New York City has enacted new building codes aimed at promoting energy efficiency, reliability, and long-term cost savings, with mandatory air-leakage testing, enhanced requirements for backup electric heating, and simplified regulatory structures to promote resilience during extreme weather events. The codes, aligned with state codes, will be enforced starting in 2027, with compliance software available in March 2022, expected to provide significant energy savings and improve building envelope performance. The nonprofit Urban Green Council is focused on decarbonizing buildings in NYC through the NYCECC, which includes restrictions on electric resistance heating systems and backup systems, as well as energy efficiency measures beyond the statewide baseline. The NYC Department of Buildings is expected to develop code improvements through performance-based compliance pathways, with building owners already required to meet greenhouse gas emission limits through Local Law 97 and the All-Electric Buildings Law.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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State owned utility’s third big battery officially opened, and is “re-rated” to be the biggest in Australia
Synergy has opened the Collie battery, the largest battery project in Australia with 2,400 MWh of storage capacity, as part of a transition away from coal-fired generators by the end of the decade. This battery will capture wind and solar energy to power homes when needed, contributing to a renewable energy mix. The town of Collie now hosts the two biggest batteries in Australia, solidifying its role in powering Western Australia's electricity system with clean energy solutions.
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US solar market positioned for continued growth in 2026
The US solar industry is experiencing significant growth and job creation, with the global solar industry expected to expand by 2050. Safe harbor provisions are driving project pipelines and domestic manufacturing capacity, making solar the cheapest form of energy with cost declines expected to continue. The trend towards affordable and reliable energy access is benefiting the solar market, with large-scale projects offering low-cost generation capacity. Reshoring efforts in US solar manufacturing are contributing to long-term confidence in solar markets, reducing dependence on foreign entities and supply chains while creating new jobs and guarding against price volatility. Manufacturers investing in domestic operations and onshoring supply chains are well-positioned for success in the face of uncertainty and policy changes, setting the industry up for another record year in 2026.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/09/us-solar-market-positioned-for-continued-growth-in-2026/
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A New Energy Storage Startup Challenges Tesla In US Market
Lunar Energy, a US startup specializing in energy storage systems, has secured $232 million in funding to expand its AI-powered energy storage system for residential use. The company aims to help consumers save money on electricity bills by intelligently learning patterns of electricity consumption and utilizing solar energy efficiently. Investors believe Lunar is outperforming competitors like Powerwall with their technology, and they are noted for their Gridshare platform used by Sunrun in various markets. Lunar Energy's CEO, Kunal Girotra, previously worked at Tesla Energy and launched the company in 2020 to help homes become active participants in a smarter, more resilient grid through its innovative energy storage solutions.
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Battery demand ‘straps on a rocket’ as rooftop solar passes its peak
Australian households have seen a surge in demand for batteries, with more units installed in the final six months of 2025 than in the previous five years combined, driven by generous federal government subsidies. Rooftop solar panel installations have also grown in size and popularity, meeting 14.2% of the country's electricity demand in 2025. The capacity of rooftop solar now exceeds that of coal-fired generators, with 28.3 gigawatts combined. The government's battery subsidy scheme aims to make the energy grid more affordable and reliable during peak demand times, encouraging stronger participation in virtual power plants by households and businesses.
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Solar Power Provides Benefits To Northern Cheyenne & Kenyan Communities
Clean, renewable energy solutions such as solar power and energy storage systems are proving to be cost competitive with fossil fuels and are providing reliable electricity to remote communities. Projects like the Northern Cheyenne Buffalo Reservation Project and the Give Power Project are examples of how solar power and battery storage are improving quality of life by bringing electricity and clean water to communities in need, reducing dependence on polluting diesel generators. The installation of solar systems at school campuses not only powers daily operations but also benefits the broader community by improving safety, supporting healthier learning environments with access to clean water, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These initiatives showcase the positive impact of renewable energy solutions in addressing climate change and improving the well-being of communities.
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Astronergy adopts quarter-cut cell design, boosting TOPCon module efficiency and reliability
Astronergy's new ASTRO N7 Pro PV modules feature quarter-cut cell technology and TOPCon 5.0+ technology, increasing module power and efficiency while maintaining compatibility with previous generations. The modules also have a high bifaciality rate and innovative module layout design to maximize solar area and improve efficiency. These advancements benefit utility and C&I solar projects by reducing system costs, increasing energy yield, and providing resilience in harsh environments. Major reliability challenges for solar products in utility-scale and C&I projects include prolonged outdoor exposure, thermal cycling, UV radiation, and physical damage from extreme weather. The ASTRO N7 Pro PV module incorporates innovative technologies to ensure stable power generation and support a 30-year linear power warranty with high end power retention. Optimized cell passivation and upgraded encapsulation materials enhance resistance to PID and UVID, improving long-term durability. Higher conversion efficiency leads to lower operating temperatures, slowing material aging. The quarter-cut circuit design reduces shading losses and peak hot-spot temperatures, improving safety and adaptability. The reinforced frame offers higher mechanical load capacity to withstand extreme weather conditions.
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Africa records fastest-ever solar growth in 2025
In 2025, installations of solar power in Africa increased by 54%, with around 4.5 GW of new solar PV capacity installed. Utility-scale projects accounted for 56% of installations, while distributed solar made up 44%. The report highlighted the under-reporting of rooftop, commercial, and distributed capacity due to limited data. The need for greater investment in battery storage, grids, and power system flexibility was emphasized to improve reliability of supply and support rising energy demand. The top 10 solar markets in Africa led the capacity additions, but solar deployment is spreading to a wider group of countries, with several mid-sized and emerging markets making significant gains. Despite the rapid growth of distributed solar in Africa, financing models have not kept pace, with most clean energy finance still coming from public and development sources geared towards large projects. Private investment in clean energy has increased, but funding for smaller solar systems used by homes and businesses remains limited. Leaders in the industry estimate that up to $46 billion will be needed by 2030 to meet electrification targets in African countries. The Global Solar Council warns that misalignment between funding and market needs could slow deployment of solar energy, but aligning finance, planning, and regulation with market realities could lead to significant growth in solar capacity and economic benefits.
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India installs more than 2.08 million rooftop solar systems under PM scheme
Since early 2024, India has installed over 2.08 million rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana program, with INR 147.7 billion in central subsidies disbursed. The initiative has benefited over 2.6 million households nationwide, with Gujarat leading in implementation. The program provides upfront subsidies for residential consumers to install rooftop solar systems, aiming to generate renewable electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Deployment of rooftop solar systems across 10 million households could generate up to 1,000 billion units of renewable electricity and reduce emissions by 720 million metric tons over 25 years.
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Fertiliser giant firms up first leg of Indigenous-backed, 1.2 GW green energy hub
Perdaman is developing a 50 MW solar project near Karratha as the first stage of a 5 GW energy vision, connecting to a urea plant and the local grid. The project is expected to be connected by the end of 2027 and is part of a larger 1.2 GW energy park being built by the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation. The NAC energy park aims to lease land for green energy development, with support from the Western Australian government. The project will also connect to a transmission line prioritized by the government for decarbonizing heavy industry in the region.