Historic buildings in the UK are facing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, with sustainable retrofits like LED lighting and heat pumps being easily implemented. However, solar technology integration faces challenges due to visual impact, despite UK heritage guidance allowing for solar integration. Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar roofs offer a solution by blending into the architecture, as seen in examples like York Minster, Westminster Abbey, and Canterbury Cathedral. Roofit.Solar CEO Andres Anijalg emphasizes the importance of marrying historic buildings with modern climate solutions, showcasing the potential for genuine, scaled climate leadership that protects both the history of buildings and the planet they stand on.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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All-perovskite tandem solar cell with dipolar passivation achieves 30.1% efficiency
Researchers in China have developed a dipolar passivation method that reduces defects and improves charge transport in solar cells based on narrow-bandgap tin lead perovskite, enabling the fabrication of all-perovskite tandem solar cells with efficiencies of around 30% and enhanced stability. The dipolar passivation strategy strengthens the ohmic contact, promotes efficient hole injection into the hole transport layer, and repels electrons from the perovskite interface, reducing non-radiative recombination and carrier transport losses. The cell achieved a power conversion efficiency of 24.9% and retained around 87% of its initial efficiency after 1,025 hours, showing promising long-term stability. The researchers aim to further improve the dipolar passivation method for enhanced stability in tandem devices, contributing to the ongoing efforts to develop more efficient and sustainable solar energy solutions.
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1.48GWh storage partnership to drive Europe’s energy transition forward
EVE Energy and Vimab BESS AB have signed a three-year MoU to deploy 1.48 gigawatt-hours of energy storage projects in Northern Europe to enhance energy security and support the energy transition. The collaboration aims to address the need for grid flexibility in renewable-rich Nordic markets as wind and solar power capacity grows. Large-scale storage is seen as crucial for stabilizing prices and ensuring reliable power supply. EVE Energy will supply battery systems and technical support for projects in Sweden and neighboring countries, with the first orders set for delivery in December. The partnership focuses on advancing carbon neutrality and energy efficiency in Europe through localized cooperation.
https://www.modernpowersystems.com/news/1-48-gwh-partnership-to-drive-energy-transition-forward/
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Environmental News Network – 3-D Printing Researchers Develop Fast-Curing, Environmentally Friendly Concrete Substitute
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a quick-setting, environmentally friendly alternative to concrete for 3-D printing homes and infrastructure, aiming to address the global housing crisis and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement. This innovation could help speed up construction projects by eliminating the long curing time and structural supports required for traditional concrete, potentially making a significant impact on the 8% of global emissions attributed to cement production. Climate solutions experts should take note of this promising development in sustainable construction materials.
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Joined up sustainable transition (JUST): Fossil fuel generators
Gold Standard is consulting on a new methodology for replacing fossil fuel generators with renewable energy systems, such as solar PV, wind power, and energy storage technologies, to reduce emissions. This transition aligns with Just Transition requirements and helps displace electricity generated from fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas. The methodology can be applied to off-grid communities, commercial facilities, and residential buildings relying on fossil fuel generators for power, providing a sustainable solution for reducing emissions and promoting clean energy alternatives.
https://www.goldstandard.org/consultations/just-fossil-fuel-generators-consultation
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ENCORE: Small Dollar, Big Impact
Premal Shah discusses effective altruism and the importance of investing in reforestation efforts, system change, and renewable energy to combat climate change. He emphasizes the need to focus on solutions with the highest impact per dollar, such as building solar in markets with dirtier grids. Shah argues that changing the rules of capitalism and making strategic investments are essential in addressing the climate crisis effectively.
https://www.climateone.org/audio/encore-small-dollar-big-impact
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JinkoSolar achieves world record efficiency of 27.79% for TOPCon solar cell
JinkoSolar has set a new world record efficiency of 27.79% for n-type TOPCon solar cells, utilizing innovative technologies such as ultrathin silicon oxide tunneling layer and doped polysilicon passivated contacts. They are aiming to achieve 28% efficiency by 2028. In addition, the company achieved a 33.84% power conversion efficiency for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on n-type wafers. These advancements, verified by reputable institutions, showcase JinkoSolar's commitment to pushing the boundaries of solar energy efficiency and could have significant implications for climate solutions experts.
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Philippines commissions 6.5 MW solar project for social housing
The Ning Ning Solar Rooftop Project in the Philippines is the world's first grid-connected, solar rooftop project within a social housing community, providing clean energy to almost 2,000 homes and expected to reduce over 6,233 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the project's benefits, such as revenue generation for community services and additional power supply to the grid. The successful collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities paved the way for this innovative project, with plans for more rooftop solar projects in the future to further combat climate change.
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All 212,296 panels installed at state’s first 100 pct publicly owned hybrid solar and battery project
Victoria's first state-owned solar and battery hybrid project, the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham, has completed installation of all PV modules and accepted delivery of a transformer. The $370 million project includes a 119 MW solar farm and 100 MW, 200 MWh big battery, creating local jobs and renewable energy infrastructure. Once operational, it will generate enough power for around 51,000 homes and be one of Australia's first publicly owned utility-scale renewable energy projects.
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SwitchedOn podcast: Renewable construction boom can help fix regional housing crisis
Australia is poised to construct more renewable infrastructure in the next decade than in the previous three combined, with the challenge of housing construction workers in towns already experiencing a housing crisis. RE-Alliance's report proposes that worker accommodation can serve as a community benefit, with developers considering options such as refurbishing aged-care homes and transforming workforce villages into suburbs. The energy transition offers a unique opportunity for positive change in regional communities, highlighting the potential for sustainable solutions to address both the housing crisis and the need for renewable infrastructure.