US-made perovskite tandem solar cells from Swift Solar, with record efficiencies of 34.8% achieved in 2025, were recently used in a US Department of Defense cybersecurity demonstration, marking a significant milestone in their operational deployment. These modular microgrids, integrated with perovskite solar cells, offer quick setup and relocation capabilities for disaster response, military operations, and remote power generation. By depositing a thin layer on top of conventional silicon-based solar cells, perovskite tandems can boost electricity production by up to 30%, outperforming traditional silicon cells. With exclusive IP and funding, Swift Solar is ramping up commercial production for "gigawatt-scale" production by 2030, showcasing the promising future of solar energy.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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“Forget subsidies:” Solar-battery hybrids can deliver “incredibly competitive” power for big industry
Quinbrook, the developer of Australia's biggest battery, is focusing on hybrid solar and storage projects to power industrial energy needs at a competitive cost without government support. They are planning to build a smelting facility in Townsville powered by renewables, utilizing long-duration "infrastructure batteries" paired with cheap renewables. Australia is seeing a rise in DC-coupled solar-battery hybrid projects, with Quinbrook's partnership with China battery giant CATL allowing them to build batteries at a lower cost. Advancements in solar technology and batteries have led to historically low costs for solar energy, providing cheap and reliable energy for up to 18 hours a day in sunny locations like Gladstone and Townsville, without relying on government subsidies.
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Wärtsilä to provide DC-coupled energy storage system in Australia
Wärtsilä is working on a project in Australia to provide a large energy storage system that will help the country reach its net-zero emissions target by 2045. The system, expected to be operational by 2028, will power up to 120,000 homes and businesses by integrating solar generation with battery storage to minimize energy losses and enhance grid stability. Wärtsilä's advanced control technology will be crucial in overseeing the integration of the energy storage system and solar assets with the grid's connection requirements, showcasing a promising step towards sustainable energy solutions.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/wartsila-dc-coupled-energy-storage/
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As Renewables In China Surge, Some Questions Are Raised
China is leading the world in renewable energy, with President Xi Jinping committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy sixfold. The country has developed a massive renewable energy development in Tibet, including the Talatan Solar Park providing 16,930 megawatts of power. China is rapidly expanding its clean energy infrastructure, utilizing smart ideas to address excess renewable energy and reducing air pollution by 41 percent since 2014. Despite concerns about the impact of ultra-high-voltage power lines on nearby residents, the benefits of breathing cleaner air from renewable energy sources far outweigh the drawbacks. Renewable energy advocates should emphasize these benefits more strongly in discussions about their impact on homes and the economy.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/11/as-renewables-in-china-surge-some-questions-are-raised/