Stay current: the week’s best solar links

We've rounded up our top reads of the week about solar and the future of the energy … so you can stay current.

-The mysterious and hypothetical Planet Nine may be responsible for the planets in our solar system being out of line with the sun. Two teams of astronomers announced the theory this week, stating that if the giant planet does actually exist in our outer solar system, it may be to blame for the planets' strange orbits. Cue the eerie sci-fi music. (New Scientist / Rebecca Boyle)

-Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found that the transition from fuel-based off-grid lighting to clean solar systems in developing countries could create 2 million local jobs. (PV Magazine / Ian Clover)

-The Golden State continues to lead the way in renewable energy: overall solar production hit a new milestone last week, generating 8,030 megawatts of clean power. California has a mandate to reach 33% renewables by 2020, and has already exceeded that goal at peak production times. (Utility Dive / Robert Walton)

-President Obama announced a new effort aimed at increasing solar deployment in the United States on Tuesday. The plan will focus on increasing access to solar energy for low and moderate-income Americans, with a goal to bring 1,000 megawatts of solar projects to this demographic alone by 2020. (Mashable / Maria Gallucci)

-Last month marked the hottest June on record and the 14th consecutive hottest month of record-breaking heat, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (The Guardian / Michael Slezak)