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China’s government-owned utility State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) has launched the world’s first commercial offshore floating solar that’s paired with an offshore wind turbine.

SPIC is one of five major electrical utility companies in China, and the world’s largest photovoltaic power generation enterprise. The pilot is located off the coast of Haiyang, a city in Shandong, eastern China.

The project uses Norway-based Ocean Sun‘s patented floating solar power technology.

The two solar floaters (see the photo above) have an installed capacity of 0.5 megawatts peak. They’re connected to a transformer on a SPIC-owned wind turbine and then a subsea cable runs from the wind turbine to the power grid.

If the pilot is successful, the plan is to build a 20 MW floating wind-solar farm in 2023 using Ocean Sun’s technology.

Ocean Sun signed an agreement to license its proprietary floating solar technology for the project in July. This project is fully funded by SPIC, and Ocean Sun’s first “truly offshore installation.”

In July, Børge Bjørneklett, CEO and founder of Ocean Sun, said [translation edited for clarity]:

Shandong Province is projecting 42GW of floating solar installations in the next few years, and Ocean Sun will now be a contender for some of this volume. These waters see challenging annual typhoons, and all involved parties are aware of the risks. Ocean Sun will improve our product with learnings from this exposed site.

A wind-solar hybrid system potentially offers the advantage of improving power output reliability. Solar peaks during the day, and whereas offshore wind turbines typically generate most of their power in the afternoon and evening.

Read more: The US Army just launched the largest floating solar farm in the Southeast – why this is a big deal

Photo: Ocean Sun

UnderstandSolar is a free service that links you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates. Tesla now offers price matching, so it’s important to shop for the best quotes. Click here to learn more and get your quotes. — *ad.

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We’re trimming our stake in a beaten-up stock that has taken off in 2025

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January 6, 2025

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We're trimming our stake in a beaten-up stock that has taken off in 2025

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Save 57% during Bluetti New Year sale with new power station lows, MOD Easy SideCar Sahara at $3,499 low, Goal Zero, more

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January 6, 2025

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This week’s Green Deals are starting with Bluetti’s New Year sale that is seeing up to 57% discounts across a solid lineup of on-the-go and at-home power station setups, with the AC180 1,152Wh LiFePO4 Power Station hitting a new $455 low, among others. MOD’s new and improved Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike that is perfect for riders with furry companions is back down at its $3,499 low. We also have Goal Zero’s Yeti 500 and Yeti 700 Power Stations returning to their lowest rates of $337 and $450, as well as a one-day-only discount on the Greenworks 80V 10-inch Cordless Electric Pole Saw with a 14.5-foot reach at $230. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals can be found in the links at the bottom of the page, like the New Year savings from EcoFlow, Jackery, Rad Power, and more all collected within our Electrified Weekly coverage from over the weekend.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Bluetti is celebrating New Years with a massive sale through January 20 that is saving folks up to 57% off its lineup of backup power solutions, complete with the usual flash sale offers, select members-only pricing, and a 5% sitewide coupon code. With a focus towards travel needs, we spotted the popular AC180 Portable Power Station down at $455.05 shipped, after using the code AFF5OFF at checkout for the additional 5% off. Normally carrying a $999 price tag here, discounts have mainly kept costs between $549 and $649 on average for the last year, with September seeing a drop lower to $499 while October’s Prime Day event saw things go further to the $459. Thanks to the sitewide coupon, you’re standing to save $544 at a new all-time low price.

One of the brand’s most popular units for portable backup power needs, the AC180 brings a 1,152Wh LiFePO4 capacity into the equation that is ready to cover devices and appliances with an 1,800W output that surges up to 2,700W when needed. It offers 11 port options to achieve these means: four ACs, four USB-As, one USB-C, one DC, and even a wireless charging pad. Recharging takes as little as 45 minutes to reach an 80% battery when plugging the station into a wall outlet, or you can get that same recharge in 2.8 to 3.3 hours when utilizing 500W of solar input. You’ll find solar generator bundles for this model starting from $664.05 (using the coupon code) for a 100W panel, with other options for 200W, 350W, and 400W panels on the same page.

***Note: The prices below have not had the 5% sitewide coupon factored in – be sure to use the code AFF5OFF at checkout to score the most savings!

Bluetti New Year sale on-the-go power station deals:

Bluetti New Year sale RV travel bundle deals:

Bluetti New Year sale member-only deals:

Bluetti New Year sale new arrival deals:

There’s plenty more to check out during Bluetti’s New Year sale – particularly the brand’s home backup and accessory deals, as well as the short-term flash sale offers – which you can browse in full on the landing page here.

MOD Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike

MOD’s new and improved Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike is the ultimate ride for those with furry companions at $3,499 low

MOD Bikes’ New Year savings are lasting through January 31, with up to $400 being taken off its lineup of e-bikes. The largest discounts of this sale are hitting the Sidecar-specific models, with the brand’s new Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike coming in at $3,499 shipped. Down from its usual $3,899 rate, we saw it first drop this low back during early Black Friday sales when it first released, with December seeing a slightly higher $3,509 rate. The $400 markdown is returning costs back to the lowest we have tracked, which offers upgraded features over the Easy 3 SideCar model that is matching in price. You can learn more about these e-bikes below or by checking out our hands-on review from last month.

The first big difference you’ll notice on MOD’s new Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike is the new sand-beige colorway that has been inspired by the classic 1940 BMW R 75 Sahara motorcycle, complete with an upgraded dual-crown motorcycle-style suspension on the front fork. The aluminum frame houses a 750W geared hub motor (1,000W peak) paired alongside a 720Wh battery with five levels of torque-sensing PAS supporting the rider.

This combination provides top speeds of 28 MPH and carry you for up to 50 miles on one charge. It shares plenty of stock features with its predecessor, like the 7-speed Shimano ALTUS derailleur, a wide beam LED headlight and integrated LED taillight with brake lighting, hydraulic disc brakes, multi-terrain tires with fenders over each, a snap-on rear cargo rack (that is child seat friendly with a 65-pound payload), a wide saddle, a thumb throttle, a bell, and an S3 smart color display with a USB port.

MOD Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike
MOD Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike

One of the biggest changeups with this model is the expansion upon its sidecar, with things being extended slightly further from the bike’s frame, as well as being equipped with two headlights, a taillight, a detachable seat/seatbelt, and a small cargo rack on top. Pet owners will appreciate the continued effort made for animal companions, as the backside of the sidecar has been given a doggie door, allowing easier loading and unloading of your furry passengers, especially older animals who may struggle to climb over the sides.

More MOD New Year sale e-bike discounts:

goal zero yeti 500 and yeti 700 power stations

Get Goal Zero’s 499Wh Yeti 500 or 677Wh Yeti 700 power stations at return Black Friday lows from $337

Through its official Amazon storefront, Goal Zero is offering its Yeti 500 and Yeti 700 Portable Power Stations back at their lowest prices for $336.89 shipped and $449.89 shipped. These two models at full price would normally cost you $450 and $600, respectively, with these same low rates last seen during Black Friday sales. Today, you’ve got an opportunity to score $113 off the Yeti 500 and $150 off the Yeti 700 at the all-time lowest prices we have tracked. There’s even an option to bundle the Yeti 700 with a 100W solar panel for $587, down from $800.

With these sixth-generation power stations from Goal Zero you’ll ensure personal devices and small appliances get the power they need during camping trips, tailgating parties, and much more. While they share most of the same designs and features, the difference between these models comes in their battery capacities (Yeti 500 offers 499Wh, Yeti 700 offers 677Wh) and output power levels (Yeti 500 provides 500W surging to 1,000W and the Yeti 700 provides 600W surging to 1,000W).

They’ve been equipped with fast-charging tech, allowing a wall outlet to recharge the Yeti 500 in 90 minutes while the Yeti 700 takes a little longer at under two hours. Your small appliance and device charging needs are covered by the two AC ports, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, plus the bonus car port – and both can be hooked up to a solar panel with a max input level of 200W, with recharging ranging from 2.9 hours to 4 hours, depending on your model.

greenworks 80V 10-inch cordless electric pole saw

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 10-inch Cordless Electric Pole Saw for $229.99 shipped through the rest of the day only. It normally posts up at its $300 price tag most of the time, but until midnight tonight, you can score $70 off that going rate. We last saw it at a lower price back in December 2023 when it fell to the $200 low, but you can score it today for your lawncare arsenal at the second-lowest price we have tracked.

Light and heavy-duty trimming jobs are made easier with this Greenworks 80V 10-inch pole saw. Thanks to the three-piece shaft, it provides a 14.5-foot reach and comes with a TRUBRUSHLESS motor that is the equivalent of a 25cc gas motor. The included 2Ah battery ensures up to 90 cuts on one 30-minute charge and can be interchanged with the brand’s other batteries for extended use. The trigger start tosses out the hassle of dealing with pull strings, with speed controls for comfortable cutting at your preferred pace and an automatic oiler to keep the chain lubricated and running.

Best ongoing holiday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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BMW sold over 50,000 EVs in the US last year for the first time

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January 6, 2025

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BMW-50,000-EVs

BMW hit a major milestone after selling over 50,000 EVs in the US in 2024 for the first time. Despite higher electric vehicle sales for the full year, BMW’s feat may not be as big as it seems. Here’s why.

BMW EV sales in the US top 50,000 in 2024

With another 13,876 fully electric vehicles sold in Q4, BMW’s EV sales reached over 50,000 in the US for the first time.

In the US, BMW sold a total of 50,981 EVs last year, up 12% from the 45,417 sold in 2023. Something worth noting is that BMW’s fourth-quarter EV sales fell 3.5% from 5,274 in Q4 2023 to 13,876.

BMW is one of the only automakers so far to report lower EV sales in the fourth quarter. Last week, Ford and GM both reported record Q4 and 2024 sales. GM topped its cross-town rival with over 114,400 electric cars sold last year (+50 YOY), compared to Ford’s nearly 97,900 (+35% YOY).

Overseas automakers, like Hyundai and Kia, are quickly outpacing BMW. The South Korean auto giants posted another record year in the US with new EV models rolling out in key segments.

BMW-50,000-EVs
The new BMW i4 M50 xDrive (Source: BMW)

Meanwhile, pure luxury EV players like Lucid and Rivian are also stealing market share. In 2024, Lucid had four straight quarters with record deliveries, delivering 10,241 EVs in total last year.

Although it may not seem huge, Lucid is a direct competitor to BMW. Last year, it only sold one model, the Lucid Air. Now, Lucid is launching its first electric SUV, the Gravity.

BMW-50,000-EVs
2025 BMW i4 (Source: BMW USA)

Rivian’s deliveries also hit a new high for 2024 in the fourth quarter after overcoming a supply chain issue. With another 14,183 vehicles delivered in Q4, Rivian’s 2024 delivery total reached nearly 51,600. The EV maker is now ramping up production at its Normal, IL manufacturing plant after shutting it down for upgrades last spring.

How will this impact BMW iX sales? After slipping another 20% in the fourth quarter, BMW iX sales were down 11% in 2024, with 15,383 units sold.

BMW also sells three other electric cars in the US: the i4, i5, and i7. Last year, the i4 was BMW’s top-selling model, with over 23,400 units sold. However, sales were only up 3% compared to 2023 (22,583 units). BMW’s i5 notched the most growth, with sales up 310% in 2024, but only 8,763 models were sold.

Electrek’s Take

Although year-over-year sales growth is still an accomplishment, with a wave of new EVs hitting the market, will BMW be able to keep up in 2025?

Jeep is releasing its first luxury electric SUV. Volvo, Kia, and Hyundai are launching flagship three-row electric SUVs. Lucid’s Gravity is rolling out. And then, in 2026, we will finally see Rivian’s lower-cost R2 electric SUV.

BMW believes it has an answer with its Neue Klasse, or “New Class” of EVs, which will hit US showrooms in 2026. The company’s first Neue Klasse EV rolled off the production line last November as it prepares for a new era.

BMW claims its new EV series will have “30% more range, 30% faster charging, and a 25% overall improvement in vehicle efficiency.” The first BMW Neue Klasse model will be a crossover SUV, with five more set to launch by 2028.

One thing is certain: more advanced EVs at a lower price will soon be available. Stay tuned for more.

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