The global economy is showing signs of decoupling economic growth from emissions, with many countries experiencing a decrease in emissions while GDP rises. China is on the verge of shifting to absolute decoupling, with African countries importing solar hardware on an unprecedented scale. Chinese companies are investing in onshore capacity for solar panels and battery packs in Africa, following the model of industrial migration seen in East Asia. The development of grid-detached microgrids using Chinese solar panels and batteries is accelerating in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside plans for a high-voltage direct-current super-grid to meet the region's growing electricity demand with interconnected renewable grids. Overall, clean-energy investment and the African Continental Free Trade Area are building markets that reward predictability, transparency, and stability, positioning Africa as a more unified major economy on the global stage.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Data centers can stack sustainability, energy innovations
State laws are reshaping how data centers are built in the US, with a focus on fast-tracking power build-out and microgrids to address increasing electricity use that is putting pressure on grids and water resources. Communities are raising concerns over noise, water draw, and job creation related to new data centers, highlighting the need for creativity in planning to address sustainability, efficiency, and community benefits. Some data centers are exploring innovative solutions, such as using server heat and CO2 to fuel nearby greenhouses for food production. Emerging technologies can convert emissions into clean hydrogen, while integrating data centers with agriculture and carbon-utilization operations can create durable jobs and deeper community roots, prioritizing energy and water sustainability and community resilience for a win-win solution.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/data-centers-can-stack-sustainability-energy-innovations/805193/
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Environmental News Network – Giving Buildings an “MRI” to Make Them More Energy-efficient and Resilient
Lamarr.AI, founded by a team from MIT, utilizes drones, thermal imaging, and AI to help property owners identify energy inefficiencies in their buildings. The technology provides detailed 3D models, identifies problems, and recommends retrofits to improve energy efficiency, offering deeper analytics on the cost of each retrofit and the return on investment. This solution is being used by leading organizations in facilities management, architecture, engineering, and construction firms, with CEO Tarek Rakha describing the technology as giving a building an "MRI" using drones, infrared imaging, visible light imaging, and proprietary AI.
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New Carbon “Heat Batteries” Aim To Decarbonize US Industries
The US Department of Energy's DAYS program is aiming to stimulate investor interest in new long duration energy storage systems, with startups like Antora Energy working on innovative solutions like thermophotovoltaic devices. Antora, a company focused on renewable energy solutions, uses renewable electricity to heat solid carbon blocks for energy storage and delivery, achieving high conversion efficiency and receiving significant funding for commercial scaleup. They are working on partnerships with companies like POET and Shell for various applications, and have received awards for energy storage partnerships, including one with Con Edison in New York. Con Edison has selected thermal energy storage, electric boilers, and industrial heat pumps as technologies to drive its steam decarbonization efforts, with the potential to electrify up to one third of total steam capacity by 2035. Antora's thermophotovoltaic "heat batteries" have the capability to store renewable energy for transfer into electricity or heat, powering industrial operations and contributing to the overall decarbonization journey.
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Cows, Jamaica, & Solar — Winning The Clean Energy Revolution
Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar and farming, is a beneficial practice that can provide financial benefits for farmers. Solar farms using sheep for vegetation control have been successful, with the sheep's excrement serving as fertilizer. Silicon Ranch is pioneering the combination of cattle and solar energy, introducing a system called CattleTracker to ensure the safety of both the animals and the solar panels. Solar grazing, a practice where livestock graze on land underneath solar panels, is being implemented by companies like Silicon Ranch to address greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming. In the Caribbean, solar energy and battery storage systems are being increasingly used to provide electricity during and after hurricanes, with Jamaica aiming to reach 50 percent solar power by 2030.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/11/cows-jamaica-solar-winning-the-clean-energy-revolution/
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Australia funds SunDrive to scale copper solar cells
Australia's ARENA has invested AUD 25.3 million in SunDrive to advance copper-based solar cell technology as a low-cost, silver-free alternative. This investment will support SunDrive in scaling up production and collaborating with solar manufacturing firms, aiming to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and address the industry's reliance on silver. SunDrive's innovation has broken world records in cell efficiency and has the potential to significantly impact global decarbonization efforts. ARENA's continued support of SunDrive's technology could lead to advancements in efficiency and affordability in the solar industry, contributing to climate solutions worldwide.
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Air con leads surge in energy use as world heats up – but most new demand is being powered by solar
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a surge in electricity demand driven by air conditioning due to climate-driven heatwaves and rising temperatures, but renewable energy generation, particularly in solar investment, is also on the rise. Overshooting the 1.5 °C temperature target is now inevitable, but there is potential to meet cooling needs with solar energy in regions like India, Indonesia, the Middle East, and Africa. The World Energy Outlook outlines scenarios for future energy demand and generation mix, with the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario aiming to limit warming to below 1.5°C by 2100 through widespread deployment of CO2 removal technologies. Renewable energy, especially solar PV, is driving global growth towards a more efficient and secure energy system, urging fossil fuel importing countries to transition faster to avoid raising global temperatures and increasing energy demand through inefficient fossil fuel use.
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US startup launches DC-powered solar water heater
Apparent Inc. has introduced a DC-powered solar water heater that can eliminate 100% of a home's water heating costs. This innovative system utilizes low-voltage DC electricity from solar panels and a cloud-based platform for efficient energy management. It is designed to operate off-grid with standard photovoltaic panels and features a patented alloy heating element for optimal heat transfer. With an AI-driven control platform for performance optimization and energy resource management, the water heater is grid-independent, blackout-resistant, and boasts a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/12/us-startup-launches-dc-powered-solar-water-heater/
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World’s first solar park featuring hydrogen-producing PV modules takes shape in Belgium
A consortium of Belgian companies, led by Solhyd, is set to build a solar hydrogen park in Wallonia, Belgium, integrating 50 kW of hydrogen-producing solar modules into a 2 MW solar park with battery storage. Solhyd's technology, developed at KU Leuven University, allows for hydrogen production directly from sunlight and air, without the need for liquid water or rare materials. The company plans to increase the use of its modules in future installations to simplify green hydrogen production and create new revenue streams. CEO Jan Rongé views this project as a model for future expansion, showcasing a pragmatic and scalable approach to green hydrogen production.
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Home-grown quest to make “silver-free” and ultra-low cost solar wins another $25m in federal funding
SunDrive, an Australian solar manufacturing company, has received $25 million in federal funding to scale and commercialize its copper-based PV technology, aiming to lower the cost of solar installation by 20-30% compared to competitors. The funding will support the company's collaboration with manufacturers to take its technology to a commercial scale and upgrade its facility, accelerating the adoption of copper-based solar cells. SunDrive's silver-free alternative addresses the rising cost and demand for silver in the industry, delivering a scalable mass-production solution with the support of Arena and partners. This development is crucial for the next generation of solar cell technology, offering more sustainable and cost-effective solutions to meet the urgent climate challenges.