Solar supplied 12.8% of US electricity in May even as Trump boosts coal over clean energy
Even as Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the US and remains the leading source of new power.
Data released Wednesday by global energy thinktank Ember, along with a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (Seia) and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie, show the continued growth of solar and decline of coal in the United States despite federal policy. In May, for the first time, solar supplied more of the nation’s electricity than coal, or 12.8%, Ember said. Coal supplied 12.2%, its fourth-lowest monthly share ever.
A talk on rising energy costs on Capitol Hill hosted by Democrats, from left, Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, in March.
High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik said at the Global Energy Show in Calgary that officials from the two countries are meeting regularly to discuss Canadian energy opportunities.
High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik said at the Global Energy Show in Calgary that officials from the two countries are meeting regularly to discuss Canadian energy opportunities.
Even as President Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the U.S. and remains the leading source of new power.
The 700 projects include wind and solar farms, battery storage, gas and hydro plans
More than half the renewable energy projects needed to meet the government’s clean power targets by 2030 are now able to plug into the electricity grid after years of delay, according to the system operator.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has offered more than 700 clean energy projects in Great Britain a grid connection date since the start of the year, after a two-year process to unblock a bottleneck that threatened to delay projects into the 2030s.
Government plan to de-link gas and electricity prices aims to reduce bills for consumers after global surge in prices
Households in England, Scotland and Wales could save nearly £200 a year on their energy bills if the government stepped into the market to act as the sole buyer of electricity, according to a thinktank.
The research found that public procurement of electricity, meaning the government would become the “single buyer” of power before it is resold to consumers, could shave billions of pounds from electricity prices.
The Middle East conflict has caused global stockpiles of oil to plummet to their lowest level since 2003 while petroleum prices have spiked, according to a new energy data report.
The Middle East conflict has caused global stockpiles of oil to plummet to their lowest level since 2003 while petroleum prices have spiked, according to a new energy data report.
The federal government has repeatedly raised concerns about an American company’s bid to frack for gas in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, part of the world’s largest and most intact tropical savanna.
Texas-based Black Mountain Energy, through its subsidiary Bennett Resources, is seeking federal approval to drill 20 gas wells for its Valhalla project west of Fitzroy Crossing.
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As empresas do setor agrícola já podem candidatar-se ao novo apoio governamental “Investimento em Eficiência Energética, Produção e Armazenamento de Energia no setor agrícola”, uma medida que pretende acelerar a transição energética e reforçar a competitividade das explorações agrícolas portuguesas. Neste processo, a SunEnergy, empresa especializada em soluções de energias renováveis, posiciona-se como parceira das organizações que pretendam aproveitar esta oportunidade de financiamento, segundo o comunicado da empresa especializada em soluções de energias renováveis.
O programa prevê uma taxa de cofinanciamento até 80% a fundo perdido para investimentos em painéis fotovoltaicos, sistemas de armazenamento de energia através de baterias, auditorias e certificação energética, bem como sistemas de climatização e aquecimento solar.
As candidaturas decorrem até 30 de junho e contemplam apoios até 50 mil euros para produtores agrícolas, agropecuários e produtores de leite, podendo atingir os 300 mil euros no caso das Associações de Regantes, anuncia a SunEnergy.
“Com uma vasta experiência na implementação de soluções de energia renovável em diferentes setores de atividade, incluindo a agricultura, a SunEnergy está a disponibilizar apoio e informação às entidades interessadas em beneficiar deste incentivo”, refere a empresa que destaca a sua especialização em projetos de autoconsumo fotovoltaico e eficiência energética, áreas diretamente abrangidas pelo novo programa de financiamento.
Segundo Raul Santos, CEO da SunEnergy, a empresa reúne as competências técnicas e a experiência necessárias para apoiar os agentes do setor agrícola na concretização de investimentos que permitam reduzir custos energéticos e aumentar a sustentabilidade das suas operações. O responsável sublinha ainda a aposta contínua da empresa na qualidade dos equipamentos e na especialização das suas equipas técnicas.
A experiência da SunEnergy no setor agrícola foi recentemente reforçada com a conclusão de um projeto de autoconsumo fotovoltaico para a Associação de Regantes e Beneficiários de Idanha-a-Nova (ARBI), no distrito de Castelo Branco, explica a empresa. A instalação integrou 796 painéis solares fotovoltaicos de 550W, totalizando uma potência de 550 kW. De acordo com a empresa, o sistema permitirá uma redução significativa da fatura energética da associação, contribuindo simultaneamente para uma diminuição estimada de 350 toneladas de emissões de CO2 por ano.
Com presença nacional através de uma rede de delegações e profissionais especializados, a SunEnergy procura afirmar-se como “um dos principais parceiros para as empresas agrícolas que pretendam aproveitar os apoios públicos disponíveis para investir na produção e gestão eficiente de energia, reforçando a sustentabilidade e a competitividade do setor”.
A Goldenergy, comercializadora de eletricidade 100% verde e gás natural, e a Panike, empresa que atua no setor da panificação e pastelaria ultracongelada, formalizaram uma parceria estratégica para o fornecimento de biometano com garantias de origem certificadas. O acordo, que marca a estreia da Goldenergy no abastecimento deste gás renovável ao setor alimentar, visa apoiar a transição energética e a descarbonização da indústria panificadora.
O fornecimento de biometano foi reforçado em junho de 2026 com um aumento dos volumes adquiridos, passando a representar cerca de 2% do consumo total de gás da Panike.
Esta incorporação ecológica será implementada nas três unidades industriais da empresa, localizadas na Maia, em Santo Tirso e em Tondela. De acordo com a Panike, a utilização do biometano complementa os investimentos já realizados em eficiência energética e eletrificação, permitindo avançar na descarbonização de processos produtivos que dependem de energia térmica e cuja eletrificação total ainda não é tecnicamente viável.
O combustível utilizado garante compatibilidade total com as redes de transporte existentes, o que permite à Panike avançar no processo sem a necessidade de realizar investimentos adicionais em novos equipamentos ou alterações nas linhas de produção atuais.
A Goldenergy, comercializadora de eletricidade e gás natural, e a Panike, líder no setor da panificação e pastelaria ultracongelada, formalizaram uma parceria estratégica. O objetivo é reforçar a transição energética da indústria de panificação em Portugal através do fornecimento de biometano com garantias de origem certificadas.
Este acordo marca a expansão da Goldenergy na introdução de gases renováveis no tecido industrial português, uma vez que a empresa já fornece biometano a setores como a cerâmica e o têxtil, além do turismo. O fornecimento à Panike foi reforçado em junho de 2026, com um aumento dos volumes adquiridos, representando atualmente cerca de 2% do consumo total de gás da empresa.
Henrique Soares, CEO e fundador da Panike, afirmou que “esta incorporação ecológica será implementada nas três unidades industriais da PANIKE – Maia, Santo Tirso e Tondela – e constitui mais um passo na estratégia de sustentabilidade da empresa.” Ele acrescentou que a utilização de biometano complementa os investimentos em eficiência energética e eletrificação, permitindo a descarbonização de processos produtivos que ainda dependem de energia térmica.
Miguel Checa, General Manager da Goldenergy, expressou o seu orgulho em apoiar a Panike na sua jornada rumo à neutralidade carbónica, destacando que a empresa já descarbonizou 15 empresas em Portugal através do biometano. Esta parceria representa a estreia da Goldenergy no abastecimento de biometano ao setor alimentar, alargando a sua quota de descarbonização industrial.
O biometano utilizado garante compatibilidade com as redes de transporte existentes, permitindo à Panike complementar a descarbonização do seu processo de fabrico sem a necessidade de investimentos adicionais em novos equipamentos ou alterações estruturais nas suas linhas de produção atuais.
A federal judge over the weekend struck down a Trump administration effort to restrict tax credits for wind and solar energy. While the ruling is a win for renewable energy supporters, it comes less than a month before a key deadline to phase out the credits entirely under Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill,” so it’s unclear how wide-reaching the…
An early draft of the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for the 2027 Fiscal Year, would authorize the addition of $5 million to the Navy’s budget for work on a containerized HELIOS. It would also add $2.5 million for a “Containerized Maritime High Energy Laser Weapon System,” which does not otherwise appear to be mentioned, at least by that name, in the service’s proposed budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year. The House Armed Services Committee released this draft NDAA earlier this week.
The one HELIOS laser directed energy weapon in Navy service currently, which is integrated onto the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Preble, seen being tested. USN USN
The Navy’s proposed budget for the next fiscal cycle does already include a request for $75.6 million for a separate Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) effort. The development of a containerized 150-kilowatt-class laser directed energy weapon, along with work toward 300 and 500-kilowatt-class designs, are part of the stated plans for JLWS. It’s unclear whether the Maritime High Energy Laser Weapon System mentioned in the draft NDAA is related to JLWS.
HELIOS, which the Navy has also designated Mk 5 Mod 0, is a 60-kilowatt-class laser directed energy weapon. At that power level, it is able to destroy or at least damage certain targets, such as drones or small boats, a capability that has now been demonstrated in multiple tests. There has been talk in the past about scaling HELIOS’s power rating up to 150 kilowatts.
Currently, the Navy only has one HELIOS laser, installed on the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Preble. Despite integration on an operational warship, the service describes this system as a “Non-Program of Record (POR) Research & Development (R&D) asset” in its most recent budget request.
A graphic depicting an Arleigh Burke class destroyer firing a HELIOS laser. Note that the beam would not be visible to the naked eye during a real engagement. Lockheed Martin
As an aside, another laser system, the Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN), is currently found on seven other Arleigh Burke class destroyers. An eighth example was integrated on the USS Kidd, but has been temporarily removed while that ship is completing a two-year maintenance availability. That ODIN system is currently being used for land-based training at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, in California. Designed as a “dazzler,” ODIN is lower-powered than HELIOS, and is intended to blind or confuse electro-optical and/or imaging infrared systems, including seekers on incoming munitions, sending them off course rather than shooting them down.
An ODIN system seen undergoing testing on land. USN
As noted, HELIOS offers demonstrated capability now, and a containerized version is something the Navy might be able to field more widely in the near-term. This, in turn, could help provide a bridge to future developments under JLWS. Containerized systems, as well as palletized ones, inherently offer valuable flexibility, especially in a maritime context. Integration can be more readily achieved on a broad array of ships – including carriers, amphibious warfare ships, sea base-type vessels, and sealift ships, as well as certain surface combatants – as long as there is sufficient deck space and available power.
In April, the Navy disclosed a test of a palletized version of AeroVironment’s LOCUST laser counter-drone system on the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, underscoring exactly this kind of flexibility. For that test, AeroVironment leveraged a palletized configuration of LOCUST it had already developed for the U.S. Army. However, various changes were made to adapt it to shipboard use, including “hardened electronics for salt fog, humidity, vibration, and long deployments” and the addition of “stabilization hardware to manage ship motion,” according to a company press release.
The palletized LOCUST system seen on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush. USN
When it comes to a containerized version of HELIOS, which could also be used to bolster defenses ashore, it would benefit from having been developed for maritime use from the start. It might still be less hardened against environmental conditions, as well as battle damage, than its more deeply integrated counterpart on the USS Preble. There are also questions about how the system might be integrated onto the host ship and its combat system, if it has one at all.
Laser directed energy weapons do also have limitations, especially when employed in the maritime domain, as TWZ has highlighted in the past:
“A single laser can only engage one target at once. As the beam gets further away from the source, its power also drops, just as a result of it having to propagate through the atmosphere. This can be further compounded by the weather and other environmental factors like smoke and dust. More power is then needed to produce suitable effects at appreciable distances. Adaptive optics are used to help overcome atmospheric distortion to a degree. Altogether, laser directed energy weapons generally remain relatively short-range systems.”
“In addition, laser directed energy weapons, especially sensitive optics, present inherent reliability challenges for use in real-world military operations. Shipboard use adds rough sea states and saltwater exposure to the equation. There is also the matter of needing to keep everything properly cooled, which creates additional power generation and other demands.”
Overall, the Navy’s current top leadership is already very supportive of containerized systems and directed energy weapons, including both lasers and high-power microwave types. In March, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Daryl Caudle, the service’s top officer, unveiled a formal Containerized Capability Campaign.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle, left, speaks at a separate budget-related hearing before members of the House Appropriations Committee on May 12, 2026. USN
“From towed-array-systems, to drone swarms, to electronic attack systems, to high-powered lasers … I want to containerize everything,” Caudle said at the annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference in March. “Tailored capabilities give our combatant commanders something they value above all else: options.”
Laser directed energy weapons are also central to the current plan for the Navy’s future Trump class battleships, but they are expected to be deeply integrated into that design rather than containerized. Adm. Caudle has been outspoken more broadly in his view that laser-directed energy weapons are key to bolstering close-in defenses on his service’s warships going forward, including against the growing threat posed by drones.
A rendering of a Trump class battleship firing various weapons, including laser directed energy weapons. USN
“My thesis research at [the] Naval Post Graduate School was on directed energy and nuclear weapons,” the CNO told TWZ and other outlets at a roundtable at the Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) annual symposium in January. “This is my goal, if it’s in line of sight of a ship, that the first solution that we’re using is directed energy.”
In particular, “point defense needs to shift to directed energy,” Caudle added at that time. “It has an infinite magazine.”
Even before assuming his current role as CNO, Caudle has been a vocal supporter of Navy directed energy weapon developments. At the same time, as mentioned, the service has faced continued stumbling blocks to more widespread fielding of these capabilities. This is, in many ways, reflected just in HELIOS, which remains a largely experimental effort despite years of testing and previous talk about expanding it into a broader operational capability. The Navy has integrated other one-off lasers onto other ships in the past. This includes the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator Mk 2 Mod 0 installed for a time on the San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship USS Portland, which is seen being tested in this video below.
Despite it adding funding for containerized system development, the draft NDAA that the House Armed Services Committee also proposes to cut $5 million from the Navy’s Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems line item due to what it simply describes as “unjustified growth.” The bill is also very likely to change in substantial ways in the coming weeks and months before it is ever put to a full vote, let alone sent to President Trump’s desk.
Whether or not the extra funding for a containerized version of HELIOS, or the Maritime High Energy Laser Weapon System, comes across in the end, the Navy is already heavily committed to new developments in this arena despite the continued challenges.
Australia’s revolution in rooftop solar has left behind commercial and industrial buildings, where installations have lagged far behind homes, according to new analysis.
Australia leads the world in residential solar on per capita terms, with 22GW installed as of last December. But businesses have only installed about a quarter of that – 5.6GW – despite consuming more electricity than households, a report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has found.
BANGKOK — More than 600 residents of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces embarked May 31 on a roughly 68-kilometer, six-day ‘peace walk’ to demand the Thai government take action on the river pollution crisis that has seen Thai rivers polluted with heavy metals. The ensemble of affected residents, civil society groups, monks and students marched from Tha Ton subdistrict in Chiang Mai to the city of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, reaching their destination on June 5, World Environment Day. For more than a year, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department has reported dangerous levels of arsenic, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals in rivers across northern Thailand, with mining operations across eastern Myanmar suspected to be responsible for the pollution. “We are walking because our rivers are slowly dying,” Pianporn Deetes, executive director of the Rivers and Rights Foundation, which helped to organize the peace walk, told Mongabay by phone. “Toxic contamination from unregulated mining upstream is already affecting water, fish, food, livelihoods, and public health. We do not want to wait until more people become sick. This is an emergency.” Pianporn said the walk (42 miles) was about taking collective action to share information, document impacts and build public pressure in a bid to force the government to address the issue, which Pianporn said has, so far, been lacking. “Monitoring has improved, but action has not matched the scale of the crisis,” she said. “We need urgent diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries, stronger health monitoring, transparency, and action to…This article was originally published on Mongabay
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