NTU Singapore researchers created ultra-thin perovskite solar cells 50 times thinner than conventional devices using vacuum thermal evaporation. The semi-transparent cells generate power from diffuse light and could be integrated into building windows and facades.
Fraunhofer Institute research shows vehicle-integrated photovoltaics can supply up to 80% of EV electricity needs. The technology is particularly promising for logistics trucks with large roof areas for solar panels.
Climate scientists warn Ireland and the livestock industry against using accounting methods to underreport emissions. Forty-two experts call for rejection of a proposal that would obscure the climate impact of dairy production.
Inside Climate News · May 20, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Global coal plant construction reached a 10-year high in 2025, but overall coal power output declined. The disconnect suggests older plants are being retired faster than new capacity is added.
Eighteen American youth filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block the revocation of the 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten public health. The suit claims the action violates constitutional rights to life and liberty by worsening climate change and pollution.
San Francisco Bay launches WhaleSpotter, an AI detection system to prevent ship strikes on grey whales drawn to the region by climate change. The technology tracks whale locations and alerts mariners to reduce speed or change course.
A 20-year-old climate activist is leading legal action against Trump's executive orders that roll back pollution protections. Young Americans argue the orders violate their constitutional rights by worsening the climate crisis.
The EPA's scientific research capabilities, including its 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions threaten public health, may be compromised by budget cuts. These reductions could have long-term health and environmental consequences for Americans.
U.S. solar manufacturing capital expenditure is forecast to reach $7 billion in 2027, driven by major investments from Tesla and Corning. This 150% year-on-year growth represents a breakout year for domestic PV supply-chain development.
China is advancing its Sun Chasing project to develop space-based solar power systems that collect energy in orbit and beam it wirelessly to Earth. Early experiments demonstrated successful wireless power transmission over 100 meters with promising system efficiencies.
Poland's solar industry development is projected to create 20,000-40,000 full-time jobs through 2040. The expansion represents a stable economic transition from coal-based energy.
A female puma and three kittens were spotted in Minnesota, marking the first confirmed puma breeding in the state in over 100 years. The discovery was made via trail camera during an unrelated wildlife research project.
The Ocean Census has identified 1,121 potentially new marine species in its third year, including a ghost shark and carnivorous sponge. The initiative aims to document marine biodiversity before species are lost to environmental threats.
Scientists discovered toxic PFAS forever chemicals in the UK's Solent strait at levels up to 13 times safe limits, with contamination throughout the marine food chain and sewage identified as a major source.
Solar generation is forecast to exceed coal for the first time in 2026 within ERCOT, Texas's main electricity grid. Solar is expected to reach 78 billion kilowatthours annually, marking a significant shift in the region's energy mix.
Macro-siting models protect sensitive habitats and farmland from utility-scale solar development while reducing permitting friction at minimal cost. The approach adds only a 0.17% cost premium while neutralizing local opposition to renewable energy projects.
Indonesia's nickel processing industry, critical to global EV battery supply, is linked to rising respiratory infections and worker health problems. A human rights commission report documents workplace harm in regions supporting the energy transition.
The Timor green pigeon, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining, faces critical extinction risk. Researchers recommend upgrading its status from endangered to critically endangered.
A human-caused wildfire has destroyed nearly a third of Santa Rosa Island off California, threatening unique endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
Inside Climate News · May 19, 2026 · relevance 8/10
The UK Committee on Climate Change reports that investing in adaptation measures like flood defences is more cost-effective than dealing with climate damage. The analysis emphasizes urgent action is needed to protect infrastructure and public health.
Illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon has driven a surge in malaria cases among the Yanomami people over the past decade. Research establishes a direct link between mining operations and increased disease transmission in indigenous communities.
Yale Environment 360 · May 19, 2026 · relevance 8/10
The American energy sector is investing $100 billion in battery storage by 2030, with batteries now supporting both renewable energy and AI data centers. Investment commitments continue to grow beyond initial projections.
ChargePoint is partnering with OBE Power to deploy 2,500 EV charging ports at apartments and condos, addressing a major gap in US charging infrastructure for residential renters.
Stellantis announced plans for an affordable electric vehicle priced under $18,000, targeting increased EV accessibility. The new model aims to make electric vehicles more financially accessible to mainstream consumers.
Tesla is constructing a massive solar panel manufacturing facility in Brookshire, Texas, near Houston, co-located with its Megapack factory. The operation represents the company's first concrete step toward achieving its 100 GW annual solar manufacturing target.