In 2026, six states, including Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, and Colorado, have passed smart solar and storage policies to address rising electricity demand, lower power bills, and improve grid reliability. These policies, supported by SEIA, aim to deploy solar and storage, expand access to low-cost electricity, and save consumers billions of dollars over the next two decades. By investing in distributed energy resources and virtual power plant programs, these states are leading the way in modernizing their electric grids and demonstrating the effectiveness of clean energy solutions in meeting electricity demand, improving reliability, and reducing costs. Other states are also considering similar legislation to advance their clean energy goals.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Fraunhofer CSP develops ultrathin glass-glass PV modules strengthened by special coating
Fraunhofer CSP and Exxosqel GmbH are developing a thin-glass solar module with a special coating to improve mechanical strength, using 1 mm-thick glass panes and quarter-cells from bifacial M6 9-busbar PERC cells. The coating reacts with damaged glass surfaces to increase strength and durability, potentially reducing material use, energy consumption, and carbon emissions by up to 40%. This technology could be applied to standard solar modules, enabling lightweight designs for building-integrated photovoltaics, while also aiming to improve hail resistance by decoupling mechanical performance from traditional glass-thickness limitations. Full-size module testing for hail resistance is the next crucial step in confirming the technology's effectiveness.
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Geely Unveils New EV Powertrain That Is 93.8% Efficient
Geely has developed a new high-performance electric drive system, the Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive, which integrates 16 components into one compact unit with 93.8% efficiency, setting two Guinness World Records. The system features a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration with 570 horsepower output, advanced torque management, and cooling technology for sustained high performance. The Geely TT equipped with this powertrain also broke the Guinness World Record for lowest energy consumption circumnavigation of Qinghai Lake by a battery electric powered production sedan. This development highlights the progress in making electric vehicles more efficient and sustainable compared to internal combustion engines, aiming to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the European market.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/19/geely-unveils-new-ev-powertrain-that-is-93-8-efficient/
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Electrification action plan aims to make Europe world’s first electric-powered continent
The European Commission has published an Electrification Action Plan to reduce Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels and accelerate the electrification of energy-consuming sectors, with an indicative target of 46% by 2040. This could save €240 billion in fossil fuel import costs, addressing barriers such as high electricity prices and slow grid connections. The plan also aims to support industrial electrification through reforms to the EU Emissions Trading System and funding for clean energy technologies. The focus is on the dual benefits of climate action in terms of sustainability and economic growth, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that considers both environmental and economic factors to achieve climate solutions.
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Australia sees record surge in solar, wind and battery projects
In the 2025/26 financial year, AEMO reported a record level of new solar, wind, and battery projects entering the National Electricity Market, totaling 9.1 GW / 12.9 GWh of new generation and storage capacity across 34 projects reaching full output, more than double the previous year. Battery projects, including hybrid solar-plus-battery projects, dominated the connections pipeline. Despite challenges in the delivery pipeline causing delays, AEMO highlighted strong performance in supporting Australia's energy transition.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/20/solar-wind-and-battery-projects-surge-to-record-high/
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APsystems introduces plug-in microinverter for U.S. balcony solar
APsystems has launched the EZ1-LV microinverter, designed for decentralized, small-scale solar deployments such as balconies and gardens. This plug-and-play grid connection solution reduces installation time and barriers to solar adoption. The microinverter supports high-power solar panels, operates reliably under harsh conditions, and features integrated communications for real-time monitoring. It meets strict U.S. and Canadian safety standards and comes with a 12-year standard warranty, making it a promising solution for expanding solar energy access.
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New AI tool brings transparency to the solar buying process
Tursun Ablekim, founder of AgentSolar AI, has developed a platform to bring transparency and efficiency to the residential solar sector, addressing pricing inconsistency and aggressive sales tactics that have led to overpayment by U.S. homeowners. The platform uses agentic AI to analyze proposals, verify installer reputation, and negotiate better terms on behalf of the consumer, potentially reducing solar soft costs, especially customer acquisition expenses. Ablekim envisions a future where AI manages all aspects of the home energy journey, leading to a shift towards specialized digital services in the residential solar market for data transparency and autonomous execution. This disruption aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and agent-led future in the solar industry, benefiting both consumers and local installers.
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Giving away excess daytime solar for free
Australia is leading the way in solar energy generation and the use of home batteries and electric vehicles to manage excess daytime solar. The new solar sharer retail tariff allows families to receive up to 24 kWh of free electricity per day between 11 am and 2 pm, making their annual energy bill the cheapest in history. Additionally, Australia is utilizing electric vehicles as mobile batteries to reduce peak demand and lower prices, while the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro storage project will significantly increase rechargeable energy storage in the country. The shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind is driving down fossil gas generation, with market innovation and government intervention enabling rapid growth in solar deployment at a low cost.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/17/giving-away-excess-daytime-solar-for-free/
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Australia Nails It Again — On Large Data Centers This Time
Australia is leading globally in rooftop solar power adoption, thanks to strong federal and state policies. The country is now working on legislation that will require large AI data centers to secure their own new clean energy supply, ensuring they contribute to the grid and do not increase power prices for Australians. This common-sense solution will make Australia the first country in the world to address these issues in a national framework. The legislation is expected to come into effect in early 2027, with requirements for new power supply, grid connection costs coverage, and potential power reduction when needed.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/17/australia-nails-it-again-on-large-data-centers-this-time/
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Where solar meets the soil: The multi-benefit potential of ecovoltaics and agrivoltaics
The energy industry is experiencing a surge in demand from data centers, crypto mining, and electric vehicles, while the federal government continues to prioritize fossil fuels. However, photovoltaic solar technology has become more efficient and cost-effective, offering a promising alternative energy source. Emerging methods like ecovoltaics and agrivoltaics are promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health by using PV solar panels to cultivate native plant growth. Studies have shown that ecovoltaic sites support more biodiversity, attract pollinators, and have positive impacts on soil health compared to traditional solar energy farms. Agrivoltaics, the integration of solar and agricultural production, can benefit habitat biodiversity, support native species, and provide mutual benefits for energy and food production, especially in states with limited land for both renewable energy and agriculture. Countries like Japan have already seen success with agrivoltaics, including projects that integrate livestock grazing under solar panels. Projects like the Cornucopia Hybrid Solar Project in California demonstrate the potential for agrivoltaics to deliver renewable energy, promote agricultural uses, and conserve groundwater while reducing fire risks and the need for vegetation maintenance.