Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

  • Blue State Steps Up To Save Farmers With Solar Power

    New Jersey has launched a Dual-Use Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of agrivoltaics, combining solar power and farming to maximize land use efficiency and provide new revenue streams for farmers. Rutgers University is leading the initiative, aiming to install 200 megawatts of solar power on farmland. Despite challenges like navigating state incentives and land conservation regulations, the program could lead to more farms adopting solar power in New Jersey. The state's innovative approach to solar development, including rooftop capacity and emerging trends like gas station and balcony solar, is helping progress towards renewable energy goals. Dual-use solar power offers a promising solution to support farmers and generate additional revenue while addressing the shrinking farm size in New Jersey.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/23/blue-state-steps-up-to-save-us-farms-with-solar-power/

  • The impact of electron irradiation on PERC, TOPCon solar cell performance

    UNSW researchers have found that electron irradiation significantly degrades the bulk minority carrier lifetime of silicon solar cells, leading to up to a 60% drop in efficiency. The study identified vacancy-vacancy defects as the main radiation-induced defects affecting the cells. They emphasized the need to increase radiation tolerance in commercial space silicon solar cells, with p-PERC cells showing superior radiation tolerance compared to p-TOPCon cells. Front-junction architectures were found to perform better than rear-junction designs in terms of radiation damage. The findings were presented in the study "Electron radiation-induced degradation of silicon solar cells" published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, highlighting various degradation mechanisms and vulnerabilities in TOPCon solar cells.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/24/the-impact-of-electron-irradiation-on-perc-topcon-solar-cell-performance/

  • Solar sidewalks in Canada cut urban emissions 98%, claim scientists

    Research from Concordia University in Montreal suggests that integrating solar panels into sidewalks could be an effective way to create a green city. The study proposes using sidewalk-embedded photovoltaic panels to power local electric vehicle-based delivery networks and food logistics, while traditional solar sites are used for community gardens. The 15-minute city model aims to bring daily needs closer to residents to reduce fossil-fuel-consuming trips. The research, focusing on the impacts of sidewalk PV panels, found that a small area of panels could power the entire urban mobility system and significantly reduce emissions. The model also incorporates vegetable crops into the urban landscape, creating a self-sufficient cluster for certain vegetables.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/24/solar-sidewalks-in-canada-cut-urban-emissions-98-claim-scientists/

  • Efficient solar PV cooking with sand-based thermal energy storage

    Scientists in Ghana have developed a solar PV-powered steam cooker with sand-based thermal energy storage, achieving a thermal efficiency of 38.9% and a payback period of 4.5 years. The system utilizes sand for its thermal stability and low cost, with the potential to reduce emissions and support Ghana's climate targets. Testing showed the system could cook large quantities of food efficiently and reliably, with a lifecycle cost analysis indicating significant cost savings compared to traditional biomass stoves. The integration of steam cooking with sand-based TES in solar PV-electric systems is a novel approach with promising results for sustainable cooking solutions. The Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Technology Consultancy Centre, International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship, and Cape Coast Technical University are likely involved in technology and innovation related to climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/21/efficient-solar-pv-cooking-with-sand-based-thermal-energy-storage/

  • Cement Has a Serious Emissions Problem. This Startup is Solving It

    Massachusetts startup Sublime Systems has developed a new cement production system, Sublime Cement, that eliminates the use of fossil fuels and carbon-heavy limestone, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of cement production. Meeting the ASTM Code C1157 standard, Sublime Cement has a lower global warming potential compared to Ordinary Portland Cement, gaining support from leading companies like Microsoft. The building industry is shifting towards sustainable products, with Sublime's distribution channel partner program connecting contractors with low-carbon materials. Despite challenges, new decarbonization pathways such as calcined clay and photosynthetic microalgae are emerging globally, indicating a growing trend towards sustainable cement production.

    https://triplepundit.com/2025/sublime-systems-cement-carbon-dioxide-emissions/

  • Solar microgrid brings energy security to White Earth Nation

    The White Earth Nation's Pine Point community in Minnesota is advancing a community-owned resilience project with a 500-kilowatt solar array and battery storage to provide energy security and emergency backup power. Despite facing obstacles, including frozen federal grant programs, the project received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's ES4SE Program and the Minnesota Solar for Schools program. Led by climate justice developer 10Power, the project aims to provide clean, reliable power while also incorporating an Ojibwe-language educational program and job fair. The Pine Point Resilience Hub is expected to come online in early 2026, serving as a model for community-owned energy in northern Minnesota and connecting energy technology with cultural identity and language revitalization.

    https://generation180.org/blog/solar-microgrid-brings-energy-security-to-white-earth-nation/

  • Huawei unveils next-generation solutions for C&I energy and e-mobility

    Huawei has unveiled its latest advancements in commercial and industrial (C&I) energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the versatile C&I One-Fits-All Solution and the ultra-fast FusionCharge solution capable of adding 200 km of range in 5 minutes. The LUNA2000-215 Series offers high system round-trip efficiency and extended battery life. Additionally, Huawei has introduced a new safety architecture for improved electrical and thermal safety, showcasing their commitment to innovative climate solutions in the energy and transportation sectors.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/20/huawei-unveils-next-generation-solutions-for-ci-energy-and-e-mobility/

  • SunCable secures Northern Territory land deal for Australian solar farm

    SunCable has reached a 70-year agreement with traditional owners to build a 12,000-hectare solar farm in the Northern Territory, aiming to deliver up to 6 GW of renewable electricity to industrial customers in Australia and Southeast Asia. The project includes economic benefits for the local community, strict environmental protection measures, and highlights the potential for large-scale energy projects developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, the company is proposing to build a large-scale solar and battery energy storage precinct on Muckaty Station, supporting the SunCable project and expanding clean energy infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/suncable-secures-northern-territory-land-deal-for-australian-solar-farm/

  • World’s largest foldable rooftop PV system comes online in Switzerland

    A 3.6 MW foldable rooftop solar installation has been inaugurated at a wastewater treatment plant in Switzerland, making it the largest of its kind globally. The system spans treatment basins, allowing the site to serve dual purposes of wastewater treatment and solar power generation. The project is expected to produce 3 GWh of electricity per year, with most of it consumed on-site. The folding-roof technology, derived from Swiss cable car engineering, automatically retracts during extreme weather events for protection. This innovative project demonstrates a pragmatic and effective way to advance the energy transition, utilizing existing space intelligently for economic efficiency and climate protection.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/worlds-largest-foldable-rooftop-pv-system-comes-online-in-switzerland/

  • Environmental News Network – Concordia Researchers Model a Sustainable, Solar-Powered 15-Minute City

    Researchers at Concordia have proposed a new model for urban development that integrates the 15-minute city concept, renewable energy generation, green transportation, and urban agriculture. By transporting urban agriculture with electric vehicles to local outlets, this model aims to revolutionize urban living, eating, and shopping while combatting rising greenhouse gas emissions and fuel prices. The goal is to reduce emissions, build urban agriculture infrastructure, and strengthen community bonds by bringing daily needs closer to residents and minimizing fossil-fuel-consuming trips.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77439-concordia-researchers-model-a-sustainable-solar-powered-15-minute-city