Orica, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Sasol, Topsoe, Acme Group, Techfem, Teca Gas, and a consortium in Finland are all making strides in the production and utilization of clean hydrogen, green methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions. China's commitment to increasing renewable energy consumption, including hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, aligns with the global push for climate solutions. These efforts collectively aim to boost the market for renewable hydrogen and support a more sustainable future.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Shallow gabion foundations enable solar plant deployment on archaeological site
Ijes Solar is building an 8.9 MW solar park in France for Total Energies, set to be completed in summer 2026. The project, located in an area with archaeological significance, utilizes shallow gabion foundations to protect buried artifacts. Once operational, the solar plant will provide renewable electricity for 3,500 households. A crowdfunding campaign has been initiated to engage local residents in the energy transition and support the project in the region.
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Powering fertilizer production with agrivoltaics
India's fertilizer sector faces vulnerability due to reliance on imported natural gas for urea production, leading to increased subsidies for farmers. To address this, an integrated system combining agrivoltaics, maize cultivation, ethanol production, and urea manufacturing is proposed, utilizing captured CO2 for low-carbon urea production and green hydrogen for ammonia synthesis. This model offers multiple revenue streams, including government blending targets for ethanol and carbon markets for emission reductions, benefiting farmers, industry, and the government while supporting rural economic development. The Renewables team at CSTEP, a research-based think tank focused on science, technology, and policy, leads the way in promoting renewable energy solutions and energy conservation strategies in India.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/03/powering-fertiliser-production-with-agrivoltaics/
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New PV module recycling tech achieves 97.75% silicon recovery for electrode production
A research team in India has developed a novel recycling process to recover silicon and native silica from end-of-life crystalline silicon solar cells for use in energy-storage applications. The process involves manual dismantling, thermal treatment, ball-milling, leaching, and mixing with carbon nanotubes and binders to form a slurry. The recovered material showed promising electrochemical performance in lithium-ion systems, with electrodes on copper foil and ITO exhibiting diffusion-controlled behavior, and those on graphite substrates showing capacitive charge-storage characteristics. The study concludes that electrodes on copper foil and ITO are suitable for silicon-based electrodes in Li-ion systems, while graphite-based electrodes show promise for sustainability-driven energy-storage applications.
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Energy Dome to build 23 MW/200 MWh carbon battery in Ireland
Italian carbon battery developer Energy Dome and Google have partnered to develop renewable energy storage infrastructure in Ireland, signing a commercial contract for a 23 MW/200 MWh BESS using Energy Dome's carbon technology. This innovative approach compresses and stores carbon for energy generation, providing long duration storage without relying on lithium or other minerals. The facility, located in County Offaly near Dublin, is expected to come online in 2028, setting a precedent for more carbon battery projects in Europe and worldwide through the Energy Dome and Google partnership.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/01/energy-dome-to-build-23-mw-200-mwh-carbon-battery-in-ireland/
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Solar can outcompete grid power in rural India
A new study in rural India shows that solar-based distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems can generate electricity at a lower cost than conventional grid supply. Careful planning around local demand, storage, grid conditions, financing, and long-term operations is crucial for cost savings. Village Energy Plans (VEPs) are recommended for reliable, scalable deployment, emphasizing site-specific planning and integration with distribution companies. Rajiv Shukla highlights the importance of aggregation, virtual net metering, efficient surplus power management, and increased utility participation for the evolution of DRE into a scalable and sustainable rural energy solution.
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EU approves 45 GW energy storage target in bid to reduce gas exposure
The European Council and Commission have signed agreements to significantly increase energy storage deployment in EU member states, aiming to reach 200 GW of storage capacity by 2030. The deals involve various stakeholders, including public sector, financial institutions, clean energy developers, and industrial energy offtakers, to create an investment climate for long-term economic growth. Multinational investors like the EIB Group and EBRD are also increasing support for energy storage projects. This tripartite agreement with renewable energy project developers will drive implementation of energy storage projects and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy, with member states committing to national capacity pledges. Energy Storage Europe has welcomed these agreements as a crucial step towards recognizing the importance of energy storage at the EU level.
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UK study finds floating solar can generate hydrogen and save water on reservoirs
Researchers from the University of Exeter evaluated the potential for integrating floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems with green hydrogen production on UK reservoirs, specifically at Killington and Drift Reservoirs. The study found that hydrogen utilization for heat production offers the greatest potential due to fewer energy conversion losses. Maximum FPV deployment could generate significant amounts of electricity and hydrogen, while also conserving water through reduced evaporation beneath the floating PV arrays. This research highlights the potential for FPV systems to contribute to both renewable energy generation and water conservation, emphasizing their role in decarbonizing energy-consuming sectors in the UK.
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The virtual power plant era has arrived
Homeowners across the United States are participating in Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) to earn money and assist the electric grid during peak times, with companies like Sunrun, Tesla, and Renew Home pooling the energy-saving capabilities of 9 million American homes. The total U.S. VPP market is expected to reach nearly 40 GW by mid-2025, solving regional capacity shortfalls and rivaling traditional power plants. In Puerto Rico, a network of 70,000 Tesla residential battery systems helped mitigate disruptions during grid emergencies, showcasing the potential of decentralized solutions like residential battery systems in ensuring reliable and affordable electricity. Residents are receiving financial rewards for participating in these programs, with enrollment becoming more automatic and less complicated.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/29/the-virtual-power-plant-era-has-arrived/
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MIT-WPU researchers develop solar thermal battery for hot water supply after sunset
Researchers at MIT World Peace University have developed a solar thermal energy storage system using a phase change material-based thermal battery to provide hot water even after sunset. The system combines a Scheffler solar concentrator with a thermal storage capsule containing paraffin wax, capable of storing and releasing large amounts of heat. This technology aims to reduce dependence on electricity and fossil fuels for water heating applications, reaching Technology Readiness Level 7. Seeking collaborations for pilot deployment and commercialization, the next phase involves field trials, performance optimization, and scale-up for various sectors including residential water heating, industrial process heating, and off-grid rural communities.