Australia's ARENA has invested AUD 25.3 million in SunDrive to advance copper-based solar cell technology as a low-cost, silver-free alternative. This investment will support SunDrive in scaling up production and collaborating with solar manufacturing firms, aiming to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and address the industry's reliance on silver. SunDrive's innovation has broken world records in cell efficiency and has the potential to significantly impact global decarbonization efforts. ARENA's continued support of SunDrive's technology could lead to advancements in efficiency and affordability in the solar industry, contributing to climate solutions worldwide.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Home-grown quest to make “silver-free” and ultra-low cost solar wins another $25m in federal funding
SunDrive, an Australian solar manufacturing company, has received $25 million in federal funding to scale and commercialize its copper-based PV technology, aiming to lower the cost of solar installation by 20-30% compared to competitors. The funding will support the company's collaboration with manufacturers to take its technology to a commercial scale and upgrade its facility, accelerating the adoption of copper-based solar cells. SunDrive's silver-free alternative addresses the rising cost and demand for silver in the industry, delivering a scalable mass-production solution with the support of Arena and partners. This development is crucial for the next generation of solar cell technology, offering more sustainable and cost-effective solutions to meet the urgent climate challenges.
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BasiGo Opens 3 New Electric Bus Charging Hubs In Nairobi Capable of Charging 100 Buses A Day!
BasiGo is expanding its operations in Nairobi by providing locally assembled electric buses to bus operators through their Pay-As-You-Drive model, with plans to launch three new depots featuring DC fast chargers capable of charging up to 100 buses daily. Kenya Power is partnering with BasiGo to increase electric vehicle charging stations in Nairobi, aiming to accelerate the adoption of electric buses and reduce emissions from the transport sector. The article emphasizes the importance of African governments creating supportive environments for electric mobility companies to thrive, promoting sustainable transportation solutions and clean energy practices to reduce carbon emissions in the region. By utilizing renewable electricity to power electric vehicles, Kenya can significantly reduce its fuel imports and trade deficit, while advancements in solar and battery technology make it feasible to set up solar- and battery-powered charging hubs to complement the grid supply and lower costs.
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Anker SOLIX announces VPP-ready home energy solution
Anker SOLIX has unveiled the X1 Energy Storage System as part of Australia's "Cheaper Home Batteries" initiative, offering a hybrid energy solution that integrates solar generation, energy storage, and EV charging. This system can reduce household electricity expenses by up to 88% and installation time by 25%, with VPP-ready and whole-home backup capabilities. The X1 system is designed to withstand coastal conditions, supports smart energy trading through VPP platforms, and can be retrofitted to existing solar setups. Anker SOLIX will also release the Power Dock Pro in 2026 for whole-home backup integration, providing a comprehensive solution for sustainable energy management.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/10/anker-solix-announces-vpp-ready-home-energy-solution/
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Andrew Forrest says real zero is already the “winning business case” in three key fossil fuel guzzling industries
Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest is championing the concept of "real zero," which involves completely eliminating fossil fuels with zero-carbon alternatives. His company, Fortescue, is investing billions to achieve real zero by 2030, focusing on decarbonizing its operations through technologies like wind, solar, and electric vehicles. Battery-electric long-haul trucks (BETs) are projected to reach cost parity with diesel equivalents by 2026, with total cost expected to be 15-22% lower by 2030. Green hydrogen-based steel production in Japan and green ammonia for fertilizer production in India are also showing promising cost competitiveness with fossil routes. Eliminating fossil fuels makes solid commercial sense, as renewables are now the cheapest source of power, and the Real Zero approach is the winning business case for sustainability.
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UN Secretary-General’s remarks at the Belém Climate Summit’s energy transition roundtable
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for a rapid transition to renewable energy at the Belém Climate Summit, highlighting the growth of renewables in the global energy landscape and the importance of investing in clean energy. He stressed the urgency of meeting the goals set at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, calling for aligning laws and policies with a just energy transition, supporting workers in fossil fuel industries, investing in infrastructure, and providing finance for developing countries to accelerate the shift to renewables. The section emphasizes the need to move quickly and collectively towards clean, inclusive, and resilient economies, driving the acceleration of climate solutions with fairness and turning climate challenges into development opportunities worldwide. The message highlights the end of the fossil fuel era and the rise of clean energy, urging for a fair, fast, and final transition.
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Sheep Frolic In Massive New Solar Power Plant
Solar power plants in Texas are on the rise, with the state leading in wind power and competing for the top spot in solar power. The state's unique economic policy has allowed for the development of large-scale solar projects, such as Enel's GulfStar solar power plant with energy storage. Energy storage systems are being used to enhance the value of solar projects, providing reliability and support to the grid. Solar power plants are gaining support from industries like data centers and high-volume electricity users due to their quick construction and ability to deliver electricity at utility scale. The solar grazing movement is also gaining momentum in Texas, with Enel contracting 6,000 sheep to manage vegetation at solar power plants covering over 10,000 acres. This represents a significant leap for the solar grazing movement in the US, with Enel estimating that solar grazing covered 100,000 acres by 2024. Power plants across the country are creating opportunities for farmers, such as Agrivoltaic Solutions which has expanded to a 500-sheep operation on 1,500 acres of solar sites. State policy makers, like in New York, are taking action to support agrivoltaic projects with a $7 million demonstration and research program. Enel has commissioned its largest solar power plant in the US where sheep will manage vegetation and enhance soil. This initiative showcases the potential for combining agriculture and renewable energy to address climate change.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/07/sheep-will-frolic-in-massive-new-solar-power-plant-in-texas/
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A new blueprint for the power system from GoodWe
GoodWe Technologies, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is focusing on smart energy integration in the solar industry. Founder Daniel Huang emphasizes the company's vision of a new power system based on solar, storage, electrified loads, and intelligent management. GoodWe has evolved from being an inverter manufacturer to a full energy solutions provider, offering various products and services for energy management. With over 100 GW of cumulative installations globally by early 2025, GoodWe aims to lead the industry by offering innovative solutions for a sustainable future, including scaling zero-carbon projects, expanding globally, and empowering consumers to become prosumers in the energy market.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/07/a-new-blueprint-for-the-power-system-from-goodwe/
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The Game-Changing Potential of Balcony Solar
Residents in the Möckernkiez housing complex in Berlin are using balcony solar panels to generate their own green energy, alongside rooftop solar and biogas, democratizing access to solar energy in Germany. Balcony solar panels are affordable, easy to install, and do not require permission from local utilities, making them accessible to renters and individuals previously excluded from domestic solar generation. The surge in popularity of balcony solar systems in Germany, with over 1 million systems registered, has been driven by the pandemic lockdown and escalating energy prices. While not entirely emission-free, balcony solar systems are practically emission-free during operation and are expected to contribute to Germany's goal of sourcing 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Efforts are being made to address safety, legal, and training issues in order to further increase the benefits of balcony solar for users.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/balcony-solar-renewables-technology-game-changing/