Tandem PV, a semiconductor company, has raised $100M in funding for perovskite advancement in solar technology, with a focus on reaching 37% efficiency by 2030. The company plans to achieve bankability through pilot deployments with independent power producers and aims to offer a 30-year warranty with minimal module degradation. Tandem's strategy includes selling to utility-scale IPPs and potentially unbundling their product for sale, positioning themselves for growth and scalability in the solar panel market. Key backers include Eclipse Ventures, Constellation Energy, and Trellis Climate, highlighting the confidence in the progress of their technology and the importance of perseverance in achieving success in renewable energy.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Software-based initiative could unlock up to 20% more bulk capacity: OATI
OATI is seeking federal funding for PowerNow, an initiative that aims to increase transmission capacity without building new infrastructure by using AI-enabled technologies to coordinate between transmission operators, adjust line ratings based on real-world conditions, and dispatch flexible resources more quickly. By increasing line ratings, PowerNow could potentially free up hundreds of megawatts of capacity on individual lines. OATI has recruited a coalition of regional transmission organizations and utilities to implement the program, which could have a significant impact on the bulk power system.
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Power plays: Tomago’s big green switch, the Big 3’s lack of ambition, and why Snowy must change its stripes
The country's biggest energy utilities, such as AGL and Origin, are focusing on transitioning to renewables, with good execution and reliability but poor future investment outlook. The biggest aluminium smelter is transitioning to 100% renewables with government funds and Snowy providing electricity. The ISP demonstrates that the NEM can run without coal or nuclear, using a mix of renewable and traditional energy sources. Major energy companies in Australia, like AGL, are urged to decarbonize and adapt to structural changes in the market to support climate solutions. Snowy is highlighted as a key player in the market for firming generation, with a need to balance supply and demand to avoid volatility and rising consumer costs.
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Fertiliser from thin air? How farmers can make their own fertiliser from air, water and on-site renewables
PlasmaLeap, an Australian company, is developing modular systems that use electricity, air, and water to produce nitrogen fertiliser on farms. This technology aims to give farmers greater control over fertiliser costs and supply while reducing emissions associated with conventional production. PlasmaLeap's approach is different from traditional fertiliser production, as it uses electricity to produce chemicals traditionally made using fossil fuels. The technology is designed to be containerised, deployed close to where fertiliser is used, and powered by renewable energy, offering farmers certainty in supply and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. PlasmaLeap has received significant funding for commercial deployment and is working on manufacturing at scale and at a competitive cost to compete with the global fertilizer industry, with features like kill switches and remote sensing for safety and autonomy. Amid geopolitical turmoil and fertilizer price volatility, the technology's pitch to farmers is becoming increasingly compelling.
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Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter gets $2.5 billion to help transition from coal to wind and solar
Tomago Aluminium, Australia's largest aluminium smelter, is transitioning to renewables with a $2.5 billion government package, aiming to meet international demand for low carbon products by adding 3,000 MW of new solar and wind capacity. The deal, managed through Snowy Hydro, will reduce power costs by $35/MWh and support Rio Tinto's goal of operating on 100% renewable energy by 2033. Similar agreements have been made for smelters in Queensland, with a focus on decarbonization activities and grid support. This transition is crucial for Australia to remain competitive globally, unlock new renewable investments, create jobs, and modernize the energy grid for a cleaner, more resilient future.
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World’s largest LFP grid-forming goes online in China
China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has connected a 1 GW/4 GWh battery energy storage project, the DongSu project, to the grid, marking it as a major renewable energy region. This project, the world's largest single-site grid-forming LFP battery storage plant, is expected to discharge around 1 TWh of electricity annually. By deploying grid-forming technology at the gigawatt level, the project provides voltage and frequency support to improve grid stability with high penetrations of wind and solar generation. The combination of peak shifting and grid-support functions allows for the accommodation of variable renewable generation and reduces the reliance on conventional synchronous generation for stability services. China's renewable energy plan for 2026-2030 includes an acceleration of grid-forming technology deployment.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/08/13/worlds-largest-lfp-grid-forming-goes-online-in-china/
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U.S. battery storage capacity grows 70% annually over the past three years
Utility-scale battery storage capacity in the United States has grown rapidly, increasing by 70% annually over the past three years to reach 43.6 GW by the end of 2025. An additional 8.3 GW came online in the first half of 2026, with plans for another 54 GW to be added by the end of 2028. Solar PV facilities are hosting the largest battery storage units, enabling the storage of solar power during low-price periods and discharging during peak demand. This growth in battery storage capacity is closely linked to the expansion of utility-scale solar projects, with forecasts indicating a significant rise in solar generating capacity and renewable energy's share of total U.S. generation.
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Tesla files tax incentive application for $10.1 billion Texas solar cell plant
Tesla is seeking a ten-year property tax limitation in Texas to support the construction of a $10.1 billion solar cell manufacturing facility named Project Crystal Sun near Richmond in Fort Bend County. The facility aims to create over 9,700 permanent full-time jobs and over 1,100 peak construction jobs, contributing to the local economy. By being fully vertically integrated, the plant will bring cell and wafer fabrication directly onto domestic soil, supporting Tesla's goal of achieving 100 GW of annual domestic solar manufacturing capacity. This significant investment represents a major step towards advancing sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
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Why solar didn’t work for this dairy farmer, until he added a battery and put it on wheels
Dairy farmer Peter Mulheron in south-west Victoria struggled to find a suitable solar solution for his farm due to high electricity demand from dairy operations. After realizing the limitations of conventional rooftop solar, he installed a 105kW solar system with 241kWh of battery storage, allowing for a reliable power supply. The battery storage was crucial for meeting the continuous electricity demand of dairy operations, such as heating water for cleaning and food safety. The innovative solar and battery system was developed by PHNXX and has proven to be a successful solution for dairy farms with high electricity demand. The Mulheron dairy farm installed a pilot solar and battery storage system that exceeded expectations, providing $13,400 in savings and real-world data for designing a larger system. They now have a microgrid system with 105kW of solar and 241kWh of battery storage, which could reduce annual energy costs by over $22,000. The system is portable, housed in shipping containers, allowing for flexibility and easy deployment. Mulheron advises other farmers to measure their electricity demand and resources before investing in renewable energy systems to ensure efficiency and adaptability for the future.