China National Petroleum Corporation has developed a high-efficiency inverted perovskite solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of 25.05%, validated by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology. This cell utilizes an inverted architecture and interface molecules to enhance stability and boost open-circuit voltage. CNPC plans to integrate this technology with traditional silicon cells to lower the cost of energy production. They are set to establish a pilot line in 2026 and a mass production facility in 2028, aiming to achieve renewable energy capacity on par with their oil and gas output by 2035.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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NLC India Renewables and PTC India sign green energy JVA in India
NLC India Renewables Limited and PTC India have formed a joint venture to develop renewable energy projects in Tamil Nadu, India, with a total capacity of up to 2,000MW. The initial phase will focus on 500MW and include solar, wind, hydro, battery energy storage systems, green ammonia, and other green technologies. Power sales will be through competitive and regulated channels, catering to distribution companies, government agencies, and commercial and industrial consumers.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/nlc-india-ptc-green-energy-jv/
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Environmental News Network – New Window Insulation Blocks Heat, but Not Your View
Physicists at CU Boulder have created a groundbreaking material called MOCHI that can be applied to windows to improve energy efficiency in buildings globally. This transparent and long-lasting insulator does not obstruct the view through the window, unlike traditional materials. MOCHI addresses the need for transparent insulators to block heat exchange, offering a promising solution for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Climate solutions experts should take note of this innovative technology as a potential tool for combating climate change.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77569-new-window-insulation-blocks-heat-but-not-your-view
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Our Power News – What was different about this year’s UN climate talks?
World leaders marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with historic progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5°C and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Indigenous delegations played a crucial role in advocating for climate action, securing the demarcation of territories and pushing for community-led renewable energy. The momentum towards forest protection, accountability for polluters, and clean energy as a right is growing, with renewable energy on track to meet all new electricity needs by 2025. Continued support is needed to demand real climate action and build a powerful climate movement for a safe and better future.
https://350.org/our-power-news-what-was-different-about-this-years-un-climate-talks/
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From Plans to Progress: A Blueprint for Delivering 1.5°C Through the ‘Global Mutirão’
The Global Implementation Accelerator initiative is helping countries implement their NDCs and NAPs, with collaborative alignment already delivering tangible results. Private capital in Brazil supports forest restoration, while companies like Unilever adopt renewable energy and regenerative farming. In Taiwan, the European Outdoor Group aggregates renewable energy demand, and in Vietnam, companies like H&M and IKEA support grid modernization. These initiatives create win-win situations where countries advance climate goals and companies secure future access to renewable resources.
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Batteries now cheap enough to make dispatchable solar economically feasible
Utility-scale battery costs have fallen to $65/MWh outside China and the United States, making solar power more reliable. Ember reports a significant drop in battery costs in 2024 and further declines in 2025, making storage more accessible for dispatchable solar projects. The cost of a full utility-scale battery system is $125/kWh for long-duration projects of four hours or more. The levelized cost of storage (LCOS) is calculated at $65/MWh, factoring in various costs and improvements in efficiency and financing. Solar power is now considered anytime dispatchable electricity, changing the game for countries with high solar resources and growing energy demand.
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Cambridge startup targets 15% module efficiency gain
Cambridge Photon Technology, a UK-based startup, has secured funding to commercialize a photon multiplication technology that can boost solar panel output by up to 15% without changing existing manufacturing processes. The technology splits high energy photons into two half-energy infra-red photons, increasing the number of usable photons for silicon PV cells. In addition to efficiency gains, the technology also reduces heat and acts as an ultraviolet photoprotective agent, contributing to the preservation of a PV module's intrinsic efficiency over time. The startup plans to demonstrate the technology's effectiveness to the industry over the next two years and investigate its impact on module temperature and UV degradation, with the potential to significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic modules.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/11/cambridge-startup-targets-15-module-efficiency-gain/
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Rooftop solar and batteries on centre stage: Six key graphs from AEMO’s transition roadmap
The Australian Energy Market Operator has released the draft of its 2026 Integrated System Plan, outlining the transition of Australia's main grid to renewables and storage. The plan highlights the growth of rooftop solar and the potential for an accelerated transition to green energy, with a focus on addressing transmission concerns and the continuation of coal in Queensland. AEMO is unsure how to keep coal running until 2049 due to aging coal-fired power stations being a threat to grid reliability, but the concept of "baseload" is expected to be phased out. The grid is projected to reach 82% renewables by 2030, leading to a significant drop in emissions and paving the way for further emission cuts in other sectors as they electrify and transition to renewables.
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The Way Things Are Is Not the Way They Have to Be
Uruguay successfully transitioned its entire economy to rely on renewable energy sources in just two years, slashing poverty rates and showcasing the economic benefits of clean energy. The shift towards green energy was driven by crises and challenges, leading to long-lasting solutions and the ability to export excess energy to neighboring countries. The country's approach, framed as an economic opportunity rather than a climate change issue, highlights the financial incentives of transitioning to clean energy. The article emphasizes the importance of public ownership in ensuring equitable access to resources and the redistributive potential of energy distribution as a tool for social justice. The discussion also touches on the potential for other countries to lead in climate solutions and the need for a just green transition globally.
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Snapsun introduces rooftop mounting system made of recycled plastic
French mounting system provider Snapsun, a unit of recycled plastic provider Cifra, has introduced a new lightweight rooftop PV mounting system made from recycled plastic. The system, weighing only 8 kg, simplifies installation and reduces physical strain with integrated cable guides and clip-on connectors. Compatible with most conventional photovoltaic panels, the system's adjustable mounting bracket housings can accommodate panels up to 1,180 mm wide. Installation is quick and straightforward, requiring minimal training, making it a promising solution for sustainable and efficient solar energy deployment.