JinkoSolar has partnered with XtalPi to utilize AI and quantum physics-based models in advancing research on perovskite-crystalline-silicon tandem solar cells, with the goal of accelerating the discovery and optimization of tandem device stacks for increased efficiency and stability. Recently achieving a 34.76% power conversion efficiency for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, JinkoSolar attributes the breakthrough to innovations in perovskite and tandem technologies. This collaboration with XtalPi is viewed as an extension of JinkoSolar's "next-gen" cell roadmap, showcasing a promising step towards more efficient and stable solar energy solutions.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Tata Power unit plans 10GW ingot and wafer facility in southern India
Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) is investing $742.17m to establish a 10GW greenfield manufacturing facility for ingots and wafers in Andhra Pradesh, aiming to enhance India's domestic manufacturing of solar and semiconductor components. The project will generate around 1,000 direct jobs and will be powered by a 200MW captive green power plant. TPREL's subsidiary, TP Solar, has already made substantial progress in producing solar cells and modules, supporting their larger renewable energy expansion efforts in the area.
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Türkiye installs 4.7 GW of solar in 2025
Türkiye's cumulative solar capacity is nearing 25 GW, with 4,694 MW of new solar deployed in 2025, primarily for self-consumption in the commercial and industrial sector. Unlicensed and licensed power plants both contributed to this growth, with a focus on easing bureaucratic barriers for residential solar systems to unlock rooftop solar potential. The solar market in Türkiye is expected to continue expanding, particularly in licensed power plant installations and the rising popularity of floating solar, showcasing the country's commitment to renewable energy solutions and addressing climate change.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/07/turkiye-installs-4-7-gw-of-solar-in-2025/
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MOCHI Blocks 90% Of Heat Transfer In Windows
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new material called MOCHI, which is a thin coating that can be applied to windows to allow light in while reducing heat transfer by 90%. Made of a silicone gel with tiny air bubbles, MOCHI is long-lasting, transparent, and could revolutionize energy efficiency in buildings. This clear-but-insulating material could trap heat from sunlight for sustainable energy production and has a thermal transmittance that beats conventional windows by a large margin. While the potential impact on global energy demand is revolutionary, the mass production feasibility of MOCHI is still uncertain due to the time-consuming manufacturing process.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/07/mochi-blocks-90-of-heat-transfer-in-windows/
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Alphabet acquires clean energy developer Intersect for $4.75B
Alphabet's subsidiary Google is making strides in decarbonization by acquiring clean energy and data center infrastructure developer Intersect in a $4.75 billion deal. This acquisition will help Google combat rising emissions and prioritize decarbonizing its operational electricity consumption, with Intersect's $15 billion clean energy infrastructure portfolio in Texas and California. Google aims to halve its emissions by 2030 and run on carbon-free power 24/7, partnering with utilities and energy developers for clean power generation. The acquisition will allow Intersect to collaborate with Google on joint projects to drive innovation and leadership in the U.S. energy industry, showcasing a new approach to sustainable energy solutions.
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Programmatic alignment is key to scaling residential battery demand response
Residential battery storage paired with demand response programs is becoming a key strategy for utilities to manage peak demand and maintain reliability during extreme weather events. U.S. residential battery installations saw a significant increase in 2025, with major utilities expanding programs to defer grid upgrades and strengthen resilience. Coordinated marketing and simple enrollment pathways are key to scaling residential Distributed Energy Resources (DER) participation, as shown by research from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and ACEEE. Risk-sharing models, where utilities guarantee minimum payments to OEMs and technology providers, can help shift the financial risk of enrollment. To scale battery programs, it is important to treat battery demand response as a market development opportunity rather than just a technology deployment problem. Unified action, streamlined interconnection, interoperable standards, and risk-sharing business models are needed to align utilities, OEMs, and customers around shared value for successful scaling.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/residential-battery-demand-response/805594/
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Thicker alumunium oxide layers can reduce ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers from UNSW have developed a model linking UV-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells to hydrogen transport, charge trapping, and structural changes in the passivation stack. Thicker aluminum oxide layers improve UV resilience by limiting hydrogen migration. The study conducted on TOPCon cells showed a complex interaction between chemical degradation and temporary enhancement in field-effect passivation. High-energy UV photons break Si-H bonds in the SiNx capping layer, releasing mobile hydrogen that degrades chemical passivation. Thicker 7 nm AlOx layers act as a more effective barrier to hydrogen transport, improving UVID resilience. Researchers have identified new failure modes and degradation mechanisms in TOPCon solar modules, including the impact of soldering flux, contact corrosion, and sodium-induced degradation. The research also highlights the vulnerability of TOPCon solar cells to various forms of degradation under different conditions. The study provides design guidance for more UV-robust passivation stacks and improved testing protocols, as presented in a paper published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
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Sunrun & HASI Form New $500 Million Joint Venture to Accelerate Distributed Power Development
HASI and Sunrun have announced a joint venture to finance distributed energy assets, with HASI investing up to $500 million over 18 months to support over 40,000 home power plants in the US. This partnership aims to provide a more efficient cost of capital and accelerate the development of essential infrastructure through home-based energy systems. Sunrun's Chief Financial Officer highlighted the innovative financing structure with HASI as a first-of-its-kind for residential storage and solar financing, offering an efficient capital structure for growth. While forward-looking statements have been made, both companies acknowledge the risks and uncertainties involved, with factors outlined in their Annual Reports filed with the SEC.
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Some Ho, Ho, Hopes for 2026 and Beyond
In 2026 and beyond, advancements in clean energy, climate action, and innovation offer hope for addressing climate change. Key themes include focusing on the business case for clean energy, increasing public funding for climate technologies, utilizing AI for innovation and energy efficiency, accelerating deployment of low-carbon energy, and promoting electrification for global decarbonization. The need for year-round, real-economy action and increased climate ambition is emphasized, along with the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge in the pursuit of climate solutions.
https://speedandscale.com/newsletter/some-ho-ho-hopes-for-2026-and-beyond/
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Rooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most
Solar adoption in the U.S. has been rapidly growing, with 84% of new electricity generation capacity coming from solar and storage in 2024. State governments are implementing programs to lower barriers to entry for solar technology, such as tax credits and rebates, while community solar is being used to increase access for low-income households. There is nearly 14 GW of untapped potential on commercial rooftops that can power various facilities without requiring additional land use permits. By combining data analysis with community engagement, solar development can be made faster, equitable, and strategic, turning existing infrastructure into renewable energy assets that benefit a range of communities. The key to achieving a cleaner future lies in merging innovation with inclusion, aligning policy, technology, and trust to make solar work for everyone.