April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids

When the Moon blocks the Sun during an eclipse, utility suppliers have to pull power from the grid to make up for gaps in solar energy.

Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
March 8, 2024 • ~7 min

Reflectors in space could make solar farms on Earth work for longer every day

Proposed reflectors would help provide clean energy when demand peaks near dawn and dusk.

Onur Çelik, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Space Technology, University of Glasgow • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 • ~7 min

Gigantic solar farms of the future might impact how much solar power can be generated on the other side of the world

Solar farms that span whole countries could change the climate – new study.

Jingchao Long, Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric Science • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 • ~7 min

How gigantic solar farms of the future might impact how much solar power can be generated on the other side of the world

Solar farms that span whole countries could change the climate – new study.

Jingchao Long, Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric Science • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 • ~7 min

Four good news climate stories from 2023

Including a positive way to think about tipping points.

Will de Freitas, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition • conversation
Dec. 29, 2023 • ~8 min

If the first solar entrepreneur hadn't been kidnapped, would fossil fuels have dominated the 20th century the way they did?

The 1909 incident may have cost the industry decades of progress – and the planet huge amounts of damaging carbon emissions.

Sugandha Srivastav, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Economics, University of Oxford • conversation
Oct. 12, 2023 • ~8 min

Renewables are cheaper than ever yet fossil fuel use is still growing – here’s why

Despite the meteoric rise of wind and solar, fossil energy sources have met most new demand in fast-growing economies.

Malte Jansen, Lecturer in Energy and Sustainability, University of Sussex • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 • ~7 min

Rooftop renewables risk making the rich richer, as latecomers will struggle to access the grid

Wealthier people are getting their solar panels connected first, leaving a more congested grid for everyone else.

Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy, University College Cork • conversation
Aug. 31, 2023 • ~8 min

Rising temperatures mean more air conditioning which means more electricity is needed – rooftop solar is a perfect fit

The sunniest days also see the biggest demand for air con.

Vahid Vahidinasab, Associate Professor of Power and Energy Systems, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Aug. 18, 2023 • ~5 min

We could soon be getting energy from solar power harvested in space

Solar panels in space could harness more of the Sun’s energy.

Matteo Ceriotti, Senior Lecturer in Space Systems Engineering, University of Glasgow • conversation
Aug. 14, 2023 • ~8 min

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