A new report suggests that switching to solar energy in major ASEAN economies could save up to $45.4 billion and prevent being locked into an uncompetitive gas infrastructure. This highlights the potential cost savings and competitive advantages of transitioning to renewable energy sources. Climate solutions experts should consider the economic benefits and long-term sustainability of investing in solar energy to mitigate climate change and promote energy independence in the region. This shift towards solar energy could play a crucial role in achieving climate goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the ASEAN region.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Ireland introduces €600 residential battery grant, expands PV support
Ireland has approved a new package of energy grants effective Oct. 6, including enhanced support for solar PV, incentives for home heating decarbonization, and energy retrofits. The measures also introduce a residential battery grant worth up to €600, grants for lower-income households and medically vulnerable individuals, and a €2,000 grant to encourage households to replace boilers with heat pumps. Businesses accessing the enhanced solar PV support could reduce annual energy costs by up to €300,000.
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Researchers test laminated bamboo structures for floating PV platforms
A research team in China and Hong Kong collaborated on a study examining the flexural behavior of thin-plate glued laminated bamboo (glubam) systems for floating photovoltaic platforms. They found that glubam systems offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, low carbon footprint, and a good balance between flexibility and bending stiffness. By testing different glubam assemblies and developing mechanics-based models, the researchers were able to assess how factors like bolt diameter, spacing, and plate thickness affected load-bearing capacity. The study demonstrated that certain configurations and adjustments could significantly impact the ultimate load capacity of the glubam systems, providing valuable insights for climate solutions experts.
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The virtuous cycle of inclusive utility investment and virtual power plants
Utilities are turning to distributed energy resources (DERs) like electric vehicles and batteries to meet growing power demand and avoid costly grid upgrades, with virtual power plants offering a cheaper and faster alternative. Inclusive utility investment is proposed as a solution to scale DERs beyond affluent early adopters and increase participation in virtual power plants, ultimately helping states meet their grid flexibility and affordability goals. The Equitable Energy Upgrade Program (EEUP) in Illinois aims to expand deployment of residential solar, storage, and flexible assets through inclusive utility investment, with the potential for additional revenue from virtual power plant participation. Virginia is responding to the costs of data center growth by implementing initiatives such as a virtual power plant pilot and creating a new rate class for data center customers, focusing on redirecting capital towards distributed energy resources for a reliable and affordable grid. The future of the grid will depend on enabling broad participation in virtual power plants and flexible devices.
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Heterojunction solar cell based on molybdenum oxide achieves 24.9% efficiency
Researchers have made significant advancements in solar cell technology by developing a silicon heterojunction solar cell with a molybdenum oxide hole transport layer and a phosphomolybdic acid interlayer, resulting in a power conversion efficiency of 24.9%. The PMA/MoOx device showed improved open-circuit voltage, fill factor, carrier tunneling efficiency, and reduced contact resistivity. This novel cell concept utilizing a PMA-modified interface has increased efficiency in silicon solar cells, while MoOx has been successfully utilized in various photovoltaic technologies, including perovskite solar cells. Recent developments include a 25.5%-efficient four-terminal perovskite-CIGS tandem cell with a MoOx-based transparent back contact, as well as flexible perovskite solar cells with tunable color and transparency.
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Social housing tenants to get coordinated rooftop PV and home batteries in first urban renewable zone
An $11 million pilot program in the Illawarra, Australia, will showcase how social housing tenants can benefit from rooftop solar, home batteries, and virtual power plant technology to improve energy performance and reduce power bills. This initiative is part of the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative, aiming to upgrade 100,000 social housing properties by mid-2031 with federal and state funding. Solar and battery installers, along with VPP operators, will provide feedback on the program's design and delivery, benefiting hundreds of households in the Illawarra REZ. The journalist reporting on this project has a background in energy, climate, and environmental issues, previously working for the federal Climate Change Authority.
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“Too much wind and solar?” The state-wide blackout and the dinner party that changed the course of history
The success of renewable energy transition in Australia, particularly focusing on the role of battery storage in stabilizing the grid, has been driven by science, technology, and economics. South Australia's energy plan, including the use of large-scale battery storage, has become a global template for energy security, with the state aiming for 100% "net renewables" by next year. The rise in battery storage technology, exemplified by the 100 MW Hornsdale battery, has shown the potential for large-scale battery storage to prevent blackouts and improve grid security. Lessons learned from past blackouts have led to a greater reliance on wind farms and their voltage control strategies, demonstrating the feasibility of operating a power system with high renewable penetration. The industry's success in transitioning to renewables and battery storage has increased confidence in market operators and shown that these solutions are cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels in addressing climate change.
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Space Squeeze Forces Solar Power Into Tight Corners
Demand for solar power is high, but limited space for development due to community opposition and government intervention. Cultivate Power's Bowes Solar array in Illinois showcases creative solutions for solar development on constrained parcels, benefiting local communities with lower electricity rates and increased tax revenues. Planted Solar's technology allows for more efficient use of land for community solar projects, extending savings to local subscribers and providing stable income for landowners. Cultivate's Goldenrod Solar project in Mercer County delivers 5 megawatts of solar power, benefiting 850 local subscribers with anticipated savings on electricity bills, with 55% of subscribers being low- and moderate-income households, highlighting the inclusive nature of community solar projects.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/09/27/community-solar-power-plants-tight-spaces-high-density/
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Chinese province moves grid-side batteries into spot market
Regulators in China's Zhejiang province have opened the provincial electricity spot market to independent grid-side batteries, allowing them to trade in the spot market on a self-scheduled basis and choose between the energy market or frequency-regulation ancillary services market. The notice includes rules for registration, settlement, and technical requirements for market entry, with a project list of 40 projects totaling 2.54 GW/5.1 GWh attached. Plans are in place to transition to price-and-quantity bidding by 2027, providing opportunities for independent grid-side storage projects to participate in the market and contribute to the region's renewable energy goals.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/09/26/chinese-province-moves-grid-side-batteries-into-spot-market/
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Second federal judge overturns $7B Solar for All cancellation
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that the EPA illegally terminated the Solar for All program, which aimed to expand solar access and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, citing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The judge deemed the EPA's decision arbitrary and beyond statutory authority, leading to lawsuits and legal battles. The termination of the program has set back clean energy initiatives in Harris County, impacting low-income households and energy resilience efforts. Harris County officials are now fighting to reinstate the funding to continue their climate solutions efforts.