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.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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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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Are long-promised solar perovskites finally hitting mass production?
Perovskites have the potential to significantly improve solar panel efficiency by absorbing more light than conventional silicon cells. Startup Tandem PV is working to bring this technology to commercial manufacturing with a new factory in California, aiming to increase energy production by one-third in the same physical space as regular solar panels. Their innovative approach involves using a smaller lab to test and refine their perovskite formula before scaling up production, with plans to start producing full-size panels in 2028 pending successful real-world testing. The production process of perovskite solar panels involves depositing layers of chemicals on glass, crystallizing the perovskites, and adding additional layers for electron transport and protection, all done in a highly automated manner for faster and more precise manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to produce panels that outperform those created in the lab, offering a promising solution for more efficient and sustainable energy production.
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/perovskites-mass-production-tandem-fremont
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Fabricating perovskite solar cells with robotic boxes
An international research team has developed an AI-driven robotic platform that autonomously designs, fabricates, and optimizes perovskite solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 27%. The system processes information from thousands of publications and data generated during device fabrication through a seven-layer AI architecture. Scientists from multiple universities have collaborated on a system to improve recipe recommendations for robotic execution in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells, aiming to enhance efficiency and accuracy. This innovative approach combines robotic fabrication and characterization within a closed-loop system, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in the renewable energy sector.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/21/fabricating-perovskite-solar-cells-with-robotic-boxes/
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Puerto Rico Is Now A Perovskite Solar Cell Powerhouse
Solar cell innovators in the US, such as Solx and Caelux, are teaming up to manufacture new tandem perovskite technology in Puerto Rico, aiming to offer a more economical alternative to traditional silicon cells with high-volume manufacturing potential. The Government of Puerto Rico is emphasizing the importance of solar energy as a solution to the island's weak infrastructure and dependence on imported fossil fuels. Solx's partnership with Caelux and Suniva seeks to revolutionize the American energy industry with a fully U.S.-based solar supply chain, highlighting the potential of U.S. manufacturers and technology leaders aligning to build a sustainable energy future and strengthen domestic energy security. This collaboration showcases the commitment to reshoring critical manufacturing capability and advancing solar technology in the face of challenges posed by current federal energy policies.
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Video: From $200 bills to $190 credit – 1 month with solar & battery
In a detailed analysis of a solar and battery storage system in Australian homes, it was found that the system resulted in a $190 credit on the power bill, a substantial improvement from the previous $200 monthly bill. The breakdown of factors such as grid imports, solar exports, and bill credits sheds light on the potential benefits of distributed energy technologies for both consumers and the grid. This case study highlights the positive impact these systems can have on reducing energy costs and increasing energy independence, making them a promising solution for addressing climate change.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/video-from-200-bills-to-190-credit-1-month-with-solar-battery/
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Solar surge kept fossil electricity flat in 2025 as China and India made ‘historic’ shift
In 2025, a record surge in clean power met all global electricity demand growth, with solar leading the expansion by meeting around 75% of new electricity demand alone. This shift, largely driven by China and India, outpaced electricity demand growth and led to declines in fossil generation in both countries for the first time this century. The rise in clean generation slightly exceeded demand growth, pushing fossil generation down by 0.2%. UN Climate Change head Simon Stiell emphasized the risks of fossil fuel dependence amid disruptions in global oil and gas supplies due to the war in the Middle East, urging nations to accelerate the shift towards clean energy to enhance national security, economic stability, and reduce exposure to fossil fuel imports and costs. Stiell highlighted that clean energy is cheaper, safer, and faster-to-market compared to fossil fuels, which are causing chaos in volatile energy markets.
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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/
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WindEurope’s 10-point plan to boost wind power in face of Iran energy crisis
WindEurope has released a 10-point plan to increase wind power deployment in Europe and reduce reliance on oil and gas, aiming to address the energy crisis caused by the conflict in Iran. The focus is on transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind power to mitigate the impact of geopolitical tensions on energy security. The plan outlines strategies to accelerate the growth of wind energy in Europe and promote sustainability in the face of global challenges, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy solutions in addressing current energy crises.
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Solar, wind meet 99 pct of new global demand as batteries help deliver “round-the-clock resource”
In 2025, record amounts of new solar and wind generation capacity met 99% of global electricity demand growth, with Australia leading the charge in transforming solar into a "round-the-clock resource." Solar power saw a significant increase, meeting 75% of the net increase in global power demand and growing by 30% from the previous year. Wind energy also had a successful year, with the global industry installing a record-breaking 165 gigawatts in 2025. Together, wind and solar now contribute more than half of all global renewable generation, helping low-carbon sources reach 42.6% of total electricity generation in 2025. Battery storage saw significant growth, with prices dropping to $70/kWh and capacity additions increasing by 46%, surpassing natural gas additions. This shift towards clean energy signifies the beginning of a new era of clean growth, reducing reliance on expensive fossil generation and reshaping energy security by meeting increasing electricity demand.