Solar power

Latest guides, news and information

The environmental benefits of solar power are driving more and more people to explore the installation of solar panels for homes and businesses. With improvements in technology, solar power systems are a reliable and cost-efficient alternative to fossil fuel consumption.

<p>An aerial view of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station emitting steam on 19 September, 2024 in Nottingham, England</p>

The UK is finally coal free - how long until it has 100% clean energy?

<p>Wind turbines spin behind a solar energy park on 2 June, 2022 near Prenzlau, Germany</p>

Solar and wind overtake fossil fuels in ‘historic’ first for Europe

<p>The Beatrice offshore windfarm </p>

Energy watchdog Ofgem outlines steps to drive flexible power use

<p>China has installed more than 600 gigawatts of solar capacity, making use of uninhabited mountainous and desert areas</p>

World’s biggest solar farm will power 6 million homes

<p>Solar panels coupled with long-duration batteries are cheaper and more reliable than emergency diesel generators, researchers have found</p>

Breakthrough solar system outperforms military-grade diesel generator

<p>Solar panels have become significantly cheaper and more efficient in recent years </p>

Solar energy to eclipse fossil fuels as world passes ‘tipping point’

<p>Scania is testing the world’s first hybrid truck with a solar panel covered trailer on public roads in Sweden</p>

World’s first solar-powered hybrid truck tested on public roads

<p>Perovskite has been hailed as a ‘miracle material’ for its potential to radically transform everything from solar energy harvesting to internet speeds</p>

‘Miracle material’ solar panels to finally enter production

<p>Artist conception of space solar power technology</p>

Scientists beam detectable power from space to Earth for first time

<p>Granite (left) and soapstone samples could help store heat from the Sun and convert it into electricity</p>

Scientists figure out how to turn rocks into batteries

<p>Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University achieved a breakthrough in efficiency with an organic solar cell</p>

Scientists break world record for solar power window material

<p>Solar panels floating in reservoirs could prevent evaporation and generate power</p>

Floating solar panels could power a third of the world - study

<p>Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, the world’s largest solar thermal power station, in the Mojave Desert near Nipton, California on February 27, 2022</p>

Solar will make up more than half of new US grid power in 2023

<p>Solar farm application rejections are on the rise </p>

Dim decision: Huge rise in solar farm planning refusals

Tory leadership rivals’ response to energy price spike ‘inadequate’

<p>SolarDuck is working on an offshore floating solar project in the North Sea</p>

‘Floating solar parks’ to be trialled in North Sea

<p>The solar-powered carbon capture unit pumps air through a sponge that collects carbon dioxide, which is then compressed and safely stored underground</p>

Modules that use Sun’s energy to remove CO2 from atmosphere to deploy

<p>The International Space Station already makes use of solar power in space </p>

The Longer Read

Could orbiting solar power stations be the way to a net zero future?

<p>Honey bees living on solar farms could bring major benefits to farmers, researchers say</p>

Independent Premium

Honey bees in solar parks could boost farming by ‘millions’ a year

<p>Photo voltaic solar panels </p>

Biden plans for solar power to produce 45% of US electricity by 2050

Critics are completely torn over Lorde’s new album, Solar Power

Phones could be charged by invisible solar panels hidden in screen

Virus Outbreak Congress

Congress takes aim at climate change in massive relief bill

Scientists have achieved a new solar cell world record

Solar power world record set with ‘miracle material’ perovskite

Solar cells are integrated into the bodywork of the Aptera electric car

Solar-powered car that ‘never needs charging’ sells out in 24 hours

Researchers used metal-organic framework materials in the solar energy breakthrough

Researchers discover material can store solar energy for years