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.
Record heatwaves across Europe are driving up electricity prices to multi-year highs due to increased demand for cooling and power plant outages. Great Britain is importing electricity at significantly higher costs, while Germany and France also face soaring market prices.
The UK Treasury will increase the windfall tax on electricity generators from 45% to 55% unless they sign long-term fixed-price contracts, in a bid to protect bill payers from gas price shocks. Owners of legacy renewable energy projects face the higher tax rate until they sign contracts for difference. The measures aim to delink electricity prices from gas prices as UK household bills are expected to rise from July due to the Middle East conflict pushing up global energy costs.
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.
