The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is considering a zoning ordinance text amendment to open up one percent of Fayette County for large-scale solar development, focusing on agrivoltaic projects to reduce emissions and reach net-zero by 2050. This initiative is part of Lexington's Race to Net Zero plan and Fayette County's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. With over 90% of Kentucky's energy coming from fossil fuels, the proposed solar projects aim to generate as much power as over 30,000 smaller rooftop solar installations, moving the region towards a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Korean scientists unveil 10 kW chemical adsorption heat pump prototype
Researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials have developed a chemical adsorption heat pump for cooling applications in commercial buildings, factories, and data centers. This system uses waste heat to release refrigerant, which is then condensed and evaporated to provide cooling or heating. The system is primarily driven by waste heat, requiring minimal electricity for auxiliary equipment. It achieved a specific cooling power of 346.5 W/kg and uses ammonia as a natural refrigerant, making it environmentally friendly.
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Another New Solar Factory Rises In A Deep Red US State
Translucent Energy, a solar manufacturer, has expanded its portfolio with a new 1.3-gigawatt solar factory in South Carolina, aiming to boost the state's solar industry and focus on markets outside of the state. The company's stakeholders are pleased with President Trump's proclamation to limit imports of polysilicon, incentivizing domestic production. Translucent also offers transportable microgrid systems like TAU for rural electrification and emergency relief, as well as EV charging stations like EV-E for efficient operation. The US solar industry is experiencing growth and opportunities for companies like Translucent to enter the market with customized solutions for fleets and developers.
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EU adopts budget-flexibility guidelines for photovoltaics, heat pumps, and BESS
The European Commission has extended the national escape clause for defense to include energy security measures during 2026-2028, allowing flexibility in budgetary spending to support the transition away from fossil fuels and strengthen energy security. Criteria such as additionality, effectiveness, and sustainability of public finances will be considered for accessing this flexibility. Eligible measures include investments in renewable energy, energy storage technologies, nuclear power plants, electric vehicle infrastructure, and building energy renovations. Member States must provide a list of planned energy security measures and estimated costs for approval by the Commission.
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Bangladesh mandates solar charging for millions of electric rickshaws
Bangladesh has mandated the use of solar power for charging the batteries of millions of illegally operated three-wheelers, aiming to reduce pressure on the grid and fuel resources. This transition is expected to create investment opportunities, generate employment, and contribute to green power generation in the country. Industry experts have welcomed the policy as a significant step towards sustainability, with the recommendation to include net metering for its success.
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“Prices have doubled”: Farmers turn to wind and solar to make fertiliser, and change dialogue about renewables
Australian farmers are considering green energy options like wind and solar in response to global market impacts caused by Trump's actions. The Australian Renewables in Agriculture Conference highlighted the benefits of transitioning to renewables, with farmers looking to host wind and solar farms and produce green hydrogen and ammonia locally. Projects like the GEGHA pilot project in the Gwydir Valley are seen as a lifeline for rural communities. Additionally, initiatives like Morona's commercial scale plant to produce NH3 aim to reduce emissions in agriculture and promote the use of green hydrogen. The renewable energy project in Moree, focusing on minimal water usage, is seen as a game changer for the local community, providing opportunities to benefit from energy produced in the south-west Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and driving down costs further. Overall, these projects represent a step towards utilizing clean energy to benefit local communities and address climate change.
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Environmental News Network – Buildings That Cool Like African Elephants
Architect Dorit Aviv and materials scientist Shu Yang have developed a cement-based tile that mimics the cooling mechanism of African elephants, capturing and slowly evaporating water to reduce surface temperatures without the use of air conditioning. This innovative solution has the potential to help cities combat rising temperatures, decrease energy consumption, and lower emissions from traditional cooling systems. By implementing these tiles, urban areas could see significant reductions in their environmental impact while also creating more sustainable and efficient cooling solutions.
https://www.enn.com/articles/78264-buildings-that-cool-like-african-elephants
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Low concentrator photovoltaic receiver for wireless laser power transmission
Researchers from the University of Jaén in Spain have developed a low-concentrator photovoltaic receiver for wireless laser power transmission, aiming to improve power-conversion efficiency and angular tolerance under static illumination. They used monocrystalline silicon cells with interdigitated back-contact architecture and PMMA concentrators for fabrication, highlighting the need for further optimization in laser-to-electricity conversion efficiency. Additionally, researchers found that grouping solar cells based on similar photocurrent can significantly reduce losses, with a ring interconnection architecture performing almost as well as an ideal mismatch-free configuration. The team emphasized the importance of current-balancing strategies and tailored interconnection schemes for high-efficiency laser-powered photovoltaic reception, while also developing a semi-transparent crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic module with rear-side optical concentrators for agrivoltaics applications, balancing efficiency and optical transparency while minimizing shading.
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SolarAnywhere® Supports Solar PV & Unmanned Flight!
Piotr Lichota at the Warsaw University of Technology is using SolarAnywhere data to optimize launch times for solar-assisted UAVs for environmental monitoring, agriculture, and search-and-rescue missions. The success of solar UAV technology is heavily dependent on weather conditions, with dynamic low-altitude cloud cover in regions like Central Europe posing a challenge. By developing a simulation framework using SolarAnywhere data, Piotr is able to model UAV flight duration probabilities more accurately, allowing for adjustments in solar-to-wing area ratios, battery capacities, and takeoff times to increase mission success rates. This approach facilitates the transition towards risk-oriented design for green technology applications, offering a promising solution for climate experts looking to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of solar UAV technology.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/19/solaranywhere-supports-solar-pv-unmanned-flight-2/