Zambia has made significant progress in addressing its renewable energy challenges by rapidly increasing its solar generation capacity. The country aims to boost its generation capacity from 4.5 GW to 10 GW, with a focus on solar energy, through collaborations with local and international partners. Key reforms in the energy sector, such as the commissioning of the 200 MW Chisamba Solar Plant and the implementation of the Net Metering Programme, have contributed to increased electricity access and reduced fees for rural and peri-urban households. With the goal of transitioning from an electricity deficit to a surplus, Zambia is on track to achieve a diversified energy mix and reach 10,000 MW by 2031, showcasing its commitment to sustainable energy sources.
Category: Buildings
Cut Emissions:
– Shift Energy Sources
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A plug-in solar solution that utilities and lawmakers can agree on
The momentum for plug-in solar systems is rapidly growing in the U.S. and Europe, with several states passing legislation to allow residents to use these systems in their homes. This legislation aims to help residents save money on energy bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while also potentially reducing or deferring future infrastructure upgrade costs for utilities. The need for a two-pronged approach in plug-in solar state legislation is emphasized, with a focus on establishing tiered wattage definitions and capping energy export to the grid at 400 watts to ensure safety and grid reliability. States like Utah, Colorado, and Maine are leading the way in creating regulations that support the safe and successful implementation of plug-in solar systems, promoting the widespread and safe adoption of solar energy as America's cost-saving energy future.
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Why consumers are choosing solar over fossil fuels
The 2026 Ipsos Energy Transition Barometer reveals a global shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar, driven by concerns over rising energy costs and a desire for energy independence. The Global Solar Council and Global Covenant of Mayors on Energy & Climate are partnering to promote residential rooftop solar and storage in thousands of cities worldwide, aiming to lower energy bills, increase resilience, and empower consumers. Public support for clean energy solutions like heat pumps, solar, and storage is strong, signaling a need for governments and decision makers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to act on this shift in public opinion. This transition towards decentralized energy generation and storage is seen as a key economic policy for achieving energy security and affordability, with the public ready to embrace renewable energy for a more reliable, cost-effective, and secure energy future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/29/why-consumers-are-choosing-solar-over-fossil-fuels/
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A Call to Arms – UK Health Alliance on Climate Change
The urgent need for immediate transformative change to combat climate change is highlighted in the article, as the UK faces devastating consequences from heatwaves and rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions. The impacts of climate change are already severe, threatening food supply, national security, and the economy. Adapting to extreme heat events and reducing emissions are crucial to mitigate the strain on resources and services, such as transportation, healthcare, and infrastructure. Transforming power generation, agriculture, building regulations, and transport, as well as promoting plant-based diets and restorative agriculture, are essential actions to combat the imminent threat of climate change and increase biodiversity while creating jobs and increasing infrastructure security. The time for action is now, as there is no time left for delay in addressing climate change.
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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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Environmental News Network – 3D-Printed Bridge Points the Way to Greener Construction
MIT researchers have developed a framework that incorporates limitations of current 3D printing hardware into the design process for more efficient and feasible 3D-printed concrete structures, aiming to reduce carbon emissions. By using topology optimization to find the strongest structure with the least material, they were able to design and load-test a 2.3-meter concrete bridge, showing that the printing hardware, not the concrete itself, limits the structure's weight. This innovative approach could pave the way for more sustainable construction practices in the future.
https://www.enn.com/articles/78179-3d-printed-bridge-points-the-way-to-greener-construction
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Octopus Energy launches 100 controllable homes in bid to achieve zero average electricity costs over a decade
Octopus Energy has launched the "Zero Bills Homes" project in France, aiming to construct around 100 homes in Guichen-Pont-Réan that achieve zero net electricity costs within 10 years. The initiative utilizes rooftop solar generation, smart energy management, and residential storage to maximize self-consumption and reduce reliance on the grid. By combining photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, and home batteries, Octopus Energy plans to expand this model in France and reach 15,000 "Zero Bills" homes by 2030 through partnerships with real estate developers and local authorities.
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New AI tool brings transparency to the solar buying process
Tursun Ablekim, founder of AgentSolar AI, has developed a platform to bring transparency and efficiency to the residential solar sector, addressing pricing inconsistency and aggressive sales tactics that have led to overpayment by U.S. homeowners. The platform uses agentic AI to analyze proposals, verify installer reputation, and negotiate better terms on behalf of the consumer, potentially reducing solar soft costs, especially customer acquisition expenses. Ablekim envisions a future where AI manages all aspects of the home energy journey, leading to a shift towards specialized digital services in the residential solar market for data transparency and autonomous execution. This disruption aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and agent-led future in the solar industry, benefiting both consumers and local installers.
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Giving away excess daytime solar for free
Australia is leading the way in solar energy generation and the use of home batteries and electric vehicles to manage excess daytime solar. The new solar sharer retail tariff allows families to receive up to 24 kWh of free electricity per day between 11 am and 2 pm, making their annual energy bill the cheapest in history. Additionally, Australia is utilizing electric vehicles as mobile batteries to reduce peak demand and lower prices, while the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro storage project will significantly increase rechargeable energy storage in the country. The shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind is driving down fossil gas generation, with market innovation and government intervention enabling rapid growth in solar deployment at a low cost.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/17/giving-away-excess-daytime-solar-for-free/
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Green10 meeting with European Commission President von der Leyen
The Green 10, representing 50 million Europeans, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to urge for action on climate change, environmental protection, and health impacts of pollution. They called for a swift phase-out of fossil fuels, prioritization of health and environment protection, and public financing to drive necessary changes. The group emphasized the need for the EU to lead in phasing out harmful chemicals, implementing regulations, and championing a green, social, and sustainable transition to address the climate-nature-pollution crisis and secure a fair future for future generations.
https://www.env-health.org/green10-meeting-with-european-commission-president-von-der-leyen/