Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Arizona

  • Nuveen invests $546m in SunZia wind and transmission project

    The SunZia project, developed by Pattern Energy, is a large-scale wind and transmission project in the US that became fully operational in June 2026. It includes a 3.65GW wind facility and a 550-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line linking New Mexico and Arizona. Nuveen has finalized a $546m preferred equity investment in SunZia through its infrastructure credit investment platform, aiming to provide flexible funding to developers of major energy infrastructure projects. The project is designed to deliver renewable energy to power around one million homes per year, highlighting the increasing focus on energy generation and transmission infrastructure in the pursuit of climate solutions.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/nuveen-invests-in-sunzia/

  • Pattern Energy launches SunZia energy project in US

    Pattern Energy Group has launched the SunZia renewable energy project, which includes a 3.65GW wind facility and a 550-mile HVDC transmission line to transmit power from New Mexico to Arizona and the western grid. This project has the capacity to supply electricity to approximately one million US households annually and has created over 2,000 jobs during construction. With an investment of over $20bn and $1.3bn in direct payments to various entities over 30 years, SunZia showcases the potential for large-scale renewable energy projects. The HVDC technology utilized in the project enables efficient long-distance electricity transfer, addressing grid infrastructure limitations in the energy sector and providing a promising solution for sustainable energy production.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/pattern-energy-launches-sunzia/

  • Perovskite tandem PV for agrivoltaics

    Researchers from Cornell University conducted a life-cycle assessment on integrating advanced perovskite tandem PV into agrivoltaic lettuce production in the US, comparing different technologies with conventional silicon PV. The study evaluated greenhouse gas emissions, water impacts, and potential benefits of agrivoltaics, showing that retrofitting US lettuce farmland with agrivoltaics could have significant environmental benefits. Next-generation agrivoltaics have the strongest potential in water-scarce regions like California's Southern Desert and Arizona, with responsible design transforming farmland into a platform for integrated food production, clean energy generation, and water conservation. The research, presented in a paper titled "Advancing Food-Energy-Water Sustainability with Scalable Perovskite Tandem Agrivoltaics" published in Nexus, highlights the potential of agrivoltaics to simultaneously produce food, generate clean electricity, reduce emissions, conserve water, and ease land-use competition.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/17/perovskite-tandem-pv-for-agrivoltaics/

  • REPORT: U.S. Adds 10 GWh of New Energy Storage Capacity in 1st Quarter, Best Q1 on Record

    The U.S. energy storage industry experienced a record first quarter in 2026, installing 9.7 GWh of new capacity and seeing a 32% increase year-over-year. By 2030, over 610 GWh of energy storage is expected to be installed, driven by the attractiveness of solar and storage due to their insulation from fuel price swings and increasing domestic production. Data centers, tech companies, and states like Texas, Arizona, and California are leading the surge in energy storage deployment, although federal permitting delays could pose a challenge. Additionally, in 2021, 515 MWh of residential storage was installed alongside C&I storage, with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) advocating for clean energy policies and job creation in the solar industry. SEIA, founded in 1974, collaborates with over 1,200 member companies to promote competition and growth in the solar and solar + storage industries.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/24/report-u-s-adds-10-gwh-of-new-energy-storage-capacity-in-1st-quarter-best-q1-on-record/

  • Environmental News Network – Fungi Found on Coconut Husks Can Decompose Plastic and Sunscreen

    Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School, won multiple awards at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair for her research on fungi that can degrade plastic and sunscreen. Conducted in Anthony Amend's lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Wang's success was attributed to her vision and the support of the public school system. Her research has given optimism about the future of science in Hawaiʻi, and she has qualified for the International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. This breakthrough in using fungi for plastic degradation could be a significant step towards sustainable solutions for plastic waste.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78003-fungi-found-on-coconut-husks-can-decompose-plastic-and-sunscreen

  • BrightNight initiates construction at Arizona’s Pioneer Clean Energy Centre

    BrightNight is constructing the Pioneer Clean Energy Centre in Arizona, featuring a 300MW solar power plant and 300MW/1.2GWh of battery energy storage to provide clean and affordable electricity while enhancing grid resilience. This project is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 641,893t annually and save 260 million gallons of water. Additionally, it will create 250-300 jobs during construction and bring in $83.3m in local and state property tax revenue.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/brightnight-pioneer-clean-energy-centre/

  • 2025 Energy Year in Review: Solar and Storage Shine Through, Despite It All

    In 2025, despite challenges from the Trump administration, clean energy in the United States showed significant progress. The US solar sector saw record-breaking installations, with Texas leading the way followed by California and Indiana. Solar generation and manufacturing capacity also experienced substantial growth. Energy storage installations increased by over 50%, with Texas, California, and Arizona leading the way. Overall, 2025 is projected to be the biggest year for clean power deployment in history, showcasing the potential of clean energy technologies in transforming electricity markets across the country. Solar is expected to overtake coal in some states, with commitments to clean energy goals from states like Maine and California. Affordability concerns are driving more people to recognize the benefits of solar and wind power, with decision makers and advocates pushing for policies to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Innovation, economies of scale, and international progress are making clean energy more attractive, highlighting the possibilities and long-term benefits of a clean energy economy.

    https://blog.ucs.org/john-rogers/2025-energy-year-in-review-solar-and-storage-shine-through-despite-it-all/