chrisjardine.energy
@chrisjardineenergy.bsky.social
Dr Chris Jardine
Solar pioneer, renewables expert, energy educator
Honorary Research Associate at Oxford University
https://www.chrisjardine.energy/
Solar pioneer, renewables expert, energy educator
Honorary Research Associate at Oxford University
https://www.chrisjardine.energy/
This could have the potential to rewrite the record books for offshore wind power.
The current largest offshore turbine in commercial operation is the 15MW Siemens Gamesa.
Yet this double-headed monster of a floating turbine is being developed with a capacity of 50MW split between the 2 rotors. 😲
The current largest offshore turbine in commercial operation is the 15MW Siemens Gamesa.
Yet this double-headed monster of a floating turbine is being developed with a capacity of 50MW split between the 2 rotors. 😲
November 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This could have the potential to rewrite the record books for offshore wind power.
The current largest offshore turbine in commercial operation is the 15MW Siemens Gamesa.
Yet this double-headed monster of a floating turbine is being developed with a capacity of 50MW split between the 2 rotors. 😲
The current largest offshore turbine in commercial operation is the 15MW Siemens Gamesa.
Yet this double-headed monster of a floating turbine is being developed with a capacity of 50MW split between the 2 rotors. 😲
Here's a neat bit of solar innovation - vertically mounted floating solar panels. 😲
1.87 GW of panels have been installed in a gravel pit in Bavaria. The panels are vertical, and face east-west. The reason: to optimise generation in the morning and evening to access higher electricity prices.
1.87 GW of panels have been installed in a gravel pit in Bavaria. The panels are vertical, and face east-west. The reason: to optimise generation in the morning and evening to access higher electricity prices.
November 3, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Here's a neat bit of solar innovation - vertically mounted floating solar panels. 😲
1.87 GW of panels have been installed in a gravel pit in Bavaria. The panels are vertical, and face east-west. The reason: to optimise generation in the morning and evening to access higher electricity prices.
1.87 GW of panels have been installed in a gravel pit in Bavaria. The panels are vertical, and face east-west. The reason: to optimise generation in the morning and evening to access higher electricity prices.
🤔 Have CO2 emissions in China peaked?
Amidst a massive rollout of renewable generation, CO2 emissions in China have plateaued, if not decreased slightly, even against a backdrop of continued economic growth.
Amidst a massive rollout of renewable generation, CO2 emissions in China have plateaued, if not decreased slightly, even against a backdrop of continued economic growth.
July 28, 2025 at 6:48 AM
🤔 Have CO2 emissions in China peaked?
Amidst a massive rollout of renewable generation, CO2 emissions in China have plateaued, if not decreased slightly, even against a backdrop of continued economic growth.
Amidst a massive rollout of renewable generation, CO2 emissions in China have plateaued, if not decreased slightly, even against a backdrop of continued economic growth.
When looking at the energy transition, wind and solar get all the attention, but what about other renewables? 🤔
All renewables - PV, CSP, onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal - are generating at a cost of less than $.10/kWh. That's lower than 91% of fossil fuel projects. 💪
All renewables - PV, CSP, onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal - are generating at a cost of less than $.10/kWh. That's lower than 91% of fossil fuel projects. 💪
July 23, 2025 at 6:50 AM
When looking at the energy transition, wind and solar get all the attention, but what about other renewables? 🤔
All renewables - PV, CSP, onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal - are generating at a cost of less than $.10/kWh. That's lower than 91% of fossil fuel projects. 💪
All renewables - PV, CSP, onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal - are generating at a cost of less than $.10/kWh. That's lower than 91% of fossil fuel projects. 💪
🏆 BIG MILESTONE 🏆 Solar was the largest source of electricity in the EU in June - the first time it's topped the monthly charts.
Coal is at a low of just 6.1%, and fossil fuel generation is just 23.6%.
More great analysis from Ember, as always.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Coal is at a low of just 6.1%, and fossil fuel generation is just 23.6%.
More great analysis from Ember, as always.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
July 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
🏆 BIG MILESTONE 🏆 Solar was the largest source of electricity in the EU in June - the first time it's topped the monthly charts.
Coal is at a low of just 6.1%, and fossil fuel generation is just 23.6%.
More great analysis from Ember, as always.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Coal is at a low of just 6.1%, and fossil fuel generation is just 23.6%.
More great analysis from Ember, as always.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
The direction of travel is clear - the future's electric ⚡
Sales of electric vehicles have doubled in the last 2 years, and heat pumps are up 50% over the last year.
Couple this with the incredibly low carbon electricity we now have in the UK, and the benefits are clear.
Sales of electric vehicles have doubled in the last 2 years, and heat pumps are up 50% over the last year.
Couple this with the incredibly low carbon electricity we now have in the UK, and the benefits are clear.
June 26, 2025 at 6:59 AM
The direction of travel is clear - the future's electric ⚡
Sales of electric vehicles have doubled in the last 2 years, and heat pumps are up 50% over the last year.
Couple this with the incredibly low carbon electricity we now have in the UK, and the benefits are clear.
Sales of electric vehicles have doubled in the last 2 years, and heat pumps are up 50% over the last year.
Couple this with the incredibly low carbon electricity we now have in the UK, and the benefits are clear.
This is the Oxford Eco-house, and I was blessed to have been invited to its 30-year anniversary last week.
It's an icon of solar design in the UK, and it still looks razor sharp 3 decades on. Of the millions of solar roofs installed since, I'd still struggle to name one with better aesthetics 😍
It's an icon of solar design in the UK, and it still looks razor sharp 3 decades on. Of the millions of solar roofs installed since, I'd still struggle to name one with better aesthetics 😍
June 23, 2025 at 6:54 AM
This is the Oxford Eco-house, and I was blessed to have been invited to its 30-year anniversary last week.
It's an icon of solar design in the UK, and it still looks razor sharp 3 decades on. Of the millions of solar roofs installed since, I'd still struggle to name one with better aesthetics 😍
It's an icon of solar design in the UK, and it still looks razor sharp 3 decades on. Of the millions of solar roofs installed since, I'd still struggle to name one with better aesthetics 😍
Will India be the next nation to transition away from coal?
India's coal use declined 9.5% in May, following a year of zero/negative growth.
Are we at a tipping point? Cost-competitive wind and solar, along with surging renewables investment, suggest we are ☀️
cleantechnica.com/2025/06/06/i...
India's coal use declined 9.5% in May, following a year of zero/negative growth.
Are we at a tipping point? Cost-competitive wind and solar, along with surging renewables investment, suggest we are ☀️
cleantechnica.com/2025/06/06/i...
June 9, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Will India be the next nation to transition away from coal?
India's coal use declined 9.5% in May, following a year of zero/negative growth.
Are we at a tipping point? Cost-competitive wind and solar, along with surging renewables investment, suggest we are ☀️
cleantechnica.com/2025/06/06/i...
India's coal use declined 9.5% in May, following a year of zero/negative growth.
Are we at a tipping point? Cost-competitive wind and solar, along with surging renewables investment, suggest we are ☀️
cleantechnica.com/2025/06/06/i...
Here's a quiet success story - the rise of solar in Eastern Europe.
Poland has an installed capacity of 20 GW, about the same as the UK. And whilst the installed capacity in some countries is modest, so is their demand.
Poland has an installed capacity of 20 GW, about the same as the UK. And whilst the installed capacity in some countries is modest, so is their demand.
June 4, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Here's a quiet success story - the rise of solar in Eastern Europe.
Poland has an installed capacity of 20 GW, about the same as the UK. And whilst the installed capacity in some countries is modest, so is their demand.
Poland has an installed capacity of 20 GW, about the same as the UK. And whilst the installed capacity in some countries is modest, so is their demand.
Solar panel efficiency records tumble again ... as Longi produce a 27.81% efficient cell.
The Chinese manufacturer beat their own record set just last year.
The Chinese aren't just great at mass-producing cheap panels. They're at the cutting edge of technology and developing remarkable products.
The Chinese manufacturer beat their own record set just last year.
The Chinese aren't just great at mass-producing cheap panels. They're at the cutting edge of technology and developing remarkable products.
April 15, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Solar panel efficiency records tumble again ... as Longi produce a 27.81% efficient cell.
The Chinese manufacturer beat their own record set just last year.
The Chinese aren't just great at mass-producing cheap panels. They're at the cutting edge of technology and developing remarkable products.
The Chinese manufacturer beat their own record set just last year.
The Chinese aren't just great at mass-producing cheap panels. They're at the cutting edge of technology and developing remarkable products.
This website is an absolute delight for solar energy geeks like me 😍
It's a huge collection of artefacts collated by the Museum of Solar Energy - from solar cells of the 1920s to dresses from the 2020s.
Who else first came across PV in calculators in the eighties?
solarmuseum.org/cells/
It's a huge collection of artefacts collated by the Museum of Solar Energy - from solar cells of the 1920s to dresses from the 2020s.
Who else first came across PV in calculators in the eighties?
solarmuseum.org/cells/
March 25, 2025 at 8:32 AM
This website is an absolute delight for solar energy geeks like me 😍
It's a huge collection of artefacts collated by the Museum of Solar Energy - from solar cells of the 1920s to dresses from the 2020s.
Who else first came across PV in calculators in the eighties?
solarmuseum.org/cells/
It's a huge collection of artefacts collated by the Museum of Solar Energy - from solar cells of the 1920s to dresses from the 2020s.
Who else first came across PV in calculators in the eighties?
solarmuseum.org/cells/
It's fascinating what grabs attention and drives people to action.
Can it really be only just over 2 months ago that Los Angeles was on fire? It seems to have been forgotten very quickly by the wider world. And it certainly hasn't prompted any significant response on climate change.
Can it really be only just over 2 months ago that Los Angeles was on fire? It seems to have been forgotten very quickly by the wider world. And it certainly hasn't prompted any significant response on climate change.
March 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
It's fascinating what grabs attention and drives people to action.
Can it really be only just over 2 months ago that Los Angeles was on fire? It seems to have been forgotten very quickly by the wider world. And it certainly hasn't prompted any significant response on climate change.
Can it really be only just over 2 months ago that Los Angeles was on fire? It seems to have been forgotten very quickly by the wider world. And it certainly hasn't prompted any significant response on climate change.
Have we reached a tipping point in decarbonising our energy system?
The International Energy Agency is predicting that all new electricity demand will be met from non-fossil sources in 2025.
The International Energy Agency is predicting that all new electricity demand will be met from non-fossil sources in 2025.
March 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Have we reached a tipping point in decarbonising our energy system?
The International Energy Agency is predicting that all new electricity demand will be met from non-fossil sources in 2025.
The International Energy Agency is predicting that all new electricity demand will be met from non-fossil sources in 2025.
It's been a grim time in the development world lately, so here's a positive story to lift the mood 👇
China is making more solar panels than can be met by even their own massive domestic demand, and at record low prices. It's created a bit of a glut - so where are all these Chinese panels going?
China is making more solar panels than can be met by even their own massive domestic demand, and at record low prices. It's created a bit of a glut - so where are all these Chinese panels going?
February 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
It's been a grim time in the development world lately, so here's a positive story to lift the mood 👇
China is making more solar panels than can be met by even their own massive domestic demand, and at record low prices. It's created a bit of a glut - so where are all these Chinese panels going?
China is making more solar panels than can be met by even their own massive domestic demand, and at record low prices. It's created a bit of a glut - so where are all these Chinese panels going?
So, BP look set to abandon its target to increase renewables and revert back to fossil fuels.
Dig a little deeper, and we find that the driving force is a company called Elliott Investment Management who have built up a 5% share in BP.
Dig a little deeper, and we find that the driving force is a company called Elliott Investment Management who have built up a 5% share in BP.
February 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
So, BP look set to abandon its target to increase renewables and revert back to fossil fuels.
Dig a little deeper, and we find that the driving force is a company called Elliott Investment Management who have built up a 5% share in BP.
Dig a little deeper, and we find that the driving force is a company called Elliott Investment Management who have built up a 5% share in BP.
Whilst Europe and the US get caught up in a culture war rehashing old debates about whether reducing carbon is good for the economy, China just quietly got 10% of its GDP from the clean energy sector.
Total: $1.9tn, with solar, batteries and EVs being the big players.
theguardian.com/world…
Total: $1.9tn, with solar, batteries and EVs being the big players.
theguardian.com/world…
February 21, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Whilst Europe and the US get caught up in a culture war rehashing old debates about whether reducing carbon is good for the economy, China just quietly got 10% of its GDP from the clean energy sector.
Total: $1.9tn, with solar, batteries and EVs being the big players.
theguardian.com/world…
Total: $1.9tn, with solar, batteries and EVs being the big players.
theguardian.com/world…
Are business owners finally waking up to the astonishing returns from a solar roof?
A quick dive into the statistics says 'yes'. Installations are up about 50% since before the energy crisis.
A quick dive into the statistics says 'yes'. Installations are up about 50% since before the energy crisis.
February 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Are business owners finally waking up to the astonishing returns from a solar roof?
A quick dive into the statistics says 'yes'. Installations are up about 50% since before the energy crisis.
A quick dive into the statistics says 'yes'. Installations are up about 50% since before the energy crisis.
The growth of solar power in China is even more astonishing when you realise that the solar resource over much of the country is, well, a bit shit frankly.
February 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The growth of solar power in China is even more astonishing when you realise that the solar resource over much of the country is, well, a bit shit frankly.
How often do you wear a t-shirt before putting it in the laundry?
The French Government's ETA has quantified how often different items of clothing should be changed, and the numbers are quite surprising!
Underpants - daily
T-shirts - 5 days
Sports wear - 3 wears
Bra - 7 days
Jeans - 30 days
February 6, 2025 at 8:04 AM
How often do you wear a t-shirt before putting it in the laundry?
The French Government's ETA has quantified how often different items of clothing should be changed, and the numbers are quite surprising!
Underpants - daily
T-shirts - 5 days
Sports wear - 3 wears
Bra - 7 days
Jeans - 30 days
Some quite astonishing solar numbers coming out of China.
Solar capacity reached 886 GW in 2024, up from a total installed capacity of 609 GW at the end of 2023. That's 277 GW in just one year - pretty much equal to the total amount of solar installed in Europe over all time (288 GW by 2023)
Solar capacity reached 886 GW in 2024, up from a total installed capacity of 609 GW at the end of 2023. That's 277 GW in just one year - pretty much equal to the total amount of solar installed in Europe over all time (288 GW by 2023)
January 22, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Some quite astonishing solar numbers coming out of China.
Solar capacity reached 886 GW in 2024, up from a total installed capacity of 609 GW at the end of 2023. That's 277 GW in just one year - pretty much equal to the total amount of solar installed in Europe over all time (288 GW by 2023)
Solar capacity reached 886 GW in 2024, up from a total installed capacity of 609 GW at the end of 2023. That's 277 GW in just one year - pretty much equal to the total amount of solar installed in Europe over all time (288 GW by 2023)
This is the world's largest commercially available wind turbine ... the catchily named SG 14-222 DD from Siemens Gamesa.
Generating 14 MW from a single turbine, it has a blade length of 108m, a rotor diameter of 222m, and a swept area of 39,000 m2.
What a feat of engineering 💪 😲
Generating 14 MW from a single turbine, it has a blade length of 108m, a rotor diameter of 222m, and a swept area of 39,000 m2.
What a feat of engineering 💪 😲
January 16, 2025 at 7:56 AM
This is the world's largest commercially available wind turbine ... the catchily named SG 14-222 DD from Siemens Gamesa.
Generating 14 MW from a single turbine, it has a blade length of 108m, a rotor diameter of 222m, and a swept area of 39,000 m2.
What a feat of engineering 💪 😲
Generating 14 MW from a single turbine, it has a blade length of 108m, a rotor diameter of 222m, and a swept area of 39,000 m2.
What a feat of engineering 💪 😲
Q Cells have developed a 28.6% efficient 'mass production ready' perovskite tandem cell. Some thoughts 👇
The cell uses a layer of perovskites on top of a conventional crystalline silicon cell. The perovskite absorbs bluer light, and the silicon underneath the reds.
The cell uses a layer of perovskites on top of a conventional crystalline silicon cell. The perovskite absorbs bluer light, and the silicon underneath the reds.
December 20, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Q Cells have developed a 28.6% efficient 'mass production ready' perovskite tandem cell. Some thoughts 👇
The cell uses a layer of perovskites on top of a conventional crystalline silicon cell. The perovskite absorbs bluer light, and the silicon underneath the reds.
The cell uses a layer of perovskites on top of a conventional crystalline silicon cell. The perovskite absorbs bluer light, and the silicon underneath the reds.
