Five New England states have launched the $450 million New England Heat Pump Accelerator initiative to promote energy-efficient, low-emission heat pumps as an alternative to fossil fuels for heating. The goal is to increase adoption of heat pumps in the region, reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 million metric tons by 2030, and support the installation of 580,000 residential heat pumps. Contractors are being incentivized to keep cold-climate air-source heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters in stock, which will lower upfront costs for consumers by $500 to $700 per unit for heat pumps and $200 to $300 per unit for water heaters. These incentives aim to simplify the purchasing process and help lower residents' energy bills while cutting emissions.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Big solar grabs record 30.6 pct share of Australia’s main grid, before being shunted aside by rooftop PV
Large scale solar farms in Australia have reached record shares on the main grid, but are now being overshadowed by rooftop PV causing curtailment during the day. To address this issue, new large scale solar projects are incorporating integrated batteries to store excess energy for evening peaks. Australia's first solar hybrid plant in Cunderdin is feeding power into the grid during evening peaks, with more solar-hybrid projects to follow. Large scale solar in NSW reached record shares, marking progress towards a cleaner energy grid.
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Blue State Steps Up To Save Farmers With Solar Power
New Jersey has launched a Dual-Use Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of agrivoltaics, combining solar power and farming to maximize land use efficiency and provide new revenue streams for farmers. Rutgers University is leading the initiative, aiming to install 200 megawatts of solar power on farmland. Despite challenges like navigating state incentives and land conservation regulations, the program could lead to more farms adopting solar power in New Jersey. The state's innovative approach to solar development, including rooftop capacity and emerging trends like gas station and balcony solar, is helping progress towards renewable energy goals. Dual-use solar power offers a promising solution to support farmers and generate additional revenue while addressing the shrinking farm size in New Jersey.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/23/blue-state-steps-up-to-save-us-farms-with-solar-power/
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Huge 105 turbine wind project and four-hour big battery seeks green tick to link into VNI West
Equis has proposed the construction of a wind farm and battery energy storage system in New South Wales, featuring 105 large turbines and a 600 MW/2400 megawatt-hour battery. The project aims to connect to the National Electricity Market via a new transmission line in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, Equis has returned to Australia with a new portfolio of wind and big battery storage projects across four states, backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. The battery projects include the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, Calala BESS, Koolunga BESS, and Lower Wonga BESS, along with wind farms like Bell Bay and Jackson North. Plans are in place to support new renewable energy generators in the region despite delays in the transmission line project.
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The impact of electron irradiation on PERC, TOPCon solar cell performance
UNSW researchers have found that electron irradiation significantly degrades the bulk minority carrier lifetime of silicon solar cells, leading to up to a 60% drop in efficiency. The study identified vacancy-vacancy defects as the main radiation-induced defects affecting the cells. They emphasized the need to increase radiation tolerance in commercial space silicon solar cells, with p-PERC cells showing superior radiation tolerance compared to p-TOPCon cells. Front-junction architectures were found to perform better than rear-junction designs in terms of radiation damage. The findings were presented in the study "Electron radiation-induced degradation of silicon solar cells" published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, highlighting various degradation mechanisms and vulnerabilities in TOPCon solar cells.
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All you need to know about the outcome of COP30
COP30 in Belém, Brazil saw a strong focus on transitioning from promises to action in the fight against climate change, with discussions on phasing out fossil fuels, climate finance, and transitioning to renewable energy. Indigenous and frontline communities pushed for justice, leading to the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism for a just transition. Momentum for a fossil fuel phase-out grew, with countries like Brazil and Colombia moving towards this goal. Despite delays in funding, progress was made towards a just transition and a global push to end fossil fuels, driven by people-powered leadership. The upcoming International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels aims to address the finance gap and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate impacts.
https://350.org/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-outcome-of-cop30/
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First Fixed-Bottom Offshore Wind Project Auctions In The Philippines Secured
The Philippines is making a strong commitment to building a commercial offshore wind industry, with a focus on fixed-bottom technology. The Green Energy Auction Program Round 5 (GEA-5) is set to release the country's national pipeline by the end of the year, positioning the Philippines as a rising force in Asia's clean energy transition. The auction, focused on 3.3 gigawatts of fixed-bottom capacity, aims to move projects into construction sooner and deliver utility-scale clean power with fewer technical uncertainties. The strategy supports the country's push for dependable renewable generation and long-term energy security and climate goals. The government's structured approach and clear roadmap have the potential to make the Philippines one of the fastest advancing offshore wind markets in Asia, attracting global capital and supporting local industry growth.
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Efficient solar PV cooking with sand-based thermal energy storage
Scientists in Ghana have developed a solar PV-powered steam cooker with sand-based thermal energy storage, achieving a thermal efficiency of 38.9% and a payback period of 4.5 years. The system utilizes sand for its thermal stability and low cost, with the potential to reduce emissions and support Ghana's climate targets. Testing showed the system could cook large quantities of food efficiently and reliably, with a lifecycle cost analysis indicating significant cost savings compared to traditional biomass stoves. The integration of steam cooking with sand-based TES in solar PV-electric systems is a novel approach with promising results for sustainable cooking solutions. The Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Technology Consultancy Centre, International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship, and Cape Coast Technical University are likely involved in technology and innovation related to climate solutions.
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Solar microgrid brings energy security to White Earth Nation
The White Earth Nation's Pine Point community in Minnesota is advancing a community-owned resilience project with a 500-kilowatt solar array and battery storage to provide energy security and emergency backup power. Despite facing obstacles, including frozen federal grant programs, the project received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's ES4SE Program and the Minnesota Solar for Schools program. Led by climate justice developer 10Power, the project aims to provide clean, reliable power while also incorporating an Ojibwe-language educational program and job fair. The Pine Point Resilience Hub is expected to come online in early 2026, serving as a model for community-owned energy in northern Minnesota and connecting energy technology with cultural identity and language revitalization.
https://generation180.org/blog/solar-microgrid-brings-energy-security-to-white-earth-nation/
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Huawei unveils next-generation solutions for C&I energy and e-mobility
Huawei has unveiled its latest advancements in commercial and industrial (C&I) energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the versatile C&I One-Fits-All Solution and the ultra-fast FusionCharge solution capable of adding 200 km of range in 5 minutes. The LUNA2000-215 Series offers high system round-trip efficiency and extended battery life. Additionally, Huawei has introduced a new safety architecture for improved electrical and thermal safety, showcasing their commitment to innovative climate solutions in the energy and transportation sectors.