Field, aiming to design vehicles that outperform Chinese offerings and are price competitive. The Universal EV Platform will be used for a new midsize electric pickup truck, offering impressive range and the ability to power a home during a grid outage. Ford is focusing on efficiency, fewer components, and democratizing technology to make it accessible to a wider audience. The company is prioritizing technology that solves real problems and is attainable for more customers, aiming for a more capable and affordable EV future.
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Perovskite-Silicon Solar Cells Are Heading For The Mass Market
The article discusses the potential impact of perovskite solar cells on the global decarbonization movement, with utility-scale perovskites already achieving high efficiency levels. Tandem PV technology is also on the rise, with efforts to mass produce tandem solar panels and improve durability and efficiency in outdoor conditions. The increasing activity in perovskite solar cell technology poses a threat to the global oil industry, highlighting the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar power. Urgent action is needed to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on innovative solutions to drive down costs and increase efficiency in the renewable energy sector.