News
In a major leap forward for solar panel recycling, Dutch company Maltha Glass Recycling has successfully transformed 75 tons of solar panel glass into flat glass. This breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with Saint-Gobain, marks a significant step towards creating a circular economy in the solar industry. The pilot project, part of the broader Photorama initiative, demonstrates the feasibility of repurposing end-of-life solar panels into valuable materials for new manufacturing processes.
The world's largest iceberg, A23a, has recently run aground near the remote island of South Georgia, marking a significant event in its decades-long journey. This massive ice formation, weighing nearly a trillion metric tons and covering an area of 3,672 square kilometers (1,418 square miles), has finally come to a halt after drifting through the Southern Ocean since 2020.
The United Kingdom is poised for a remarkable solar energy expansion in 2025, with forecasts predicting an addition of 3-3.5GWp-dc of solar capacity. This surge represents a staggering 50% year-on-year increase from the 2.3GWp-dc added in 2024, signaling a new era in the nation's renewable energy landscape. The growth is driven by a combination of factors, including residential rooftop installations, commercial rooftops, and large-scale ground-mounted projects.
Solar energy has evolved from a scientific curiosity to one of the world's most promising renewable energy sources. This remarkable journey spans more than a century of innovation, scaling from primitive early experiments to massive installations capable of powering entire regions. Understanding this history provides valuable context for homeowners and businesses considering solar installations today, as it demonstrates the proven track record and ongoing improvements in this revolutionary technology.
Agrivoltaics, also known as APV (Agri-Photovoltaics), is an innovative approach that combines agriculture with solar energy production. This cutting-edge practice involves installing solar panels above or alongside crops, allowing farmers to simultaneously grow food and generate electricity on the same land. As the UK faces increasing demands for both food and clean energy, agrivoltaics offers a smart solution that optimises land use efficiency and creates a synergistic effect between food production and renewable energy generation.
The Solar Quality Summit Europe 2025, held from February 18-19 in Barcelona, Spain, brought together key stakeholders in the solar industry to address critical issues in quality management, technological advancements, and market trends. This annual event, organized by SolarPower Europe in collaboration with Intersolar, aimed to advance the long-term quality of Europe's solar projects as the continent strives to reach terawatt-level solar capacity.
The UK's Seventh Carbon Budget, announced in February 2025, is a critical milestone in the nation's journey towards net zero emissions by 2050. This budget sets legally binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for the period 2038-2042, aiming to reduce emissions by 87% compared to 1990 levels by 2040.
Marking a historic return after centuries of absence, the UK government officially announced the reintroduction of beavers on February 28th, 2025, recognizing their potential to significantly enhance biodiversity, restore wetlands, and mitigate flooding. This initiative aligns with the government's commitment to achieving statutory species abundance and habitat restoration targets, including the creation of over 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042.
The Resolution Foundation has recently released a groundbreaking study on the potential impact of solar panels on household energy bills. The research, titled "Sunny Day Savings," reveals that rooftop solar panels could significantly reduce energy costs for UK families, with savings of up to £440 per year.
Atlantic Renewables
Atlantic Renewables are a solar PV design and installation company, providing affordable solutions in Manchester, Cheshire and throughout the North West.