Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

  • Solar, storage to lead record 86 GW of US capacity in 2026

    Solar and battery storage are set to account for 79% of 86 GW of new utility-scale capacity planned in the United States in 2026, with analysts projecting one in eight American homes will have solar, many with storage for self-consumption. Distributed small-scale solar generation is increasing, with a focus on integrated energy systems and high battery attachment rates. Renewables and storage are expected to make up 93% of new utility-scale capacity this year, with a significant growth in solar generation. The key focus now is on how quickly the infrastructure can be interconnected to the grid to ensure grid stability and maximize the benefits of these climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/26/solar-storage-to-lead-record-86-gw-of-us-capacity-in-2026/

  • Bolivia creates net metering scheme for medium-voltage distributed generation

    Bolivia's government has approved Supreme Decree 5549, establishing a medium-scale distributed generation category for renewable projects between 1 MW and 6 MW. This decree simplifies procedures for connecting to medium-voltage networks, sets a remuneration scheme for energy injected into the system, and aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity market. It promotes self-consumption, decentralization of generation, and the use of resources such as solar, hydropower, and biomass. Implementation will follow a phased approach, starting with the private sector and later extending to commercial and residential users.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/25/bolivia-creates-net-metering-scheme-for-medium-voltage-distributed-generation/

  • Massachusetts’ least-cost 2050 peak power mix is combustion-free: report

    A report by Synapse Energy Economics for the Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition suggests that Massachusetts can fully decarbonize peak generation by 2050 at a lower cost than continuing to run fossil-fuel peaker plants. The report recommends a portfolio of clean peaking resources including demand-side resources, energy storage, and wind generation. Challenges remain in fully decarbonizing the electricity system, particularly with the shift to a winter-peaking system and the current design of ISO New England's capacity market favoring fossil-fuel generators. The coalition is unsure if recent changes to the grid operator's capacity accreditation model will benefit decarbonization efforts in Massachusetts, but a peak generation portfolio combining wind, energy storage, and demand response could serve winter peaks at a lower cost than the current combustion-dominated generation mix. Regulators and policymakers need to focus on energy efficiency, longer-duration energy storage, addressing community concerns around wind siting, and considering climate and public health impacts to build this portfolio cost-effectively and explore alternatives to fossil peakers and combined heat and power plants.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/massachusetts-least-cost-2050-peak-power-mix-is-combustion-free-report/813118/

  • Con Ed eyes $38B in capital spending through 2030

    Consolidated Edison is planning $38B in utility capital investments over five years to support building and transportation electrification, with a focus on solar generation. They are seeing a significant increase in electric vehicle charging and electric heat requests, aiming to invest proactively to meet New York's clean energy goals. To address reliability challenges, Con Ed plans to add 22 new substations by 2034 and grow their investment base by 8.6% annually through 2030. Additionally, they are exploring joint ownership of large-scale renewable generation to advance the state's clean energy standard, with a decision expected by May.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/con-ed-capital-spending-rates-earnings/812981/

  • How to protect animals from lightning in agrivoltaics

    Researchers in Germany and Costa and her colleagues have identified key lightning risks in livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems, emphasizing the need for animal-specific earthing designs and protection measures to prevent economic losses for farmers. The studies establish safe step and touch voltage limits under lightning conditions and propose mitigation strategies to reduce hazards to animals. The importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is highlighted as a key climate solution, with government policies and incentives playing a crucial role in promoting adoption. The overall goal is to maintain public acceptance of agrivoltaic concepts by quantifying potential risks and implementing optimized design to limit the impact on the cost of energy.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/24/how-to-protect-animals-from-lightning-in-agrivoltaics/

  • New Electric Heat Pumps Chase Fossil Fuels Out Of Boilers

    AtmosZero, a US startup, is leading the way in developing electric heat pump boilers to replace traditional steam boilers in commercial and industrial operations. These heat pumps are more energy efficient and cost-effective than conventional heating systems. AtmosZero has partnered with companies like R.F. MacDonald and received a grant from the US Department of Energy to further develop their technology. The company has opened a new manufacturing campus and is rapidly expanding its market reach to help accelerate commercial and industrial decarbonization efforts. Quilt is also making strides in the residential heat pump field, attracting numerous partners and expanding into new markets. SHS has partnered with Quilt to offer software-first climate systems, aligning with the trend towards electrification and energy efficiency in the HVAC industry. Gradient is another US innovator in the heat pump field to watch.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/24/new-electric-heat-pump-chases-fossil-fuels-out-of-the-boiler-room/

  • Amorphous silicon-silicon tandem solar cell achieves 12.3% efficiency via new honeycomb-shaped micro-structures

    Researchers at TU Delft have developed a novel hexagonal microtextured glass that enhances light scattering by up to 50%, improving optical performance in thin-film silicon solar cells. The technology shows promise for multijunction, flexible, and low-power solar applications, with high light scattering even at near-infrared wavelengths. The use of hexagonal texturized glass resulted in a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 9.3% in a single junction nc-Si:H solar cell and 12.3% in an amorphous silicon/nanocrystalline silicon tandem solar cell. The researchers foresee the technology being used in solar cells for consumer electronics, solar-powered sensors, and off-grid low-power applications, offering a potential solution for increasing solar energy efficiency in various settings.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/23/amorphous-silicon-silicon-tandem-solar-cell-achieves-12-3-efficiency-via-new-honeycomb-shaped-micro-structures/

  • The UK has just thrown its weight behind community energy. Australia should too

    The shift to renewable energy in regional Australia is met with opposition, but community energy projects like the Manilla Solar Project offer a different approach by involving locals in governance and financing. These projects can bridge polarized communities and provide agency and benefits to residents, filling the "missing middle" in Australia's renewable energy transition. The importance of community energy projects is highlighted, with success stories in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the United States. The UK's Local Power Plan serves as a model for supporting community and local energy projects, emphasizing the need for community participation in energy projects to be embedded in policy and system planning for trust and resilience. Eleanor Buckley advocates for Australia to adopt a similar approach to support mid-scale community energy projects.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-uk-has-just-thrown-its-weight-behind-community-energy-australia-should-too/

  • Battery Storage System Replaces Wastewater Facility Diesel Generator

    Viridi's recent replacement of a diesel backup generator with a battery energy storage system at a wastewater facility in New York State highlights the cost-saving benefits and improved reliability of such systems. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) like Viridi's offer municipalities a cleaner, lower-maintenance alternative to diesel generators, with federal and state incentives further reducing capital costs. As cities and towns prioritize resilience and budget predictability, the shift towards battery-based systems is expected to accelerate, especially in populated areas. CleanTechnica provides in-depth analyses on clean tech topics, offering insights on the growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/20/battery-storage-system-replaces-wastewater-facility-diesel-generator/

  • German consortium launches web guide for BIPV planning

    Germany's SolarEnvelopeCenter project has launched a web-based planning guide for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), offering standardized design solutions for roofs and facades that meet building codes and industry standards. The collaboration between research institutes, architects, façade planners, and solar companies has resulted in 15 construction principles for BIPV integration, enabling early incorporation of solar elements in projects. The tool includes an input form and online configurator for refining parameters, with information on available products for each construction principle. Additionally, the German Solar Energy Society has developed training courses for industry professionals to effectively utilize the web-based tool.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/20/german-consortium-launches-web-guide-for-bipv-planning/