Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings & Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/12/batteries-now-cheap-enough-to-make-dispatchable-solar-economically-feasible/

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-solar-and-batteries-on-centre-stage-six-key-graphs-from-aemos-transition-roadmap/

  • 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.

    https://drilled.media/news/DrillingDeep-Natasha

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/10/snapsun-introduces-rooftop-mounting-system-made-of-recycled-plastic/

  • DMEGC launches framed solar module weighing 7.5 kg/m2

    At the EnerGaïa trade show in France, Chinese manufacturer DMEGC unveiled the DMxxxM10RT-54HBW-LV lightweight rooftop solar module designed for roofs with low load-bearing capacity, weighing less than 7.5 kg/m2. With a power output of 460 W, the module meets the requirements of fragile roof structures and is certified to IEC standards. By utilizing thinner glass, the module aims to make thousands of square meters of rooftops usable for solar energy, offering a promising solution for expanding solar energy capacity in areas with limited roof strength.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/10/dmegc-launches-framed-solar-module-weighing-7-5-kg-m2/

  • NYPA adopts 5.5-GW renewable plan amid concerns over affordability, policy changes

    The New York Power Authority has approved an update to its renewables plan, adding 2.5 GW of planned capacity for a total of 5.5 GW, which includes solar, wind, distributed energy storage, and compressed air storage projects. NYPA aims to help the state meet its clean energy targets, focusing on developing 15 GW of renewables to supplement private sector energy development in New York. The plan emphasizes the importance of delivering clean, affordable electricity as electric demand grows, while also addressing challenges such as increased costs and power shortages. NYPA's updated renewables strategic plan is focused on developing clean energy projects to strengthen grid resiliency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and ensure affordability and equity in the state's clean energy transition.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nypa-renewable-energy-plan/807542/

  • M-Tec launches modular propane heat pump for residential, commercial use

    Austrian manufacturer M-Tec has launched a new residential propane heat pump system with a heating capacity of up to 26 kW, expandable to 78 kW with an electric heating element for peak loads. This system is versatile, compatible with different heat sources like geothermal energy, groundwater, and photovoltaic-thermal modules. It also integrates with M-Tec's energy management platform, offering features like variable electricity tariffs and self-consumption optimization for efficient and sustainable heating solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/05/m-tec-launches-modular-propane-heat-pump-for-residential-commercial-use/

  • IEA: Slow energy transition would cost millions of jobs

    The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that a slower shift to clean energy could result in 1.3 million fewer energy sector jobs by 2035, with continued growth in oil and gas demand until 2050 under the Current Policies Scenario (CPS). However, a faster energy transition could create more jobs in construction, electricians, solar panel installers, and transition mineral miners. The IEA also highlights potential shortages of skilled workers in key areas like electricity grids and the nuclear industry, urging governments to train workers for these roles to ensure a smooth transition to clean energy. Additionally, the establishment of the Belém Action Mechanism at COP30 aims to make the energy transition fairer for workers in industries like oil and gas, giving trade unions a role in shaping just transition policies for the first time. This is seen as a decisive win for the union movement and workers in transition industries.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/12/05/iea-slow-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels-would-cost-over-a-million-energy-sector-jobs/