Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings

Cut Emissions:
– Shift Energy Sources

  • A Coal Town Reborn

    The town of Loos-en-Gohelle in France has successfully transitioned from a coal mining economy to a sustainable one, with solar panels powering 90% of public energy needs by 2021. The town embraced its mining heritage and involved locals in the transformation process, leading to a diverse range of projects in clean energy, agriculture, biodiversity protection, and more. Citizen participation was key in this transition, which took decades and involved breaking away from the control of mining companies. The success of Loos-en-Gohelle has inspired others to replicate its citizen-powered transition model, with the founding of La Fabrique des Transitions to spread its methods nationwide, potentially impacting France's climate transition efforts.

    https://reasonstobecheerful.world/france-coal-town-reborn-loos-en-gohelle/

  • Onyx Solar BIPV solution turns skyscraper skin into power source

    Onyx Solar is installing a custom building integrated PV system at Atlassian's new headquarters in Sydney, featuring 1,794 solar glass 'louvres' that act as a self-shading system to reduce heat gain and enhance energy efficiency. This PV glazed facade allows natural light to enter, reducing the need for artificial lighting and lowering energy consumption. The BIPV system enables the building to generate its own energy while maintaining comfort and aesthetics, with Atlassian aiming for 100% renewable energy operation by 2027.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/03/onyx-solar-bipv-solution-turns-skyscraper-skin-into-power-source/

  • 8 reasons to celebrate on this International Day of Clean Energy

    The world is experiencing a significant shift towards clean, renewable energy, with investment surpassing that in fossil fuels and over 80 countries calling for a roadmap to phase out coal, oil, and gas. Investor behavior is changing towards sustainable investing, with big investors tightening rules for fossil fuel companies. Courts and legal standards are moving towards climate accountability, and even conservative energy authorities are advocating for no new oil and gas fields to be approved. The path forward involves stopping new fossil fuel expansion, building an alternative clean energy system, and holding decision-makers accountable for the transition.

    https://350.org/8-reasons-to-celebrate-on-this-international-day-of-clean-energy/

  • Major success from the Electric Home Show – 3 months before it even happens

    CleanTechnica's Electric Home Show in Honolulu in April will feature earth-friendly technology like Quilt's heat pump HVAC system, aiming to educate industry professionals and consumers on climate-focused solutions. The event addresses contractor inertia by providing education, training, and support to promote mass market adoption of clean energy solutions. Quilt's partnership with AC contractors in Hawaii aligns with the state's goal of achieving 100% clean energy, reducing overall energy demand. The show, expanding to other cities, promotes local self-reliance in sustainable development through energy-efficient products and technologies. Companies are encouraged to sponsor CleanTechnica's shows to support the promotion of clean energy solutions and market movement.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/22/major-success-from-the-electric-home-show-3-months-before-it-even-happens/

  • 2025 end of year report – UK Health Alliance on Climate Change

    The 2025 end of year report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change highlights their advocacy work in promoting climate and health policies. Key achievements include the publication of a policy report on building a climate resilient health system, prioritizing plant-based and sustainably sourced food, and including carbon emission reduction targets in the ten-year health plan for England. The Alliance also advocated for a just transition to green energy, published policy priorities for COP30, and sent manifestos to party leaders in Scotland and Wales. The report emphasizes policy wins and progress made throughout the year, thanking members and partners for their support.

    https://ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/2025-end-of-year-report/

  • SoftBank pilots solar-wind-powered AI-controlled base station

    SoftBank Group is piloting AI-controlled cellular base stations powered by solar panels and a 3 kW wind turbine in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. The system reduces energy use while maintaining service quality by storing excess power in batteries and switching to the grid when needed. AI manages the station's "sleep" mode to lower power consumption during low communication traffic, making it suitable for deployment in remote areas. The compact design and AI analysis allow for a broader selection of cells without compromising communication quality. SoftBank plans to expand testing of the wind- and solar-powered base stations in the future.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/16/softbank-pilots-solar-wind-powered-ai-controlled-base-station/

  • Jackery Brings Creativity & Design To Solar & Energy Storage

    Jackery showcased their new solar-integrated home batteries and innovative solar products at CES, including the HomePower 3600 Plus, solar roof tiles, and the Solar Gazebo. The gazebo, with 2 kW of panels, offers roughly 10 kWh of energy production per day and can be combined with storage systems for backup power, priced in the $12-15,000 range. While not a replacement for utility-scale generation, these products offer creative solutions for specific consumer needs and drive mass adoption through innovation and design. The potential of electrification in products like solar garages and EV charging stations is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of catering to different needs to accelerate clean electrification adoption.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/jackery-brings-creativity-design-to-solar-energy-storage/

  • Australian households add record amounts of rooftop PV, as home battery installations top 4.3 GWh

    In December, Australian households and small businesses saw a surge in rooftop solar capacity and home battery installations, adding a record 4.3 gigawatt hours of storage capacity in 2025. The market was booming for both residential and commercial scale rooftop systems, with a record monthly capacity of 328 megawatts added in December alone. The home battery market thrived, with 42,000 new systems registered in December and a total of 184,000 installed in 2025. Changes to battery rebates are expected to impact demand in early 2026, as the average size of rooftop solar systems has increased to 9.64 kW, reflecting a trend towards self consumption.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-households-add-record-amounts-of-rooftop-pv-as-home-battery-installations-top-4-3-gwh/

  • India deploys 37.9 GW of solar in 2025

    In 2025, India achieved its highest annual renewable energy additions with a record 37.9 GW of solar and 6.3 GW of wind capacity. Solar installations saw a significant increase of 54.7%, mainly driven by utility-scale projects. The growth was fueled by the commissioning of delayed projects, accelerated construction efforts, and a rise in domestic manufacturing capacity. Additionally, government initiatives played a key role in driving rooftop solar installations. These developments highlight India's progress towards achieving its renewable energy goals and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/14/india-deploys-37-9-gw-of-solar-in-2025/

  • Chinese scientists push selenium solar cells beyond 10% efficiency

    Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have achieved a world record for selenium solar cells, reaching 10.3% efficiency, surpassing the 10% threshold for the first time. This milestone was made possible through optimized charge-selective contacts, light-driven crystallization, and post-deposition annealing, resulting in stable devices with a 1.03 V open-circuit voltage. The breakthrough in selenium solar cells, known for their wider bandgap and high efficiency potential, demonstrates the success of careful optimization and strategic combinations by the research team. The device also exhibited minimal efficiency loss after 1,000 hours of testing, highlighting its promising future in the development of efficient solar energy solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/13/chinese-scientists-push-selenium-solar-cells-beyond-10-efficiency/