Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

  • Operations begin at GoodEnough Energy’s 7GWh battery storage factory in India

    GoodEnough Energy has launched a 7GWh battery energy storage system manufacturing facility in India, with plans to expand to 25GWh in three years to support India's target of 500GW non-fossil power capacity by 2030. The company's initiative aligns with government funding for domestic battery storage manufacturing, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and cut up to 15 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2026. This facility will also aid in the growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, while advanced energy storage technologies will optimize energy use and integrate with renewable sources, contributing to climate solutions.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/goodenough-energy-bess-india/

  • At CES 2026, Limited Sustainability Presence Is Actually Its Biggest Win

    The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a growing number of sustainable innovations, with sustainability being integrated into product design rather than treated as a standalone category. Key examples include Solarstic's moldable solar modules for electric vehicles, SolreBorn's mobile units for recovering raw materials from decommissioned solar panels, and WES-Tec Global's plastic waste conversion technology. Additionally, AI-driven solutions like Siemens x NVIDIA Industrial AI Operating System and SaeFarm AI Satellite Farm Monitor are reshaping industrial value chains and agricultural practices for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The deployment of Boston Dynamics Atlas Humanoid robots in manufacturing also highlights the potential for AI to improve operations and sustainability. However, the growing energy footprint of AI raises concerns about whether its efficiencies can outpace resource demands. The focus is on embedding sustainability into intelligent systems by pushing for energy transparency in AI, lifecycle thinking in system design, and ensuring efficiency gains are measurable, durable, and equitable, to avoid missing a second chance later.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/ces-2026-sustainability/

  • Scaling Solar Smarter: Innovation, Supply Chains, & the Future of Clean Energy

    Marty Rogers, General Manager for SolarEdge North America, discusses the future of solar energy in terms of inverter and storage innovation, reshoring critical manufacturing to the US, and sustainability practices. SolarEdge is focusing on strengthening the domestic solar supply chain, practicing sustainability in its operations, and innovating in the inverters and storage space. The company is leading the way in developing intelligent, grid-connected devices that optimize performance and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Residential solar trends are shifting towards energy independence and resilience, with a growing demand for battery storage and backup capabilities. States prone to outages or high electricity rates are finding solar + storage more attractive due to sustainability mandates, rising utility costs, and new financing models. Grid services and virtual power plants are becoming essential for sharing and monetizing distributed energy while improving grid stability. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, with options to sign up for newsletters and follow on Google News.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/20/scaling-solar-smarter-innovation-supply-chains-the-future-of-clean-energy/

  • Smart Commercial to roll out prefab vertical rooftop PV system

    Smart Commercial Energy and Over Easy Solar have collaborated to introduce a new prefabricated vertical rooftop solar system in the Australian market. The system features pre-assembled and pre-racked bifacial panels that can be easily installed on buildings where traditional rooftop solar is not feasible. The lightweight design and simple installation process make it suitable for commercial buildings with load-bearing limits or design constraints. Over Easy, a company founded in 2021, has installed over 1.3 MW of its VPUs in about 40 buildings across 13 countries, collecting crucial data on performance, installation efficiency, structural impact, and long-term suitability under Australian conditions. This innovative system can complement existing rooftop solar systems by shifting generation towards the morning and afternoon, improving overall system economics, and with Australia's high solar energy density, it is a relevant market for this technology in addressing climate change.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/20/smart-commercial-to-roll-out-prefab-vertical-rooftop-pv-system/

  • Jackery Brings Creativity & Design To Solar & Energy Storage

    Jackery showcased their new solar-integrated home batteries and innovative solar products at CES, including the HomePower 3600 Plus, solar roof tiles, and the Solar Gazebo. The gazebo, with 2 kW of panels, offers roughly 10 kWh of energy production per day and can be combined with storage systems for backup power, priced in the $12-15,000 range. While not a replacement for utility-scale generation, these products offer creative solutions for specific consumer needs and drive mass adoption through innovation and design. The potential of electrification in products like solar garages and EV charging stations is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of catering to different needs to accelerate clean electrification adoption.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/jackery-brings-creativity-design-to-solar-energy-storage/

  • Australian households add record amounts of rooftop PV, as home battery installations top 4.3 GWh

    In December, Australian households and small businesses saw a surge in rooftop solar capacity and home battery installations, adding a record 4.3 gigawatt hours of storage capacity in 2025. The market was booming for both residential and commercial scale rooftop systems, with a record monthly capacity of 328 megawatts added in December alone. The home battery market thrived, with 42,000 new systems registered in December and a total of 184,000 installed in 2025. Changes to battery rebates are expected to impact demand in early 2026, as the average size of rooftop solar systems has increased to 9.64 kW, reflecting a trend towards self consumption.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-households-add-record-amounts-of-rooftop-pv-as-home-battery-installations-top-4-3-gwh/

  • India deploys 37.9 GW of solar in 2025

    In 2025, India achieved its highest annual renewable energy additions with a record 37.9 GW of solar and 6.3 GW of wind capacity. Solar installations saw a significant increase of 54.7%, mainly driven by utility-scale projects. The growth was fueled by the commissioning of delayed projects, accelerated construction efforts, and a rise in domestic manufacturing capacity. Additionally, government initiatives played a key role in driving rooftop solar installations. These developments highlight India's progress towards achieving its renewable energy goals and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/14/india-deploys-37-9-gw-of-solar-in-2025/

  • Chinese scientists push selenium solar cells beyond 10% efficiency

    Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have achieved a world record for selenium solar cells, reaching 10.3% efficiency, surpassing the 10% threshold for the first time. This milestone was made possible through optimized charge-selective contacts, light-driven crystallization, and post-deposition annealing, resulting in stable devices with a 1.03 V open-circuit voltage. The breakthrough in selenium solar cells, known for their wider bandgap and high efficiency potential, demonstrates the success of careful optimization and strategic combinations by the research team. The device also exhibited minimal efficiency loss after 1,000 hours of testing, highlighting its promising future in the development of efficient solar energy solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/13/chinese-scientists-push-selenium-solar-cells-beyond-10-efficiency/

  • Plug-in solar gains momentum as states confront energy costs

    Several states in the U.S. are exploring legislation to support plug-in solar energy systems, also known as balcony solar, which have been successful in Germany. This green technology is being tested and certified for use in American homes, offering a cost-effective solution for rising electricity costs. The bipartisan opportunity for climate advocates in the U.S. comes at a time when subsidies for other renewable energy options have been repealed under the current administration. This shift towards plug-in solar could be a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/plug-in-solar-gains-momentum-as-states-confront-energy-costs/

  • Vattenfall firms FID on Germany’s largest offshore wind cluster

    Vattenfall has announced the final investment decision for the 1.6GW Nordlicht offshore wind cluster in the German North Sea, marking it as the largest offshore wind project in the country. This decision highlights the continued growth and investment in renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind, as a key solution to combatting climate change. The project is expected to significantly contribute to Germany's renewable energy goals and reduce carbon emissions, showcasing the importance of scaling up offshore wind projects as part of the transition to a more sustainable energy system. This development underscores the potential for offshore wind to play a crucial role in achieving climate targets and accelerating the shift towards a cleaner, greener future.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/markets-and-finance/vattenfall-firms-fid-on-germanys-largest-offshore-wind-cluster/2-1-1926856