Renewable energy | The Guardian
- Plug-in solar: could a low-cost panel cut your bills? 22 August 2026Britons will be able to buy ‘balcony’ systems they can install themselves from 27 August thanks to rule changeDespite this summer bringing hours of sunshine, many Britons have been unable to cash in on free electricity generated by the sun. Rooftop solar panels are usually out of the question if you live in a flat […]Zoe Wood
- Cut cost of loans for solar panels on UK homes, ministers urged 21 August 2026Report says ‘solar bonds’ could fund wider access to clean energy, reducing household billsSolar panels could be cheaper for people on lower incomes if the government stepped in to reduce the cost of loans, a report argues.Solar panel installations can save households hundreds of pounds a year in energy bills, but at an initial cost […]Fiona Harvey Environment editor
- British Gas paid me £38,000 by mistake, and I can’t give it back 17 August 2026It said that was what I was due after I submitted a claim for £300 for energy exported through my solar panelsBritish Gas paid me more than £38,000 by mistake, then had no idea how to reclaim it. I receive quarterly feed-in tariff (Fit) payments for energy exported by my solar panels.In May, I submitted […]Anna Tims
- Australia’s largest aluminium smelter to run on renewables by 2033 after Rio Tinto strikes $2.5bn taxpayer bailout deal 13 August 2026Rio Tinto makes power supply deal with federal and NSW government to cut emissions and decarbonise, preventing potential closureFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastResources giant Rio Tinto says Australia’s largest aluminium smelter will run entirely on renewable energy by 2033 after it […]Adam Morton
- Great Britain braced to pay millions for backup electricity during solar eclipse 12 August 2026Event expected to curtail solar power just as summer’s fifth heatwave increases use of air conditioning and fansGreat Britain is braced to pay millions for backup electricity supplies to prevent a shortfall on Wednesday evening as the near-total solar eclipse is expected to wipe out solar power generation.The government’s electricity grid operator is expected to […]Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent