"We work the black seam together," - Sting,

#Trump administration opens more land for #CoalMining, offers $625M to boost #coal-fired power plants

By MATTHEW DALY
Updated 4:22 PM EDT, September 29, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — "The Trump administration said Monday it will open 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provide $625 million to recommission or modernize coal-fired power plants as President Donald Trump continues his efforts to reverse the years-long decline in the U.S. coal industry.

"Actions by the Energy and Interior departments and the Environmental Protection Agency follow executive orders Trump issued in April to revive coal, a reliable but #polluting energy source that’s long been shrinking amid environmental regulations and competition from cheaper natural gas.

"#Environmental groups denounced the actions, which come as the Trump administration has clamped down on renewable energy, including freezing permits for offshore wind projects, ending #CleanEnergy tax credits and blocking #wind and #solar projects on federal lands.

"Under Trump’s orders, the Energy Department has required fossil-fueled power plants in Michigan and Pennsylvania to keep operating past their retirement dates to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. The latest announcement would allow those efforts to expand as a precaution against possible electricity shortfalls."

Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/trump-coal-mining-power-climate-burgum-electricity-eebec80c6060f37890de8dc18a1732ec

#DirtyCoal #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut #TrumpIsAFossil #Oiligarchy #FossilFools #USPol #Corporatocracy #AreWeLivingInTheVictorianAgeAgain?

So, I ran out of time (got caught up in collecting seeds). Next week I'll cover #OffGrid communication (after I review the articles I bookmarked). I'll try to get those up by Saturday (if not sooner).

Leaving you all with this brilliant cartoon by @davidrevoy

#SolarPunkSunday #Degrowth #CapitalismSucks #RightToRepair #LoveYourMotherEarth #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut #RepairReuseRecycle #SolarPunk #Wisdom #Krita #MiniFantasyTheater #Webcomic

Of course, any *breakthrough* technology should be asked, "How long will it last? What materials are involved? How are those materials obtained? What happens when ____ becomes obsolete?"

Scientists achieve incredible breakthrough that could revolutionize solar energy: 'A new possibility'

by Christine Dulion
Mon, September 8, 2025

"A team of scientists in South Korea has set a new benchmark for solar innovation with bifacial thin-film solar cells that can generate electricity from both sides, per a release.

"On top of that, they can do it with record-breaking efficiency.

"The research, led by Daehwan Kim and Shijoon Sung at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), developed thin-film solar cells on transparent electrode substrates.

"Unlike traditional models, these cells can be made at lower temperatures, making them cheaper and easier to produce. By adding silver during production and carefully layering gallium, the team dramatically improved charge transport, boosting efficiency well beyond what's typically possible at such low processing heat.

"The result was an impressive 15.3% efficiency from the front and 8.44% from the back — and that is with a combined bifacial power generation density of 23.1 megawatts per square centimeter. Put simply, that's among the best results ever reported for this type of solar cell.

"Conventional solar panels only absorb sunlight from one side, whereas bifacial panels on the underside catch light bouncing off nearby surfaces — from reflective rooftops to snow — effectively doubling the potential of the panel. This makes them particularly promising for solar systems installed on buildings or in agricultural fields, as well as for next-gen tandem cells.

"By increasing the efficiency of the same-sized panel, solar energy could become much more affordable and accessible."

Read more:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/scientists-achieve-incredible-breakthrough-could-054500943.html

#SolarPunkSunday #SolarEnergy #SolarPower #SouthKorea #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut

#Ireland - Orsted wins contract for #SolarFarm which could power 'every second home in #Wexford'

Development one of 18 approved at Government's renewable energy support scheme (RESS5) auction

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025 - 17:22
Martin Claffey

"A contract secured by Orsted for a new solar development has the potential to generate power for every second home in Wexford.

"Orsted has secured a contract to operate its biggest Irish solar development to date with approval for a project in Lodgewood in Co Wexford.

"The Lodgewood contract was awarded to Orsted as part of the Government’s fifth onshore renewable energy support scheme (RESS5) auction. The RESS is an auction-based scheme which invites energy projects to compete for contracts to provide electricity at a guaranteed price for up to 16 and a half years. Project approved under #RESS5 must be operational by December 31, 2030.

"A total of 18 #solar projects and five onshore #wind projects were cleared in the auction. Lodgewood is Orsted's third solar project in three consecutive years to be awarded a government contract. It is envisaged the development will be operational in 2028.

" 'At 109MW, Lodgewood marks our biggest solar development in Ireland to date with capacity to generate enough renewable power for over 34,000 homes, equal to every second home in County Wexford,' said Orsted vice president of onshore for Ireland and UK, TJ Hunter.

" 'In addition to Lodgewood, we currently have two solar farms under construction, and a strong near-term pipeline of solar at over 800MW. If we are to ultimately achieve a secure energy supply for Ireland, solar energy is a fundamental piece of the jigsaw. We will continue to look at opportunities for solar projects in Ireland to help the government achieve its 2030 target of 8GW of solar energy.'

"Orsted already has solar projects under construction in Garreenleen in Carlow and Ballinrea, between Douglas and Carrigaline in Co Cork. The Ballinrea 55MW development will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 16,000 homes. Both are expected to be fully operational by 2026.

"Orsted's Irish operations are based in Cork city. The Danish-headquartered firm has invested around €800m in Ireland."

Source:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/companies/arid-41711654.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/AGkxR

#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPower #Ireland #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut

The perfect place for a #SolarPlant -- where there is LOTS of sun!

#Iraq inaugurates first phase of largest solar plant to date

The first phase of the #Karbala #SolarPowerPlant, totaling 22 MW, is now online. Its capacity is expected to reach 75 MW within the next two moves, ahead of a final 300 MW target.

September 22, 2025 Patrick Jowett

Read more:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/09/22/iraq-inaugurates-first-phase-of-largest-solar-plant-to-date/

#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPower #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut