Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

  • On Heat Pumps, Colorado Hits The Ground Running

    Colorado is launching a rebate program offering up to $14,000 for energy efficiency upgrades, including heat pumps, to accelerate the transition to clean, all-electric systems and reduce carbon emissions. Zero Home is expanding statewide in Colorado, focusing on cold-climate heat pumps covered by the new rebate program, with up to $8,000 in rebates available. Heat pump sales have increased significantly in recent years, surpassing gas furnaces, with a new wave of cold-climate technology entering the market. Biden-era initiatives are supporting the development of commercial-scale heat pumps, heat pump clothes dryers, and water heaters, contributing to energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/03/on-heat-pumps-colorado-hits-the-ground-running/

  • UK study finds azimuthal trackers boost floating PV performance

    A University of Exeter study found that azimuthal tracking systems deliver the largest energy gains and lowest levelized cost of energy for floating solar PV plants in the UK, with a 26.9% increase in production compared to fixed systems. This makes floating solar a competitive option for marine-based renewable energy. Meanwhile, in the United States, Texas has become one of the top states for solar energy production due to its abundant sunlight, large land area, and decreasing costs of solar technology. The expansion of solar power in Texas is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/02/uk-study-finds-azimuthal-trackers-boost-floating-pv-performance/

  • Growing agri-PV tomatoes while producing hydrogen for smart windows

    Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a concept for a residential building in the UK that combines rooftop agrivoltaics with onsite hydrogen production. The electricity generated by the solar system is used to produce hydrogen for hydrogen vehicles and smart windows, with the system able to meet the annual demand of the smart windows and support up to 64.23 km of driving per day. The study also discusses the thermal performance of vacuum gasochromic windows and the potential of small rooftop areas to support building-scale hydrogen applications. The impact of agrivoltaics on home insulation and the use of produced hydrogen for home heating are areas of future research, as detailed in the publication in Energy and Buildings titled "Rooftop agrivoltaic powered onsite hydrogen production for insulated gasochromic smart glazing and hydrogen vehicles: A holistic approach to sustainable residential building."

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/30/growing-agri-pv-tomatoes-while-producing-hydrogen-for-smart-windows/

  • Credo Releases 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report

    Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd has released its 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting its progress in providing secure, high-speed connectivity solutions that are energy efficient. The company's focus on responsible growth and long-term value creation includes advancing connectivity solutions that support reduced waste and energy-efficient growth of AI data centers. Credo's commitment to building products with lower power consumption reflects its vision for sustainable connectivity in the face of increasing energy demands. The company's efforts in product innovation and partnerships contribute to education, health, and local community needs, showcasing its integrity and commitment to improvement.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/30/credo-releases-2025-environmental-social-and-governance-esg-report/

  • Vestas gets 390MW wind turbine order in South Korea

    Danish wind turbine maker Vestas has secured a 390MW contract for the Shinan-Ui offshore wind project in South Korea, where they will supply 26 of their V236-15.0MW offshore wind turbines. The project, expected to enter commercial operation in 2028, aligns with South Korea's clean energy transition plans and marks Vestas' first offshore wind contract in the country. Additionally, networked microgrids are being implemented to create a more flexible and resilient energy future, rebuilding the grid for better management of energy resources. These microgrids have the potential to improve overall efficiency and reliability of the energy system, contributing to climate solutions by driving large-scale deployment of offshore wind in South Korea.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/vestas-wind-turbine-south-korea/

  • Agrivoltaic Company Okovate Acquires Stanford University & Carnegie Mellon Tech Startup

    Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar power plants with farmland, is gaining popularity in the solar power industry. Washington, DC-based company Okovate Sustainable Energy has acquired the assets of startup Fundusol to improve the planning and development of agrivoltaic projects. The acquisition allows Okovate to integrate a modeling platform developed at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon, providing data-driven precision in co-locating solar energy and agriculture. The company's technology utilizes genetic algorithms and advanced data visualization to optimize solar array configurations for different crop types, aiming to strengthen the economic fabric of farming communities. Efforts are being made to increase the cost effectiveness and appeal of solar PV power in 2025, with plans to roll out more solar power on farmland across the United States and make additional announcements in 2026.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/29/agrivoltaic-company-okovate-acquires-stanford-university-carnegie-mellon-tech-startup/

  • Argentina’s YPF Luz begins 100 MW output at El Quemado solar park

    YPF Luz has activated the first 100 MW of its El Quemado solar park in Mendoza province, the first renewable energy facility to operate under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). With an estimated investment of $210 million, the project is progressing towards a total capacity of 305 MW, generating enough electricity for over 233,000 Argentine households. This milestone marks a significant step towards the country's renewable energy goals, showcasing the potential for large-scale projects in energy infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/argentinas-ypf-luz-begins-100-mw-output-at-el-quemado-solar-park/

  • China commissions world’s largest 1 GW open-sea offshore solar project

    China has commissioned the world's largest open-sea solar project, the 1 GW HG14 offshore PV project off the coast of Dongying, Shandong province. The project combines PV with energy storage and aquaculture, occupying 1,223 hectares of shallow coastal waters. The installation is China's first gigawatt-scale fixed-pile offshore PV project, approved under a national sea-use rights framework. The project is expected to generate 1.78 TWh annually, meeting 60% of electricity demand in the area, while also reducing CO2 emissions and integrating aquaculture for additional revenue streams.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/china-commissions-worlds-largest-1-gw-open-sea-offshore-solar-project/

  • A 15-Ton Rooftop Heat Pump Is Coming For Your Fossil Fuels

    Electric heat pumps are becoming a key player in the home electrification movement and are now scaling up to decarbonize commercial buildings. Carrier Global Corporation is leading the way in demonstrating the potential of heat pumps in the US, with a new 15-ton rooftop heat pump for commercial use in development. The Energy Department's programs are accelerating the development of next-generation heat pumps for both residential and commercial markets, with a focus on high efficiency and reducing energy costs. Innovations like the Boiler 2.0 industrial heat pump from AtmosZero are highlighting the growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions, aiming to decarbonize industries with high-efficiency electrified steam generators. Commercial-scale heat pumps, like those used at the Belgium Brewing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, are set to be available in the US market within the next two years, with a goal of delivering zero-emission steam at a cost comparable to fossil-fueled boilers.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/27/a-15-ton-rooftop-heat-pump-is-coming-for-your-fossil-fuels/

  • Massive Solar Plus Storage Facility To Replace Coal And Gas, Too

    The article discusses the transition from coal power plants to cleaner energy solutions at the Sherco Energy Hub in Minnesota, where Xcel Energy is replacing coal with renewable energy sources. Xcel plans to retire all remaining coal power plants in the region and focus on leveraging renewable energy assets, including a large solar array and significant battery energy storage system. The company intends to offset costs for battery and solar projects, with construction on the battery storage projects starting in 2026. Xcel sees energy storage as a critical part of Minnesota's energy future, allowing for a diversified energy mix that excludes coal. Additionally, Xcel has incorporated solar grazing at the Sherco Energy Hub, with nearly 2,000 sheep helping to maintain the PV array and provide environmental benefits.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/27/massive-solar-plus-storage-facility-to-replace-both-coal-and-natural-gas/