DARK SECRETS: 8 | Vintage Vibes

UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

Law change means renters and flat owners may be able to cut bills as energy costs soar amid Iran war

The Guardian - UK · Jul 23

Philippines is building 422 MW of solar farms above fish ponds, and the idea could change renewable energy forever

Vietnam's VinEnergo and Philippine developer SunAsia Energy have agreed to build 422 megawatts peak of solar power spread across three sites in the Philippines, using a design that lifts the panels on steel piles above active fish ponds rather than floating them directly on the water. The approach is intended…

The Times of India · Jul 23

Renewables, batteries shield Australia from oil crisis

Australia has been spared from the Middle East energy crisis because of its rapid build-out of renewables and battery storage, a global energy body says.

AAP · Jul 23

Pumped storage can aid transition

When you flip a light switch or charge your phone, you're tapping into an intricate energy web that's quietly transforming across Southeast Asia. With electricity demand projected to more than triple by 2050, the Mekong region is standing at a crossroads: continue relying on carbon-heavy sources or leap towards a…

Bangkok Post · Jul 20

Illinois farmers are making up to $200,000 a year without growing more crops as solar companies offer long-term leases worth up to $2,000 per acre

Illinois farmers have long relied on corn and soybean harvests to generate income, but a growing number are now finding an equally profitable opportunity without planting additional crops. Renewable energy developers are offering long-term leases to build utility-scale solar farms, with payments reaching as much as $2,000 per acre each…

The Times of India · Jul 20

Molten salt and human sweat: the weird batteries that could store renewable energy

From Nevada to Manchester, developers are trialling innovative solutions to clean energy’s biggest challenge

The Guardian - UK · Jul 19

In Norway, scientists painted one wind turbine blade black, and bird deaths dropped nearly 70%

A recent study unveils that painting turbine blades black can diminish bird deaths by upwards of seventy percent. This effective yet simple alteration enhances bird visibility of the rotating blades, leading to fewer fatal encounters. Research performed at Norway's Smøla wind farm illustrates encouraging outcomes for wildlife preservation. This economical…

The Times of India · Jul 19

The Blue Ridge Mountain mine powering the world’s digital economy

One of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust, quartz is essential for manufacturing core components of smartphones and computers. Most of the world’s supply comes from a single mining district in the Appalachian Mountains of the southeast United States, which has become an unlikely linchpin of the global…

Radio France Internationale · Jul 18

Millions of flat-dwelling Australians are missing out on rooftop solar. Can new incentives bridge the installation gap?

Apartment living can be a barrier to solar and battery adoption. Here’s how to navigate the hurdles and practicalities

The Guardian - AU · Jul 18

Multi-billion-pound Scottish wind farm plans approved by Scottish Government

PLANS for a multi-billion-pound wind farm off the coast of Moray have reached a major milestone after they were approved by the Scottish Government…

The National (Scotland) · Jul 17