Category: Electricity

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

  • Indian researchers build transparent perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with 30.2% efficiency

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed a transparent four-terminal perovskite solar cell with a hole transport layer that enhances efficiency and stability. Incorporating Ion-Spiro HTL in perovskite solar cells improves efficiency, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor by reducing interfacial defects. The cell achieved an overall efficiency of 28.4–30.2% when integrated into tandems with commercial silicon cells, showcasing improved performance. This approach eliminates the need for bandgap-specific engineering and offers a scalable route towards highly efficient perovskite-silicon photovoltaics with enhanced stability and potential for next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/02/indian-researchers-build-transparent-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cell-with-30-2-efficiency/

  • “Transformational:” Offshore offtakers spur progress on huge Nullarbor renewables hub

    The Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) in Western Australia's Nullarbor is a proposed 70 gigawatt wind, solar, and hydrogen project with significant interest from Japanese and Korean companies in green ammonia production. The first stage is set to come online by 2033, with 6 gigawatts of wind and solar generating around 330,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The overall goal is to produce up to 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen and up to 28 million tonnes of green ammonia each year. Currently undergoing approval processes, the project aims to make a final investment decision in 2029, showcasing a major step towards sustainable energy solutions.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/transformational-offshore-offtake-interest-spurs-progress-on-huge-nullarbor-renewables-hub/

  • 400 MW Solar Power Farm Has Huge Battery System Too (Video)

    Robert Llewellyn visited a large solar power and energy storage facility in Australia, which generates enough clean electricity for 300,000 homes. Solar power is cheaper to install than new coal or gas power plants and has decreased in cost by 90% in the last decade. The solar farm provides a dual purpose by allowing sheep to graze on the land, providing lease income for farmers. The battery system onsite stores excess electricity for use during cloudy days or at night, solving the intermittency problem. The decreasing costs of solar panels and batteries have made these projects more feasible and environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel power plants. The section also discusses the negative portrayal of solar power and wind power in mainstream news, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding these technologies and promoting the advantages of clean energy solutions over harmful emissions and health risks associated with coal and natural gas power plants.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/27/400-mw-solar-power-farm-has-huge-battery-system-too-video/

  • UK grid software cuts MV solar connection quotes to 15 minutes

    VisNet, a UK-based network monitoring company, has launched an automated platform that allows commercial and industrial rooftop solar developers to receive medium-voltage connection assessments in just 15 minutes. This tool enables project owners to determine online whether connection requests are likely to be approved by network service providers, generating cost estimates and connection offers based on customer-submitted data. Supporting new demand connections of up to 2.5 MVA, the platform aims to reduce engineering and development costs for contractors, developers, and installers. Additionally, the system supports low-voltage applications such as residential rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicle chargers, as network operators face increasing volumes of grid connection requests due to electrification.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/uk-grid-software-cuts-mv-solar-connection-quotes-to-15-minutes/

  • Global energy transition hits a hardware bottleneck

    Demand for transformers and grid-connection infrastructure is surging due to the massive electrification of industry and transport, integration of renewable energy, and growth of AI data centers. Hitachi Energy is investing $1.5 billion to expand transformer manufacturing capacity to meet the increased demand, as lead times for large transformers have doubled since 2019. Global investment in grids is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2026, with companies like Kaufmann Electric and Waaree Energies investing in transformer manufacturing to address constraints in grid infrastructure construction. To speed up project realization, companies are focusing on standardization and closer collaboration with manufacturers through framework agreements, aiming to ensure timely delivery of grid connection equipment and support the growth of renewable energy projects.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/global-energy-transition-hits-a-hardware-bottleneck/

  • Meet The Offshore Wind Project That Survived The Trump Chopper

    Despite political challenges under the Trump administration, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project led by Dominion Energy has continued to advance with larger, more powerful turbines. Governor Youngkin in Virginia has supported the project's progress, although a federal judge's ruling temporarily halted work on multiple wind projects. Despite delays, Dominion is on track to deliver electricity from turbines this year, demonstrating the resilience of offshore wind energy. The project has added 2.6 gigawatts to the nation's clean power profile and is exploring the potential of piggybacking wave energy converters to increase power generation and reduce costs, highlighting the promising future of marine energy as a solution for increasing renewable energy generation.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/27/meet-the-2-6-gw-offshore-wind-project-trump-tried-and-failed-to-kill/

  • Proxima Fusion targets Europe’s first commercial stellarator

    Proxima Fusion, RWE, the state of Bavaria, and the Max Planck IPP have signed an MoU to connect the world's first commercial stellarator fusion power plant to the grid in Europe. The agreement includes building a demonstration Alpha stellarator near the IPP in Garching during the 2030s to validate commercial technologies. The Stellaris fusion power plant is planned for Gundremmingen, with Proxima leading on EPC, IPP handling plasma physics, RWE bringing power plant expertise, and Bavaria supporting permitting and funding. The project aims to create thousands of jobs in construction, magnets, and manufacturing, reducing Europe's energy import reliance and positioning the European fusion industry globally.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/proxima-fusion-targets-europes-first-commercial-stellarator/

  • Hyundai Motor Group to Establish Innovation Hub to Lead Robotics, AI, & Hydrogen Energy in Korea

    Hyundai Motor Group has signed an MOU with the South Korean government and Jeonbuk State to invest nearly KRW 9 trillion in the Saemangeum area of Gunsan City starting in 2026. The investment will focus on advancing Korea's transition to robotics, AI-driven, and energy-centric future through projects such as an AI Data Center, Robotics Manufacturing Cluster, PEM Electrolyzer Plant, Solar Power Infrastructure, and AI Hydrogen Smart City. The initiative aims to generate KRW 16 trillion and create approximately 71,000 jobs in economic effect. Saemangeum was chosen for its abundant renewable energy resources and comprehensive transportation infrastructure. Hyundai Motor Group is investing in AI data centers, robotics manufacturing clusters, and a PEM electrolyzer plant to advance physical AI, robotics manufacturing, and Korea's hydrogen economy. The AI data center will support autonomous driving and robotics with GPU computing power and massive storage. The robotics cluster will manufacture 30,000 units annually and train robots at a dedicated center. The PEM electrolyzer plant will produce clean hydrogen at scale, supporting hydrogen supply infrastructure and diverse mobility solutions. These investments aim to accelerate Korea's transition to a hydrogen economy and strengthen the domestic robotics industry. A group is planning to expand electrolyzer capacity to 1 GW domestically, with a focus on green hydrogen production. They are also developing a gigawatt-scale solar power capacity by 2035 to power their initiatives sustainably. The group aims to create an AI Hydrogen Smart City integrating AI, hydrogen, and robotics technologies. The investment in Saemangeum is expected to generate significant economic benefits and promote regional development. The group's broader strategy includes leading the Physical AI industry through collaborations with industry leaders and contributing to Korea's position as a global innovation hub.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/26/hyundai-motor-group-to-establish-innovation-hub-to-lead-robotics-ai-hydrogen-energy-in-korea/

  • New model reveals pathway for land-efficient U.S. solar expansion

    McGill University researchers utilized deep-learning computer vision to analyze 719 solar projects in the Western U.S., setting a new "land-sparing" benchmark for developers. The study revealed a link between geographic irradiance and land efficiency, showing that sunnier regions and compact system designs result in higher energy density. A global study further emphasized the potential for rooftop solar integration, indicating that targeted policy could make it more cost-effective than ground-mounted systems. These findings underscore the importance of strategic land management and integrating solar into the built environment to help achieve net-zero targets and minimize environmental impact.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/new-model-reveals-pathway-for-land-efficient-u-s-solar-expansion/

  • Solar Power Project Completed On Capped Landfill In Rhode Island

    The Coventry Landfill Solar project in Rhode Island, featuring a 5.740 MW solar array, demonstrates the dual-purpose use of landfills for solar power, providing environmental and economic benefits to local communities. Completed by the end of 2025 after the landfill was capped in 2020 using WatershedGeo® ClosureTurf®, the project employed approximately 77 electrical and civil workers, along with 15 part-time support employees, generating an estimated economic benefit of $4.4 million for the town. The solar system can power approximately 600 homes and avoid 3,759 tons of CO2 in year one and 88,545 tons over 25 years.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/26/solar-power-project-completed-on-capped-landfill-in-rhode-island/