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.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
-
Green iron is Australia’s largest opportunity for future economic prosperity. Green steel is the way in
The iron and steel industry, a major contributor to global emissions, is facing challenges in decarbonization progress, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Government support is crucial for capital flows into decarbonization efforts, as seen in Australia's Future Made in Australia policy aiming to kickstart green iron and steel production. Australia has the opportunity to accelerate its ambition in low- and zero-emissions steel value chains by investing in electric arc furnaces and supporting renewable energy capacity. Coordinating a strategy for decarbonizing the steel industry and mobilizing private capital is essential for driving emissions reduction and safeguarding downstream jobs in a decarbonizing economy.
-
Delhi plans major shift to electric vehicles as it phases out gas-powered models
Delhi has implemented a new policy to phase out gas vehicles and promote electric vehicles (EVs) by 2027, targeting two- and three-wheelers which make up a majority of vehicles in the city. The plan includes subsidies for EV buyers, incentives to scrap gas vehicles, and expanding charging infrastructure. Challenges include building sufficient charging infrastructure, upgrading the electricity grid, and coordinating with surrounding states for decarbonization. The move is seen as a significant step towards improving air quality and reducing pollution in one of the world's most polluted cities, with electric vehicles already accounting for 12.7% of new vehicle sales in the city in the 2026 financial year.
-
Polish scientists build 21.87% semi-transparent perovskite PV cell for tandem applications
Researchers at Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland have developed a fabrication strategy for semitransparent perovskite solar cells, achieving a champion power conversion efficiency of 21.87% for the cells and 27.15% for tandem devices when combined with a commercial crystalline silicon bottom cell. The team focused on optimizing electrode and buffer-layer design, as well as long-term stability testing, with the devices demonstrating operational stability lasting over 1600 hours under light soaking and more than 4000 hours under outdoor conditions. Scientists are also working on improving the performance of 4T tandem perovskite/silicon solar devices by addressing issues such as series resistance and optical losses, focusing on developing wide-bandgap p-i-n perovskite solar cells with high transparency, low electrical losses, and long-term stability. Key areas for enhancing performance include optimizing transparent electrodes and reducing near-infrared absorption.
-
Open-access framework for intraday PV power prediction
Researchers from Switzerland and the Netherlands have developed a new framework for intraday spatiotemporal PV power prediction at the national scale, combining satellite-based deep learning and optical-flow approaches with physics-based numerical weather prediction models. This method allows for improved short-term power production planning, strategic action during energy surpluses or shortages, reduced electricity costs, and better balance of the energy grid. The satellite-based models outperformed traditional forecasting methods, with relative errors below 10% on 82% of days in 2019-2020, demonstrating potential for operational use in climate solutions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/28/open-access-framework-for-intraday-pv-power-prediction/
-
Wholesale power prices plunge as renewables surge, batteries boom, and gas hits 23-year low
Wholesale electricity prices in Australia's main grid dropped significantly in the June quarter, with a nearly 50% decrease attributed to increased renewable energy output, reduced coal production, and low gas generation. The Australian Energy Market Operator highlights record renewable generation and growing battery storage as key factors reshaping the energy market. Grid-scale batteries are storing excess solar energy for evening peaks, leading to lower electricity prices. Despite some challenges like severe wind droughts and transmission constraints, South Australia saw a surge in wholesale power prices due to high prices commanded by gas and diesel generators. The grid is evolving rapidly with increased daytime demand driven by factors like home battery charging and data center load, with battery storage often setting wholesale prices lower than gas.
-
Altus Power Partners with New Leaf Energy on Development of 5 Community Solar Projects in Virginia
Altus Power has acquired five community solar projects in Virginia, totaling 32 MW, to participate in Appalachian Power Company's shared solar program, aiming to deliver clean power to approximately 5,000 homes and provide direct savings through solar bill credits. Collaborating with New Leaf Energy, Altus Power is expanding access to community solar in emerging markets, currently serving over 40,000 subscribers nationwide with Community Solar, offering clean energy savings without the need for installing solar panels. By building clean power generation assets in high-demand areas, Altus Power supports reliability, lowers energy costs, expands local power generation, and improves grid resilience, advancing a more affordable, reliable, and locally powered energy future through innovative financing.
-
Sunshine state sets new solar record – in the middle of winter
Queensland achieved a new record for the share of solar power in its electricity mix during winter, with large-scale solar supplying 38.2% of electricity consumption on a Sunday morning. Solar output peaked at 3.1 MW, setting a new record for battery-stored energy at 5,646 megawatt-hours, while the maximum renewable energy share reached just under 76% of consumption. Despite some curtailment, the state is making progress towards a cleaner energy future, showcasing changing daytime operating conditions in Queensland.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/sunshine-state-sets-new-solar-record-in-the-middle-of-winter/
-
Loganair Agrees To Buy Five BETA Technologies Short Range Electric Aircraft
Loganair, Scotland's primary regional airline, has agreed to purchase five ALIA CX300 electric airplanes from BETA Technologies, with an option for five more. These short-haul electric aircraft can be recharged in 20-40 minutes and have shown an energy efficiency of 1.37 kWh per nautical mile. The collaboration between Loganair, Royal Mail, UK CAA, and regional airports has been essential to the success of integrating these electric planes into scheduled operations. Airbus is pioneering a hybrid-electric non-propulsive energy architecture for the next generation of commercial aircraft, supported by the European Union Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. BETA Technologies is working on expanding charging infrastructure for electric aircraft in the US, with plans for over 250 airports and vertiports to be equipped with charging infrastructure by 2030. Airbus is focusing on developing integrated, intelligent hybrid-electric architectures for the future of aviation, aiming to validate these systems through testing and a ground demonstration by 2027.