Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Pv Magazine

  • AI energy management system to unlock VPP potential

    UNSW researchers are collaborating with Aussie Solar Batteries to develop AI-driven energy management platforms for optimizing solar and battery systems to support virtual power plant deployment. The project aims to improve grid stability, lower costs, and unlock greater value from distributed energy assets through forecasting, demand-side management, optimization algorithms, and digital-twin modeling. The partnership is part of the TRaCE initiative funded by the Australian government to fast-track advanced clean-energy technologies. The project, scheduled to run until the end of 2026, focuses on accelerating the commercial readiness of smarter batteries and AI-driven energy systems for more efficient solar and battery networks in Australia.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/05/ai-energy-management-system-to-unlock-vpp-potential/

  • UK government issues open call for experts to shape AI energy policy

    The UK government is seeking AI and energy specialists to identify datasets that can enhance the efficiency, security, and digitization of the energy system. Access to high-quality data is essential for leveraging AI to drive efficiencies and transform operations, with applications such as grid optimization and predicting renewable generation. The call aims to address barriers to accessing data for AI applications in the energy sector, focusing on reducing costs, improving energy security, and supporting economic growth. Companies developing AI and digital products for the energy sector are encouraged to apply and share their expertise to drive innovation and sustainability in the industry.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/03/uk-government-open-call-for-evidence-ai-energy-policy-data/

  • Moldova installs 315 MW of solar in 2025

    In 2025, Moldova saw a significant increase in solar deployment, adding 315.7 MW of capacity and bringing the total to 710 MW, accounting for 72% of the country's installed renewables. The country held its first renewables auction, oversubscribed with 11 winners receiving fixed-price guarantees for solar projects. Moldova also supports smaller-scale solar installations, with 408 MW deployed under state support. To meet its commitments under the Energy Community Treaty and National Energy and Climate Plan, Moldova approved Government Decision No.599/2025, outlining capacity limits and quotas for renewables through 2030, while also requiring financial guarantees for grid connection permits and introducing guarantees of origin certificates for renewable energy sources.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/03/moldova-installs-315-mw-of-solar-in-2025/

  • CHN Energy switches on 2 GW solar plant at coal-mining subsidence area

    China Energy Investment Corp. has completed the Phase II 2 GW photovoltaic project at its Lingwu mining-subsidence renewable base in Ningxia, part of a 6 GW solar cluster. The project repurposes coal mining subsidence zones and underutilized land to deliver clean electricity through an ultra-high-voltage direct current line. The Lingwu base features a hybrid grid architecture with an energy storage system and a "solar-coal-storage-hydrogen" export base, focusing on land reuse, grid integration, and long-distance transmission. This project sets a precedent for future large solar bases in western China, showcasing innovative solutions for utilizing renewable energy in areas with coal mining history.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/02/chn-energy-switches-on-2-gw-solar-plant-at-coal-mining-subsidence-area/

  • US energy storage shatters records with 58 GWh installed in 2025

    In 2025, the US energy storage industry experienced a record-breaking year with 57.6 GWh of new capacity installed, showing a 30% increase from the previous year. The utility-scale segment was the main growth driver, contributing nearly 50 GWh, while residential storage also saw a significant surge. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report pointed out a "red state" boom in clean energy infrastructure. This surge in energy storage installations signifies a new era of sustained, high-volume deployment in the industry, showcasing promising progress towards climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/02/us-energy-storage-shatters-records-with-58-gwh-installed-in-2025/

  • Indian researchers build transparent perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with 30.2% efficiency

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed a transparent four-terminal perovskite solar cell with a hole transport layer that enhances efficiency and stability. Incorporating Ion-Spiro HTL in perovskite solar cells improves efficiency, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor by reducing interfacial defects. The cell achieved an overall efficiency of 28.4–30.2% when integrated into tandems with commercial silicon cells, showcasing improved performance. This approach eliminates the need for bandgap-specific engineering and offers a scalable route towards highly efficient perovskite-silicon photovoltaics with enhanced stability and potential for next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/02/indian-researchers-build-transparent-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cell-with-30-2-efficiency/

  • Premier Energies unveils India’s first zero-busbar TOPCon solar cell

    Premier Energies unveiled India's first zero-busbar (0BB) TOPCon solar cell at Intersolar India, marking a shift from traditional architectures and reducing silver consumption. The new design delivers higher power output, enhances mechanical flexibility, and improves resistance to micro-cracks, ensuring superior performance in Indian climates. Premier Energies aims to strengthen performance economics and sustainability in solar manufacturing by lowering silver usage while enhancing efficiency and durability. The company is investing in scaling up its solar manufacturing capacity and expanding into related areas like inverters and battery systems.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/02/premier-energies-unveils-indias-first-zero-busbar-topcon-solar-cell/

  • UK grid software cuts MV solar connection quotes to 15 minutes

    VisNet, a UK-based network monitoring company, has launched an automated platform that allows commercial and industrial rooftop solar developers to receive medium-voltage connection assessments in just 15 minutes. This tool enables project owners to determine online whether connection requests are likely to be approved by network service providers, generating cost estimates and connection offers based on customer-submitted data. Supporting new demand connections of up to 2.5 MVA, the platform aims to reduce engineering and development costs for contractors, developers, and installers. Additionally, the system supports low-voltage applications such as residential rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicle chargers, as network operators face increasing volumes of grid connection requests due to electrification.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/uk-grid-software-cuts-mv-solar-connection-quotes-to-15-minutes/

  • Global energy transition hits a hardware bottleneck

    Demand for transformers and grid-connection infrastructure is surging due to the massive electrification of industry and transport, integration of renewable energy, and growth of AI data centers. Hitachi Energy is investing $1.5 billion to expand transformer manufacturing capacity to meet the increased demand, as lead times for large transformers have doubled since 2019. Global investment in grids is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2026, with companies like Kaufmann Electric and Waaree Energies investing in transformer manufacturing to address constraints in grid infrastructure construction. To speed up project realization, companies are focusing on standardization and closer collaboration with manufacturers through framework agreements, aiming to ensure timely delivery of grid connection equipment and support the growth of renewable energy projects.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/global-energy-transition-hits-a-hardware-bottleneck/

  • Chinese scientists build ‘ultra-stable’ polymer solar cell with 19.1% efficiency

    Researchers from Wuhan University of Technology in China have developed a polymer solar cell with 19.1% efficiency and remarkable stability by blending small-molecule acceptors into polymeric matrices. The incorporation of linearly packed small molecule acceptors disentangled polymeric chains, creating efficient pathways for charge transport and reducing degradation. The resulting devices retained 97% efficiency after 2,000 hours of operation in air, with an extrapolated lifetime exceeding 100,000 hours. This work provides a practical pathway towards commercialization of flexible organic photovoltaics, with various layers including a molybdenum trioxide hole transport layer and a buckminsterfullerene electron transport layer contributing to the cell's success.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/chinese-scientists-build-ultra-stable-polymer-solar-cell-with-19-1-efficiency/