It might sound odd that a solar power company is focussed on oil and gas extraction, but that’s what GlassPoint Solar is focussed on and now it’s been named one of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers. The company has developed a method for using low-cost steam to extract oil and gas sustainably with solar power. 

SunPower has consistently been a leader in solar power efficiency and today (June 27) it announced that once again it holds the world record for the most efficient silicon-based solar panel. Earlier this year the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) verified that a SunPower X-Series solar panel reached 24.1 percent efficiency. 

Environmental Leader, a trade publication focussed on sustainability, named SunPower’s Cradle to Cradle Certified E-Series and X-Series solar panels as one of its Products of the Year. The solar panels are not only producing clean energy, but are designed so that at the end of their useful life they can be entirely recycled. 

Yesterday (June 23) Dividend Solar and Figtree Financing announced that they were merging and, as a combined entity under Dividend’s name, will already receive up to $200 million from LL Funds to grow the new entity. The merger is unique. For the first time it brings together a residential solar financing company with with a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing company. 

With places like Big Sky, Montana—even though it’s a more northern state has plenty of options and space for solar power and renewable energy. Governor Steve Bullock’s (D) new plan would double the amount of solar power in the state by 2025. At that point solar could be completely cost-competitive with other energy sources. 

New York’s Attorney General has introduced a new guide to help Empire State residents go solar responsibly. The guide is intended to provide information about the various solar options in the state and to help people better understand what they need to consider when going solar. 

Yesterday (June 21) Tesla Motors made a surprise move when it offered to purchase SolarCity. The up to $2.8 billion offer would represent a value of $26.50 to $28.50 per share, which Tesla said is a premium of approximately 21 percent to 30 percent higher than SolarCity’s closing price on June 21. If the purchase is made it would take Tesla further into the realm of being an energy company. 

The search for the cheaper, greener, more flexible solar cell is on. Now researchers at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Spain have developed a new thin-film solar cell using earth abundant, non-toxic materials. The new photovoltaic (PV) devices are already 6.3 percent efficient. 

Earlier this year Europe hit an amazing milestone in solar, surpassing 100 gigawatts of installed solar power across its countries—becoming the first region to do so. It’s a harbinger of what’s likely to come in 2016 as more than 60 gigawatts of solar power will likely be brought online by the end of the year. 

As solar power continues to grow more and more photovoltaic (PV) panels are bing installed across the world. While the panels have lifespans of 30 or more years what to do with them after they’re lifespan is over has remained a question. Today (June 20) the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) have issued a new report showing the value of materials recovered from end-of-life solar panels could exceed $15 billion by 2050.