Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Texas

  • Texas Scores Another Solar Factory, Trump Or No Trump

    TOYO Solar, a Japanese firm, is investing $357 million in a 1.5-gigawatt solar cell manufacturing facility in Texas to produce HJT solar cells, known for enhanced performance in hot climates. This move represents a significant step towards cleaner and more efficient solar energy production in the US. The company aims to meet domestic content requirements and strengthen the supply chain security of the US solar industry, which is thriving and outpacing fossil energy systems for new power generation capacity additions. By focusing on tandem solar cells that combine silicon and perovskites for durability and efficiency, TOYO is driving advancements in solar conversion efficiency and creating 400 direct jobs in the city.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/09/solar-cells-new-factory-texas-us-hjt-toyo/

  • Waymo Sending Used EV Batteries to Community Clean Energy

    Waymo and B2U Storage Solutions have partnered to repurpose old EV batteries for grid-scale storage systems, aiming to cut CO2 emissions and pollution while supporting clean energy growth in California and Texas. By extending the use of these batteries, they are maximizing their economic and environmental value, showcasing the potential for EV batteries to contribute to a circular economy and help meet increasing energy demand. This initiative highlights Waymo's commitment to sustainability and maximizing the positive environmental impact of its all-electric fleet, demonstrating the potential for repurposed EV batteries to play a key role in climate solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/07/waymo-sending-used-ev-batteries-to-community-clean-energy/

  • Avangrid completes construction of Tower Solar project in Oregon

    Avangrid's Tower Solar project in Morrow County, Oregon, with a generation capacity of 166MW, has been completed and connected to the local power grid. The project, using over 250,000 solar panels from SEG Solar in Texas, will supply renewable energy to Portland General Electric and support QTS data center operations. Construction of Tower Solar created around 200 jobs for regional union workers and is expected to contribute $20m in tax payments. This project aligns with efforts to strengthen the domestic energy supply chain and support the growth of renewable energy installations in the region, showcasing the potential for job creation and economic benefits in the transition to clean energy.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/avangrid-completes-tower-solar/

  • A Giant Solar Power Plant In Texas Is Getting A New Neighbor

    Texas, particularly Swisher County, is leading the way in renewable energy with the expansion of solar power plants to offset the negative impact of federal energy policy shifts on the wind industry. The upcoming 201-megawatt Nazareth array in Swisher County will further contribute to its success in renewable energy. Organizations like Texas Solar Shepherds are promoting solar grazing with sheep to reduce maintenance costs and support local economies, while also optimizing racking systems for cattle grazing in solar fields. The article highlights the opportunity to combine clean power with food systems through solar power plants, such as the Hornet solar power plant, as a solution to farmland loss due to rural development.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/02/texas-solar-power-vesper-energy-sustainable/

  • 15-Year SAF Deal For UK’s Largest Regional Carrier

    Loganair has entered into a 15-year agreement with ClimaHtech Green Flight to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using advanced technology pathways like BioSAF and eSAF. The focus is on decentralized production using waste biomass and intermittent renewable power sources like wind and solar. The project aims to utilize excess wind power to produce SAF, making it a scalable and resilient approach to reducing carbon footprint in the aviation industry. ClimaHtech Green Flight highlights the advantages of smaller, modular systems for SAF production, which can lead to regional energy independence, greater energy security, and economic resilience. Infinium Energy's e-fuels projects in Texas, including the Project Atlas facility, are also contributing to reducing jet fuel consumption and supporting sustainable aviation solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/27/saf-sustainable-aviation-fuel-uk-modular-localized/

  • The grid is in better shape this summer. Thank solar and batteries.

    Renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, have shown significant growth and contribution to the grid, overshadowing new fossil gas generation. Solar power, in particular, has proven to be a valuable asset during peak summer demand, with batteries playing a crucial role in storing excess solar power for later use. The combination of solar and batteries has helped reduce the risk of blackouts in regions like California and Texas. The report emphasizes that renewables are cost-effective and can be built quickly, making them essential in meeting high energy demand during extreme heat periods. Overall, renewables, especially solar and batteries, are key solutions in reducing grid risk and ensuring reliable energy supply.

    https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/grid-better-shape-this-summer

  • REPORT: U.S. Adds 10 GWh of New Energy Storage Capacity in 1st Quarter, Best Q1 on Record

    The U.S. energy storage industry experienced a record first quarter in 2026, installing 9.7 GWh of new capacity and seeing a 32% increase year-over-year. By 2030, over 610 GWh of energy storage is expected to be installed, driven by the attractiveness of solar and storage due to their insulation from fuel price swings and increasing domestic production. Data centers, tech companies, and states like Texas, Arizona, and California are leading the surge in energy storage deployment, although federal permitting delays could pose a challenge. Additionally, in 2021, 515 MWh of residential storage was installed alongside C&I storage, with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) advocating for clean energy policies and job creation in the solar industry. SEIA, founded in 1974, collaborates with over 1,200 member companies to promote competition and growth in the solar and solar + storage industries.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/24/report-u-s-adds-10-gwh-of-new-energy-storage-capacity-in-1st-quarter-best-q1-on-record/

  • California Affirms 25 GW Goal For Offshore Wind, Trump Or Not

    California has 200 gigawatts of offshore wind potential, with a goal of 5 gigawatts by 2030 and 25 gigawatts by 2045. Despite Trump's attempts to halt offshore wind projects, federal judges have affirmed that work can continue on existing projects. Governor Newsom supports offshore wind development as a clean energy source for California. The Trump administration's halt to approvals for new onshore wind projects has put $50 billion in investments and 150,000 jobs at risk, with 150 projects impacted in Texas alone. Offshore wind stakeholders in California are still moving forward with plans despite federal energy policy changes, participating in the global industry and making strides in infrastructure investments and workforce training.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/23/offshore-wind-california-global-agreements/

  • PV power generation to surpass coal in Texas

    Texas is on track to surpass coal-fired generation with utility-scale solar power by 2026, as solar generation is projected to reach 78,000 GWh compared to coal's 60,000 GWh in the ERCOT grid. The state is experiencing a surge in solar capacity additions, with plans to install 14 GW of new utility-scale solar. Texas is a key player in the energy transition, with significant battery storage planned to stabilize the grid as renewable penetration increases. By early 2027, solar and wind combined are expected to exceed 20% of the total U.S. electricity generation mix.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/16/pv-power-generation-to-surpass-coal-in-texas/

  • US Startup Crosses The Bridge Between SAF & Powdered Milk

    The global fuel crisis sparked by the Iran War has led to a surge in demand for alternative fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Texas-based startup Syzygy Plasmonics has developed a light-operated biogas reactor to produce synthetic fuels from biogas without combustion, renewing interest in producing fuels from renewable feedstocks for national defense and economic security. Syzygy's focus on sustainable and resilient fuel production includes a project in Uruguay aiming to produce SAF with significantly lower emissions than conventional fuel, with plans to scale up production and establish a competitive business model within the SAF field. The company has also signed agreements to license its bio-based solutions for significant fuel production volumes, with federal energy policymakers open to renewable resources like biomass, geothermal energy, and hydropower. The Iran war has contributed to closing the cost gap between sustainable aviation fuels and traditional fuels, making Syzygy's biogas-to-fuel SAF system increasingly attractive in the market.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/11/us-innovator-crosses-the-bridge-from-powdered-milk-to-saf/