Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Texas

  • Here Comes More Lithium For EV Batteries, Made In The USA

    EnergyX, a US startup, is making strides in producing battery-grade lithium domestically using Direct Lithium Extraction technology, with support from the US Department of Energy and private investors. Their demonstration plant in Texas is set to produce 250 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent annually, focusing on cost optimization for EV battery production. The Project Lonestar facility aims to enhance US energy security and defense readiness by supplying critical materials for military technology, highlighting the importance of domestic production for national security. The push for more electric vehicles in the US military underscores the need for alternative supply lines for critical minerals, reducing reliance on China and boosting the US's position in the global lithium refining industry.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/26/here-comes-more-lithium-for-ev-batteries-made-in-the-usa/

  • Texas Seizes the Solar Crown From California, and Other Key Points From the Latest Electricity Data

    Texas has surpassed California as the leader in utility-scale solar generation, producing 58,634 gigawatt-hours in 2025, while California remains ahead in small-scale solar electricity generation. Utility-scale solar was the fastest-growing electricity source in the US last year, increasing by 35 percent, with renewable energy, including wind and hydropower, as the second largest electricity source after natural gas, showing a 9.5 percent increase. Data centers and electrification are driving the trend of total electricity generation from all utility-scale sources increasing by 2.8 percent in 2025. Indiana is increasing its use of coal power despite concerns about costs and environmental impacts, but there is also investment in utility-scale solar projects, such as the Mammoth Solar project. The energy transition is accelerating, with large-scale solar projects becoming more common, highlighting the importance of renewable energy solutions in the face of climate change.

    https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05032026/inside-clean-energy-texas-utility-scale-solar/

  • NexWafe, Talon PV sign 7 GW solar wafer supply agreement

    NexWafe has partnered with Talon PV to supply 7 GW of solar wafers for their TOPCon solar cell manufacturing plant in Texas, focusing on improving cell performance with EpiNex substrates. The partnership aims to enhance material quality, reduce oxygen content, and optimize junction engineering for higher efficiency and reliability. NexWafe's EpiNex silicon wafers are manufactured through a gas-to-wafer epitaxy process, reducing energy consumption. Talon PV is establishing a pilot production line at Fraunhofer ISE to conduct initial qualification work with EpiNex wafers, aiming to strengthen domestic content in solar products and develop a resilient Western-aligned supply chain for next-generation photovoltaics.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/20/nexwafe-talon-pv-sign-7-gw-solar-wafer-supply-agreement/

  • e-STORAGE partners with Sunraycer for battery projects in Texas, US

    Canadian Solar's energy storage solutions business, e-STORAGE, and Sunraycer are collaborating to supply and maintain battery energy storage projects in Franklin County, Texas. The Lupinus projects, totaling 503 megawatt-hours, aim to support renewable energy integration and improve grid stability in the ERCOT market. Construction of Lupinus 1 is set to begin in Q1 2027, with Lupinus 2 following in Q3 2026, utilizing Canadian Solar's SolBank 3.0 battery energy storage system to create a more adaptable power grid. This collaboration highlights the importance of innovative energy storage solutions in advancing renewable energy integration and enhancing grid reliability.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/e-storage-sunraycer-battery-projects/

  • New Solution For Critical Minerals: Recycling, Not Conflict Zones

    A new US startup, Supra Elemental Recovery, has developed a sponge-like filter to extract high-purity critical minerals from industrial waste, offering a more secure and sustainable solution compared to overseas mining. The University of Texas has contributed to the funding and development of the cartridge, which is designed to be reusable and environmentally friendly. The technology has shown promising results, with investors backing the project. This innovative approach could potentially revolutionize the extraction and refining of critical minerals needed for EVs and solar cells. The Supra team is working on a commercial-level demonstration later this year, aiming to provide U.S.-based manufacturers with a sustainable source of critical minerals.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/05/the-solution-for-us-critical-minerals-geopolitical-minefield-vs-recycling/

  • 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.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/19/solar-power-generation-drives-electricity-generation-growth-over-the-next-two-years/

  • Alphabet acquires clean energy developer Intersect for $4.75B

    Alphabet's subsidiary Google is making strides in decarbonization by acquiring clean energy and data center infrastructure developer Intersect in a $4.75 billion deal. This acquisition will help Google combat rising emissions and prioritize decarbonizing its operational electricity consumption, with Intersect's $15 billion clean energy infrastructure portfolio in Texas and California. Google aims to halve its emissions by 2030 and run on carbon-free power 24/7, partnering with utilities and energy developers for clean power generation. The acquisition will allow Intersect to collaborate with Google on joint projects to drive innovation and leadership in the U.S. energy industry, showcasing a new approach to sustainable energy solutions.

    https://www.esgdive.com/news/alphabet-acquires-clean-energy-developer-intersect-portfolio-4-75b-google-data-centers/808756/

  • Energy Vault breaks ground on 150MW SOSA Energy Center in Texas

    Energy Vault has acquired the SOSA Energy Center in Texas and has begun construction on a 150MW/300MWh battery energy storage project, expected to be operational by Q2 2027. The project will provide grid support and renewable integration services in the Texas ERCOT market, with a total portfolio of over 340MW using their B-VAULT technology. Meanwhile, Hover Energy has been recognized for their excellence in innovation and leadership in intelligent microgrids and distributed renewables, receiving three 2025 Power Technology Excellence Awards. Their AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM and networked microgrids are helping to rebuild the energy grid for a more flexible and resilient future.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/energy-vault-sosa-energy-center/

  • Google acquires Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion

    Google has acquired Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion to develop solar and storage projects for its AI data centers, aiming to bypass grid bottlenecks and scale rapidly with energy parks co-locating data centers with generation and storage assets. With $15 billion in assets, Intersect Power plans to have 10.8 GW of capacity by 2028. Google's energy park development strategy, including the Quantum Clean Energy Project in Texas, focuses on clean energy solutions for a more sustainable future.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/05/google-acquires-intersect-power-for-nearly-5-billion/

  • UK study finds azimuthal trackers boost floating PV performance

    A University of Exeter study found that azimuthal tracking systems deliver the largest energy gains and lowest levelized cost of energy for floating solar PV plants in the UK, with a 26.9% increase in production compared to fixed systems. This makes floating solar a competitive option for marine-based renewable energy. Meanwhile, in the United States, Texas has become one of the top states for solar energy production due to its abundant sunlight, large land area, and decreasing costs of solar technology. The expansion of solar power in Texas is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/02/uk-study-finds-azimuthal-trackers-boost-floating-pv-performance/