UN climate chief Simon Stiell warns against doubling down on fossil fuels in response to spikes in oil and gas prices caused by the Iran war, emphasizing the economic irrationality of new investments compared to the benefits of renewable energy. The current crisis is seen as a crucial moment to ramp up pressure against fossil fuels and prioritize renewable energy investments. Europe's dependence on fossil fuel imports is highlighted as a vulnerability, but the rollout of new wind and solar power capacity since the Green Deal in 2019 has saved billions of euros. This shift towards renewables is crucial for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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The Epstein War Breathes New Life Into Green Hydrogen Industry
US President Trump's war on Iran has caused fossil energy costs to rise, impacting natural gas markets in Europe and the US, leading to a renewed focus on green hydrogen projects. In Andalusia, Spain, a joint venture between H2Pro and Doral Hydrogen is moving forward with plans for a 50-megawatt off-grid green hydrogen project. This project aims to produce hydrogen entirely from off-grid solar power for blending into the existing natural gas pipeline and connecting with the forthcoming H2Med hydrogen pipeline for export. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program in the US, aimed at kickstarting the green hydrogen supply chain, is facing challenges due to funding withdrawal under the Trump administration, impacting farmers who could benefit from sustainable fertilizer produced with green hydrogen.
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2 large wind farms finish construction on East Coast
America's first major sea-based wind project, Vineyard Wind, completed construction with 62 turbines south of Massachusetts, while Revolution Wind began generating electricity with 65 turbines in Connecticut and Rhode Island. This marks a significant milestone in the two-decade push to build offshore wind in New England, despite resistance from President Trump. The projects will power 750,000 homes and are the largest renewable energy projects east of the Mississippi River. The success of Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind represents a major win for New England's ambitious climate goals and efforts to reduce reliance on natural gas. Despite facing delays and challenges, including national security concerns and higher costs, Revolution Wind is contributing to clean energy, emission reductions, and economic growth in Rhode Island. Uncertainty remains for future offshore wind projects in the region, with Massachusetts and Connecticut delaying decisions and halting contracting.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/2-large-wind-farms-finish-construction-on-east-coast/
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Trump’s Offshore Wind Nightmare Becomes Reality
Despite President Trump's attempts to halt offshore wind farm projects like Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind, the development of multiple gigawatts of clean power on the Atlantic Coast is progressing. Vineyard Wind, with all 62 turbines now installed, is contributing to the growth of the domestic offshore wind industry. Revolution Wind, serving Rhode Island and Connecticut, reached a key milestone by sending electricity to the grid and is expected to save ratepayers up to $500 million per year. Other delayed projects, like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind and Empire Wind, are also moving towards completion. With congestion pricing upheld in New York and the Sunrise Wind project progressing towards commissioning in 2027, the US offshore wind industry continues to grow, with multiple gigawatts of clean electricity heading for the nation's grid.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/14/trumps-offshore-wind-nightmare-has-become-reality/
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Increased spacing between solar module rows boosts agrivoltaics viability
U.S. researchers from Colorado University, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Colorado State University, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have developed a framework showing that wider spacing between solar PV rows can make agrivoltaic systems economically viable for large-scale mechanized farming. Their simulations in Colorado demonstrated that optimized row spacing maintains crop production while improving combined agricultural and energy revenues. The study found that wider-row agrivoltaic solutions can provide economic benefits over traditional utility-scale PV systems, with $200/acre in agricultural profit justifying spacing panels at least 9.662 m apart. The framework defines different PV row-spacing scenarios, determines installed PV capacity, incorporates agricultural equipment constraints, calculates crop revenues, estimates electricity generation and revenue, and calculates metrics such as net present value and levelized cost of energy. The team simulated a 160-acre project in Colorado with different crop scenarios and PPA prices, highlighting the sensitivity of results to equipment size.
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Thin Film Solar Gets A Muscular Perovskite Makeover
Perovskite, a next-generation solar material, is gaining attention in the US solar industry, particularly with thin film solar manufacturer First Solar. Thin film solar technology offers lightweight, flexible, and spray-able solutions for high volume manufacturing, with lower costs and durability. First Solar, the only US-headquartered company among the world's largest solar manufacturers, aims to achieve 30% efficiency by 2030 and is expanding its operations in the US and overseas. With projections to reach 17 gigawatts of annual capacity by 2027, First Solar's use of perovskite in their solar cells could potentially replace the equivalent of 17 nuclear power plants and support 40,000 jobs in the US, advancing the development of PV solar devices for various markets. The shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind is reducing the reliance on natural gas and coal for energy production, with solar expected to account for 51% of the total new energy resources in the US.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/13/thin-film-solar-gets-a-muscular-perovskite-makeover/
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Foresight to acquire NZ Clean Energy platform
Foresight Group has acquired NZ Clean Energy in New Zealand, investing over A$500m in late-stage solar projects starting in 2026 and 2027. The acquisition provides a platform for developing solar and battery energy storage projects, with a pipeline exceeding 2GW across 15 locations in New Zealand. This move aligns with the country's transition towards low-emission energy solutions, driven by increased electricity demand and the growth of electric vehicles and data centers. Foresight aims to support decarbonization efforts and create a diversified renewable energy portfolio in the region.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/foresight-to-acquire-nz-clean-energy-platform/
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US Perovskite Solar Cell Startup Hits The Ground Running
Solar manufacturing in the US has seen a resurgence, with 65 new or expanded solar and energy storage factories commissioned in 2025, surpassing 60 gigawatts of domestic solar module production capacity. The entire solar supply chain has been re-shored, strengthening the case for solar power despite potential risks to factories under federal energy policy. US startup Swift Solar has acquired the intellectual property and manufacturing assets of Meyer Burger to produce tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells, aiming to increase efficiency beyond the current 30% ceiling. High-efficiency solar panels offer benefits such as land savings and cost reduction, with opportunities for agrivoltaic projects. UbiQD in New Mexico is scaling up manufacturing of perovskite solar cells, while a US startup is fueling growth in silicon-perovskite solar cell technology through the acquisition of assets from a bankrupt German firm.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/12/us-perovskite-solar-cell-startup-hits-the-ground-running/
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Energy Department touts $1.9B for grid upgrades
The Energy Department is providing $1.9 billion in funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law to upgrade the U.S. power grid, known as SPARK. This initiative aims to increase grid capacity to meet growing electricity demand and ensure reliable power. Projects selected for funding must demonstrate the use of higher-capacity conductors and other technologies to optimize grid operations for rapid growth, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and stability.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/energy-department-touts-1-9b-for-grid-upgrades/
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Transparent superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating increases solar cell efficiency by 4.75%
Researchers have developed a PFAS-free dual-layer sol-gel and hydrophobic silica coating for solar panels, improving efficiency from 13.90% to 14.56%. The coating repels water, dust, and dirt without reducing light transmission, making it durable and suitable for commercial applications. By combining sol-gel processed hydrophilic silica sol with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, a transparent and superhydrophobic surface is created. The coating has shown excellent performance in water contact angle, sliding angle, and mechanical tests, as well as good chemical stability and outdoor exposure. Plans are in place to test the coating in extreme weather conditions and bring it to market within five years.