Energy

Explainer

Energy price cap rises on 1 October: what it actually means for your bill

The cap for a typical home rises 4% to £1,723 a year on Thursday. Gas is up 8%, electricity is flat thanks to a VAT cut, and the cheap fixes have gone. What the numbers mean, who they cover, what help exists, and why the forecasts for January now say another 20% or more.

Analysis

Solar's second act: the breakthroughs that matter, and the ones that are still slideware

Panels got cheap; now they are getting better. Tandem cells, thinner wafers and smarter deployment are changing what solar can do — but the biggest constraint is no longer the panel at all.