Renewables Lowering Spain's Energy Prices - Good Climate News
Spain now has some of the cheapest electricity prices in Europe - thanks to its massive investments in renewables, heralds Euronews. Since 2019, the Iberian nation has doubled its wind and solar capacity, which now makes up around 43% of all generation. This insulates the energy system from fossil fuel price shocks, like the one caused by the current Iran war.
“Spain’s wind and solar growth has reduced the influence of expensive fossil generators on the electricity price by 75 per cent since 2019.”
2. US Generates Record Solar Electricity in 2025
The United States generated a record 385 TWh of electricity from solar in 2025, reports PV Magazine. These figures come despite the Trump administration’s War on Solar. In total, solar generated 8.5% of all US electricity last year.
“For the first time in April of 2025, solar surpassed 10% for a full month.”
3. Falling Battery Costs Enabling 24/7 Solar
Round-the-clock solar is increasingly being deployed around the world, explains Reuters. Enabled by falling battery costs, 24/7 solar projects are being built at all scales - from massive utility installations in the Arabian desert to tiny household projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“According to IRENA, the world added around 180 GW hours of battery storage capacity in 2024, almost double the figure from 2023.”
4. Virginia Legalizes Balcony Solar
The US state of Virginia has passed legislation allowing “balcony solar,” relays Canary Media. It becomes the second US state - after Utah - to permit the installation of easy-to-use, small-scale solar systems that plug directly into a home or apartment’s mains electricity.
“The law will… treat solar panels like an appliance you can buy at your local big-box store and set up yourself — on your balcony, in your yard, or anywhere the sun shines on your property.”
5. Australian Dairy Ditches Diesel for Solar
A large dairy in Western Australia is switching to an off-grid solar + storage system, according to ABC News. The move is intended to replace dirty and fuel-dependent fossil generation with clean, reliable, low-carbon energy.
“For decades, the business has relied on grid electricity and diesel generators to power centre pivot irrigation, which pumps groundwater and dam water to grow feed for the herd.”
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