Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

ENCORE: Small Dollar, Big Impact

Premal Shah discusses effective altruism and the importance of investing in reforestation efforts, system change, and renewable energy to combat climate change. He emphasizes the need to focus on solutions with the highest impact per dollar, such as building solar in markets with dirtier grids. Shah argues that changing the rules of capitalism and making strategic investments are essential in addressing the climate crisis effectively.

https://www.climateone.org/audio/encore-small-dollar-big-impact

November 28, 2025
JinkoSolar achieves world record efficiency of 27.79% for TOPCon solar cell

JinkoSolar has set a new world record efficiency of 27.79% for n-type TOPCon solar cells, utilizing innovative technologies such as ultrathin silicon oxide tunneling layer and doped polysilicon passivated contacts. They are aiming to achieve 28% efficiency by 2028. In addition, the company achieved a 33.84% power conversion efficiency for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on n-type wafers. These advancements, verified by reputable institutions, showcase JinkoSolar's commitment to pushing the boundaries of solar energy efficiency and could have significant implications for climate solutions experts.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/27/jinkosolar-achieves-world-record-efficiency-of-27-79-for-topcon-solar-cell/

November 28, 2025
Philippines commissions 6.5 MW solar project for social housing

The Ning Ning Solar Rooftop Project in the Philippines is the world's first grid-connected, solar rooftop project within a social housing community, providing clean energy to almost 2,000 homes and expected to reduce over 6,233 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the project's benefits, such as revenue generation for community services and additional power supply to the grid. The successful collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities paved the way for this innovative project, with plans for more rooftop solar projects in the future to further combat climate change.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/27/philippines-commissions-6-5-mw-solar-project-for-social-housing/

November 28, 2025
All 212,296 panels installed at state’s first 100 pct publicly owned hybrid solar and battery project

Victoria's first state-owned solar and battery hybrid project, the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham, has completed installation of all PV modules and accepted delivery of a transformer. The $370 million project includes a 119 MW solar farm and 100 MW, 200 MWh big battery, creating local jobs and renewable energy infrastructure. Once operational, it will generate enough power for around 51,000 homes and be one of Australia's first publicly owned utility-scale renewable energy projects.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/all-212296-panels-installed-at-states-first-100-pct-publicly-owned-hybrid-solar-and-battery-project/

November 27, 2025
SwitchedOn podcast: Renewable construction boom can help fix regional housing crisis

Australia is poised to construct more renewable infrastructure in the next decade than in the previous three combined, with the challenge of housing construction workers in towns already experiencing a housing crisis. RE-Alliance's report proposes that worker accommodation can serve as a community benefit, with developers considering options such as refurbishing aged-care homes and transforming workforce villages into suburbs. The energy transition offers a unique opportunity for positive change in regional communities, highlighting the potential for sustainable solutions to address both the housing crisis and the need for renewable infrastructure.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/switchedon-podcast-renewable-construction-boom-can-help-fix-regional-housing-crisis/

November 27, 2025
Vikram Solar commissions 5GW solar module manufacturing plant in India

Vikram Solar has expanded its manufacturing capacity in Tamil Nadu, India, with a new facility in Vallam that increases its advanced module production by 5GW, reaching a total of 9.5GW. The facility represents a technological advancement for India's clean energy sector, incorporating automation, robotics, and quality checks to produce modules that comply with Tier-1 and international standards. This expansion not only supports India's renewable energy targets but also strengthens Vikram Solar's position in automated solar module manufacturing, showcasing the company's commitment to shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and green technology innovation in the country.

https://www.power-technology.com/news/vikram-solar-5gw-solar-module/

November 27, 2025
Photonic curing could accelerate transition to copper-metallized solar cells

Researchers in the United States have developed a photonic curing technique using laser sintering to improve the copper metallization of solar cells by reducing oxidation. This process produces dense, low-porosity copper layers with strong adhesion to indium tin oxide, achieving low bulk and contact resistivity. The technique allows for rapid, localized heating of copper pastes on temperature-sensitive substrates without causing thermal stress. The researchers aim to reduce copper consumption and improve the efficiency of solar cells through this innovative method, which is scalable and compatible with high-volume photovoltaic manufacturing. This new technique for solar cell manufacturing using photonic curing of copper inks could provide a pathway to scalable copper metallization for solar cells, as presented in a paper published in physica status solidi (PSS) by a research team including academics from the University of Delaware.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/26/photonic-curing-could-accelerate-transition-to-copper-metallized-solar-cells/

November 27, 2025
Plenitude tests perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules in utility-scale installation pilot

Italian renewable energy company Plenitude is partnering with Swift Solar to test their 28% efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem technology in a utility-scale pilot project, aiming to validate its performance and durability. This technology is expected to offer up to 40% more power from the same footprint compared to conventional solar panels, making it valuable for meeting increasing electricity demand. Backed by exclusive IP from MIT, Stanford, and NREL, with over 40 patents and significant funding, the perovskite tandem technology shows promise for advancing renewable energy solutions.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/26/plenitude-tests-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-modules-in-utility-scale-installation-pilot/

November 27, 2025
Celebrating Tribal Communities Leading the Clean Energy Transition

Generation180 and the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (ATCE) are empowering Tribal Nations to lead the way in clean energy projects and energy resilience. United Tribes Technical College and Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) are key players in promoting tribal ownership, workforce development, and hands-on learning opportunities in clean energy systems. TEA's Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund awarded $3.6 million to 26 Tribal Nations in 2025, supporting various clean energy initiatives. ATCE acts as a strategic partner, providing technical guidance and funding through philanthropic investments to support Tribal communities in shaping the future of clean energy and advancing energy sovereignty.

https://generation180.org/blog/celebrating-tribal-communities-leading-the-clean-energy-transition/

November 26, 2025
Longi achieves 33.35% efficiency for flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell

Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.35% for a 1 cm2 flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US Department of Energy's NREL. The tandem device utilized a dual-buffer layer strategy to enhance interfacial adhesion and charge extraction, with the top cell incorporating layers such as a perovskite absorber and a self-assembled monolayer hole transport layer. Testing showed the cell design's durability, retaining over 97% of its initial efficiency after bending and thermal cycling tests. These findings were detailed in a study published in Nature, showcasing advancements in flexible solar cell technology.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/26/longi-achieves-33-35-efficiency-for-flexible-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cell/

November 26, 2025