What is green energy today? It’s more than wind and solar – July saw companies focus on scale, storage, recycling, and supply chains, with progress in hydrogen and solar tech.
Green technology companies are stepping up in July, with moves that reflect a shift from isolated clean energy projects to broader, more connected systems. From wind and solar to wave energy and hydrogen, there’s a common thread: building cleaner power at scale while tackling supply chain and grid challenges along the way.
Siemens Gamesa reopened sales of its 4.X wind turbines this month after ironing out production issues. The first new order came from German developer WPD for a 48MW onshore project in Poland. That comes alongside a larger €5.2 billion offshore wind deal between Masdar and Iberdrola in the UK, one of Europe’s biggest wind developments in recent years. GE Vernova also picked up a contract in Spain to supply turbines for a 49MW wind farm in Aragon, showing that onshore and offshore projects are moving again in parallel.
On the solar side, China’s LONGi highlighted its work on two fronts: tech and recycling. It showcased new solar cell improvements at an industry conference, but also announced a partnership with Mexican firm Rafiqui to explore panel recycling. As more countries push for sustainability in the full product lifecycle, interest in solar recycling is rising fast.
LONGi isn’t the only one expanding. India’s SAEL Industries plans to build a new manufacturing facility for solar cells and modules, aiming for 5GW of annual production. That brings the company’s total capacity to 8.5GW once complete. The move lines up with India’s larger effort to cut reliance on imports and build up its domestic solar sector.
In the US, solar projects are linking up with battery systems more often. DESRI and El Paso Electric have begun construction on a new 150MW solar-plus-storage site in New Mexico, including 600MWh of battery capacity. The hybrid sites aim to smooth out energy delivery and reduce stress on the grid, especially during hot summer peaks.
Outside the usual wind and solar headlines, other technologies are gaining ground. Eco Wave Power completed production of key parts for its first US-based wave energy pilot. The project is based at the Port of Los Angeles, and is scheduled for deployment later this month. While wave energy still lags in scale, the project is seen as a testbed for future coastal applications.
Hydrogen also got a boost. Envision Energy opened a new facility in China to produce green hydrogen and ammonia using only renewable power. The plant, based in Inner Mongolia, has a planned output of 320,000 tonnes of ammonia per year. AI will help control operations, adding another layer to its pitch for efficiency.
First Solar and nanotech company UbiQD shared early results from using quantum dots in solar panels. By placing copper-indium-based dots under bifacial panels, they’re trying to improve how well the panels use reflected sunlight. The companies expect to begin commercial deployment in 2026.
Materials are also getting attention. MP Materials, a rare-earth mining company based in the US is scaling its magnet factory in Texas. The company processes neodymium and other metals needed for EV motors and wind turbines. It’s also one of the few US-based sources not dependent on China, and is backed by the US Department of Defense.
Policy and power gaps
Not everything is moving smoothly. A new report flagged that 75% of US green hydrogen projects could miss key tax deadlines to qualify for clean energy credits. Delays in permitting and final investment decisions are pushing projects behind schedule. That’s a concern for developers hoping to take advantage of generous 45V credits – for as long as they last.
Meanwhile, India is still leaning on coal to meet peak power demands, even as solar and EV use continues to grow. Upgrading transmission networks and battery storage will be essential if the country hopes to reduce that coal dependence long-term.
In news showing better progress. California ran on 100% clean electricity for several hours every day this month, with solar and wind providing most of the power. That kind of stability shows that a mix of renewables and storage can work at scale – if the grid is ready for it.
The updates point to a clean energy sector that’s trying to do more than just install capacity. Companies are now focused on scaling production, recycling materials, building long-term supply chains, and making clean energy work with the grid. There’s still a long way to go, but the work is starting to connect in industries and regions.
