Great Britain's solar energy generation hit a record 14.4% of electricity in July, surpassing May's record, driven by increased household rooftop installations to cut bills and high sunshine hours. This surge helps meet demand during heatwaves.
Great Britain recorded its highest number of new solar power installations in the first half of 2023 since 2011, with 142,536 additions. This surge, driven by households seeking to cut energy bills amid rising fossil fuel costs, puts the country on track to surpass last year's record.
A 5-year study by Argonne National Laboratory reveals two Minnesota solar farms, replanted with native wildflowers and grasses, have significantly restored local ecosystems, increasing native plant species and beneficial insect populations, including a 20-fold rise in bee populations.
A study in the Netherlands found that a floating solar farm on Bomhofsplas lake may support biodiversity. Researchers observed bird sounds suggesting nesting and found underwater shelters attracted hundreds of fish and thousands of invertebrates, indicating well-designed farms can benefit local ecosystems.
A study at the Bomhofsplas Solar Farm in the Netherlands found bird sounds suggesting nesting under panels and underwater shelters attracting hundreds of fish and thousands of invertebrates. This indicates that well-designed floating solar farms can support biodiversity, reduce water evaporation, and improve panel performance.
Massive solar farms in Central California are providing safe havens for endangered San Joaquin kit foxes. Specially designed fences and elevated solar panels protect the small mammals from predators, leading to higher survival rates and demonstrating the potential for renewable energy projects to coexist with wildlife conservation.
Research at California's Topaz Solar Farms and California Valley Solar Ranch shows that solar facilities, with predator-proof fencing and panels providing cover, offer an unexpected refuge for the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, improving survival and reproductive rates.
Endangered San Joaquin kit foxes are finding refuge in California's Topaz Solar Farms and California Valley Solar Ranch. Specially designed fencing and solar panel structures provide protection from predators and space for denning and breeding, boosting survival rates.
The UK's National Energy System Operator (Neso) has offered grid connections to over 700 clean energy projects, clearing a two-year backlog and enabling nearly 60% of schemes needed for 2030 targets. Reforms prioritize "shovel-ready" projects, boosting investor certainty and aiming to lower energy bills.
Chiba Prefecture has released a draft ordinance requiring permits for large solar power facilities (megasolar) of 1,000 kW or more, establishing standards for environmental conservation and regional harmony. This marks the first prefecture-wide permit system in Japan.
The UK government has confirmed plans to move older wind and solar farms, comprising nearly a third of Great Britain's power market, on to fixed-price contracts to protect households and businesses from gas market volatility. The voluntary shift represents the government's most radical attempt to weaken the impact of soaring wholesale gas prices on electricity costs. Under the plans, legacy generators will be offered contracts similar to those used by low-carbon projects since 2017, or face higher windfall taxes. Analysts estimate the change could save between £4bn and £10bn annually if market prices remain high.
