Science and Technology:
¶ “Bifacial Perovskite Solar Cells Point To Higher Efficiency” • A bifacial perovskite solar cell, which allows sunlight to reach both sides of the device, holds the potential to produce higher energy yields at lower overall costs, scientists at the US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory say. Back side efficiency is close to that of the front. [CleanTechnica]
Perovskite solar cell (Dennis Schroeder, NREL, public domain)
¶ “How A Future With Less Frequent, More Intense Rain Could Change Utah’s Plant Landscape” • Woody plants, such as juniper and sagebrush, have roots that dive deep into the soil and can grow to where there is water. But the roots of most grasses are near the surface. Climate change favors plants with deeper roots, so it looks like change may be coming. [KUER]
World:
¶ “One Electric Launches Three EV Models For Markets In India And Ten Other Countries” • One Electric announced the launch of two electric motorcycles and one electric scooter, which are completely designed, developed, and made in India. Their focus will be for bike taxis, last-mile deliveries, and affordable city commuter segments. [CleanTechnica]
One Electric Motorcycle (One Electric image)
¶ “Slow Growth For Italy’s EV Market In Spring Despite Tesla Push” • The Italian car market is enjoying a prolonged rebound since the lows of 2022. However, while most major car markets in Europe show improving EV numbers, the race between EV and internal combustion powertrains idles in the fourth largest market of the Old Continent. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Korean Giants Advance Queensland Hydrogen Plan” • The Hanguk-Hoju Hydrogen Consortium is planning to build a green hydrogen ‘super hub’ at Abbot Point in Queensland, aiming to produce up to 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia yearly, for export to Korea, by 2032. It plans to develop 4.5 GW of wind and solar to power the project. [pv magazine Australia]
Port facilities at Abbot Point (Abbot Point Operations image)
¶ “French Tourism Businesses Are Wary Of Customers Drying Up As Droughts Worsen” • After a long drought last summer, then another in the following winter, the once cracked lakebeds of southern France are now well watered. Dams release water into reservoirs on a consistent schedule for activities in the lake. But tour operators are still wary. [ABC News]
¶ “First Solar inks 5-GW (DC) Module Deal” • First Solar signed an agreement with Energix Renewables to supply it with 5 GW (DC) of thin-film solar modules. The modules, which will power Energix projects in Israel, Poland, and the US, will be delivered between 2026 and 2030. The Energix portfolio now has 7 GW of projects under development. [reNews]
Solar panels (First Solar image)
¶ “UK Wind Trumps Gas And Nuclear Power” • According to the UK’s electricity system operator, wind power accounted for an estimated 54.9% of the total electricity generated in Britain on Saturday. This figure was followed by nuclear power at 16.8% and natural gas at 12.6%. Solar power contributed 7.2% of the UK’s electricity for the day. [Energy Live News]
US:
¶ “Canadian Wildfires Put Nearly 60 Million US Residents Under Air Quality Alerts” • Canadian wildfire smoke is plaguing the US, triggering air quality alerts for eleven states across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes region. From Montana to New York, forecasters predicted nearly 60 million people would see decreased visibility and poor air quality. [CNN]
City in haze (Alex Gindin, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Arizona Senator Leans On Astronaut Past To Call For Climate Crisis Action Amid Blistering Heat Wave” • Democratic Senator Mark Kelly leaned into his experience as an astronaut to call for climate crisis action amid a blistering heatwave across the US, including his home state of Arizona. The weekslong heat is still intensifying in the Southwest. [CNN]
¶ “How Texas Is Racing To Thwart The Heat” • Many cities in Texas are taking proactive measures to cool their streets down and protect their people from dangerous heat. Their measures range from installing green roofs and walls and painting streets with cool pavement coating to purchasing air conditioning units for vulnerable residents. [BBC]
San Antonio (Judah Estrada, Unsplash)
¶ “Can You Get A New Tesla Model 3 For $28,000 In NJ? Yes, You Can!” • If you live in New Jersey, you can get a new Model 3 for as low as $27,990 all-in (net cost after incentives and tax credits). That’s less than the cost of a Honda Accord, and almost as cheap as a Toyota Corolla, for an advanced fully electric sedan from Tesla! [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Construction Of NJ’s First Offshore Wind Farm Moves A Step Closer” • With the backdrop of the recently completed state budget process and a sustained push by opponents to slow the process down, Ocean Wind 1, New Jersey’s first offshore wind project, took a major step forward with an approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [NJBIZ]
Monopyle (Rich Hundley III, NJ Governor’s Office)
¶ “Innergex Secures Financing For 330-MW Wyoming Wind” • Innergex Renewable Energy closed $534 million of financing for a 330-MW wind project in Wyoming. The electricity generated by the Boswell Springs Wind Project will be sold under a 30-year, 320-MW power purchase agreement signed with PacifiCorp, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary. [reNews]
¶ “Iowa Reaches Milestone On Wind-Energy Production” • Iowa has been a wind-energy leader for decades. Now 64% of the state’s energy production comes from wind. That is a new record for the state, the US Energy Information Administration reported. Green-energy advocates call it a big step along the road to fossil-fuel independence. [Public News Service]
Have an unpretentiously brilliant day.
geoharvey 
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