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Global Solar Capacity Exceeds 3 Terawatts, Driven by Rapid Expansion and China's Leadership

Global Solar Capacity Exceeds 3 Terawatts, Driven by Rapid Expansion and China's Leadership

The world has surpassed 3 terawatts (TW) of installed solar capacity, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of photovoltaic energy. According to BloombergNEF (BNEF), it took approximately 10 years for global solar capacity to grow from 100 GW in 2012 to 1 TW. The second terawatt was added in less than three years, and the third terawatt was achieved in under two years. This rapid acceleration is expected to continue, with BNEF projecting global solar capacity to exceed 9 TW by 2036. China has been the primary driver of this growth, combining rapid deployment of solar capacity with large-scale manufacturing, which has helped reduce technology costs globally. While developed countries led the initial expansion, solar is now reaching new markets, with countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines experiencing strong growth, particularly in rooftop solar installations.

Wildfire Smoke Poses New Challenges for U.S. Power Sector

Wildfire Smoke Poses New Challenges for U.S. Power Sector

Wildfire smoke is emerging as a significant challenge for the U.S. power sector, particularly in the West, where solar energy is a growing source of electricity. According to a report by the Insurance Journal (published on August 17, 2026), smoke from wildfires can reduce solar energy output by scattering and absorbing sunlight, which is critical for photovoltaic panels. During California's 2020 wildfire season, solar resources near major fires dropped by 11% to 17% for global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and by 32% to 42% for direct normal irradiance (DNI). This reduction in solar output coincides with periods of high electricity demand due to heatwaves, creating a dual challenge for grid operators. Additionally, wildfire smoke complicates solar forecasting and increases stress on transmission systems, which are essential for transporting renewable energy over long distances.

U.S. Air Force Transforms Mojave Desert Land into Massive Solar Project

U.S. Air Force Transforms Mojave Desert Land into Massive Solar Project

In 2018, the U.S. Air Force initiated a 35-year lease for underutilized desert land located at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This land, previously used for aircraft testing, has since been transformed into a significant clean energy facility. The Edwards Sanborn solar project now hosts nearly 1.9 million solar panels, generating a substantial amount of clean energy. This initiative repurposes federal land that was not being fully utilized, aligning with broader efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure within the United States. The project demonstrates a strategic shift in how federal assets can contribute to national energy goals, converting barren landscapes into productive energy sources.

How Doughnuts Became a Global Favorite With Countless Local Twists

How Doughnuts Became a Global Favorite With Countless Local Twists

Doughnuts, a beloved fried or baked good made from leavened dough, are enjoyed in countless forms across the globe. While often associated with a h...

Voorhees Township Transforms Former Landfill into Community Solar Farm, Boosting Renewable Energy Access

Voorhees Township Transforms Former Landfill into Community Solar Farm, Boosting Renewable Energy Access

Voorhees Township in Camden County, New Jersey, is converting a long-dormant landfill into a 13.5-acre solar array as part of the state's Community Solar Energy Program. This initiative aims to generate renewable energy and reduce utility costs for local residents. The 35-acre landfill on Centennial Boulevard, which ceased operations in 1972, has remained undeveloped due to its prior use. Now, approximately half of the property will be covered by solar panels, following approval from the Voorhees Township Planning Board. The project is one of over 200 solar initiatives in New Jersey's Community Solar Energy Program, which allows households to subscribe to solar facilities for renewable energy credits without installing panels themselves. A key aspect of the program is its mandate to reserve a majority of the generated energy for low- and moderate-income households, who often face barriers to installing their own solar systems.

Illinois Maintains Consistent Statewide Solar Incentives Amidst Regional Variations in 2026

Illinois Maintains Consistent Statewide Solar Incentives Amidst Regional Variations in 2026

In 2026, Illinois continues to offer a consistent framework of solar incentives across the state, including the Illinois Shines program, utility-specific net metering rules, and a property tax exemption. Despite these statewide programs, regional differences primarily affect project timelines and costs due to factors like denser rooflines, tree shade, and stricter local permitting in areas such as the Chicago Metro and ComEd suburbs. Downstate Ameren Illinois communities, conversely, often benefit from more open, south-facing roof areas. The cost of solar installations in Illinois generally ranges from $2.60 to $3.10 per watt before incentives, with typical systems for most homes falling between 8 to 11 kilowatts, costing $21,000 to $34,000. The Illinois Shines program, administered by the Illinois Power Agency, is a significant incentive, generating Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) that installers sell on behalf of homeowners, often as an upfront payment. Net metering is mandated by state law for bo...

Global Solar Capacity Exceeds 3 Terawatts, China Leads Expansion Amidst Shifting Dynamics

Global Solar Capacity Exceeds 3 Terawatts, China Leads Expansion Amidst Shifting Dynamics

The world has surpassed 3 terawatts (TW) of installed solar capacity, marking a significant milestone in the rapid growth of photovoltaic energy. According to BloombergNEF (BNEF), it took approximately 10 years for global solar capacity to increase from 100 GW in 2012 to 1 TW. The second terawatt was added in less than three years, and the third terawatt was achieved in under two years. This acceleration is expected to continue, with BNEF projecting global solar capacity to exceed 9 TW by 2036. China has been the primary driver of this growth, combining rapid deployment of solar capacity with large-scale manufacturing, which has helped reduce technology costs globally. While developed countries accounted for most of the first terawatt, China has led the expansion for the second and third terawatts. Solar adoption is also expanding to countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines, and the number of countries with at least 1 GW of installed solar capacity increased from 42 in 2020 to 74 in 2025.

Kyoto Transforms Abandoned Golf Courses into Major Solar Power Plants

Kyoto Transforms Abandoned Golf Courses into Major Solar Power Plants

Kyoto, Japan, has successfully converted abandoned golf courses into significant solar power installations. One such project in Fushimi Ward, initiated by Kyocera TCL Solar in 2015, became the largest solar installation in the prefecture by 2017, generating 25 megawatts. This plant utilizes approximately 90,000 Kyocera 270-watt modules, producing an estimated 26,312 megawatt-hours annually, sufficient to power about 8,100 local households. The electricity is sold to Kansai Electric under Japan's feed-in tariff. Another flagship project in Kagoshima, on land originally zoned for a golf course over 30 years ago but never built, began operation in May 2020. This facility boasts 356,928 Kyocera modules, a 100-megawatt capacity, and an expected annual output of 117,000 megawatt-hours, enough for roughly 39,300 households. These conversions leverage the pre-existing infrastructure of golf courses, which are typically expansive, cleared, graded, drained, and connected to roads, making them ideal sites for solar d...

Dimension Energy Secures $857 Million in Capital to Expand Distributed Solar Platform Across Five U.S. States

Dimension Energy Secures $857 Million in Capital to Expand Distributed Solar Platform Across Five U.S. States

Dimension Energy Secures $857 Million in Capital to Expand Distributed Solar Platform Across Five U.S. States

Boulder County Landowners Offered $15,000 Annually to Host Large Battery Energy Storage Systems

Boulder County Landowners Offered $15,000 Annually to Host Large Battery Energy Storage Systems

Developers in Boulder County are offering landowners $15,000 per year to host large battery energy storage systems (BESS) on their property. These BESS units, which are roughly the size of shipping containers, are designed to store electricity during periods of low demand and release it back into the grid when demand is high. This initiative is part of Xcel Energy's first attempt to acquire commercial batteries at scale, aiming to ease pressure on the utility’s distribution system and improve overall grid performance. The search for suitable properties is focused on areas with sufficient open space and access to specific points on Xcel’s distribution network where these systems would be most beneficial. A 2024 state law, Senate Bill 24-207, mandates that investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy acquire at least 50 megawatts of dispatchable distributed generation paired with energy storage by June 1, 2026, and an additional 50 megawatts between January 1 and June 1, 2027. While these offers support the tra...

Wind Energy Expands Across U.S., Led by Texas and Oklahoma

Wind Energy Expands Across U.S., Led by Texas and Oklahoma

Wind energy continues to grow in the United States, with Texas leading as the state with the most operational wind turbines. In 2025, wind power accounted for 10.5% of the nation's total net electricity generation. Oklahoma has also made significant strides, with the Traverse Wind Energy Center, featuring 356 turbines and a capacity of 999 MW, becoming the state's largest wind farm. California, while historically a leader in wind energy, now lags behind Great Plains states like Iowa and Oklahoma due to their stronger winds and open landscapes. Analysts predict steady growth in both onshore and offshore wind energy, contributing to the decline of coal and reducing reliance on natural gas.

Lani Pallister stuns Katie Ledecky with her first international 800 free loss at Pan Pacs

Lani Pallister stuns Katie Ledecky with her first international 800 free loss at Pan Pacs

Lani Pallister of Australia has stunned Katie Ledecky with her first international 800-meter freestyle loss at the Pan Pacific Championships