Opinion:
¶ “What Is Going Wrong At Tesla?” • Zachary Shahan: Once being an extremely influential site covering Tesla’s positive, I feel reality has pushed CleanTechnica increasingly to cover concerns. Many Tesla fans (especially TSLA shareholders) have not been thrilled with this, and some even hate us, or I should probably say me, quite vehemently. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla (Austin Hervias, Unsplash)
¶ “Jamaica’s Headlong Rush Into SMRs Quagmire: Wisdom, Please! ” • As global climate change accelerates and energy needs evolve, Jamaica must make decisions about its energy future. But the adoption of small modular nuclear reactors would not be progress. It would be a reckless leap into a technical, financial, and environmental quagmire. [Jamaica Gleaner]
World:
¶ “EVs And Solar Can Help Reduce Zimbabwe’s Negative Trade Balance” • Zimbabwe’s trade deficit was recently estimated to be close to $1.7 billion. This is a lot of money for a small economy that has perennial foreign currency shortages. Using EVs, which don’t need imported oil, and solar panels can help fix that trade deficit. [CleanTechnica]
Zimbabwe (St John Wilson, Unsplash)
¶ “Global Overheating Is Making The Land Drier And Saltier” • The UN Convention To Combat Desertification says that as the Earth gets hotter, the land gets drier and saltier. The latest report from UNCCD finds that global heating made 77% of the arable land on Earth drier over the past three decades. Another UN report says 10% of the land is saltier. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “TN Aims To Generate 7,500 MW Of Additional Renewable Power Via Three New Policies” • The state of Tamil Nadu is aiming to add 7,500 MW of renewable energy capacity in the financial year 2025-26, supported by new policies, plans from major corporate players, and an exemption from interstate transmission charges. [The New Indian Express]
Tamil Nadu (Harshal More, Unsplash)
¶ “Iran, South Korea To Collaborate On Renewable Energy Development” • A professor at Seoul National University has proposed a pilot project and the formation of a joint working group involving government entities, universities, researchers, and companies from Iran and South Korea to collaborate on renewable energy. [Tehran Times]
US:
¶ “GM’s EV Sales Skyrocket And Soon We’ll All Be Driving Mushroom Cars” • General Motors is mighty pleased with last year’s EV sales record. Along with Ford and other EV companies, GM put to rest all the gloomy headlines dominating the news in 2024. The big question is whether GM will bring back the Bolt, with parts made from mushrooms? [CleanTechnica]
Cadillac SOLLEI luxury concept EV (courtesy of GM)
¶ “Waymo Robotaxis MUCH Safer Than Any Human-Driven Cars” • Swiss Re has over 500,000 liability claims and more than 200 billion miles of exposure in its data bank. Waymo has logged 25.3 million fully autonomous miles for analysis. Waymo Driver provided an 88% reduction in property damage claims and a 92% reduction in bodily injury claims. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Solar Manufacturing Is Soaring” • US solar manufacturing got a big boost from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and has provided a lot more blue collar jobs in the country again. The IRA has been the biggest reshoring legislation in the history of the US. The Solar Energy Industries Association published some facts about solar manufacturing. [CleanTechnica]
Solar manufacturing (SEIA image)
¶ “The Price Of Solar Power Is Plummeting” • When it comes to buying solar, there’s no time like the present. In just a decade, the price of solar declined by 43%, according to the Florida Phoenix. Across the entire country, nearly 5 million homeowners have solar panels, and as installation prices continue to drop, more homeowners will hop on board. [The Cool Down]
¶ “US Senator Alex Padilla Applauds New Treasury Guidance Boosting Clean Hydrogen Power Development” • US Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) applauded the Department of Treasury’s final rules governing the 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit. The rules include critical changes to support development of a clean hydrogen industry. [Sierra Sun Times]
Have a grandly gracious day.
geoharvey 