Google has signed a VPPA for the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, the largest solar-plus-storage project in the US, with plans to scale up to 2.5 GW of solar PV and 2.9 GWh of energy storage. The project will help Google offset its grid-based emissions by paying a fixed price for clean energy output. Tech companies are turning to VPPAs to meet decarbonization targets and inject renewable capacity into local systems. The Steel River project is prioritizing domestic manufacturing to secure financing and navigate trade policies.
Tag: US
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Indigenous Organizations And Tribal Nations Are Innovating Energy Solutions
Indigenous-led organizations and tribal nations in the US are taking the lead in developing innovative clean energy solutions, with initiatives such as off-grid residential solar services and advanced tribal electrification projects. The Electric Innovation Initiative and Navajo Power are supporting projects led by Indigenous communities to advance electrification and create renewable energy projects that honor sovereignty and cultural values. By simplifying the process of building utility-scale projects on Tribal lands, they provide guidance, expertise, and reduced investment risks. These initiatives aim to enhance community energy sovereignty, reduce energy costs, and promote sustainability, showcasing the significant potential for renewable energy projects on indigenous lands.
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Renewables, Led By Solar, Were Largest Source of Energy Supply Growth Globally in 2025
In 2025, the US accounted for 47% of the world's CO2 emissions growth due to fossil fuel-biased policies and AI infrastructure, while renewables, particularly solar power, saw significant growth in total energy supply. Despite fossil fuels dominating global energy supply, positive trends include the growth of solar and wind power, decline in China's oil and diesel use, and Europe's reduction in fossil fuel dependence through renewable energy expansion. The EU's accelerated deployment of wind and solar power has led to a decrease in coal and gas generation, with wind and solar generating more power than coal, gas, and oil combined by 2025. This shift has saved the region €72bn in fossil fuel imports between 2022 and 2025, driven by the cost-effectiveness, stability, and ability of solar power to reduce fossil fuel dependency globally.
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It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times For Electric Car Sales In America
Despite a drop in EV sales post-federal incentive, the US market is rebounding with a 14.7% increase in Q2 2026 and a projected 17% growth by 2030. New product launches, state incentives, and consumer interest are driving this growth, with Tesla leading the market. The rise in EV charging infrastructure and hybrid car sales is also notable. Proposed legislation to ban foreign-connected components aims to protect national security but raises concerns about data privacy and consumer choice. The bill has garnered support from industry players but may impact the market dynamics and consumer rights.
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Tesla energy storage rebounds as Musk backs growth prospects
Tesla's storage deployments saw a significant rebound to 13.5GWh in Q2 of this year, a 40% increase from the same quarter last year, marking the second-largest quarterly result for the company. Despite a slow start to the year, Tesla is optimistic about the growth of solar and storage markets globally. The company has signed deals for its Megapack and Megablock storage products and is expanding its manufacturing footprint, including a $4.3bn LFP battery factory in Michigan, aiming to create a robust domestic battery supply chain in the US.
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New Lithium-Air Battery Makes Larger Electric Aircraft Possible
The aviation industry is making progress in transitioning to cleaner alternatives with the development of battery-powered electric aircraft. US startup Air Energy has created a high-density battery solution using solid state lithium-air technology, funded by the Energy Department's JOULES 1K program. Research efforts at Argonne National Laboratory have led to advancements in lithium-air batteries, with a new solid electrolyte design expected to outperform conventional lithium-ion batteries. This technology has potential applications in electric passenger cars, aircraft, and long-haul trucks, contributing to climate solutions in the transportation sector.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/02/electric-aircraft-new-battery-lithium-air-solid-state/
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The ‘Guerrilla Solar’ Era Has Arrived, and Here’s What to Know
Germany leads in plug-in solar systems, with over 1 million installed, costing $500 to $1,000 and offering small financial benefits. Craig Morris advocates for EU adoption to make renewable energy more accessible. Payoff periods vary by region, with Kansas City at 4.99 years due to high electricity consumption. Plug-in solar offers energy cost control, clean energy participation, and land-use benefits, but faces utility opposition and concerns about savings overestimation. In the US, plug-in solar is gaining popularity, with some states passing laws to allow them, making clean energy more accessible. Tesla, Sunrun, and Renew Home are creating a 16-gigawatt virtual power plant, while developers in Philadelphia face a deadline for federal tax credits. The Trump Administration's $17.5 billion plan for 10 nuclear reactors aims to meet data center demand, despite cost concerns, with small modular reactors seen as the future. Inside Climate News provides free climate news to the public.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25062026/inside-clean-energy-plug-in-solar-era-has-arrived/
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The EV Battery Call Is Coming From Inside The House
The US energy storage startup QuantumScape is making strides in solid-state lithium-metal EV battery technology, partnering with companies like Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and Corning for advancements in battery manufacturing. Former Tesla Motors co-founder JB Straubel has joined QuantumScape to accelerate the transition to solid-state batteries, while Mark Marbury brings defense application experience to the company's Strategic Advisory Board. Despite setbacks in domestic EV battery manufacturing, companies like Anthro Energy, Dragonfly Energy, and Factorial Energy are pushing forward with their plans. QuantumScape's progress represents a significant step towards commercial-level production of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, aligning with the shift towards federal electrification technology.
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Mombasa ocean summit drives marine protection worth $6.4 billion
Governments and delegates at the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya reaffirmed commitments to protect marine ecosystems, with a focus on addressing climate-related issues such as blue carbon ecosystems, coastal adaptation, and marine biodiversity. Former US climate envoy John Kerry emphasized the importance of prioritizing ocean protection in global climate policy and urged for political will to align with scientific knowledge. The conference aimed to push marine issues to the forefront of global climate diplomacy and build momentum for the upcoming COP31 climate summit in Türkiye. Ocean-based solutions could contribute up to 35% of emissions reductions needed to limit global warming, with over 2,900 commitments worth nearly $170 billion generated in the past decade. Despite challenges in accessing sustained funding for marine conservation efforts, the upcoming Our Ocean Conference is seen as a critical moment to increase the prominence of the ocean in climate discussions and align political ambition with funding, implementation, and accountability to protect the ocean as Earth's life support system.
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Scaling technology-based CDR
Reaching gigaton-scale carbon dioxide removal by midcentury is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Carbon180's Road to 2030 outlines actionable policy blueprints for achieving this goal through ocean, technological, and agricultural carbon removal pathways. The US has the potential to lead the global market in carbon dioxide removal technologies, but faces barriers such as lack of public funding, demand, standards, and community trust. The newly released federal policy roadmap, Scaling Technology-based Carbon Dioxide Removal, provides recommendations to address these gaps and advance the growth of the carbon removal industry. The importance of advancing federal research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) alongside building infrastructure, creating durable markets, and strengthening standards in order to scale up Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies is emphasized in the roadmap, serving as a starting point for policymakers, researchers, and advocates looking to advance CDR solutions and ensure the US remains a leader in technological CDR.