Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Cleantechnica

  • Sheep Frolic In Massive New Solar Power Plant

    Solar power plants in Texas are on the rise, with the state leading in wind power and competing for the top spot in solar power. The state's unique economic policy has allowed for the development of large-scale solar projects, such as Enel's GulfStar solar power plant with energy storage. Energy storage systems are being used to enhance the value of solar projects, providing reliability and support to the grid. Solar power plants are gaining support from industries like data centers and high-volume electricity users due to their quick construction and ability to deliver electricity at utility scale. The solar grazing movement is also gaining momentum in Texas, with Enel contracting 6,000 sheep to manage vegetation at solar power plants covering over 10,000 acres. This represents a significant leap for the solar grazing movement in the US, with Enel estimating that solar grazing covered 100,000 acres by 2024. Power plants across the country are creating opportunities for farmers, such as Agrivoltaic Solutions which has expanded to a 500-sheep operation on 1,500 acres of solar sites. State policy makers, like in New York, are taking action to support agrivoltaic projects with a $7 million demonstration and research program. Enel has commissioned its largest solar power plant in the US where sheep will manage vegetation and enhance soil. This initiative showcases the potential for combining agriculture and renewable energy to address climate change.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/07/sheep-will-frolic-in-massive-new-solar-power-plant-in-texas/

  • Old Nissan Leaf Gets About 180 Miles Of Range (Video)

    Old Nissan Leaf owners can increase their range by installing a new battery pack from VIVNE, potentially doubling their range to around 180-200 miles. This upgrade offers a cost-effective solution for those looking to extend the lifespan of their older EVs and avoid purchasing a new vehicle. In addition, VIVNE provides a kit to convert old EV batteries into home energy storage batteries, offering a sustainable energy storage option for homeowners and contributing to a more environmentally friendly approach to energy consumption.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/27/old-nissan-leaf-gets-about-180-miles-of-range-video/

  • Agrivoltaic Movement Pivots To Green Hydrogen

    The global agrivoltaic industry is evolving to include green hydrogen production, providing farmers with a new off-grid fuel and energy storage option. Researchers are studying the profitability and sustainability of integrating green hydrogen production with agrivoltaics, focusing on supporting food systems and producing green hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) charging stations. Co-locating agrivoltaics with water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen is seen as a means of decarbonization and energy independence, with projects like ECHO-WAVE in Luxembourg and federal support for green hydrogen in the US. The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor has emerged to supply green hydrogen for industrial centers in Europe, with the EU Innovation Fund supporting projects combining agrivoltaic systems with wind turbines. More activity in this area is expected, leveraging infrastructure and resources in low-demand regions to meet the strong demand for hydrogen and renewable energy solutions in the face of climate change and the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/27/the-agrivoltaic-movement-pivots-to-green-hydrogen/

  • Electrify America Real-Time Charger Info Now On Google Maps

    Electrify America and Google have teamed up to offer real-time charging station information on Google Maps, enhancing accessibility for electric vehicle drivers. This partnership addresses the need for up-to-date charger status as EV usage expands. Drivers can now conveniently check charger availability, connector type, charging speed, and operational status through the user-friendly Google Maps interface. This collaboration represents progress in making public charging more convenient and efficient for EV drivers, particularly during long journeys.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/27/electrify-america-real-time-charger-info-now-on-google-maps/

  • The Yangtze River Is Becoming the World’s Largest Electrified Trade Corridor

    The electrification of ports and vessels along major river systems like the Yangtze, Rhine, Mississippi, and Mekong is a key step towards a sustainable shipping industry. The Gezhouba, an all-electric bulk carrier with containerized lithium battery modules, showcases the potential for clean energy in inland shipping. Inland ports like Yichang are integrating ship charging into their grid operations, while delta ports like Shanghai and Ningbo are evolving into partial power plants with renewable energy sources. The global trend is towards electrification of inland and short-sea shipping by mid-century, with deep-sea vessels transitioning more slowly. Once reliable electric power reaches these terminals, the transition to clean energy in the shipping industry is seen as inevitable.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/26/the-yangtze-river-is-becoming-the-worlds-largest-electrified-trade-corridor/

  • One Brownfield Down, One Clean Solar Power Plant Up

    Solar power plants are being established as a quick and economical way to add kilowatts to the grid while also preserving farmland and transforming contaminated sites into community assets. The US Environmental Agency's Re-Powering America's Land program aims to harvest clean energy from contaminated sites, with brownfield-to-solar development becoming a mature sector of the solar industry. The Acton project in Massachusetts, utilizing ground screws for secure racking systems, showcases the industry's ability to transform contaminated sites into clean power stations. Terrasmart, a US racking firm, is manufacturing ground screws in-house to support the growth of the solar industry. The Acton project repurposes a contaminated Superfund site for solar energy production, creating local jobs and boosting grid resilience, with energy storage included to optimize the value of solar power for ratepayers. Community solar projects like Acton enable all ratepayers to save money as solar costs have dropped, driving significant growth in the community solar market and integrating with the agrivoltaic market. Despite challenges from the federal government, the demand for solar energy remains strong among ratepayers, with a new solar power plant in Acton, Massachusetts transforming a contaminated site into a community asset.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/04/another-clean-community-solar-power-plant-replaces-a-derelict-brownfield-whats-not-to-like/

  • Maxus eTerron 9 and the “Grid of Tomorrow” Presented at Electric Power Conference

    The CEPSI 2025 Exhibition at the Asia Clean Energy Summit showcased the Maxus eTerron 9 electric pickup truck and advanced charging installation, focusing on vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology. The eTerron 9 serves as a case study in distributed energy resources, with a 102.2 kWh battery pack capable of grid support applications. SP Group demonstrated the charging infrastructure with bidirectional power flow capabilities, offering up to 6.6 kW of external power output for various applications. The exhibition highlighted the potential of electric vehicles as grid-connected energy assets, addressing decentralized power systems and energy resilience discussions at CEPSI 2025.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/03/maxus-eterron-9-and-the-grid-of-tomorrow-presented-at-electric-power-conference/

  • Major Battery Tech Event To Be Held In Spain

    Battery Tech Europe is a new event at Fira de Barcelona focusing on the next generation of emerging battery applications and showcasing European innovation in battery technology. The conference will bring together thousands of energy professionals, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss pathways for solving challenges in the sector and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy model. With a focus on grid-scale storage, aerospace technologies, maritime electrification, and other key sectors beyond electric vehicles, the event aims to prioritize European innovation and energy independence. Featuring 5,000 battery professionals, 150 exhibitors, and 100+ expert speakers, the conference will facilitate knowledge transfer of the latest innovations and development policies in the battery technology sector, highlighting advancements in sustainability and technology.

    https://cleantechnica.com/?p=362894

  • First Solar Expands Its CdTe Solar Cell Footprint In The US

    First Solar, a US firm, is expanding its operations to meet the demand for its CdTe solar cell technology, which has advantages in manufacturing costs and durability, leading to an increase in its share of the US utility-scale solar market. The US Department of Energy is promoting CdTe technology as a sustainable and economical form of photovoltaic technology, with a focus on efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, a research team at New York University developed a method to prevent damage to solar cells during manufacturing, increasing their electrical output by 13% and overall power generation. With supportive federal policies, the US solar industry could further benefit from advancements in CdTe technology, making solar energy the least expensive and fastest way to add power generation capacity to the nation's grid.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/01/first-solar-expands-cdte-solar-cell-manufacturing-footprint-in-us/

  • Golden Week Goes Electric: China’s Holiday Travel Becomes a Showcase for the Clean Economy

    During China's Golden Week holiday, gasoline demand fell 9% year over year while the number of electric or hybrid vehicle trips rose sharply, with one in five car journeys made in electrified vehicles. The shift towards electrified transportation is evident in the country's infrastructure and cultural practices, with rail travel hitting record levels and the number of charging ports doubling. China's 15th Five-Year Plan outlines a "green transformation" of the economy with goals of peak carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, emphasizing grid flexibility and storage integration. The plan also highlights the importance of clean electricity and grid support, with a focus on self-reliance in critical minerals to support the electrified economy. Overall, the direction of travel towards a more sustainable energy system is clear, with Golden Week travel patterns reflecting the progress of China's energy transition.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/01/golden-week-goes-electric-chinas-holiday-travel-becomes-a-showcase-for-the-clean-economy/