An international research team has developed an indium-free perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell using tin oxide films and a low-damage reactive plasma deposition process, resulting in high efficiency and stability. Published in Science, the research showcases the potential for reducing material costs while maintaining strong performance under various conditions. This breakthrough could lead to low-cost, sustainable, and scalable photovoltaic technologies on a terawatt scale, offering promising solutions for addressing climate change.
Category: Electricity & Industry
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NLR Battery Innovation Awarded NASA’s Invention of the Year
The National Laboratory of the Rockies and NASA have developed the ISC-D, a device that triggers battery failure in lithium-ion cells to study reactions and prevent system-wide failures, recognized as NASA's 2025 Invention of the Year. This innovation has improved battery safety standards for space missions, with KULR Technology Group licensing the technology for embedding in battery cells for enhanced safety testing. Over 80 companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, are using the ISC-D technology, showcasing the importance of cross-industry collaborations in advancing battery safety and thermal management solutions for various applications in vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/16/nlr-battery-innovation-awarded-nasas-invention-of-the-year-2/
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Google’s $3.5B solar project pushes US into new territory
The Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, the largest solar and battery project in America, with 1,600 MW of solar and 1,900 MW of battery storage capacity, has garnered significant attention in the U.S. solar industry. Google's 20-year contract to purchase the electricity output highlights the tech industry's interest in renewable energy, while the project's $3.5 billion price tag and financing from four banks demonstrate investor confidence in the sector. Despite challenges like expired tax credits and logistical barriers, the project showcases the potential for solar and battery storage to meet growing electricity demand and the importance of domestic manufacturing in the clean energy industry. The steel coil used by PACO Steel for fabricating the project's pilings will be made in a way that is beneficial for the climate, further emphasizing the positive impact of the Steel River Energy Center.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/googles-3-5b-solar-project-pushes-us-into-new-territory/
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6 Records Solar & Storage Have Crushed in the First Half of 2026
Solar and storage technologies are dominating new electricity generation capacity in the US, with solar making up 91% of new grid capacity added in Q1 2026 and surpassing coal as America's largest source of new electricity generation. California's battery fleet discharged a record 12.99 GW of power, covering 44% of demand, while setting a solar generation record of 23 GW covering 72% of afternoon demand. Texas has set multiple records, including renewables meeting 79% of electricity demand and batteries supplying 20% of evening electricity demand. Major grid operators like SPP, ISONE, MISO, and PJM are also setting new records for solar generation, showcasing how solar energy is not only reducing prices but also ensuring energy reliability and meeting rising electricity demand.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/16/6-records-solar-storage-have-crushed-in-the-first-half-of-2026/
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Pilot tests show vertical PV system with specular reflectors delivers 51% higher yield
Spanish startup FutureVoltaics has launched VectHor, a photovoltaic solution designed to increase irradiance capture and shift solar generation towards periods with higher electricity market value. The largest pilot plant in Lemoiz, Spain, using VectHor technology achieved a 51.4% higher specific yield compared to conventional installations, resulting in a 73.6% higher economic return. FutureVoltaics is collaborating with CABB to commercialize VectHor and plans to implement more installations in the future. The pilot project validates the durability and performance of the VectHor5 platform under challenging environmental conditions, contributing to improvements in installation and maintenance practices. The next iteration of the product will include improved reflector materials to further increase energy production and economic value of electricity generated.
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UN uses AI to curb methane emissions
The United Nations is utilizing artificial intelligence to rapidly detect methane emissions and notify governments and businesses for prompt action. Over the past two years, AI models have identified 80-85% of methane releases for potential repair, with the Methane Alert and Response System uncovering leaks equivalent to the annual emissions of 24 million cars. This use of AI is considered a crucial tool in combating climate change by swiftly pinpointing and resolving significant methane leaks to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/un-uses-ai-to-curb-methane-emissions/
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Cypress Creek & Google Break Ground on America’s Largest Solar Project
Google and Cypress Creek are collaborating on the Steel River Energy Center, the largest solar energy project in the US, which will include 2.5 GWdc of solar and 2.9 GWh of battery storage. The project aims to provide clean energy to power Arkansas's growing industrial economy and meet the state's increasing demand for power. Solar and battery storage accounted for 91% of new electricity-generating capacity in the first quarter of 2026, supporting over 1.4 million jobs in the clean power industry. The project is using 100% U.S.-made components, benefiting the local economy and creating jobs, while Cypress Creek has committed $3 million to community initiatives in Mississippi County to support sustainable energy infrastructure and create lasting value through responsible development and community partnerships.
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Insane “Gigascale” 5.2GW, 19GWh Solar + Storage Project Moves Forward
Masdar has achieved financial close on the world's first gigascale Round-the-Clock renewable energy project, with a 5.2 GW solar power installation and a 19 GWh battery storage installation, providing 1 GW of continuous clean power supply 24/7. The $6.1 billion investment, with Masdar funding $1 billion of equity, sets a new benchmark for financing reliable, utility-scale clean energy projects. Additionally, Masdar is on track to reach 100GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on delivering reliable and affordable clean power through energy storage and hybrid solutions, despite being funded by the oil industry. This project showcases Masdar's foresight in investing in renewable energy projects to meet growing electricity demand globally.
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Chinese scientists achieve world record efficiency of 28.04% for perovksite-organic tandem solar cell
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have achieved a world record power conversion efficiency of 28.04% for a tandem solar cell using a wide-bandgap perovskite bottom cell and a narrow-bandgap organic top cell. They utilized a photo-transformable molecule called TDB to improve film uniformity in the perovskite film, leading to enhanced stability and performance. The device demonstrated excellent stability, retaining 90% of its initial efficiency after 625 hours of continuous operation, addressing key challenges associated with morphological instability and performance decay in solar cells. Additionally, the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore has achieved a 26.4% efficiency using a new type of organic absorber in the bottom cell, showing promising advancements in tandem solar cell efficiency.
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Triple-junction all-perovskite solar cell based on graphene oxide bilayer achieves 27.3% efficiency
An international research team has developed a novel triple-junction all-perovskite solar cell technology using a graphene oxide-SAM bilayer contact strategy to enhance performance and stability. By integrating graphene oxide, they improved interfacial passivation and buried interface morphology, leading to an increase in cell efficiency from 23.6% to 25.1%, with further optimization reaching a champion efficiency of 27.3%. This technology has the potential to achieve efficiencies beyond 30% by reducing charge-transport resistance and improving perovskite quality and energy-level alignment, making it a promising solution for higher industrial readiness levels. The study, published in Joule, was conducted by a group of academics from Germany and Switzerland.