Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Germany

  • How the Beneficial Design Institute is transforming Germany’s toughest textile waste

    The Beneficial Design Institute in Berlin-Brandenburg, as part of the Circular Fibersheds sub-pillar of Earth's Solutions Framework, is piloting innovative ways to repurpose unrecyclable textiles into useful new materials for other industries. Germany's textile waste problem, with 1 million tons collected annually, is being addressed by focusing on blended, contaminated, and low-value materials that are difficult to recycle using traditional methods. The project aims to create biodegradable materials, such as beta-glucan, from textile waste, while also exploring the use of waste gases to grow microalgae for agricultural and industrial purposes. By building a system that treats even the hardest-to-recycle materials as valuable inputs, the project highlights the potential for reducing emissions, creating biodegradable materials, and supporting local economies through the reuse of textile waste. The next steps involve scaling up the process, improving coordination, and securing funding for a regional model of textile waste reuse.

    https://www.oneearth.org/climate-hero-beneficial-design-institute/

  • Trina Solar claims world’s highest efficiency for silicon solar cells with 28.0%-efficient device

    Trina Solar has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 28.0% for its new TOPCon-compatible hybrid back-contact solar cell, certified by Germany's ISFH. The THBC technology combines TOPCon passivated-contact capability, HJT-style passivation advantages, and a back-contact electrode structure, setting a new benchmark for large-area crystalline silicon cells. This innovation is compatible with thin wafers and current TOPCon production lines, potentially reducing commercialization costs. Trina Solar plans to release new THBC-based products and has mass-production plans in place, signaling a significant advancement in solar technology for climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/27/trina-solar-claims-worlds-highest-efficiency-for-silicon-solar-cells-with-28-0-efficient-device/

  • New panel of climate scientists calls for fossil fuel transition roadmaps

    A new panel of experts, including top climate scientists, is urging governments to develop science-based and just roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels. The panel's recommendations were presented in Santa Marta, Colombia, ahead of a ministerial meeting on transitioning away from coal, oil, and gas. The panel emphasizes the need for whole-of-government plans to overcome barriers to the energy transition. A draft roadmap for Colombia, developed with input from European scientists, shows a pathway to economic and societal benefits through phasing out fossil fuels with energy efficiency measures and renewable energy. Developing countries need an exit route from the "debt trap" of fossil fuels to enable a just and effective transition. Brazil is working on a national roadmap for its economy and leading a global roadmap for climate solutions, with the new panel aiming to provide more specific and targeted advice at a faster pace than the IPCC. The transition beyond fossil fuels depends on cities and collective action, with recommendations including banning new fossil fuel infrastructure and implementing carbon levies on imports. The panel will be co-chaired by experts from Cameroon, Germany, and Brazil, and will consist of scientists working on transition pathways, technological solutions, policies, and finance.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/25/new-panel-of-top-climate-scientists-calls-for-fossil-fuel-transition-roadmaps/

  • France Moved First, But Markets Everywhere Are Signaling Electrification

    France has announced a significant increase in state support for electrification, aiming to replace imported molecules with domestic electrons. The package includes a ban on gas heating systems in new buildings, a phaseout of gas heating in social housing units, and subsidies for electric vehicles and trucks. Other European countries are also showing movement towards electrification, with a notable increase in battery electric vehicle registrations in Germany and the UK. The European market is showing increased interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy solutions, with rising inquiries and orders for EVs, heat pumps, and solar panels. The section discusses how different regions like Australia, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America are responding to fuel insecurity and the transition towards electrification. Countries with low-carbon power mixes may struggle to convert this into electrification advantages due to grid and market framework issues. The importance of building infrastructure fast enough to meet rising electric demand and avoiding overreading weak signals in the energy transition is emphasized, with electrification seen as a practical language of resilience in the face of repeated fossil fuel shocks.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/13/france-moved-first-but-markets-everywhere-are-signaling-electrification/

  • TerraSpark, Dcubed to test space solar on SpaceX 2027 mission

    Luxembourg's TerraSpark, with €5.4 million in funding, plans to conduct its first space-to-earth power transmission in 2028 using radio frequency-based wireless energy transmission. The company, led by former ESA Solaris program lead Sanjay Vijendran, aims to commercialize this technology by building scalable and reliable systems. TerraSpark will join Germany's Dcubed in 2027 to showcase in-space power generation and transmission capabilities, with a focus on advancing climate solutions through innovative energy technologies.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/31/space-based-solar-startup-terraspark-to-join-spacex-and-dcubed-on-solar-array-demo-mission/

  • Balcony Solar Is Spreading Across The US

    The balcony solar movement, originating in Germany, is spreading to the US with Illinois considering legislation to make it more accessible. Germany has seen over one million balcony solar panel installations, and Utah is the only state with comprehensive balcony solar laws. Safety First Bill 3104 aims to establish relaxed rules for small systems and UL Solutions has launched a certification program. The US coal industry faces challenges, with global coal prices spiking due to disruptions in natural gas supplies. The focus on renewable energy sources like solar power is crucial in the face of these challenges.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/28/balcony-solar-is-spreading-across-the-us/

  • 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/

  • The Hydrogen Stream: bp and Iberdrola set to commission Spain’s largest project

    BP, Iberdrola, Moeve, Hyundai Motor Group, ITM, RWE, and Snam are all making significant strides in the development of green hydrogen projects and hydrogen technologies. With projects nearing completion in Spain, final investment decisions being approved, and commitments to develop hydrogen infrastructure in Germany and South Korea, these companies are paving the way for a more sustainable future. From setting up advanced AI and hydrogen technology hubs to shipping final batches of stacks for electrolyzer plants, these efforts are crucial in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Snam's commitment of €200 million by 2030 to develop a hydrogen backbone using existing gas pipelines further demonstrates the growing momentum towards climate solutions in the energy sector.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/06/the-hydrogen-stream-bp-and-iberdrola-set-to-commission-spains-largest-project/

  • How to protect animals from lightning in agrivoltaics

    Researchers in Germany and Costa and her colleagues have identified key lightning risks in livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems, emphasizing the need for animal-specific earthing designs and protection measures to prevent economic losses for farmers. The studies establish safe step and touch voltage limits under lightning conditions and propose mitigation strategies to reduce hazards to animals. The importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is highlighted as a key climate solution, with government policies and incentives playing a crucial role in promoting adoption. The overall goal is to maintain public acceptance of agrivoltaic concepts by quantifying potential risks and implementing optimized design to limit the impact on the cost of energy.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/24/how-to-protect-animals-from-lightning-in-agrivoltaics/

  • The UK has just thrown its weight behind community energy. Australia should too

    The shift to renewable energy in regional Australia is met with opposition, but community energy projects like the Manilla Solar Project offer a different approach by involving locals in governance and financing. These projects can bridge polarized communities and provide agency and benefits to residents, filling the "missing middle" in Australia's renewable energy transition. The importance of community energy projects is highlighted, with success stories in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the United States. The UK's Local Power Plan serves as a model for supporting community and local energy projects, emphasizing the need for community participation in energy projects to be embedded in policy and system planning for trust and resilience. Eleanor Buckley advocates for Australia to adopt a similar approach to support mid-scale community energy projects.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-uk-has-just-thrown-its-weight-behind-community-energy-australia-should-too/