. Plug-in solar: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and UK case Plug-in solar refers to small, easy-to-install solar panels used for home electricity. They can be plugged directly into a standard outlet to reduce household power consumption. There is an interesting chart here. Each line in the chart shows how Google search interest for (plug-in solar) has changed over time in each country. Germany clearly stands out in plug-in solar adoption, and the reason is simple: policy clarity and incentives. Measures like feed-in tariffs, VAT exemptions, and early regulatory support have created a predictable environment for households. When people know how quickly they can recover their investment, adoption follows, and the data reflects that. In contrast, countries like France, Italy, and Poland face more complex permitting processes and weaker financial incentives. Without clear pricing for surplus electricity or easy installation rules, consumer interest remains limited. The gap in Google search trends shows this difference in policy support. Source: @ZerocarbonA by Bridget Woodman and Jessica Nicel

Do massive LNG investments in Malaysia, Philippines, Thaiand, Singapore and Vietnam increase exposure to supply shocks and price volatility? Indonesia’s LNG investment remains limited But, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia have the highest LNG investments in absolute terms, while Thailand and Singapore stand out in relative terms. Vietnam: ~$9.6 billion total, with ~$9 billion still in development Philippines: ~$5.9 billion, majority under development Malaysia: ~$4.9 billion, heavily tilted toward future capacity Some sources suggest that increasing dependence on LNG imports is putting Southeast Asian countries at risk of supply shocks and price volatility. Investing in domestic renewables and the ASEAN power grid can better support energy independence and security What do you think? Source: @ZerocarbonA