An international research team has developed a novel triple-junction all-perovskite solar cell technology using a graphene oxide-SAM bilayer contact strategy to enhance performance and stability. By integrating graphene oxide, they improved interfacial passivation and buried interface morphology, leading to an increase in cell efficiency from 23.6% to 25.1%, with further optimization reaching a champion efficiency of 27.3%. This technology has the potential to achieve efficiencies beyond 30% by reducing charge-transport resistance and improving perovskite quality and energy-level alignment, making it a promising solution for higher industrial readiness levels. The study, published in Joule, was conducted by a group of academics from Germany and Switzerland.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Renewables, Led By Solar, Were Largest Source of Energy Supply Growth Globally in 2025
In 2025, the US accounted for 47% of the world's CO2 emissions growth due to fossil fuel-biased policies and AI infrastructure, while renewables, particularly solar power, saw significant growth in total energy supply. Despite fossil fuels dominating global energy supply, positive trends include the growth of solar and wind power, decline in China's oil and diesel use, and Europe's reduction in fossil fuel dependence through renewable energy expansion. The EU's accelerated deployment of wind and solar power has led to a decrease in coal and gas generation, with wind and solar generating more power than coal, gas, and oil combined by 2025. This shift has saved the region €72bn in fossil fuel imports between 2022 and 2025, driven by the cost-effectiveness, stability, and ability of solar power to reduce fossil fuel dependency globally.
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Passive mooring system enables floating PV to track water-level changes
Researchers from Morocco have developed a novel mooring system for floating PV systems that automatically adjusts to water-level changes, reducing platform motion without the need for active control or external energy. The system, based on a counterweight-and-pulley mechanism, showed significant reduction in horizontal displacement and achieved a high tracking efficiency of 75%. This passive mooring system offers a mechanically simple design for stable FPV installations in remote, low-maintenance environments. Future research will focus on scaling up, testing with real hydrodynamic loading, and field pilot deployment after the system's proof of concept was presented in a study published in Scientific Reports.
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Orlen and Northland send historic first offshore power to Polish grid
Orlen and Northland have successfully sent the first offshore power to the Polish grid from their Baltic Power array, a historic moment for Poland's renewable energy sector. The 1.2GW array, expected to be fully commissioned in the autumn, will play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. This achievement highlights the progress being made towards sustainable energy solutions in Poland.
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Cinergy Mobile Power Debuts Smart, Clean Mobile Energy Solutions for South Africa’s Film and Live Events Industries
Cinergy Mobile Power is revolutionizing the South African film industry by providing clean, quiet, and cost-effective mobile power solutions that replace diesel generators with solar-hybrid and battery-based platforms. With support from climate-focused venture capital firm Holocene, Cinergy's systems have been successfully used in film productions and off-grid events, reducing emissions and saving production costs. The company's collaboration with Netflix for season two of the One Piece series showcased the practicality and cost-effectiveness of their technology, which is expected to scale climate solutions in Africa by working with local solution providers and utilizing high-performance battery solutions from Freedom Won.
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Interview: COP31 president says electrification is ‘surest way to protect citizens’
COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum has launched a target for 35% of the world's final energy to come from electricity by 2035, aiming to keep the 1.5C Paris Agreement target within reach. The urgency for renewables and electrification is highlighted due to the ongoing Hormuz crisis, with countries like the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, and Ethiopia welcoming the target. This initiative focuses on electrification as a key action agenda to drive progress in reducing global emissions, particularly in critical sectors like buildings, transport, and industry. Financial support for developing countries and investment in grids and infrastructure are crucial, with the target aiming to triple renewable energy capacity and take advantage of falling costs. Turkey is also taking ambitious steps, planning to reach 120GW of renewable capacity by 2035, with the target expected to be central to discussions at COP31 to align global efforts and send a clear market signal.
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Agrivoltaic facility supplies traction power directly to Austrian rail network
A 6.6 MW agrivoltaic system in Donnerskirchen, Austria is the first tracking system designed for railway power supply, benefiting Austrian Federal Railways and Esterhazy Betriebe AG. Expected to generate 8.3 GWh of electricity annually, it covers the equivalent of 32,500 train journeys between Vienna and Eisenstadt. This project showcases the dual-use potential of agrivoltaics, preserving agricultural land, harnessing solar energy, and promoting biodiversity through ecological measures.
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New York reaches 8 GW of distributed solar capacity
New York has exceeded its goal of 10 GW of distributed solar capacity by 2030, with 8 GW already installed thanks to the NY-Sun Program's financial incentives. The state set a record for solar installations in 2025 and has allocated $200 million for the program in 2027. To replicate this success in other states, experts recommend adopting proven models and establishing uniform statewide interconnection standards.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-york-reaches-8-gw-of-distributed-solar-capacity/824867/
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Free online calculator shows Irish homeowners how to save with solar
Irish homeowners are increasingly adopting solar panels with the help of government subsidies, driving Ireland's total installed PV capacity to 2.7 GW. To help homeowners understand the financial benefits of different system configurations, AirPV has created a solar and battery calculator tool. The tool aims to empower homeowners to make informed decisions about their home energy systems, with founder Scott McKechnie starting a microgeneration campaign to encourage more communities to switch to solar and batteries through group installation deals. The updated solar calculator tool includes battery arbitrage and the 5 kW inverter size limit for Irish home solar systems, allowing users to determine the optimal number of solar panels and battery storage for cost savings and payback time. McKechnie's emphasis on using tools like AirPV to avoid misinformation and ensure sensible decision-making when installing solar systems is further supported by the tool's ability to provide tailored quotes from installers based on user input, allowing homeowners to compare options and submit their contact details for installation. Additionally, McKechnie has developed a building energy rating (BER) calculator to show how solar and battery systems can impact a home's energy efficiency.
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CleanPeak Energy & Western Sydney International Airport Partner on 100% Renewable Electricity Deal
CleanPeak Energy has partnered with Western Sydney International Airport to provide 100% renewable electricity through rooftop solar and a Battery Energy Storage System. The airport's electricity requirements are expected to triple in the next few years, and CleanPeak Energy will supply all of it through onsite solar generation and storage. The airport has been built with sustainability in mind, with plans to power everything from baggage handling systems to airside equipment with renewable electricity. CleanPeak Energy will supply over 100 GWh of renewable energy to the airport, avoiding 64,000 tonnes of CO2-e per annum and helping the airport achieve its goal of being powered by 100% renewable electricity. This collaboration showcases how renewable electricity, battery storage, and network infrastructure can meet the energy needs of major airports, with CleanPeak Energy specializing in developing solar and battery assets to help corporate customers transition to net zero emissions.