Friday, March 13 2026 Climate Solutions Update

Japan is making significant strides in agrivoltaics, having approved 6,137 sites covering 1,361.6 hectares by the end of fiscal 2023. This advancement is supported by new national benchmarks requiring developers to adhere to stricter regulations, including the submission of cultivation plans and financial projections. These measures aim to ensure that crop yields are sustained alongside solar energy production.

In Germany, research from the Federal Association for New Energy Industry indicates that conventional solar parks can effectively support livestock grazing. The study, which analyzed five solar parks across various regions, found that vegetation beneath photovoltaic modules provides adequate feed, enhancing species diversity and plant protein content. However, the primary focus of the research was on agricultural use rather than equally balancing energy generation.

Additionally, the innovative Feederdock technology from ONP Management is set to revolutionize offshore wind logistics, allowing for the installation of larger turbines (over 25 MW) and foundations weighing up to 2,800 tonnes without reliance on deep-water ports, thus reducing costs and construction timelines in Australia and New Zealand.

In the United States, the Energy Department is investing $1.9 billion in grid upgrades through the bipartisan infrastructure law under the SPARK initiative, aimed at enhancing grid capacity to meet rising electricity demand. Meanwhile, the U.S. solar manufacturing landscape is evolving, with 65 new or expanded factories commissioned in 2025, collectively surpassing 60 gigawatts of domestic production capacity. These developments signal a pivotal moment for the renewable energy sector, although challenges remain in ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of these advancements.

In Germany, researchers found that conventional solar parks can support livestock grazing, demonstrating that solar arrays can double as agricultural land while enhancing biodiversity and feed quality.
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In Australia and New Zealand, offshore wind deployment is set to accelerate as new installation technology reduces reliance on deep-water ports, cutting costs and construction times.
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The U.S. power grid will receive a significant boost as $1.9 billion is allocated for essential upgrades, enhancing reliability and capacity to meet rising electricity demands.
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Foresight Group is investing over A$500m in New Zealand to enhance renewable energy as they acquire the NZ Clean Energy platform, supporting solar and battery storage projects across 15 locations.
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In Australia, homeowners can now enhance their energy efficiency as the new high-powered solar panels maximize rooftop capacity, reducing costs and increasing renewable energy output.
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In New Mexico, UbiQD is scaling up production as the US embraces high-efficiency perovskite solar technology, enhancing energy output and reducing costs for sustainable electricity solutions.
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The Japanese government is enhancing agrivoltaics by establishing national benchmarks for optimal crop yields, ensuring sustainable farming alongside renewable energy production.
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Places mentioned in this update: Australia, Germany, New Mexico, New Zealand, U.S., US