Chinese PV module manufacturer JinkoSolar recently achieved a power conversion efficiency of 34.82% for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by China's Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology. This breakthrough, credited to innovations in core technologies, marks progress in the industrialization of next-generation perovskite tandem technology. Longi currently holds the world record for perovskite-tandem solar cell efficiency at 34.85%, achieved in partnership with Soochow University. These advancements in efficiency are crucial for the development of more effective and sustainable solar energy solutions.
Category: Electricity
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Pattern Energy launches SunZia energy project in US
Pattern Energy Group has launched the SunZia renewable energy project, which includes a 3.65GW wind facility and a 550-mile HVDC transmission line to transmit power from New Mexico to Arizona and the western grid. This project has the capacity to supply electricity to approximately one million US households annually and has created over 2,000 jobs during construction. With an investment of over $20bn and $1.3bn in direct payments to various entities over 30 years, SunZia showcases the potential for large-scale renewable energy projects. The HVDC technology utilized in the project enables efficient long-distance electricity transfer, addressing grid infrastructure limitations in the energy sector and providing a promising solution for sustainable energy production.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/pattern-energy-launches-sunzia/
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Historic Graph: Solar Electricity Surpasses Coal Electricity In USA
In May 2026, solar power in the US surpassed coal power in electricity generation for the first time ever, with solar providing 12.8% of the total compared to coal's 12.2%. This marks a significant milestone in the transition towards renewable energy sources, with coal generation declining by 11% year over year. Solar power has been steadily rising and setting new records, becoming the third-largest source of electricity in the US behind gas and nuclear. The shift towards renewable energy sources is evident in the significant growth of solar power over the past five years, highlighting the progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. Solar power is becoming increasingly popular in the US, with markets from Texas to California investing in solar to meet growing power needs, and in ERCOT, electricity generation from solar is projected to exceed coal for the first time in 2026. This shift towards solar energy is a significant development in the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
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Huawei’s FusionSolar9.0 solution aims to redefine optimal LCOE for utility-scale solar projects
Huawei's FusionSolar 9.0 solution addresses key challenges facing utility-scale solar PV projects by improving LCOE through minimizing BOS costs, increasing power density, boosting energy yield, and enhancing reliability with features like self-cleaning and anti-icing technologies. The solution also includes grid forming capabilities that enable the generation of reactive power within 10 ms to cope with transient voltage instability. Smart Virtual Inertia technology can further enhance frequency stability and increase the short-circuit-ratio of PV plants, improving renewable energy transmission capability. Grid-forming inverters not only automatically recover reactive power at night but also provide off-grid power supply during the commissioning phase of a solar farm, using self-generated PV power for equipment testing. These advancements are cost-saving, environmentally friendly, and enable faster grid-connection compared to diesel generators.
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Solar With Firming Now Beating Gas In Asia, & EVs Could Save Region $350 Billion A Year
A new report highlights the potential for Asia to save $350 billion annually on oil imports by electrifying its fleets, with China leading the way in plugin vehicle sales. The importance of switching to electric transport to reduce oil import dependence is emphasized, alongside the increasing use of solar and wind power in the region. Solar plus batteries are shown to outcompete LNG on price across Asia, with the cost of round-the-clock solar-plus-battery power now below $100/MWh in most areas. This shift to clean energy will not only keep money within Asian economies but also reduce pollution and health problems, emphasizing the rapid deployment of electrotech as a climate solution.
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California gas generation down 60% from 2024 as solar, imports surge
In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation in California surpassed natural gas generation, with solar increasing by 21% and natural gas decreasing by 60% compared to 2024. Solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in 2026, while solar and battery storage capacity grew significantly. Despite this growth, there was a 19% decrease in net generation due to increased electricity imports, including renewable energy from projects like the SunZia wind farm in New Mexico. The SunZia project, the largest wind farm in the U.S., began delivering electricity in April and is set to begin commercial operations soon.
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“Electro-tech super-levers:” How solar, batteries and EVs are beating out gas and oil across Asia
Ember's report highlights how firmed solar is now cheaper than new gas power capacity in Asia, and electrifying road transport could save $US300 billion in oil imports. Asia's dependence on fossil fuel imports costs $US1.1 trillion annually, despite having vast solar and wind resources. The region's manufacturing dominance in solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines positions it to transition to electrotech and reduce fuel import dependency. Solar plus batteries are already cheaper than LNG in most of Asia, with predictions that they will outcompete LNG everywhere in Asia by 2030. With solar plus battery power addressing the supply side and EVs solving the demand side, Asia could save over $300 billion a year in oil imports and halve its oil imports within twenty years by electrifying its fleet.
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Solar tracker pneumatic actuator design study improves efficiency up to 66.4%
A study in Iraq tested solar tracker pneumatic actuator design, resulting in efficiency increases of 62.3% and 66.4% on test panels for dual-axis solar trackers in harsh climates. The actuators, utilizing double-acting pneumatic cylinders, were found to be well-suited for urban, rural, and rugged isolated solar applications. Additionally, air spring actuation is being highlighted for its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, recommended for urban and rural solar projects in Australia as the country advances into the solar era.
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Korean scientists build shingled solar module for thermoelectric generators
Researchers from the Korea Institute of Energy Research have developed a shingled photovoltaic module that can be combined with thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for efficient waste-heat energy recovery. The shingled cell technology increases light absorption and module reliability by eliminating soldered ribbons and reducing thermal stresses, improving efficiency and long-term reliability compared to standard interconnection approaches. The module architecture benefits TEG integration by increasing operating voltage, reducing output current, and minimizing resistive losses, ultimately enabling more efficient power extraction in PV-TEG hybrid systems. A custom experimental platform was developed to accurately characterize PV, TEG, and combined PV-TEG devices under controlled thermal and optical loading, revealing that optimal designs with low current and high voltage operation can significantly reduce power loss, with the new solar module concept showing promising results for field-scale thermoelectric coupling.
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Hydropower Trips Up Trump’s Fossil Fuel Fantasy
The completion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project in New York City in 2022 has connected ratepayers with clean hydropower resources in Quebec, reducing carbon emissions by 3.9 million metric tons per year and powering 1 million homes with renewable energy. Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the project's completion, solidifying New York's position as a climate and clean energy leader and pushing gas power plants out of operation. The project showcases Hitachi Energy's HVDC Light technology, repurposes former fossil energy sites, and brings economic investments and job opportunities to disadvantaged communities. Additionally, a new report from the Department of Energy highlights the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of battery energy storage systems in improving hydropower facilities, further contributing to the energy transition in East Coast states. President Trump's support for hydropower projects, despite his opposition to other clean energy sources, is noted.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/17/hydropower-transmission-new-york-energy-policy/