Ardi Arian, founder of Renewable America, highlights the potential of community solar and storage projects through Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs to address high utility bills in California. The proposed legislation, AB 1813, aims to make these programs accessible to all Californians, potentially saving billions in energy costs and reducing the need for costly grid upgrades. With support from a broad coalition of stakeholders and expected approval by the full Senate, this legislation is seen as a common sense solution that will provide all Californians with access to clean energy solutions.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Polish scientists build 21.87% semi-transparent perovskite PV cell for tandem applications
Researchers at Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland have developed a fabrication strategy for semitransparent perovskite solar cells, achieving a champion power conversion efficiency of 21.87% for the cells and 27.15% for tandem devices when combined with a commercial crystalline silicon bottom cell. The team focused on optimizing electrode and buffer-layer design, as well as long-term stability testing, with the devices demonstrating operational stability lasting over 1600 hours under light soaking and more than 4000 hours under outdoor conditions. Scientists are also working on improving the performance of 4T tandem perovskite/silicon solar devices by addressing issues such as series resistance and optical losses, focusing on developing wide-bandgap p-i-n perovskite solar cells with high transparency, low electrical losses, and long-term stability. Key areas for enhancing performance include optimizing transparent electrodes and reducing near-infrared absorption.
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Affordable Homes, Cooling Centers, and a Faster Grid? Yes, Please
The Innovation Incubator (IN2) program, coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies, is working with companies like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, National Grid, WinnCompanies, and Tucson Electric Power to bring new technologies to communities in need. These companies are receiving funding and collaborating with energy experts to refine their technologies for broader use, such as stress-testing new materials and simulating technology performance under specific conditions. Projects include using emergent automation tools to address affordable housing crises, implementing networked building controls to reduce energy waste, and building a microgrid-powered cooling center to provide relief from heat-related deaths. The Energy Champions Network within the IN2 program is helping startups and organizations access insights and expertise to move their technologies closer to commercial success, ultimately aiming to optimize energy consumption, improve resilience to heat waves and power outages, and demonstrate the benefits of investing in climate resilience.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/27/affordable-homes-cooling-centers-and-a-faster-grid-yes-please/
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Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 Initiative Strengthens Healthcare Resilience for Over 200,000 People in India
The Beyond2020 initiative, led by the SELCO Foundation, has deployed six solar-powered health facilities in Karnataka, India, to improve healthcare access for over 200,000 people in remote areas with unreliable energy sources. These facilities are equipped with solar photovoltaic systems, off-grid solutions, lithium-ion battery banks, and energy-efficient medical technologies to provide quality care closer to home. In collaboration with partners like Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and BNP Paribas, Beyond2020 has implemented 19 deployments across energy, health, water, and food-related solutions, benefiting over 429,800 people globally. Recognized by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, Beyond2020 focuses on providing innovative, life-changing solutions in health, food, energy, water, and climate action to positively impact over 400 million lives worldwide through technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
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Solar for Ukraine campaign continues to save lives
The Solar for Ukraine campaign, organized by the Biohaus Foundation, Greenpeace Germany, and Greenpeace Ukraine, aims to provide hospitals in Ukraine with photovoltaic systems for emergency power. The focus is on decentralized power to address the ongoing conflict in the country, with an emphasis on efficient and new modules to reduce costs and increase effectiveness. Additionally, SolarWomen4Ukraine is working to build a company of female solar installers to expand beyond hospital projects and target customers in the regular market. Both initiatives are seeking support from sponsor companies for training, materials, and donations to equip twelve hospitals with solar power, with plans for further expansion in the future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/27/solar-for-ukraine-campaign-continues-to-save-lives/
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Sunshine state sets new solar record – in the middle of winter
Queensland achieved a new record for the share of solar power in its electricity mix during winter, with large-scale solar supplying 38.2% of electricity consumption on a Sunday morning. Solar output peaked at 3.1 MW, setting a new record for battery-stored energy at 5,646 megawatt-hours, while the maximum renewable energy share reached just under 76% of consumption. Despite some curtailment, the state is making progress towards a cleaner energy future, showcasing changing daytime operating conditions in Queensland.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/sunshine-state-sets-new-solar-record-in-the-middle-of-winter/
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Three-year testing assesses wind flow dynamics in solar plants
Researchers from France have developed a parameterization model for wind flow dynamics over PV power plants, taking into account wind direction and geometric characteristics of the array. The study found that the aerodynamic behavior of the PV park is influenced by wind direction, resembling a dense vegetation canopy when wind blows perpendicular to the panel rows. The team is now working on a surface model to represent aerodynamic and energy exchanges of PV parks based on their findings. The next step involves coupling this model with a large-eddy simulation atmospheric model to analyze the impact of different PV park designs on local and regional weather patterns. The research, published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, was conducted by experts from France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE).
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CS PowerTech Launches Best In Class PV HJT Solar Cell Factory
CS PowerTech Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., has opened a PV cell manufacturing facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which will produce industry-leading heterojunction (HJT) bifacial N-type solar cells. The facility is expected to create over 1,200 jobs and represent nearly $1 billion in local investment, strengthening U.S. manufacturing, supply-chain resilience, and energy security. With a focus on grid reliability and America's future energy needs, the facility aims to support local communities, accelerate clean energy adoption, and contribute to American energy independence. Canadian Solar's track record in delivering solar modules and battery energy storage solutions worldwide underscores their commitment to advancing solar technology and sustainability.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/24/cs-powertech-launches-best-in-class-pv-hjt-solar-cell-factory/
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Despite historical failure, cylindrical solar tubes may still find a place in BIPV market, say Japanese scientists
Researchers are continuing to develop cylindrical solar cells for building applications, citing their enhanced cooling capability and advantages in reducing temperature-related efficiency losses. A study published in IEEE Access highlighted the ability of cylindrical panels to improve PV performance and reduce power losses compared to flat modules. The researchers developed a regression-based model to predict daily power output and evaluated optimal configurations for wall-mounted and rooftop applications. Future work will focus on durability assessments, deployment studies, and system-level optimization to reduce the cost of electricity in urban solar applications. Additional studies are needed to incorporate real installation conditions, long-term monitoring, weather variability, and advanced thermal modeling.
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The geopolitics of solar manufacturing and how India can build a China-alternative supply chain
AXITEC Energy India is a solar panel manufacturer committed to contributing to India's renewable energy goals by offering high-quality solar panels with efficient energy production capabilities. Emphasizing sustainability and reducing carbon emissions through the use of solar energy, the company aims to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions for clean energy production in India. By focusing on expanding wafer and ingot manufacturing, investing in polysilicon production, and adopting high-efficiency technologies, India has the potential to emerge as a significant alternative manufacturing hub for clean energy products, reshaping global clean-energy supply chains and influencing the geopolitics of the low-carbon economy. Strategic partnerships with other countries and technology providers will be essential for accelerating technology transfer and research collaboration in building a fully integrated solar manufacturing ecosystem.