World:
¶ “The Swedish City Fined For Missing An Environmental Target” • In 2022, the City of Gothenburg became what may be the first local government on Earth to take out a “sustainability linked loan.” For each of four categories, meet agreed annual improvement levels Gothenburg gets a discount on the yearly fee it pays for the loan. Miss, and pay a fine. [BBC]
Gothenburg (Miguel Bernardo, Unsplash)
¶ “Firm Trials Sustainable Algae Fertilizer For Crops” • NouriSol creates sustainable fertilizers from microalgae already present in farm fields. Its trials suggest it has led to a 21% increase in yield compared to a chemical fertilizer. Making it does not generate carbon emissions, while conventional fertilizers are the source of 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. [BBC]
¶ “Shell Discontinues Solar, Wind Projects In Brazil” • Shell has confirmed it is discontinuing its centralized solar and onshore wind energy projects in Brazil. The decision was taken as part of a portfolio adjustment, the company said. The firm said it will continue to operate Prime Energy, which has smaller solar power assets in Brazil. [reNews]
Solar farm in Brazil (CoyoteBR, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Geely Says Riddara Will Enter A New Phase Of Expansion In 2025, Including South Africa!” • At a conference held by Geely Riddara, distributor representatives from over fifty countries gathered to review the achievements of last year and witness the launch of the 2025 Geely Riddara global strategy. The brand is pushing global expansion. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Pollution Hurts Solar Power Efficiency In India” • While India has made significant strides in adopting solar energy, it also has a severe air pollution. Smog and dust particles in the atmosphere scatter sunlight, directly reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching panels. Some solar installations in northern India have reported output losses of up to 30%. [Wion]
Burning rice straw (Neil Palmer, CIAT, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “CKPower Expands RECs Operations To Accelerate Global Clean Energy Adoption” • CK Power Public Company Limited, one of Southeast Asia’s largest producers of renewable electricity, is expanding its Renewable Energy Certificates business for the accelerating global transition toward clean energy and greater sustainability commitments. [The Manila Times]
¶ “Mexico Announces Battery Storage Mandate For Renewable Energy Plants” • A month after India introduced an energy storage mandate for renewable energy plants and China ended its own, Mexico has stepped forward with an ambitious 30% capacity requirement, alongside plans to add a further 574 MW of batteries by 2028. [pv magazine International]
Mexico (Andrés Sanz, Unsplash)
¶ “Infrastructure Investment Megatrends Eye Renewable Energy And Data Centers” • The integration of renewable energy and digital infrastructure is a growing area attracting investors, an IMF Investors report found. Its survey shows 80% of respondents plan to increase their infrastructure equity in renewable energy and environmental options. [pv magazine Australia]
¶ “Leaders Play Power Games In Election Skirmish Over Gas” • Campaigning on opposite sides of Australia, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton spent the third day of the election lead-up bolstering their credentials in bringing down energy bills with the use of gas. Peter Dutton called for a reservation of gas ahead of planned nuclear reactors. [MSN]
Peter Dutton (M Chan, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
US:
¶ “Insurance Industry Predicts More Future Losses – Now Tariffs Add To The Impact Of Climate Claims ” • It’s more than climate claims that have upended what it means to have insurance. The Trump administration’s insistence on radical tariffs has caused insurers to boost the expected costs of climate claims, which is further upsetting just about everyone. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Aptera Takes Its First Road Trip: Jennifer Sensiba” • Recently, Aptera’s people did something I’ve said they should do for years: take the show on the road! In a YouTube video, the company showed a road trip from Flagstaff, Arizona, back to California in the latest version of the solar-charging two-seater. This is the production-intent build of the vehicle. [CleanTechnica]
Aptera on the road (Aptera image)
¶ “From Phoenix to Vegas on Solar Power (Mostly)” • E-bikes are great for local commuting in decent weather and great for fun rides, but they’re not great at all for road trips. Limited battery range, low speeds, and exposure to the elements can make for a not-so-great experience. However, in a YouTube video, at least one of these problems was tackled. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Waves System Taps Into $30 Million Californian Canal Canopy Trial” • Green Energy Systems, based in Sydney, was selected to trial its “Solar Waves” system with Project Nexus, which aims to install solar canopies over its extensive network of irrigation canals in California. Green Energy Systems will put up 120 kW for approval. [pv magazine Australia]
Have a totally copacetic day.
geoharvey 