Opinion:
¶ “Agrivoltaics May Actually Be Good For Farms And Farmers. Who Knew?” • Agrivoltaics is not appropriate for every farm, of course. Not all crops thrive in the presence of solar panels. But the decision should be left to the landowner, not a group of nattering busybodies who get their jollies by telling others what they can and cannot do. [CleanTechnica]
Agrivoltaics (Courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory)
Science and Technology:
¶ “’Ice Bumps’ Reveal History Of Antarctic Melting” • Scientists can see in satellite images the changing shapes of bumps on the ice surface that mark locations where glaciers are anchored. The research, published in the journal Nature, shows the increasing contribution that ice losses from Antarctica will make to future sea-level rise around the globe. [BBC]
¶ “Air Pollution Hides Increases in Rainfall” • A study led by researchers at the US DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds that the expected increase in rain has been largely offset by the drying effect of aerosols produced by burning fossil fuels. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications. [CleanTechnica]
A walk in the rain (Nick Scheerbart, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “Film Highlights First Electric Car Exported from US to Private Owner in Cuba” • When the white Tesla Model Y rolled onto the dock at Mariel Port in Cuba, it marked a historic moment in the auto industry, international trade, and, to some degree, US-Cuba diplomacy. It was the work of University of Maryland Global Campus alumnus John Felder. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Geely And AITO (Who‽‽) Shine In China – In Rising 18% Market Share In January” • In China, after the December sales peak, the year started with an expected sales slump, but smaller than expected, with numbers almost doubling compared to last year. January, 2024 started at 668,000 passenger new energy vehicle registrations. [CleanTechnica]
AITO M7 (JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC0 1.0, cropped)
¶ “Labour Vows To End Onshore Windfarm Ban And Revitalize UK’s Renewable Energy Sector” • In a world that is increasingly conscious of the ticking clock of climate change, the political battleground for the UK has shifted to the fields of renewable energy. Labour is now positioning itself as the champion of green power. [BNN Breaking]
¶ “CATL, BYD To Reduce Battery Prices By 50% In 2024” • A report from CnEVPost says CATL is pushing for cost reductions that could drive the price of its VDA spec lithium iron phosphate battery cells down to $56.47 per kWh. That reduces battery prices by 50%, to a figure eerily close to a prediction made by Tony Seba a decade ago. [CleanTechnica]
CATL display (CATL image)
¶ “Australia’s Biggest Renewable Power Deal Signed By Industry Leader” • Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest renewable power purchase agreement to date to supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland, agreeing to buy a majority of electricity from Windlab’s planned 1.4-GW Bungaban wind energy project. [Manufacturers’ Monthly]
¶ “Denmark Publishes Steps To Speed Permitting” • Denmark’s National Task Force for Renewable Energy Transition presented 27 recommendations to help speed up and streamline permitting for solar and onshore wind farm construction. They include strengthening local support, creating faster processes, and better interaction between authorities. [reNews]
Renewable energy (Image from European Energy)
¶ “JinkoSolar Unveils Neo Green Panels, Made With Renewable Energy” • JinkoSolar unveiled its Neo Green, N-type TOPCon Tiger Neo panels, produced in factories awarded the “Zero Carbon Factory” certification by TÜV Rheinland. The company says it is the first in the industry to be awarded this certification for solar module manufacturing. [Solar Industry]
¶ “BayWa R E And Ampt Lead Microgrid Project In Germany” • In the small town of Pfinztal, nestled in the heart of Germany, a seminal initiative is redefining the future of renewable energy. The campus of Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, a beacon of scientific innovation, is the stage for a pioneering microgrid project. [BNN Breaking]
Agrivoltaic project (Courtesy of BayWa r e)
¶ “Here’s Why China National Nuclear Power Is Weighed Down By Its Debt Load” • To be frank both China National Nuclear Power’s net debt to EBITDA and its track record of staying on top of its total liabilities make us rather uncomfortable with its debt levels. All told, we think China National Nuclear Power has too much debt. [Simply Wall Street]
US:
¶ “Building a More Sustainable And Affordable Colorado with Thoughtful Housing Strategies” • Governor Jared Polis’s State of the State address posed a question: What should Colorado look like on the state’s 150th birthday in 2026, his final year in office. The cornerstone of his vision was housing. It’s an issue on the minds of many Coloradans. [CleanTechnica]
Housing next to Denver Union Station (Alana Miller, NRDC)
¶ “Bill Supporting Development Of Nuclear Energy Wins Passage In Kentucky Senate” • The Kentucky Senate has voted overwhelmingly to lay the foundation to attract nuclear energy projects to a state where coal has fueled the economy for ages. The measure passed the Senate on a 34-0 vote, with coalfield senators joining in support. [ABC News]
¶ “The Impact Of Renewable Energy Initiatives On Minnesota’s Economy And Environment” • Minnesota is known for its pioneering efforts in renewable energy. As it transitions towards cleaner energy sources, the impacts of initiatives for renewable energy on both the economy and the environment are becoming increasingly evident. [The Minnesota Republic]
Have a totally okay day.
geoharvey 
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