Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Pv Magazine

  • Australian renewables exceed 50% of power supply in Q4

    Renewable generation in Australia reached over 50% in the fourth quarter of 2025, leading to lower wholesale power prices and improved grid reliability during extreme weather events. Batteries played a key role in stabilizing energy supply, with record levels of battery output. The Cheaper Home Batteries scheme has spurred rapid battery installations, supporting the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. The transition to a low-cost, clean, firmed renewables powered energy system is crucial for grid reliability, as coal power becomes more unreliable. The unstoppable energy system transformation is highlighted by the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, with renewable energy capacity additions surpassing nuclear additions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/australian-renewables-exceed-50-of-power-supply-in-q4/

  • The impact of microclimate effects on floating PV plants

    French researchers have developed a high-resolution computational framework to model microclimate effects of large floating solar PV systems, ground-mounted installations, and agrivoltaic systems. The model can inform thermal performance, environmental impacts, and optimize designs for utility-scale floating PV. It allows for accurate predictions of heat transfer, ambient temperatures, and water evaporation based on panel configuration and wind conditions. Additionally, researchers are developing CFD models to predict energy output and environmental trade-offs of dual-use photovoltaic systems and FPV evaporation research, as well as an agrivoltaics CFD-plant model to predict crop response below PV canopies. The study involves Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussees, Electricité de France RD, and Université Claude Bernard.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/the-impact-of-microclimate-effects-on-floating-pv-plants/

  • How to design a UL-certified balcony solar kit in the United States

    UL Solutions has released new technical guidance and a proposed certification pathway for plug-in balcony solar systems, addressing safety risks and design requirements as US states consider legalizing the technology. The white paper outlines safety considerations such as overcurrent protection, touch safety, and ground-fault protection for consumer-installed solar systems that connect directly to wall outlets. UL developed a new certification pathway, UL 3700, following the passage of Utah's balcony solar legislation, with similar bills under consideration in other states. Potential mitigation measures include dedicated circuits, solar-specific receptacles, and careful design for interactions with ground-fault circuit interrupters. UL emphasizes evaluating safety outcomes over commercial viability for plug-in PV systems.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/how-to-design-a-ul-certified-balcony-solar-kit-in-the-united-states/

  • UNSW researchers identify new damp heat-induced failure mechanism in TOPCon solar modules

    UNSW researchers have identified a new damp-heat degradation mechanism in TOPCon modules, driven by rear-side recombination and open-circuit voltage loss rather than series-resistance increase. The study emphasizes that magnesium in white EVA encapsulants accelerates degradation, guiding improved encapsulant and backsheet selection for more reliable modules in humid environments. The primary driver of degradation is a reduction in open-circuit voltage, particularly attributed to additives containing magnesium in white EVA. Insights from the research have led to design changes that reduce risks in commercial modules, aiming to refine encapsulant and material selection strategies for TOPCon modules, especially in humid climates. Other studies by UNSW have explored the effects of different encapsulants, soldering flux, and contaminants on TOPCon solar cells, as well as the impact of electron irradiation and UV-induced degradation.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/unsw-researchers-identify-new-damp-heat-induced-failure-mechanism-in-topcon-solar-modules/

  • Envision claims AI-enabled storage systems can detect battery safety risks days in advance

    Envision Energy has introduced a fully integrated energy storage solution that incorporates hardware, software, and market capabilities to enhance battery deployment in evolving energy systems. The company's approach includes cell innovation, power conversion, system controls, artificial intelligence, and electricity trading to connect physical assets with real-time intelligence. Envision's strategy focuses on "physical AI," which integrates AI directly into the operation of storage assets to ensure grid stability, equipment safety, and operational efficiency. The company's Physical AI system, supported by the Dubhe Energy Foundation Model, analyzes real-world energy data to optimize renewable generation, storage, grids, and demand in real time. Envision's AI technologies are embedded across multiple layers of the storage system to support grid functions, operational optimization, market participation, and asset health and safety monitoring. Envision is utilizing AI technology to predict faults in energy storage systems, allowing for proactive maintenance and avoiding emergency shutdowns. The company's AI models can detect voltage irregularities associated with dendrite growth in battery cells, improving operational reliability and safety. Envision believes AI can optimize storage economics by improving price forecasting, reducing operational constraints, and enabling flexible trading strategies. The company sees strong potential for AI-enabled grid-forming storage in commercial and industrial applications, with projects already operating in China and development underway in other markets. Envision plans to deploy its AI-enabled storage solutions globally, co-located with renewable energy generation. Envision is focusing on developing in-house AI models to apply across the renewable energy system, believing that companies with large datasets and proprietary AI models will have an advantage in the sector. They see AI adoption as a widespread trend rather than a competition. Envision's CEO, Huang, emphasized that they don't just use AI, they develop it, and their goal is to build the foundation of a renewable energy system.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/29/envision-claims-ai-enabled-storage-systems-can-detect-battery-safety-risks-days-in-advance/

  • Korean scientists build mini perovskite solar module with 22.56% efficiency

    Researchers at GIST have developed a perovskite mini-module with 22.56% efficiency by improving the SnO2 electron transport layer with PEI, reducing defects and electron loss. The module retained 94% of its performance after 500 hours, showing potential for scalable, stable perovskite solar cells and modules. The team focused on engineering the interface of the electron transport layer to address non-uniformity issues and improve efficiency and stability. By incorporating PEI into the SnO2 layer, they were able to reduce electron loss, improve electrical environment at the interface, and facilitate smooth electron transport, leading to high-quality perovskite films suitable for mass production.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/29/korean-scientists-build-mini-perovskite-solar-module-with-22-56-efficiency/

  • Solar generates record 13% of EU electricity in 2025

    Solar and wind energy in the EU have seen significant growth, surpassing coal and hydro in the energy mix and generating more energy than fossil fuels for the first time in history. With solar generation increasing by over 20% in 2025 and wind and solar together supplying a record 30% of EU power, renewable sources now account for 47.7% of the total energy mix. To further advance climate solutions, experts recommend removing barriers to battery deployment, collaborating on permitting for cross-border power lines, supporting investment in heat pumps and electric technologies, introducing policy for electrifying transport, heating, and industry, and banning Russian gas and LNG imports by 2027.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/23/solar-generates-record-13-of-eu-electricity-in-2025/

  • ‘Agrivoltaics is not just a land-sharing concept, but a systems-level solution to some of the world’s most pressing challenges’

    Researchers have conducted a multidimensional study on agrivoltaics, finding that it could add over 1,800 million tonnes to global crop yields annually and generate over $1 trillion in added global agricultural income. The study looked at the impact of agrivoltaics on sustainability, soil-crop productivity, socioeconomic resilience, solar power generation, spatial efficiency, and species. Agrivoltaics was seen as a systems-level solution to food insecurity, climate stress, land-use conflicts, and economic vulnerability. The study found that agrivoltaics could potentially increase global crop production by 1.8 billion tonnes annually, providing enough calories to feed over 2.1 billion people per year. This innovative approach combines solar energy production with agricultural practices, offering potential solutions for sustainable land use and renewable energy generation, highlighting the importance of exploring new methods like agrivoltaics to address climate change challenges and promote environmental sustainability.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/22/agrivoltaics-is-not-just-a-land-sharing-concept-but-as-a-systems-level-solution-to-some-of-the-worlds-most-pressing-challenges/

  • Chinese scientists build 31.13%-efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell via 2D seeding agent

    Researchers in China have developed a novel 2D seeding agent, CsPb2Br5, to regulate crystallization in wide-bandgap perovskite films, achieving an efficiency of 31.13% in perovskite-silicon tandem devices. This seeding agent addresses issues of uncontrollable crystallization and phase separation, promoting top-down vertical crystal growth to enhance charge transport and suppress phase separation. The optimized wide-bandgap perovskite also shows high power conversion efficiency and stability compared to control devices, with potential for use in large area devices. Co-corresponding author Wei Huang emphasized the focus on optimizing long-term stability for future applications.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/19/chinese-scientists-build-31-13-efficient-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cell-via-2d-seeding-agent/

  • Smart Commercial to roll out prefab vertical rooftop PV system

    Smart Commercial Energy and Over Easy Solar have collaborated to introduce a new prefabricated vertical rooftop solar system in the Australian market. The system features pre-assembled and pre-racked bifacial panels that can be easily installed on buildings where traditional rooftop solar is not feasible. The lightweight design and simple installation process make it suitable for commercial buildings with load-bearing limits or design constraints. Over Easy, a company founded in 2021, has installed over 1.3 MW of its VPUs in about 40 buildings across 13 countries, collecting crucial data on performance, installation efficiency, structural impact, and long-term suitability under Australian conditions. This innovative system can complement existing rooftop solar systems by shifting generation towards the morning and afternoon, improving overall system economics, and with Australia's high solar energy density, it is a relevant market for this technology in addressing climate change.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/20/smart-commercial-to-roll-out-prefab-vertical-rooftop-pv-system/