Danish offshore wind developer Orsted has applied for the 2.8 GW Gippsland 1 project off the coast of Victoria, Australia, as part of the state's plan to transition to renewables and reach a 95% renewables target by 2035. The project involves installing up to 200 turbines and laying export cables over 90-120km in three to four years, with feasibility studies expected to be finished by the end of 2027. Challenges include the project's location 56km offshore, which makes cabling plans more costly and complicated. Multiple permissions are required, including EPBC approval, federal licenses, state environmental approval, and planning approval, with community concerns focusing on protecting coastal and marine areas, coexistence with commercial fishing, and understanding Indigenous values. Orsted emphasizes the importance of addressing these themes in their project development to ensure successful implementation.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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US solar market positioned for continued growth in 2026
The US solar industry is experiencing significant growth and job creation, with the global solar industry expected to expand by 2050. Safe harbor provisions are driving project pipelines and domestic manufacturing capacity, making solar the cheapest form of energy with cost declines expected to continue. The trend towards affordable and reliable energy access is benefiting the solar market, with large-scale projects offering low-cost generation capacity. Reshoring efforts in US solar manufacturing are contributing to long-term confidence in solar markets, reducing dependence on foreign entities and supply chains while creating new jobs and guarding against price volatility. Manufacturers investing in domestic operations and onshoring supply chains are well-positioned for success in the face of uncertainty and policy changes, setting the industry up for another record year in 2026.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/09/us-solar-market-positioned-for-continued-growth-in-2026/
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Could Light Be Used To Drive Enzymes for Efficient Ammonia Production?
Researchers are exploring the use of nanocrystal-nitrogenase biohybrids to reduce energy costs in ammonia production by harnessing light to convert N2 gas to ammonia. By studying electron delivery efficiency and hole scavenging in the CdS:MoFe complex, they aim to optimize the process and potentially lower energy costs. This innovative technology could lead to localized production near agricultural sites, reducing transportation costs and offering applications in fuel, feedstock, and energy storage. The research, highlighted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences program, provides valuable insights into biological nitrogen fixation and electron transfer pathways, with implications for sustainable climate solutions.
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The Hydrogen Stream: Verna completes first two hydrogen pilot wells in Canada
Vema Hydrogen has completed two pilot hydrogen wells in Quebec, Canada, while Advait Greenergy and InSolare Energy are progressing on hydrogen projects in India. Canada and South Korea are discussing potential collaboration in auto manufacturing for Hyundai/Kia in Canada, with a focus on hydrogen energy. The University of Cagliari and the Indian Institute of Technology are collaborating on a research project on hydrogen energy systems. Hiringa Energy has reached Financial Close on the Kapuni Project in New Zealand, integrating wind, industrial renewable electricity supply, and green hydrogen production at scale. These developments highlight the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Policy support and investment in renewable energy technologies are crucial to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and meet global electricity demand with clean energy solutions.
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Will Water-Powered Microgrids Work in the Real World?
The National Laboratory of the Rockies is hosting a webinar series on marine energy microgrid technologies, focusing on testing and de-risking these technologies in the lab before deployment in remote communities. The potential for harnessing wave, tidal, and river-current energy is immense and widely distributed across the US coastlines and rivers. Researchers at the laboratory are using wave energy converters to desalinate seawater and improve power electronics in these devices. This approach can help address unique energy challenges in remote communities like those in Alaska, where over 250 communities operate isolated microgrids. Interested individuals can sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for more in-depth analyses and high-level summaries on clean energy topics.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/06/will-water-powered-microgrids-work-in-the-real-world/
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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/
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Battery demand ‘straps on a rocket’ as rooftop solar passes its peak
Australian households have seen a surge in demand for batteries, with more units installed in the final six months of 2025 than in the previous five years combined, driven by generous federal government subsidies. Rooftop solar panel installations have also grown in size and popularity, meeting 14.2% of the country's electricity demand in 2025. The capacity of rooftop solar now exceeds that of coal-fired generators, with 28.3 gigawatts combined. The government's battery subsidy scheme aims to make the energy grid more affordable and reliable during peak demand times, encouraging stronger participation in virtual power plants by households and businesses.
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Solar Power Provides Benefits To Northern Cheyenne & Kenyan Communities
Clean, renewable energy solutions such as solar power and energy storage systems are proving to be cost competitive with fossil fuels and are providing reliable electricity to remote communities. Projects like the Northern Cheyenne Buffalo Reservation Project and the Give Power Project are examples of how solar power and battery storage are improving quality of life by bringing electricity and clean water to communities in need, reducing dependence on polluting diesel generators. The installation of solar systems at school campuses not only powers daily operations but also benefits the broader community by improving safety, supporting healthier learning environments with access to clean water, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These initiatives showcase the positive impact of renewable energy solutions in addressing climate change and improving the well-being of communities.
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Astronergy adopts quarter-cut cell design, boosting TOPCon module efficiency and reliability
Astronergy's new ASTRO N7 Pro PV modules feature quarter-cut cell technology and TOPCon 5.0+ technology, increasing module power and efficiency while maintaining compatibility with previous generations. The modules also have a high bifaciality rate and innovative module layout design to maximize solar area and improve efficiency. These advancements benefit utility and C&I solar projects by reducing system costs, increasing energy yield, and providing resilience in harsh environments. Major reliability challenges for solar products in utility-scale and C&I projects include prolonged outdoor exposure, thermal cycling, UV radiation, and physical damage from extreme weather. The ASTRO N7 Pro PV module incorporates innovative technologies to ensure stable power generation and support a 30-year linear power warranty with high end power retention. Optimized cell passivation and upgraded encapsulation materials enhance resistance to PID and UVID, improving long-term durability. Higher conversion efficiency leads to lower operating temperatures, slowing material aging. The quarter-cut circuit design reduces shading losses and peak hot-spot temperatures, improving safety and adaptability. The reinforced frame offers higher mechanical load capacity to withstand extreme weather conditions.
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Africa records fastest-ever solar growth in 2025
In 2025, installations of solar power in Africa increased by 54%, with around 4.5 GW of new solar PV capacity installed. Utility-scale projects accounted for 56% of installations, while distributed solar made up 44%. The report highlighted the under-reporting of rooftop, commercial, and distributed capacity due to limited data. The need for greater investment in battery storage, grids, and power system flexibility was emphasized to improve reliability of supply and support rising energy demand. The top 10 solar markets in Africa led the capacity additions, but solar deployment is spreading to a wider group of countries, with several mid-sized and emerging markets making significant gains. Despite the rapid growth of distributed solar in Africa, financing models have not kept pace, with most clean energy finance still coming from public and development sources geared towards large projects. Private investment in clean energy has increased, but funding for smaller solar systems used by homes and businesses remains limited. Leaders in the industry estimate that up to $46 billion will be needed by 2030 to meet electrification targets in African countries. The Global Solar Council warns that misalignment between funding and market needs could slow deployment of solar energy, but aligning finance, planning, and regulation with market realities could lead to significant growth in solar capacity and economic benefits.