Opinion:
¶ “We Need Solar And Battery Storage To Address The Energy Emergency” • President Trump declared an energy emergency. Over the past decade, electricity supply has not kept up with demand. Currently, the fastest and least expensive way to meet the goal is with solar and energy storage projects that are under development already. [CleanTechnica]
Building a solar array (Courtesy of Silicon Ranch)
World:
¶ “Forget Saving The Planet. Clean Energy Leaders Sharpen A New Message: Money And Jobs” • Clean energy leaders across the globe are now tailoring their messages to emphasize the greener side of green: wealth-building. It’s an idea that sells far better in the new world of nationalism and tycoon leaders. The case isn’t new, but the emphasis is. [ABC News]
¶ “Powerful New Offshore Wind Turbine Trumps The Trump “Energy Dominance” Plan” • Trump might not like windpower, but global stakeholders can take their business elsewhere. One significant example is the HIPPOW turbine prototype under Siemens Gamesa development, supported by a European Union Innovation Fund grant. [CleanTechnica]
Offshore windpower (掬茶, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “EVs At 51.6% Share In Sweden” • In January, plugin EVs took 51.6% of auto sales in Sweden, down slightly year over year from 52.5% in January 2024. The Battery EV share was up a bit, while plugin hybrid share was slightly down. Overall auto volume was 19,632 units, up some 14% YOY. The Volkswagen ID.7 was the best selling Battery EV. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “JUWI To Build 340 MW Of Solar Projects For South African Mining, Energy, And Data Center Leaders This Year” • In an exciting development, JUWI Renewable Energies and its partners will add about 340 MW of solar capacity to South Africa’s grid. JUWI RE announced plans to begin construction on three major private solar projects in 2025. [CleanTechnica]
Solar field (JUWI image)
¶ “RWE Offshore Wind Farm ‘To Help Balance German Grid'” • RWE has set out plans to help balance the German power grid via its 302-MW offshore wind farm, Amrumbank West. RWE plans to offer an automatic frequency restoration reserve. The transmission system operator TenneT granted the necessary pre-qualification for a capacity of 60 MW. [reNews]
¶ “Global Cost Of Renewables To Continue Falling” • A report by BloombergNEF says new wind and solar farms are undercutting new coal and gas plants on production cost already in almost every market globally. Trade barriers could temporarily stall cost declines, but BNEF still expects the levelized cost of electricity for clean technologies to fall 22-49% by 2035. [reNews]
Rooftop solar array (AleSpa, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Grossi Says Zaporizhzhia Safety Talks ‘More Critical Than Ever'” • IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi held talks on safety and security issues for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with Rosatom’s Director General in Moscow. He said, “After three years of talks on ZNPP nuclear safety and security, these are more critical than ever.” [World Nuclear News]
US:
¶ “USA Surpasses 50 Gigawatts Of Solar Module Manufacturing Capacity” • The US reached a historic manufacturing milestone, with 50 GW of domestic solar module production capacity. At full capacity, US factories can produce enough solar to meet all of its demand. This is a critical step toward building a US-based solar supply chain. [CleanTechnica]
Qcells Solar Factory In Georgia (Qcells image)
¶ “Energy Companies And Investors Mobilize Lobbying” • A broad coalition of energy groups and their member companies are joining forces to hold over 100 meetings with members of Congress and staff from both parties about the critical role of clean energy tax credits for supporting a robust American energy and manufacturing economy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “ReVolt Says Its Hybrid Powertrain For Class 8 Trucks Can Save 40% On Fuel Costs” • ReVolt created a replacement powertrain for Class 8 trucks. Its battery can be recharged from an external power source just like any battery EV. But a Class 8 truck needs to go farther than a battery can take it, so it’s a hybrid. ReVolt says it can save 40% in fuel costs. [CleanTechnica]
ReVolt system (ReVolt image)
¶ “Enel Switches On Hybrid Solar-BESS In Texas” • Enel North America has switched on a hybrid solar and energy storage plant in Texas. The project, Estonian Solar, combines a 202-MW PV facility with a 104-MW Battery Energy Storage System. Enel has the plant in operation. It has power purchase agreements with BXP and Capri Holdings. [reNews]
¶ “Solar Accounts For 81.5% Of New Electricity Sources Added To US Grid In 2024” • Over 90% of new generating capacity added in the US in 2024 was renewable. Of all new capacity, solar came first, with 30,816 MW, and wind was second, with 3,128 MW. In third place, natural gas added 2,428 MW, and nuclear was fourth, with 1,100 MW. [Solar Power World]
Solar farm (Raphael Cruz, Unsplash)
¶ “Company Takes Strategic Approach To Solve Energy Crisis In Vulnerable Areas Across The US” • Recognizing that some areas are transitioning quickly while others are stuck on dirty energy, climate tech company Clearloop is taking a strategic approach to solar development. It builds renewable energy projects in the areas where the grid is dirtiest. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Coalfield Solar Fund Invests In PV Arrays For Coal Region School Districts In Virginia And West Virginia” • School districts in historic coal-heavy regions of Virginia and West Virginia are now tapping into solar power arrays built on-site. The Coalfield Solar Fund is an initiative comprising several renewable energy development partners. [EnergyTech]
Have a really pleasant day.
geoharvey 
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