Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an all-perovskite tandem solar cell using FAPbI3 nanoparticles, achieving 30.2% efficiency by combining a wide-bandgap top cell and a narrow-bandgap bottom cell. FAPbI3 is known for its high efficiency in solar cells but can transform into a non-functional phase, limiting performance. The researchers used a two-step method to fabricate the perovskite layers, stabilizing the material and improving durability. The four-terminal spectral splitting architecture of the device minimizes losses and efficiently utilizes the solar spectrum across both cells. The study suggests that carefully chosen spectral splitting wavelengths can lead to high efficiencies in both four-terminal and two-terminal perovskite solar cell architectures, with practical deployment options including outdoor photovoltaic systems and integration with concentrator photovoltaics.
Category: Electricity & Industry
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US Gulf States See A Green Hydrogen Future For Stranded Assets
Three US states around the Gulf of Mexico, including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are collaborating on repurposing offshore oil and gas platforms for green hydrogen and aquaculture projects. The initiative, supported by former Louisiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards, aims to transform the oil and gas industry into a more sustainable and prosperous sector by integrating renewable energy, aquaculture, mineral recovery, and ocean monitoring. A $20 million project funded by the Gulf Research Program, involving the University of Houston, is working towards repurposing inactive wells, pipelines, and platforms in the Gulf for economic and environmental benefits, with a goal of having five operational platforms by 2030. The project is part of a larger effort to address the importance of locally produced renewable energy and the narrowing cost gap between green hydrogen and conventional hydrogen, with defense suppliers like Rheinmetall planning to build green hydrogen facilities across Europe. CleanTechnica provides detailed analyses and summaries on clean tech news, highlighting the potential for repurposing offshore oil and gas infrastructure for green hydrogen production.
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UK solar developer secures $1.1 billion financing package
Enviromena, an independent power producer, has secured a £825 million ($1.1 billion) senior portfolio financing package to support the buildout of a 1 GW solar pipeline in the UK. The financing, underwritten by institutional investors, includes an initial £525 million with an additional £300 million available for expansion. With a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW and over 120 solar plants built to date, Enviromena aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and support the UK's energy transition. This landmark financing package is a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions in the UK.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/24/uk-solar-developer-secures-1-1-billion-financing-package/
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Q&A: China’s leadership calls for ‘strict control’ of fossil fuels
China's new 'opinions' document on climate policy emphasizes the importance of energy security and decarbonization, marking a significant step towards controlling fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The document connects decarbonization efforts with energy security and industrial development for the first time at a high-level policy level, highlighting the role of low-carbon energy in China's energy system. It focuses on limiting coal use, increasing non-fossil energy consumption, and covering all new power demand with clean energy. The document also strengthens climate evaluation rules, with measures for reviewing and evaluating carbon-reduction efforts and grading local governments on their carbon-reduction efforts. Provinces failing to meet control indicators will face corrective measures, showing a commitment to accountability and compliance in achieving climate targets.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-chinas-leadership-calls-for-strict-control-of-fossil-fuels/
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To phase out fossil fuels, developing countries need exit route from “debt trap”
At COP30, over 80 governments are proposing an initiative to address the debt crisis in the Global South by financing the transition to renewables with public grants instead of loans. The current debt architecture traps developing countries in a cycle where fossil fuel revenues are needed to service debt, hindering efforts to phase out coal, oil, and gas. Policy recommendations include debt cancellation and ending international finance for fossil fuel expansion to address climate challenges. Proper funding for renewable energy and diversification is crucial, as many countries in the Global South lack support for making the energy transition. The broken debt system must be fixed to confront future climate shocks and ensure a successful transition to renewable energy sources.
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How Google turned its climate program into an AI booster
Google's carbon-intelligent computing platform is now being used to connect data centers to the grid efficiently, allowing for energy-intensive tasks to be assigned when renewable energy is abundant. The company has integrated demand response into utility contracts across the South and Midwest, making up to 1 gigawatt of its data centers' electricity demand available for curtailment. This pivot towards demand response programs is seen as a way to enable the development of more clean energy in the future, despite challenges such as policy uncertainties and increasing energy demands from artificial intelligence. Flexible data centers can aid in the deployment of renewable energy by offsetting its variability, transforming them from a burden on the grid to a valuable resource for integrating variable solar or wind power.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/how-google-turned-its-climate-program-into-an-ai-booster/
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Ground-breaking NT microgrid lands $8.3m grant, set to kick off construction
An $8.3 million grant from ARENA will fund the construction of the Ngardara Solar Microgrid in Borroloola, Northern Territory, consisting of 2.1 MW of solar and a 1.8 MW, 6.6 MWh battery. Led by First Nations group Original Power, the project aims for 80% renewable energy penetration, saving 1.2 million liters of diesel annually. This community-led microgrid initiative seeks to provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to Indigenous communities, promoting local energy ownership and benefiting traditionally excluded communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally, a separate microgrid project in Ltyentye Apurte near Alice Springs is receiving funding to improve reliability and provide a constant source of electricity during blackouts, pushing the energy sector towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
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War-hit Ukraine bets on wind with massive new project
Ukraine's largest private energy firm DTEK is leading the way in enhancing energy security with the construction of a 650MW wind farm in the Poltava region. The project aims to restore capacity, scale renewable generation, and modernize grids to support Ukraine's survival and future prosperity. Following damage to two-thirds of Ukraine's power supply due to the Russian invasion, there has been increased investment in dispersed generation like wind and solar farms. DTEK's focus on wind farm projects and energy storage systems is strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience and supporting the clean energy transition.
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UK Has More EV Chargers Than Gas (Petrol) Nozzles
The United Kingdom has surpassed the number of gas pump nozzles with over 118,000 public EV charger points compared to around 60,800 fuel pumps. The government is planning to add even more public EV chargers to accommodate the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road. With the steady decline of petrol stations in the UK since the 1960s, there is a possibility of no more petrol stations in Britain in about 12 years. To make it easier for residents without private driveways to charge their EVs, the UK government is rolling out plans to install 100,000 new local public chargers in the coming years.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/21/uk-has-more-ev-chargers-than-gas-petrol-nozzles/
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The world added 605 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, says IEA
The International Energy Agency's latest report highlights the significant increase in solar PV electricity generation in 2025, with a total generation of around 2,800 TWh. Solar's share of global electricity generation has surpassed 8%, with solar covering 605 GW of new renewables capacity. Solar met more than 25% of the higher global energy demand, marking the first time a modern renewable source contributed the largest share of energy demand growth. Battery storage is identified as the fastest growing power technology, with lithium-iron phosphate batteries dominating the market and an increasing number of projects being deployed for longer durations to provide flexibility in systems with rising shares of PV.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/21/the-world-added-605-gw-of-new-pv-capacity-in-2025-says-iea/