Siemens Energy has secured a significant order to construct a 2GW offshore wind converter platform in Germany for 50Hertz, aiding in the expansion of renewable energy sources and the reduction of carbon emissions. This project will be crucial in integrating clean energy into the grid and supporting Germany's shift towards a more sustainable energy system. The offshore wind converter platform represents a key step in advancing climate solutions and promoting the transition to a cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy sector.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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California gas generation down 60% from 2024 as solar, imports surge
In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation in California surpassed natural gas generation, with solar increasing by 21% and natural gas decreasing by 60% compared to 2024. Solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in 2026, while solar and battery storage capacity grew significantly. Despite this growth, there was a 19% decrease in net generation due to increased electricity imports, including renewable energy from projects like the SunZia wind farm in New Mexico. The SunZia project, the largest wind farm in the U.S., began delivering electricity in April and is set to begin commercial operations soon.
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Satellite breakthrough enables accurate panel-scale temperature mapping for solar farms
A Chinese research team has developed a novel panel surface temperature retrieval model using moderate-resolution thermal infrared satellite imagery to accurately estimate the surface temperature of photovoltaic panels in utility-scale solar farms. The method accounts for the three-dimensional structure of PV arrays, changes in panel area with viewing angle, and the low emissivity of PV panels. By separating PV modules from inter-row gaps within each satellite pixel, the researchers were able to isolate the radiative signal attributable to the PV modules, resulting in a more accurate retrieval of panel surface temperature. Improvements in satellite-derived thermal data accuracy have led to a 3-5% decrease in bias in photovoltaic (PV) power simulation, with a focus on understanding and incorporating shaded gaps between rows of panels. The new approach was presented in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation by scientists from various institutions in China.
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Perovskite tandem PV for agrivoltaics
Researchers from Cornell University conducted a life-cycle assessment on integrating advanced perovskite tandem PV into agrivoltaic lettuce production in the US, comparing different technologies with conventional silicon PV. The study evaluated greenhouse gas emissions, water impacts, and potential benefits of agrivoltaics, showing that retrofitting US lettuce farmland with agrivoltaics could have significant environmental benefits. Next-generation agrivoltaics have the strongest potential in water-scarce regions like California's Southern Desert and Arizona, with responsible design transforming farmland into a platform for integrated food production, clean energy generation, and water conservation. The research, presented in a paper titled "Advancing Food-Energy-Water Sustainability with Scalable Perovskite Tandem Agrivoltaics" published in Nexus, highlights the potential of agrivoltaics to simultaneously produce food, generate clean electricity, reduce emissions, conserve water, and ease land-use competition.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/17/perovskite-tandem-pv-for-agrivoltaics/
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Chart of the Day: Farewell King Coal, long live King Solar (and wind and batteries)
In 2025, the world saw a significant shift towards renewable energy with 814 GW of new solar and wind capacity installed, surpassing the 158 GW of gross fossil fuel capacity. This transition has resulted in renewables overtaking coal in global electricity production for the first time, marking the end of the era of King Coal. Solar energy is leading the fastest shift in electricity generation in history, signaling the arrival of the age of King Solar, Wind, and Batteries. The trend towards renewable energy is still accelerating, highlighting the importance of continued investment and innovation in climate solutions.
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Northeast states eye offshore HVDC transmission as Trump drops wind fight
Nine Northeast states and the District of Columbia are collaborating to develop an offshore transmission network along the Atlantic Coast to reduce electricity costs and improve reliability, with a focus on accelerating offshore wind deployment and unlocking consumer benefits. The Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission published reports with technical standards and policy recommendations, including standardizing offshore transmission network design and addressing procurement issues. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and other organizations, the collaboration aims to advance interregional transmission pathways for offshore wind deployment, while Sierra Club Senior Advisor Nancy Pyne criticizes Donald Trump's ban on wind energy in the U.S. and highlights the benefits of renewable energy as an affordable and common sense solution to rising energy costs and instability.
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Solar Energy Is Essential (Trump Just Won’t Admit It)
Solar energy is recognized as the fastest and most economical way to increase kilowatts in the grid, with the US Air Force supporting the space solar industry. Germanium-based solar modules have set a new world record for solar conversion efficiency, but there is a shortage of germanium in the US. The Department of War has awarded $18.1 million to a domestic producer to address the germanium shortfall for defense applications. The US Air Force sees solar energy as a next-level logistics improvement over fossil fuels, with plans to deploy space-based systems to harvest solar energy in orbit and beam it down to Earth. Private sector stakeholders are working towards demonstrating space-based solar technology within the next 10 years. Research is being conducted by the USAF on space solar energy delivery to Earth, with a focus on fuel resupply in the Indo-Pacific region. The project, titled PERSEUS, aims to provide clean energy anywhere on Earth in the early 2030s. The technology could be used for defense applications once deployed, offering a way to reduce reliance on vulnerable fuel supply chains. Solar energy demand is also increasing on Earth, with the US solar industry dominating new utility-scale capacity additions to the nation's grid. Additionally, the US defense supplier York Space Systems has acquired the space solar startup Solestial to secure a domestic source for critical space solar capability. Solestial is preparing to produce new solar cells in the United States after acquiring manufacturing equipment from Meyer Burger. The company aims to expand its manufacturing capabilities and supply chain control with this strategic move. Solestial's focus is on in-space applications for its self-healing silicon solar technology. The US Air Force recognizes the importance of solar energy for national defense, potentially replacing fuel resupply missions for ground operations.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/15/space-solar-energy-us-air-force-essential/
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Pseudo-planar heterojunction organic solar cell achieves world record efficiency of 20.21%
A research team from China has proposed a novel interfacial buffering strategy for pseudo-planar heterojunction (PPHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) to improve device stability and fabrication reliability. By incorporating a highly crystalline polymer called D18 as a buffer layer between the donor and acceptor layers, the PM6/D18/L8-BO-based device achieved a superior power conversion efficiency of 19.80%, surpassing conventional devices. Further modifications with a non-fullerene small-molecule acceptor led to an efficiency of 20.21%, one of the highest reported for PPHJ OSCs. The study, published in the Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, offers practical insights for enhancing device performance and morphology regulation in organic solar cells with controlled vertical phase separation morphology.
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Powering the Future: Why Energy Justice is a Youth Issue
The article discusses the barriers young people in South Africa face due to lack of access to affordable electricity, impacting their education, job-seeking, and overall opportunities. The country's reliance on coal-fired power stations leads to air pollution, high electricity costs, and unreliable service. The Free Basic Electricity (FBE) program aims to support vulnerable households but faces challenges in reaching eligible families. The article suggests investing in renewable energy to provide clean, affordable, and reliable power to communities, ultimately benefiting education, employment, public health, and economic opportunity for South Africa's young people. The section emphasizes the importance of ensuring that future generations have access to affordable energy, economic opportunity, and a healthy environment as a right. It highlights the need for action and power to create a better future, rather than just promises. The author calls for building a powerful climate movement with the belief in a safe climate and a better future for all, focusing on creating a just, prosperous, and equitable world through the collective power of ordinary people.
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Clean energy just hit record investment
The IEA's World Energy Investment 2026 report reveals that clean energy is outpacing fossil fuels in investment, with solar energy leading the way due to decreased costs. Countries like the Philippines, African nations, and India are rapidly adopting renewable solutions in response to energy crises. However, the money is not reaching the countries that need it most, as coal and gas investments are on the rise. The urgency for an energy transition is evident, as investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure locks in decades of emissions. Governments and individuals have the choice to combat the climate crisis by investing in renewables and stopping the enablement of polluters.