Kenya's electric motorcycle sector has experienced significant growth, particularly in the context of the motorcycle taxi industry. Companies like Waya Electric have entered the market with a focus on heavy-duty, rural, and B2B applications, designing motorcycles to handle tough conditions like long distances, heat, and steep terrain. These electric motorcycles are being utilized in wildlife conservation areas like the Tsavo Conservation Area, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness in various applications. The use of electric motorcycles in remote and challenging terrains is proving to be reliable and relevant, showing the potential for electric mobility in similar areas across Africa. Solar-powered charging solutions for electric motorcycles are highlighted as a key innovation to address the unique challenges faced in African markets.
Author: Cleantechnica
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Hyundai Pushes The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Mobility Market
Hyundai is expanding its presence in the global fuel cell market with a range of vehicles and power stations. The company is focusing on transitioning the hydrogen supply chain from fossil fuels to renewable resources for a sustainable future. Hyundai is targeting the hydrogen fuel cell market in the US, Korea, and Europe, with a focus on electrifying public transportation, fleets, and port logistics. The growth of the fuel cell market is driven by various stakeholders promoting the hydrogen economy of the future. Hyundai and Air Liquide are partnering to build a sustainable energy ecosystem that includes hydrogen production and utilization, supporting an accelerated timetable for bringing new hydrogen technologies to the market.
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CATL Expects Oceanic Electric Ships in 3 Years
CATL's marine division is leading the way in providing zero-carbon marine transportation by developing comprehensive battery solutions for electric ships, collaborating with shipping partners, and supplying batteries for over 900 vessels. Recent advancements in sodium-ion battery technology and price drops are making long-range electric shipping more feasible, with a focus on electrifying the maritime sector and removing barriers to widespread maritime electrification.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/05/catl-expects-oceanic-electric-ships-in-3-years/
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“Solar Glitter” Makes Its Mark On The Space Solar Race
The space solar race is heating up, with innovators aiming to beam solar energy down to Earth by 2030. Efforts to improve efficiency and reduce weight in space solar technology continue, with Lockheed Martin Ventures recently investing in mPower to support the scaleup of their DragonSCALES modules for space applications. Various space industry stakeholders, including Airbus, Blue Origin/Honeybee, Firefly Aerospace, Lynk Global, and Gravitics, are deploying DragonSCALES technology. Ascent Solar Technologies has announced new developments in space solar innovation, with collaborations with the US Air Force, Germany's DLR, and Defiant Space to develop space solar opportunities for defense, security, and commercial initiatives. Aetherflux, a US space solar startup, has received significant funding and plans to demonstrate an orbiting system next year, while mPower has launched new photovoltaic technology for space solar applications.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/04/solar-glitter-makes-its-mark-on-the-space-solar-race/
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Army Of Meter Socket Adapters Is Coming For Your Fossil Fuels
ConnectDER, a US startup, is retrofitting electricity meters to make clean tech like rooftop solar, home energy storage, and EV charging stations more affordable for older homes. Their meter socket adapters allow devices to plug directly into the meter socket, bypassing costly electrical upgrades. By creating virtual power plants that connect energy-producing and consuming devices, ConnectDER is helping to reduce peak demand on the grid and the need for new infrastructure. With approvals from utilities like ComEd and Ameren in Illinois, ConnectDER's products are streamlining the installation process for distributed energy resources, enabling homeowners to participate in the energy transition and sell stored energy back to the grid. This innovative approach by ConnectDER and other green businesses is accelerating the adoption of clean technology and making renewable energy more accessible and affordable for households across the US.
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Virtual Power Plants Thwart Plot Against Renewable Energy
The US renewable energy transition is unstoppable, with virtual power plants utilizing distributed energy resources like solar panels and home storage systems to manipulate load-shifting and avoid new gas peaker plants. EnergyHub's acquisition of Resideo Grid Service aims to integrate a DER Management system for utility companies. With over 2.5 million DERs in their management roster, VPPs are seen as a fast, cheap, and customer-centric solution to load growth. MIT's EUREICA concept utilizes solar panels, batteries, EVs, and other DERs to respond to grid disruptions, highlighting the shift towards a cyber-physical system in the electricity grid. The smart home of the future can connect to virtual power plants for incentives and protection against cyberattacks.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/02/virtual-power-plants-thwart-plot-against-renewable-energy/
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Energy Storage Exists, & It’s Coming For Your Fossil Fuels
Energy storage, particularly in the form of concentrating solar power systems, is gaining traction in commercial and industrial applications. Startups like 247Solar are innovating in the CSP field, combining it with heat-storing batteries for longer-lasting energy storage solutions. 247Solar has developed a source-agnostic battery system that can run on alternate fuels in case of solar availability issues, offering round-the-clock electricity and a combined heat and power option for industrial processes. The company is focusing on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs, with estimates of up to a 95% reduction in carbon footprint and a 25% or more cut in energy costs. They offer an Energy-as-a-Service business model that allows businesses to upgrade their energy systems without upfront costs, and plan to deploy Series B funding to establish a new 3.5-megawatt module, expanding from their current size of 400 kilowatts. Solar power is highlighted as a fast, abundant, and economical way to increase the nation's power profile.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/02/energy-storage-exists-its-coming-for-your-fossil-fuels/
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Ethio Telecom Expands Its EV Charging Network with the Launch of a Third Super-Fast Smart Station in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia has made significant strides in promoting electric vehicles by restricting the import of internal combustion engine vehicles and investing in electric vehicle infrastructure. The country has seen a surge in electric vehicle registrations, with over 60% of new vehicle registrations being electric in 2024. Ethiopia's energy mix is already over 90% sourced from renewables, with projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam contributing clean electricity. Ethio Telecom has launched electric vehicle charging hubs with ultra-fast and super-fast chargers to support the growing electric vehicle ecosystem in the country. This transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy not only helps reduce emissions and improve air quality but also frees up scarce foreign currency resources by substituting imported fossil fuels with locally generated clean electricity, showcasing that electrification is not just happening in Europe but also in countries heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports like Ethiopia.
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More US States Are Promoting Balcony Solar
Balcony solar is a concept that allows apartment dwellers to generate their own electricity by hanging solar panels on their balcony railings, democratizing the energy supply and reducing utility bills. States like Utah, New York, and Pennsylvania are passing legislation to allow for the installation of balcony solar systems, seen as a game changer for renters and low-income individuals. Despite some utility companies' hesitancy due to grid issues and threats to their business model, the growing interest in balcony solar systems at the state level is a response to federal negativity towards clean energy. Legislation exempting balcony solar systems from interconnection agreements with utility companies, along with a typical break-even point of around 3 years, is expected to make balcony solar more accessible in the future.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/01/more-us-states-are-promoting-balcony-solar/
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The Strange Time Compression of Sodium-Ion Battery Development
Chinese battery companies CATL and BYD, along with smaller company Beijing HiNa, are leading the global EV battery market with a focus on LFP, NMC, and sodium-ion batteries. HiNa's sodium-ion batteries have made waves in the industry, with BYD and CATL also investing in sodium-ion technology. While sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density compared to lithium competitors, they offer superior energy retention at cold temperatures. The expectation is that sodium-ion batteries may start to replace LFP batteries in the future. The advancement of SIB technology is putting pressure on traditional battery companies, such as those in Korea, to adopt the new technology or risk losing market share. The progression of battery chemistry advancements is similar to what has been seen in the evolution of EV batteries, with newer, lower-cost options replacing older technologies as they meet performance requirements.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/30/the-strange-time-compression-of-sodium-ion-battery-development/