Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System

  • 2 large wind farms finish construction on East Coast

    America's first major sea-based wind project, Vineyard Wind, completed construction with 62 turbines south of Massachusetts, while Revolution Wind began generating electricity with 65 turbines in Connecticut and Rhode Island. This marks a significant milestone in the two-decade push to build offshore wind in New England, despite resistance from President Trump. The projects will power 750,000 homes and are the largest renewable energy projects east of the Mississippi River. The success of Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind represents a major win for New England's ambitious climate goals and efforts to reduce reliance on natural gas. Despite facing delays and challenges, including national security concerns and higher costs, Revolution Wind is contributing to clean energy, emission reductions, and economic growth in Rhode Island. Uncertainty remains for future offshore wind projects in the region, with Massachusetts and Connecticut delaying decisions and halting contracting.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/2-large-wind-farms-finish-construction-on-east-coast/

  • Trump’s Offshore Wind Nightmare Becomes Reality

    Despite President Trump's attempts to halt offshore wind farm projects like Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind, the development of multiple gigawatts of clean power on the Atlantic Coast is progressing. Vineyard Wind, with all 62 turbines now installed, is contributing to the growth of the domestic offshore wind industry. Revolution Wind, serving Rhode Island and Connecticut, reached a key milestone by sending electricity to the grid and is expected to save ratepayers up to $500 million per year. Other delayed projects, like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind and Empire Wind, are also moving towards completion. With congestion pricing upheld in New York and the Sunrise Wind project progressing towards commissioning in 2027, the US offshore wind industry continues to grow, with multiple gigawatts of clean electricity heading for the nation's grid.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/14/trumps-offshore-wind-nightmare-has-become-reality/

  • Global renewable capacity to reach 8.4 TW by 2031, says GlobalData

    GlobalData predicts that global renewable capacity will more than double to 8.4 TW by 2031, with solar PV leading the expansion and accounting for 56.1% of global renewable capacity. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, is at the forefront of wind and solar deployment. However, the energy transition is uneven across regions, with potential weakening support for renewables in the United States. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized in the power sector to improve generation forecasting and optimize energy storage, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in achieving climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/13/global-renewable-capacity-to-reach-8-4-tw-by-2031-says-globaldata/

  • Paris summit boosts nuclear tripling pledge

    At the World Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, 38 countries have signed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, with a focus on global decarbonisation. Discussions included financing models, fuel supply security, and skilled workforces, with support from financial institutions and major energy users like Google, Amazon, and Meta. Leaders emphasized the importance of international cooperation, policy frameworks, and access to finance to meet the goal of tripling nuclear energy by 2050. The future of nuclear energy involves extending the lifetime of existing reactors, constructing new large-scale plants, deploying small modular reactors (SMRs), and developing next-generation concepts, with a focus on reducing costs and scaling up deployment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is collaborating with financial institutions to help countries explore and finance nuclear power plants, with a joint statement calling for safe and affordable nuclear energy for all and emphasizing the inclusion of nuclear energy in environmental, social, and governance policies.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/paris-summit-boosts-nuclear-tripling-pledge/

  • Thin Film Solar Gets A Muscular Perovskite Makeover

    Perovskite, a next-generation solar material, is gaining attention in the US solar industry, particularly with thin film solar manufacturer First Solar. Thin film solar technology offers lightweight, flexible, and spray-able solutions for high volume manufacturing, with lower costs and durability. First Solar, the only US-headquartered company among the world's largest solar manufacturers, aims to achieve 30% efficiency by 2030 and is expanding its operations in the US and overseas. With projections to reach 17 gigawatts of annual capacity by 2027, First Solar's use of perovskite in their solar cells could potentially replace the equivalent of 17 nuclear power plants and support 40,000 jobs in the US, advancing the development of PV solar devices for various markets. The shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind is reducing the reliance on natural gas and coal for energy production, with solar expected to account for 51% of the total new energy resources in the US.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/13/thin-film-solar-gets-a-muscular-perovskite-makeover/

  • Orsted’s US project twice targeted by Trump delivers first power

    Orsted's Revolution Wind project has successfully sent its first power to the New England grid, marking the start of commercial operations and a shift towards renewable energy sources. This milestone signifies progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change by providing clean energy. The project's successful transmission of power demonstrates the advancement towards a more sustainable energy future in New England.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/policy/orsteds-us-project-twice-targeted-by-trump-delivers-first-power/2-1-1960239

  • Powerful new rooftop solar panel promises system sizes “previously out of reach”

    Chinese solar manufacturer Aiko has launched a new, high-powered solar panel approved by the Clean Energy Council for sale in Australia. The ABC 60-cell module offers up to 545 kW of generating capacity, enabling homeowners to maximize system capacity on small rooftops, especially as they incorporate batteries, EV charging, and other electric loads. This innovative panel not only increases output and energy yield but also has the potential to boost electricity revenue for commercial rooftops. Aiko's design reduces the number of modules required, resulting in cost and installation time savings for users looking to enhance their renewable energy solutions.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/powerful-new-rooftop-solar-panel-promises-system-sizes-previously-out-of-reach/

  • US Perovskite Solar Cell Startup Hits The Ground Running

    Solar manufacturing in the US has seen a resurgence, with 65 new or expanded solar and energy storage factories commissioned in 2025, surpassing 60 gigawatts of domestic solar module production capacity. The entire solar supply chain has been re-shored, strengthening the case for solar power despite potential risks to factories under federal energy policy. US startup Swift Solar has acquired the intellectual property and manufacturing assets of Meyer Burger to produce tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells, aiming to increase efficiency beyond the current 30% ceiling. High-efficiency solar panels offer benefits such as land savings and cost reduction, with opportunities for agrivoltaic projects. UbiQD in New Mexico is scaling up manufacturing of perovskite solar cells, while a US startup is fueling growth in silicon-perovskite solar cell technology through the acquisition of assets from a bankrupt German firm.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/12/us-perovskite-solar-cell-startup-hits-the-ground-running/

  • Research shows conventional solar arrays can support livestock grazing

    A new research report by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne) in Germany found that conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing, as the vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality. The study concluded that agricultural use is possible without dedicated agrivoltaic systems, with researchers analyzing vegetation, biomass, and animal behavior in five solar parks across different regions. They found higher species diversity and protein content in plants growing under modules, suggesting that solar parks should be considered agricultural land that can generate electricity while enabling agricultural use.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/12/research-shows-conventional-solar-arrays-can-support-livestock-grazing/

  • Offshore wind installation tech promises to change logistics game, cut reliance on deep-water ports

    Feederdock, a next-generation offshore wind installation solution developed by ONP Management and Renewable Resources International, splits installation across two vessels to accommodate turbines over 25 MW and foundations weighing 2,800 tonnes. This technology eliminates the need for deep-water ports, reducing constraints on offshore wind deployment, shortening construction schedules, and delivering cost savings. Energy Estate is supporting Feederdock's entry into the Australian and New Zealand markets, emphasizing the importance of creating an ecosystem for the industry to thrive and avoiding international vessel scarcity. A holistic approach is needed to support offshore wind projects, with the opportunity to subscribe to a daily newsletter for the latest clean energy news.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/offshore-wind-installation-tech-promises-to-change-logistics-game-cut-reliance-on-deep-water-ports/