Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Pv Magazine

  • Solar-to-X could redefine Iran’s energy future

    Iran has the potential to transition to a fully renewable energy system by 2050, with solar PV playing a key role. A recent study by LUT University shows that such a transition is technically possible and economically attractive. Solar PV could become the backbone of Iran's energy system, driving change across power, heat, transport, industry, and desalination sectors. In the most ambitious scenario, solar PV would dominate the power sector, accounting for 81% of installed capacity and 93% of electricity generation by 2050. Solar PV electricity is becoming the central energy platform in Iran, with direct electrification and heat pumps meeting 80% of heat demand by 2050. In transport, direct electrification is preferred, while Solar-to-X fuels are used for aviation and shipping. The industrial sector in Iran could benefit from transitioning to renewable electricity, hydrogen, and Power-to-X products. Solar PV can support cleaner production in energy-intensive industries and help address water scarcity issues by avoiding water consumption in thermal power plants. System integration of renewable energy can also support defossilisation and water security in the country. The section discusses the importance of storage in Iran's energy transition, with a focus on renewable energy sources like solar PV. By 2050, electricity storage output and capacity are expected to increase significantly. The transition to renewables is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also about creating a cost-effective and efficient energy system. Iran has the opportunity to use its energy strengths to build a sustainable future, including the export of e-fuels and e-materials. The country can follow Norway's example of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to shape its long-term economic model. Research at LUT University focuses on power-to-X technologies, including solar energy, as a key aspect of their work in various sectors such as power, heat, transport, industry, desalination, and carbon dioxide removal. This article highlights the importance of connecting renewable electricity with industrial strategy, export potential, energy security, and water solutions in a single framework for Iran's future energy development.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/18/solar-to-x-could-redefine-irans-energy-future/

  • Iceland’s utility commissions solar-plus-storage for EV charging

    ON Power, a subsidiary of Reykjavík Energy, has deployed a hybrid solar-plus-storage facility in Reykjavík to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The project, known as Peaker Plant, combines solar PV, a lithium-ion battery system, and fast chargers to reduce peak demand, improve grid stability, and lower operational costs. The system is testing dynamic control strategies and has shown promising results in aligning solar generation with charging demand, even during winter conditions. ON Power views the project as more than a pilot and believes hybrid energy hubs can play a meaningful role in optimizing grid interaction and operational economics, especially in countries like Iceland with limited solar capacity.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/17/icelands-utility-commissions-solar-plus-storage-for-ev-charging/

  • Marstek launches 2 kWh plug-in battery storage system

    Chinese battery manufacturer Marstek has introduced the Venus B, a 2 kWh plug-in energy storage system specifically designed for small photovoltaic systems. This device allows for the storage of solar power or the utilization of cheap electricity from dynamic pricing tariffs. With a maximum charging power of 1.5 kW, the Venus B can output either 800 W or up to 1.5 kW of power. This storage system is easily installable without the need for modifications to existing plug-in solar systems and is compatible with a variety of photovoltaic systems, offering a promising solution for enhancing renewable energy integration.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/17/marstek-launches-2-kwh-plug-in-battery-storage-system/

  • Pii Energy unveils plug-in 1.2 kW solar, 2 kWh home system

    Pii Energy has introduced the Edge 2000, a plug-in solar-plus-storage kit priced at around USD 2,400, catering to renters and apartment residents. The kit features 1.2 kW of solar panels, a 2 kWh battery backup, smart outlets, a Raspberry Pi-driven smart system controller, and all necessary wiring for installation. With the ability to detect breaker masking conditions for safety, this innovation provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for residential solar energy needs.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/16/pii-energy-unveils-plug-in-1-2-kw-solar-2-kwh-home-system/

  • Australia-backed rooftop solar to power remote Samoan communities

    An Australia-supported project in Samoa, a joint initiative of the Samoan Electric Power Corp. and various ministries, will bring clean energy to 108 households and five community centers through rooftop solar, batteries, and minigrid upgrades. Supported by the Australian government's REnew Pacific initiative, EPC will install solar panels and batteries on homes not connected to the grid, while also providing training on energy use. The project aims to empower villages, strengthen resilience, and provide universal access to clean energy in Samoa, showcasing a sustainable solution for climate action in the region.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/16/australia-backed-rooftop-solar-to-power-remote-samoan-communities/

  • Increased spacing between solar module rows boosts agrivoltaics viability

    U.S. researchers from Colorado University, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Colorado State University, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have developed a framework showing that wider spacing between solar PV rows can make agrivoltaic systems economically viable for large-scale mechanized farming. Their simulations in Colorado demonstrated that optimized row spacing maintains crop production while improving combined agricultural and energy revenues. The study found that wider-row agrivoltaic solutions can provide economic benefits over traditional utility-scale PV systems, with $200/acre in agricultural profit justifying spacing panels at least 9.662 m apart. The framework defines different PV row-spacing scenarios, determines installed PV capacity, incorporates agricultural equipment constraints, calculates crop revenues, estimates electricity generation and revenue, and calculates metrics such as net present value and levelized cost of energy. The team simulated a 160-acre project in Colorado with different crop scenarios and PPA prices, highlighting the sensitivity of results to equipment size.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/13/increased-spacing-between-solar-module-rows-boosts-agrivoltaics-viability/

  • Global renewable capacity to reach 8.4 TW by 2031, says GlobalData

    GlobalData predicts that global renewable capacity will more than double to 8.4 TW by 2031, with solar PV leading the expansion and accounting for 56.1% of global renewable capacity. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, is at the forefront of wind and solar deployment. However, the energy transition is uneven across regions, with potential weakening support for renewables in the United States. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized in the power sector to improve generation forecasting and optimize energy storage, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in achieving climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/13/global-renewable-capacity-to-reach-8-4-tw-by-2031-says-globaldata/

  • Research shows conventional solar arrays can support livestock grazing

    A new research report by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne) in Germany found that conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing, as the vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality. The study concluded that agricultural use is possible without dedicated agrivoltaic systems, with researchers analyzing vegetation, biomass, and animal behavior in five solar parks across different regions. They found higher species diversity and protein content in plants growing under modules, suggesting that solar parks should be considered agricultural land that can generate electricity while enabling agricultural use.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/12/research-shows-conventional-solar-arrays-can-support-livestock-grazing/

  • Japan establishes national benchmarks for agrivoltaics as sites expand

    The Japanese government has set new standards for agrivoltaics in response to reports of reduced crop yields under solar panels. By the end of fiscal 2023, 6,137 agrivoltaic sites covering 1,361.6 hectares of farmland had been approved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries convened a meeting in May 2025 to define "desirable" installations, tightening rules and requiring developers to submit cultivation plans, financial projections, and evidence that crops can grow beneath panels. Advanced solar-agricultural designs like dual-axis tracking can optimize panel angles seasonally for better crop growth and power production, with companies like Idemitsu Kosan leading commercial agrivoltaic projects.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/12/japan-establishes-national-benchmarks-for-agrivoltaics-as-sites-expand/

  • First attempt to build solar modules using polycarbonate encapsulant

    Canadian researchers have proposed an open-source solar module design using polycarbonate instead of traditional materials, allowing for easy disassembly and reuse of solar cells. The design enables local manufacturing with accessible DIY tools, reducing barriers for community-level fabrication and repair. The polycarbonate encapsulation technique is scalable, lightweight, and requires only mechanical separation for recycling. With a focus on low embodied energy and durability, the prototype module can generate 2.12 W under sunny conditions at a cost of $3.11/W, potentially reduced to $0.06-0.30/W with recycled materials and industrial-scale prices. Future work includes scaling the design, optimizing materials, and testing for long-term durability, as detailed in a study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/10/first-attempt-to-build-solar-modules-using-polycarbonate-encapsulant/