Science and Technology:
¶ “35.5%! LONGi Again Breaks World Record For Crystalline Silicon-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell Efficiency” • LONGi has announced that its independently developed crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell achieved a conversion efficiency of 35.5%. Certified by the European Solar Test Installation, this sets a new world record. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “France Suffers Record Wildfire Destruction” • France has been tackling a significant number of forest fires. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said France had not faced this many outbreaks of fire across the country since the end of World War II. Wildfires have burned more than 42,000 hectares of land in France by mid-July this year. [Euronews]
¶ “Amazon Forest Fires Fell To All-Time Low In 2025, But Could A Super El Niño Halt Progress?” • Forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a historic low in 2025 after peaking the previous year, according to a report. MapBiomas found that 3.1 million hectares were burned last year – the smallest area since records began in 1985. [Euronews]
¶ “EU Backs Electrification To Make Europe More Secure” • The European Commission announced an electrification target of 46% by 2040, double the current level. Such a target is crucial for the EU to reduce its use of fossil fuels. The proposal for EVs to become batteries on wheels will reduce oil imports and increase storage capacity on the grid. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “RWE Notches First Power At Nordseecluster A” • Electricity has been fed into the German grid for the first time from RWE’s 660-MW Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm, a milestone that came just weeks after installation of the first turbine. RWE said installation of Vestas 15-MW turbines is well underway. Full grid connection is scheduled for early 2027. [reNews]
¶ “Oman Opens Renewable Electricity Market To Direct Power Sales” • Oman has introduced a regulatory framework allowing renewable energy producers to sell electricity directly to eligible consumers, marking a major shift away from the country’s long-standing single-buyer model, according to a report by the Oman Daily Observer. [MSN]
¶ “Germany Adds 1.1 GW Of Offshore Wind In H1” • Germany added 1.1 GW of offshore wind capacity in the first six months of 2026, taking its installed offshore wind fleet above the 10-GW mark to 10.8 GW, industry data showed. A total of 84 turbines with a combined capacity of 1,077 MW were commissioned between January and June. [reNews]
¶ “Iran Demands UN Action Following US Missile Strike On Darkhovin Nuclear Plant” • Iran has formally petitioned the UN Security Council to condemn recent US military strikes against the Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant, characterizing the action as a grave threat to international safety standards and global non-proliferation frameworks. [Tehran Times]
¶ “Vestas Wins 43-MW German Turbine Order” • Vestas has secured a 43-MW turbine order from Eurowind Energy for the Ladenthin wind project in Germany. Vestas said the order covers six 7.2-MW turbines for the project, and the contract includes a long-term service agreement. Turbine deliveries are planned to begin in the third quarter of 2027. [reNews]
¶ “Trump To Seek OK For Saudi Nuclear Pact That Lacks Safeguards, Sources Say” • The Trump administration plans to submit to Congress a pact with Saudi Arabia to share nuclear power technology that does not include safeguards the US long said would stop materials being from used in nuclear weapons programs, two sources said. [The Japan Times]
US:
¶ “Over 2,000 Flights Canceled As Severe Storms Hit Northeast” • A tornado watch was in effect from Delaware and Philadelphia through New Jersey to New York City and upstate New York as severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours pounded the Northeast. At least three tornadoes have been reported so far in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. [ABC News]
¶ “Honda Pulls The Plug On The Prologue In North America” • Honda Motor Co has confirmed it will discontinue the Prologue, ending sales of its only battery-electric vehicle in North America and leaving the automaker without a mainstream all-electric passenger model in the region once dealer inventories run out in early 2027. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Groups Take First Step Toward Lawsuit Against TVA Over Clean Air Act Violations” • The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sent a notice of intent to sue to the TVA, warning it that construction of a new methane gas plant near the site of its 70-year-old coal plant violates the Clean Air Act. [CleanTechnica]
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¶ “Conservation Groups Plan To Sue Trump Over Attempts To Eliminate Protections For Threatened Species And Favor Corporate Interests Instead Of Science” • Conservation groups notified the Trump administration of their plans to challenge two rulemakings weakening the Endangered Species Act that have just been finalized. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Heelstone Hits Financial Close On US Solar Hat-Trick” • Heelstone Renewable Energy has reached financial close and started construction of three solar PV projects in Illinois with a combined capacity of 86 MW. The projects are backed by long-term Corporate PPAs with Meta. Commercial operation is expected by the end of 2026. [reNews]
Have a reassuringly superb day.
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