UL Solutions has released new technical guidance and a proposed certification pathway for plug-in balcony solar systems, addressing safety risks and design requirements as US states consider legalizing the technology. The white paper outlines safety considerations such as overcurrent protection, touch safety, and ground-fault protection for consumer-installed solar systems that connect directly to wall outlets. UL developed a new certification pathway, UL 3700, following the passage of Utah's balcony solar legislation, with similar bills under consideration in other states. Potential mitigation measures include dedicated circuits, solar-specific receptacles, and careful design for interactions with ground-fault circuit interrupters. UL emphasizes evaluating safety outcomes over commercial viability for plug-in PV systems.
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New Design For Data Center In Space, Like Beads On A String
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a design for orbiting data centers using tethers, which are cables made up of thousands of individual computer nodes. This design aims to address scalability issues faced by other orbiting data center designs, with passive tethers that maintain their orientation in space without constant adjustments. The system can support up to 20 megawatts of computing power and is resilient against micrometeoroids. Startups like OrbitAI and Aetherflux are already working on similar projects, leveraging solar power in space to address energy needs for artificial intelligence. This innovative approach could potentially help reduce the energy and water demands of data centers on Earth.
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India Poised To Become World’s First Electrostate?
China's economic growth was fueled by coal-fired thermal generating stations, leading to severe air pollution. Despite still relying on coal for electricity, China is now a leader in renewable energy technologies. In contrast, India is following a different path by embracing renewables to meet its growing energy needs. India aims to become the world's first electrostate, diverging from China's reliance on coal for industrial development. India is rapidly transitioning to a cleaner energy future with the help of cheap solar and batteries, avoiding the fossil fuel dependency seen in the West and China. Solar generation has increased significantly, with coal demand approaching its peak. The country is also leading in electric vehicle sales and reducing road oil demand. India's electrification rate is growing steadily, positioning the country to supply electrotech to the world. In contrast, the US is pushing for a more expensive and dirtier energy pathway. India is making significant progress in transitioning to clean electricity sources, outpacing China in electrification and reducing fossil fuel consumption per capita. The country is on track to achieve economic growth without relying heavily on coal generation. The availability of affordable solar panels and electric cars is driving this shift towards clean energy. India is moving towards becoming an "electrostate" that meets most of its energy needs through electricity generated from clean sources. Other developing countries are likely to follow suit as the cost of electricity technologies continues to decrease. Countries like Pakistan and South Africa are utilizing low-cost solar panels from China to transition away from fossil fuel electricity generation. China is also financing these transitions to expand its clean energy market. However, there are risks involved, such as India's reliance on Chinese equipment for lithium-ion battery production. The dominance of one country in clean energy industries, like China's control over rare earth materials, can impact the global transition to clean energy technologies. International trade dynamics play a significant role in the speed and success of electrification efforts.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/25/india-poised-to-become-worlds-first-electrostate/
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GCL SI delivers floating solar plant in Maldives
GCL System Integration and Ocean Sun have successfully completed a floating solar energy project at the Soneva Secret resort in the Maldives, utilizing over 4200 marine floating modules to supply up to 90% of the resort's electricity and displace diesel generators. This initiative is projected to save 1 million liters of diesel annually and cut carbon emissions by over 2000 tons, demonstrating a shift towards clean energy self-sufficiency for islands and remote communities. The project's design incorporates highly waterproof and corrosion-resistant solutions tailored to various sea conditions, presenting a practical pathway towards cleaner and more resilient energy systems for islands and coastal regions worldwide.
https://www.modernpowersystems.com/news/gcl-si-delivers-floating-solar-plant-in-maldives/
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Solar generates record 13% of EU electricity in 2025
Solar and wind energy in the EU have seen significant growth, surpassing coal and hydro in the energy mix and generating more energy than fossil fuels for the first time in history. With solar generation increasing by over 20% in 2025 and wind and solar together supplying a record 30% of EU power, renewable sources now account for 47.7% of the total energy mix. To further advance climate solutions, experts recommend removing barriers to battery deployment, collaborating on permitting for cross-border power lines, supporting investment in heat pumps and electric technologies, introducing policy for electrifying transport, heating, and industry, and banning Russian gas and LNG imports by 2027.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/23/solar-generates-record-13-of-eu-electricity-in-2025/
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Jiangsu Electric Power reports 13.49GW of offshore wind connected
Jiangsu province in China has become a leader in offshore wind power capacity, reaching 13.49 GW by the end of 2025. This is expected to supply over 30 billion kWh of renewable electricity annually and reduce more than 22 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Jiangsu has a comprehensive offshore wind power development framework covering various areas, with continued expansion in Yancheng. The province has also developed grid-connection capabilities, including offshore booster stations and the largest grid-connection transmission facility in the country. China leads globally in cumulative offshore wind power installed capacity, with plans to exceed 100 million kW by the end of the Five-Year Plan.
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Google sees CO2 batteries as large-scale way to store renewable energy
Google is commissioning the construction of CO2 batteries by Energy Dome in Italy to provide green, reliable backup power for its data centers. These batteries are expected to be 30% cheaper than lithium-ion batteries and have greater capacity and scalability, offering renewable power around the clock. The CO2 batteries can be built quickly and with small footprints, making them a promising solution for large-scale power storage. Energy Dome's expandable dome structure minimizes CO2 release in case of damage, with interest from companies like Alliant Energy in Wisconsin for residential power supply.
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Scaling Solar Smarter: Innovation, Supply Chains, & the Future of Clean Energy
Marty Rogers, General Manager for SolarEdge North America, discusses the future of solar energy in terms of inverter and storage innovation, reshoring critical manufacturing to the US, and sustainability practices. SolarEdge is focusing on strengthening the domestic solar supply chain, practicing sustainability in its operations, and innovating in the inverters and storage space. The company is leading the way in developing intelligent, grid-connected devices that optimize performance and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Residential solar trends are shifting towards energy independence and resilience, with a growing demand for battery storage and backup capabilities. States prone to outages or high electricity rates are finding solar + storage more attractive due to sustainability mandates, rising utility costs, and new financing models. Grid services and virtual power plants are becoming essential for sharing and monetizing distributed energy while improving grid stability. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, with options to sign up for newsletters and follow on Google News.
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Solar Power Generation Drives Electricity Generation Growth Over The Next Two Years
The U.S. electric power sector is projected to experience growth in electricity generation, with natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources decreasing to 72% by 2027, while solar and wind power are expected to increase to 21% of total generation. Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing source, with significant capacity additions in Texas, and battery storage capacity is expanding to support solar output fluctuations. Coal-fired generation increased in 2025 but is expected to decline by 5% annually over the next two years, resulting in coal's share in power generation falling to 15% by 2027. Wind generation growth is slowing in certain regions, while natural gas remains the largest source of electricity but its share is declining.
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Masdar achieves financial close for Ibri III power project in Oman
Masdar, in partnership with consortium partners, has achieved financial close for the Ibri III Solar Independent Power Project in Oman, which includes a 500MW solar PV plant and a 100MWh battery energy storage system. The project aims to power 33,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by 505,000 tonnes annually, aligning with Oman's goal of sourcing 30% of electricity from renewables by 2030. Major institutions have provided financing for a significant portion of the project costs, marking Oman's first large-scale solar and battery storage project. Masdar's CEO emphasizes the potential of battery energy storage to further expand renewable energy deployment.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/masdar-ibri-iii-power-project/