Solar panels could deliver nearly twice today's energy by 2050, according to new research projecting efficiencies above 35%. This week on The Clean Energy Show, James and Brian break down what that means for global solar power, costs, land use, and long-term reliability.

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They also unpack talks between China and the European Union to replace steep EV tariffs with a minimum pricing system, and whether that actually changes anything for electric vehicle buyers. Plus, grid-scale battery storage in the UK continues to surge after back-to-back years of massive growth.

The show also looks at how climate change is cracking homes in London, as extreme heat shrinks clay soils and destabilizes foundations, and reacts to reports of giant airborne wind turbines now flying in China, generating power thousands of feet above the ground.

Topics include:
• Solar panel efficiency above 35% by 2050
• China–EU EV tariff negotiations
• UK grid battery storage boom
• Climate change–driven subsidence in London
• Airborne wind turbines and high-altitude energy
• Sodium-ion batteries, EV market growth, robotaxis, and more

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Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

In this abridged January 2026 bonus episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian Stockton and James Whittingham kick off the first podcast of 2026 with a packed update on clean tech, transportation, and air quality trends shaping the global energy transition.

The show begins with developments in electric shipping, including Norway's autonomous container ship Yara Birkeland and testing of the world's largest battery-electric ferry, which will carry more than 2,000 passengers between Argentina and Uruguay. Listener mail sparks a brief but heated debate over whether corn is a vegetable, grain, or something else entirely.

The main stories focus on dramatic improvements in Beijing's air quality, with PM2.5 pollution levels down nearly 75% since 2013, driven largely by China's rapid adoption of electric vehicles. The hosts also break down how BYD has surpassed Tesla as the world's largest EV seller, why Tesla's sales declined in 2025, and how brutal competition inside China is squeezing margins for everyone involved.

Other highlights include China's claim of producing the world's first 100% recyclable wind turbine blade, signs that low-cost Chinese EVs could enter the U.S. market as early as 2027, and a wide-ranging Lightning Round covering batteries, heat pumps, solar growth, robotics, and plastics.

The episode closes with a troubling investigation into toxic air contamination aboard commercial airplanes — a hidden pollution problem affecting crews and passengers alike.

For the full, unabridged bonus episode, visit https://patreon.com/cleanenergypod and support the show.

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James breaks down the ongoing American EV culture wars, why they feel stuck, and how much is political theatre vs. real-world data.

We're off this week for the holidays so we're playing our Patreon bonus episode from a month ago because we think it has some great stories in it.

The hosts dig into the latest numbers showing EVs gaining traction globally—and why the economic case keeps getting harder to ignore.

A look at why countries are hoarding minerals like lithium and nickel, what it means for future supply chains, and who's preparing well (and who isn't).

Brian brings up Rivian's unexpected new gadget—a "smart" bike helmet—and the hosts try to figure out why an EV truck company is branching out.

A discussion about why corn farming is causing more climate trouble than most people think, including fertilizer emissions and long-term soil issues.

The hosts explore ideas and innovations that reduce nitrous-oxide emissions, improve soil health, and make food systems more sustainable.

Wrapping up with the Finnish energy-storage breakthrough that stores heat in giant silos of sand—cheap, renewable, and surprisingly effective.

Back next week with a new show!

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A look back at the biggest clean energy developments of 2025 — and we reveal why electric trucking in China may be the most important story of the year. We break down record global growth in solar, wind, and EV adoption, explain how renewables are now outpacing fossil fuels in new investment, and explore why China's rising clean power generation is finally pushing its CO₂ emissions lower even as electricity demand grows CES 293 - Google Docs.

(Letters are being held over until our next bonus episode.)

The show also checks in on Norway, the world's EV laboratory, where electric vehicles now dominate both new sales and the overall vehicle fleet. The hosts discuss what Norway's data tells us about the future of gas, diesel, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids — and what it means for automakers still betting on combustion engines. Other highlights include a major San Francisco power outage, Volkswagen shelving the ID. Buzz in the U.S., and encouraging new data suggesting the world may have passed peak air pollution.

Links mentioned

• San Francisco power outage (CNN): https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/21/us/outage-sf-power-san-francisco

• Norway EV market update (CleanTechnica): https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/evs-take-98-4-share-in-norway-bev-fleet-overtakes-diesel/

• World may have passed peak air pollution (Our World in Data): https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/the-world-has-probably-passed-peak-air-pollution

• Volkswagen shelves ID. Buzz in the U.S. (Electrek): https://electrek.co/2025/12/19/volkswagen-shelves-electric-minibus-for-us-not-forever/ CES 293 - Google Docs

• Global EV sales are projected to hit 20 million vehicles in 2026

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How plunging battery costs are turning solar into reliable, around-the-clock power that can compete directly with fossil fuels. Brian Stockton and James Whittingham break down new findings from Ember showing that grid-scale batteries now make dispatchable solar cheaper than many new gas plants, fundamentally changing the energy landscape.

The episode also explores why Big Oil is increasingly betting on petrochemicals and single-use plastics as EVs cut into fuel demand. A new IEEFA report reveals that a 70% global reduction in single-use plastics would deliver a major financial blow to the petrochemical industry while cutting millions of barrels per day of oil demand.

From Canada, a Clean Energy Canada study finds that switching all homes in British Columbia to electric heat pumps could save households $675 million per year, reduce electricity demand, and cut emissions by about 6% of the province's total. Individual households could save hundreds to over a thousand dollars annually.

We also discuss Australia's booming home battery market, fueled by expanded federal subsidies, and Rivian's plans for autonomous electric vehicles that can run errands, self-diagnose, and drive themselves for service as the company builds its own AI hardware and software.

The Lightning Round covers global clean energy milestones including record renewable power in Australia, new solar efficiency records, fusion breakthroughs, EV and battery news, major climate policy moves in Europe, and Tesla opening its northernmost Supercharger in Alaska.

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Nairobi's ride-hailing sector hits 40% electric motorcycles as Bolt logs 4.8 million EV rides. Financing from M-KOPA and Watu helps riders switch to cheaper, cleaner bikes, and local companies like Roam and Ampersand expand assembly and charging.

Norway agrees to study its post-oil future after a deal with the Greens to pass the 2026 budget. EV incentives begin to scale back as adoption goals are met: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/norway-to-examine-scenarios-for-post-oil-economy/.

Thermostats Part 2 with Brian and James reviews the McVeggie. He wonders if it's actually just a mayo sandwich. They react to CNN's Bill Weir covering Trump's MPG rollback (full clip on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cleanenergypod) and look back at The Price Is Right giving away a $112,000 Tesla Roadster in 2010 and other EVs over the years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPq_I_L2UL4.

A drone strike damages the protective shelter over the Chernobyl reactor. UN inspectors say repairs are needed, though experts caution against panic. BBC link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98nldr06l2o

James wakes up to hazardous air quality as Environment Canada issues a 10+ AQHI alert. LA becomes officially coal-free after the Intermountain Power Project shuts down, ending decades of coal power for the city. More from Electrek: https://electrek.co/2025/12/08/los-angeles-power-supply-is-now-officially-coal-free/.

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Solar power brings new dignity to a Kurdish village devastated by a chemical attack 38 years ago. Steven Guilbeault resigns from cabinet over a pipeline deal he says breaks Canada's climate commitments. North Carolina uses "super-roofs" and catastrophe bonds to cut hurricane losses. And Zillow removes climate risk scores from listings after backlash.

• Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month!

Sheikh Wasan—attacked with mustard gas in 1987—has been rebuilt with 72 solar systems (432 panels) installed by the Rwanga Foundation. The project restores 24-hour power to homes, schools, and community buildings, offering long-overdue dignity to survivors.

Canada's former environment minister steps down, saying a recent pipeline agreement makes climate obligations unattainable.

Catastrophe bonds now reward homeowners for installing hurricane-resistant roofs, cutting claims by up to 60%. Insurance challenges rise as storms worsen.

Zillow briefly added wildfire, flood, heat, and wind risk data to listings, but removed it after complaints from agents. Buyers now must check climate risks themselves via First Street Foundation.
First Street: https://firststreet.org/

• Dominican Republic activates the 162.6 MW Cotoperí Solar complex.

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The COP30 climate conference ended without references to fossil fuels after lobbying pressure. Al Gore criticized petrostates for blocking progress and argued the world has reached "Peak Petrostate." Outside the UN process, 24 countries have agreed to coordinate on fossil-fuel phaseout efforts, with Colombia and the Netherlands hosting the first international conference in 2026. An archival look back at Gore's 1992 Earth Summit warnings underscores the longstanding concerns.

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Arkansas has launched its first-ever wind project: a 135 MW installation using 32 U.S.-made turbines. The project delivers significant local benefits, including $950,000 annually to Cross County and over $50 million to landowners over its lifetime. Microsoft has committed to purchasing all generated power under a 20-year agreement.

Insurance companies are expanding into climate-risk consulting, offering inspections and adaptation guidance before disasters occur. Zurich Insurance now employs dozens of climate risk engineers, reflecting a growing industry segment. According to S&P Global, the world's 1,200 largest public companies face an estimated $1.2 trillion annually in climate-related physical risk by 2050. Some firms cannot obtain coverage without taking mitigation steps.

Iran's president warned that Tehran may no longer be viable due to severe ecological strain, including chronic water shortages, sinking land, frequent power cuts, and hazardous air quality. The government has discussed relocating the capital to the Makran coast, though significant financial, infrastructural, and security challenges remain.

• Electric heavy trucks are expanding rapidly in China, reducing lifetime operating costs by 10–26 percent and contributing to an 11 percent drop in diesel demand.

• And more!

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