Alphabet's subsidiary Google is making strides in decarbonization by acquiring clean energy and data center infrastructure developer Intersect in a $4.75 billion deal. This acquisition will help Google combat rising emissions and prioritize decarbonizing its operational electricity consumption, with Intersect's $15 billion clean energy infrastructure portfolio in Texas and California. Google aims to halve its emissions by 2030 and run on carbon-free power 24/7, partnering with utilities and energy developers for clean power generation. The acquisition will allow Intersect to collaborate with Google on joint projects to drive innovation and leadership in the U.S. energy industry, showcasing a new approach to sustainable energy solutions.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
-
Programmatic alignment is key to scaling residential battery demand response
Residential battery storage paired with demand response programs is becoming a key strategy for utilities to manage peak demand and maintain reliability during extreme weather events. U.S. residential battery installations saw a significant increase in 2025, with major utilities expanding programs to defer grid upgrades and strengthen resilience. Coordinated marketing and simple enrollment pathways are key to scaling residential Distributed Energy Resources (DER) participation, as shown by research from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and ACEEE. Risk-sharing models, where utilities guarantee minimum payments to OEMs and technology providers, can help shift the financial risk of enrollment. To scale battery programs, it is important to treat battery demand response as a market development opportunity rather than just a technology deployment problem. Unified action, streamlined interconnection, interoperable standards, and risk-sharing business models are needed to align utilities, OEMs, and customers around shared value for successful scaling.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/residential-battery-demand-response/805594/
-
Thicker alumunium oxide layers can reduce ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers from UNSW have developed a model linking UV-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells to hydrogen transport, charge trapping, and structural changes in the passivation stack. Thicker aluminum oxide layers improve UV resilience by limiting hydrogen migration. The study conducted on TOPCon cells showed a complex interaction between chemical degradation and temporary enhancement in field-effect passivation. High-energy UV photons break Si-H bonds in the SiNx capping layer, releasing mobile hydrogen that degrades chemical passivation. Thicker 7 nm AlOx layers act as a more effective barrier to hydrogen transport, improving UVID resilience. Researchers have identified new failure modes and degradation mechanisms in TOPCon solar modules, including the impact of soldering flux, contact corrosion, and sodium-induced degradation. The research also highlights the vulnerability of TOPCon solar cells to various forms of degradation under different conditions. The study provides design guidance for more UV-robust passivation stacks and improved testing protocols, as presented in a paper published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
-
Sunrun & HASI Form New $500 Million Joint Venture to Accelerate Distributed Power Development
HASI and Sunrun have announced a joint venture to finance distributed energy assets, with HASI investing up to $500 million over 18 months to support over 40,000 home power plants in the US. This partnership aims to provide a more efficient cost of capital and accelerate the development of essential infrastructure through home-based energy systems. Sunrun's Chief Financial Officer highlighted the innovative financing structure with HASI as a first-of-its-kind for residential storage and solar financing, offering an efficient capital structure for growth. While forward-looking statements have been made, both companies acknowledge the risks and uncertainties involved, with factors outlined in their Annual Reports filed with the SEC.
-
Some Ho, Ho, Hopes for 2026 and Beyond
In 2026 and beyond, advancements in clean energy, climate action, and innovation offer hope for addressing climate change. Key themes include focusing on the business case for clean energy, increasing public funding for climate technologies, utilizing AI for innovation and energy efficiency, accelerating deployment of low-carbon energy, and promoting electrification for global decarbonization. The need for year-round, real-economy action and increased climate ambition is emphasized, along with the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge in the pursuit of climate solutions.
https://speedandscale.com/newsletter/some-ho-ho-hopes-for-2026-and-beyond/
-
Rooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most
Solar adoption in the U.S. has been rapidly growing, with 84% of new electricity generation capacity coming from solar and storage in 2024. State governments are implementing programs to lower barriers to entry for solar technology, such as tax credits and rebates, while community solar is being used to increase access for low-income households. There is nearly 14 GW of untapped potential on commercial rooftops that can power various facilities without requiring additional land use permits. By combining data analysis with community engagement, solar development can be made faster, equitable, and strategic, turning existing infrastructure into renewable energy assets that benefit a range of communities. The key to achieving a cleaner future lies in merging innovation with inclusion, aligning policy, technology, and trust to make solar work for everyone.
-
EPFL researchers enhance perovskite solar cell performance via rubidium
Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland and a collaborative team from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National University of Singapore, University of Ioannina, and Politecnico di Milano have made significant advancements in perovskite solar cell technology. By incorporating rubidium (Rb) into the perovskite lattice structure, they were able to enhance stability and efficiency, achieving champion efficiency levels of 25.77% and 20.65% respectively. The introduction of Rb+ cations at grain domain boundaries and the lattice strain approach led to improved carrier diffusion length, lifetime, and suppression of halide phase segregation. These developments mark a promising step forward in the quest for more efficient and stable solar energy solutions.
-
Tata Power Commissions 1.4-Gigawatt Solar Farm Just Before Year End
Tata Power has commissioned a 1.4 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan, India, the largest they have ever built, expected to produce 2.454 TWh of electricity annually. The power will be distributed to Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, utilizing bifacial modules and high-performance inverters for efficiency. Developed under the CPSU Scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, this project showcases a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.
-
Google acquires Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion
Google has acquired Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion to develop solar and storage projects for its AI data centers, aiming to bypass grid bottlenecks and scale rapidly with energy parks co-locating data centers with generation and storage assets. With $15 billion in assets, Intersect Power plans to have 10.8 GW of capacity by 2028. Google's energy park development strategy, including the Quantum Clean Energy Project in Texas, focuses on clean energy solutions for a more sustainable future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/05/google-acquires-intersect-power-for-nearly-5-billion/
-
Japanese airport terminal hosting chalcopyrite solar modules
Kyuden Mirai Energy and Nissan Motor are showcasing the use of flexible, glass-free chalcopyrite PV panels from PXP Corporation in projects at Fukuoka International Airport and a Nissan dealership in Yokohama City, Japan. The goal is to evaluate the potential applications of thin film solar PV technology, raise awareness about flexible solar cell technology, and emphasize Nissan's commitment to sustainability. PXP Corporation has received financial support to advance their technology in Japan, highlighting the growing interest in renewable energy solutions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/05/japanese-airport-terminal-hosting-chalcopyrite-solar-modules/