Italian solar module manufacturer FuturaSun has introduced Silk Nova Pure, a new photovoltaic module series with integrated anti-soiling glass technology called True Rays, developed in partnership with Irish company Kastus. This technology aims to increase energy yield and reduce cleaning requirements for commercial and utility-scale solar projects by improving dust and dirt removal. By addressing soiling as a major issue affecting photovoltaic systems, FuturaSun emphasizes the importance of reducing contaminant build-up to maintain light transmission, stabilize energy yields, and reduce cleaning frequency. The True Rays glass combines hydrophilic and photocatalytic properties to ensure long-lasting effectiveness without degradation, ultimately improving performance, reliability, and energy production throughout the module's lifetime. Commercialization of the Silk Nova Pure modules is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 after certification and production planning.
Category: Electricity
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Final Energy Is Official. Useful Energy Steers The Transition.
The COP31 proposal aims to increase electricity's share in global final energy demand to 35% by 2035, emphasizing the importance of electrification beyond power generation. The distinction between primary, final, and useful energy is crucial in understanding the transition to a decarbonized economy, with a focus on electro-efficiency to reduce energy consumption. The article highlights the need for a useful-energy companion to final-energy targets for accurate measurement of electrification progress, calling for transparency in measuring useful energy to drive efficient climate solutions. Accurate data on all three types of energy is essential for assessing progress towards efficient energy services and tracking the transition from combustion to electricity effectively.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/05/final-energy-is-official-useful-energy-steers-the-transition/
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Qualitas Energy receives $197m for Italian solar PV portfolio
Qualitas Energy has secured €172m in financing for a 156MW-peak greenfield solar PV portfolio in Italy, including a term loan, ancillary facilities, and an interest rate swap. The portfolio consists of 15 assets with long-term contracted revenue streams, as the company aims to expand its presence in Italy and develop a diverse renewable energy platform. With a pipeline of over 1GW of wind projects expected by 2028, Qualitas Energy is making significant strides in advancing climate solutions. Legal advice was provided by BonelliErede, with DWF serving as legal counsel to the lenders.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/qualitas-energy-197m-italian-solar-pv/
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Elemental Live: Inside the Data Center Innovation Initiative
Elemental Live: Inside the Data Center Innovation Initiative (DCII) is a collaboration led by Elemental Impact in partnership with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to accelerate the deployment of technologies addressing energy, infrastructure, and sustainability challenges in AI infrastructure. The initiative focuses on low-carbon materials, energy storage, electrical systems, and cooling technologies to strengthen data center infrastructure and promote broader market adoption. Attendees will learn about technology priorities, funding opportunities, evaluation processes, and ways to engage with the ecosystem, with a live Q&A session with the Elemental team included.
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Agrivoltaics Could Solve One of Solar’s Biggest Problems in the Philippines
Agrivoltaics is gaining traction in the Philippines as a way to combine solar energy generation with agriculture on limited arable land, maximizing land use efficiency. The country's largest commercial agrivoltaic project in Batangas combines utility-scale solar generation with crop production and battery energy storage, showing promise for the coexistence of farming and clean energy production. Lessons from smaller trials have influenced the design of larger agrivoltaic projects, providing valuable operational data for future solar projects and offering a solution to land use conflicts while supporting rural communities. This innovation in the country's renewable energy transition highlights the potential for sustainable solutions in the clean tech sector.
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Electric School Buses Put Batteries To Work To Stabilize Grids
Electric school buses with bi-directional charging technology, known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, are being used to help stabilize the electrical grid during peak demand periods. There are over 6,700 electric school buses deployed in the US, with some batteries exceeding 200 kilowatt-hours. These buses can charge during low demand times and send power back to the grid when demand is high. California is leading the way in V2G school bus technology, with projects in Oakland and San Francisco expected to generate significant amounts of electricity annually. Several states and organizations are investing in V2G infrastructure programs, with partnerships with major utilities like PG&E and Southern California Edison, aiming to utilize electric buses as generators during emergencies and disasters for climate resilience efforts. Regulatory frameworks and standards for V2G technology are still in the early stages.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/04/electric-school-buses-put-batteries-to-work-to-stabilize-grids/
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Chinese scientists build 27.3%-efficient inverted perovskite solar cell based on dual-molecule interface
Researchers from China's Soochow University and other scientists have developed innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. One team created a dual-molecule interface layer that enhances charge extraction and stability, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. Another group modified perovskite solar cells with CzOTf, resulting in cells with an efficiency of 26.20% and excellent stability. The scaled-up cells maintained a power conversion efficiency of 21.54% and operated outdoors for 35 days without degradation. These advancements in solar cell technology offer promising solutions for increasing renewable energy production.
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Tesla energy storage rebounds as Musk backs growth prospects
Tesla's storage deployments saw a significant rebound to 13.5GWh in Q2 of this year, a 40% increase from the same quarter last year, marking the second-largest quarterly result for the company. Despite a slow start to the year, Tesla is optimistic about the growth of solar and storage markets globally. The company has signed deals for its Megapack and Megablock storage products and is expanding its manufacturing footprint, including a $4.3bn LFP battery factory in Michigan, aiming to create a robust domestic battery supply chain in the US.
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GCL Plans To Integrate AI Data Centers Directly with the Grid — CleanTechnica Field Trip
GCL, the largest private energy producer in China, is advancing the country's strategy to upgrade its energy generation systems to zero-emissions technologies. They are expanding their clean energy solutions overseas, focusing on increasing battery energy storage, offshore wind deployments, and virtual power plants in Southeast Asia. By integrating AI data centers into their energy strategy, GCL aims to increase flexibility, revenue, and stability in the grid. China's comprehensive energy strategy includes transitioning to locally sourced, zero-emissions technologies to support economic growth and reduce overall emissions. The integration of AI data centers with the grid is seen as a way to lower costs, balance the grid, and create the right pricing signals for customers, driving the clean energy transition and reducing emissions in Southeast Asia.
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Shallow gabion foundations enable solar plant deployment on archaeological site
Ijes Solar is building an 8.9 MW solar park in France for Total Energies, set to be completed in summer 2026. The project, located in an area with archaeological significance, utilizes shallow gabion foundations to protect buried artifacts. Once operational, the solar plant will provide renewable electricity for 3,500 households. A crowdfunding campaign has been initiated to engage local residents in the energy transition and support the project in the region.