IBM has developed a breakthrough solar technology that could radically improve the efficiency and reduce the costs associated with solar power systems. The company uses more focussed sunlight to produce more power, and the trick is in keeping the whole rig cool enough so it doesn’t melt down to a puddle of metal.

Meanwhile Der Spiegel magazine from Germany has produced a frankly astonishing image demonstrating just how small a solar power plant we would need to build in the North African desert in order to supply enough electricity for a) Germany b) Europe and c) the world (the largest red square). Are they right? That looks totally unbelievable.