YPF Luz has activated the first 100 MW of its El Quemado solar park in Mendoza province, the first renewable energy facility to operate under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). With an estimated investment of $210 million, the project is progressing towards a total capacity of 305 MW, generating enough electricity for over 233,000 Argentine households. This milestone marks a significant step towards the country's renewable energy goals, showcasing the potential for large-scale projects in energy infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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A 15-Ton Rooftop Heat Pump Is Coming For Your Fossil Fuels
Electric heat pumps are becoming a key player in the home electrification movement and are now scaling up to decarbonize commercial buildings. Carrier Global Corporation is leading the way in demonstrating the potential of heat pumps in the US, with a new 15-ton rooftop heat pump for commercial use in development. The Energy Department's programs are accelerating the development of next-generation heat pumps for both residential and commercial markets, with a focus on high efficiency and reducing energy costs. Innovations like the Boiler 2.0 industrial heat pump from AtmosZero are highlighting the growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions, aiming to decarbonize industries with high-efficiency electrified steam generators. Commercial-scale heat pumps, like those used at the Belgium Brewing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, are set to be available in the US market within the next two years, with a goal of delivering zero-emission steam at a cost comparable to fossil-fueled boilers.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/27/a-15-ton-rooftop-heat-pump-is-coming-for-your-fossil-fuels/
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Massive Solar Plus Storage Facility To Replace Coal And Gas, Too
The article discusses the transition from coal power plants to cleaner energy solutions at the Sherco Energy Hub in Minnesota, where Xcel Energy is replacing coal with renewable energy sources. Xcel plans to retire all remaining coal power plants in the region and focus on leveraging renewable energy assets, including a large solar array and significant battery energy storage system. The company intends to offset costs for battery and solar projects, with construction on the battery storage projects starting in 2026. Xcel sees energy storage as a critical part of Minnesota's energy future, allowing for a diversified energy mix that excludes coal. Additionally, Xcel has incorporated solar grazing at the Sherco Energy Hub, with nearly 2,000 sheep helping to maintain the PV array and provide environmental benefits.
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Charting The Changes That Will Lead To Renewable Energy Dominance In 2026
Bill McKibben, a climate realist, acknowledges the dire state of the planet due to global warming but sees hope in the increasing use of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. He notes the significant progress made in countries like China and Australia in transitioning to renewable energy. McKibben emphasizes the importance of shifting away from fossil fuels towards clean energy solutions to combat the climate crisis. The article also touches on the challenges posed by the current capitalist system that benefits from the extraction and distribution of fossil fuels. The shift towards renewable energy is noted, with examples like China exporting more green technologies than fossil fuels, and the potential for a more sustainable and equitable energy future is emphasized.
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Sembcorp completes acquisition of 300 MW solar project in India
Sembcorp Industries has expanded its renewable energy operations in India by acquiring a 300 MW solar project in Rajasthan, connected to the national grid and operating under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. This acquisition boosts Sembcorp's renewable energy capacity in India to over 7.6 GW, furthering its global renewables portfolio to 20.2 GW. This move highlights the company's commitment to sustainable energy solutions and contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change through the expansion of renewable energy sources.
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Solar and storage program forecast to save all Massachusetts ratepayers $313 million per year
A report from Synapse Energy Economics and the Solar Energy Industries Association highlights the potential benefits of solar plus storage in Massachusetts. By meeting deployment targets set by the SMART 3.0 incentive program, ratepayers could save $313 million per year by 2030. The program aims to push older, inefficient natural gas plants out of the auction, resulting in lower wholesale electricity prices. Solar and storage technologies can reduce the state's reliance on natural gas during winter months, leading to cost savings and emissions reductions. The planned expansion of solar and storage could avoid the use of 29 billion cubic feet of natural gas and reduce CO2 emissions by 1.6 million metric tons annually by 2030.
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Earth blocks keep homes cool while cutting emissions in Kenya’s drylands
In Laikipia County, Kenya, the use of compressed earth blocks in housing construction is highlighted as a sustainable and climate-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. Initiatives like the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Initiative and the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing are aiming to decarbonize the industry and promote sustainable building practices. The International Coalition for Building Climate Resilience (ICBC) emphasizes the importance of affordable, resource-efficient, low-carbon housing in achieving climate goals and sustainable development. This traditional building approach is gaining renewed attention in low-income communities facing the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat. Additionally, buildings in West Africa, like the Museum of West African Art in Benin City, Nigeria, are being constructed using eco-friendly methods such as compressed earth blocks and rammed earth architecture, offering low-cost and energy-efficient solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings in the region.
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Argentina inaugurates its first solar highway
Argentina has recently unveiled its first solar highway, the Circunvalación Avenue in San Juan, featuring 36 solar panel arrays with a capacity of 5 kW each. These panels are mounted on monopoles along the road and combined with inverters and LED lights to independently power the highway's nighttime lighting. The project, which created over 80 jobs during construction, is based on a distributed generation model used in other countries. San Juan's high solar radiation conditions enable the maximization of the capacity factor of the installed equipment, showcasing the potential for solar energy solutions in the region.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/23/argentina-inaugurates-its-first-solar-highway/
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Nothing About Us Without Us
In Marajó, the community faces challenges with frequent power outages impacting daily life, highlighting the importance of energy access for basic rights and dignity. The connection between energy justice and climate justice is emphasized, especially as the impacts of the climate crisis worsen. The Marajó Observatory advocates for a transition to clean energy for energy security, amplifying community voices in decision-making spaces. 350.org and partners have implemented 10,000 solar energy systems in the Amazon, focusing on community participation and energy autonomy to ensure the National Energy Transition Plan reflects local needs and culture. The ultimate goal is to create a future where clean energy is a right, promoting climate and social justice.