According to Climate Copernicus, January 2024 was the warmest January on record globally. But this isn’t new: this January marks the eighth month in a row that is the warmest on record for the respective month of the year. With soaring temperatures, natural disasters, and rising sea levels, addressing climate change requires global collaboration. That’s why the greatest minds in solar power have been working tirelessly. Through constant innovation, scientists across the world are producing new technologies to combat the devastating effects of climate change. While there are more than 10 ways solar could save the world, Project Solar hopes the following projects will help you believe in a greener future. 

• Italy: Combining solar and hydropower

Scientists in Northern Italy are investigating how combining solar and hydro (water) power could make energy supplies more dependable.The study looks at how these two renewable sources can potentially support each other. They hypothesised that hydropower could fill in the gaps when solar panels are not actively capturing energy at night. Their investigation has shown that by working together, solar and hydropower could smooth out the ups and downs in energy availability and make it easier to meet energy demands without relying on non-renewable sources.

• USA: Solar star

The Solar Star projects, located in California, are significant for their contribution to renewable energy. As one of the largest operating solar power facilities in the US, these solar farms span over 3,200 acres and use 1.72 million photovoltaic solar modules! They generate enough electricity to power approximately 255,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by around 561,000 tonnes annually. Alongside the obvious environmental benefits of Solar Star, the projects have positively impacted the regional economy by creating 650 construction jobs and 15 permanent jobs for operations and maintenance workers.

• Malaysia: Designing large-scale solar systems

In Malaysia, scientists are looking for ways to enhance the efficiency of solar power by optimising the size and configuration of solar panels.Researchers are experimenting with optimisation by evaluating site conditions, precisely sizing PV panels and inverters, and conducting environmental assessments. But what have they found? Well, their optimisation tactics achieved a system production improvement of 1.7-3.9% for 30 plants! This approach promises to make solar energy a more dependable source of power but also has broader implications for the global energy supply.By applying these techniques in regions with similar climates, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, there’s a potential to significantly increase the global output of clean, renewable energy. 

• UK: Shotwick Solar Park

Shotwick Solar Park stands as the largest solar park in the UK. With a capacity of 72.2MWp, the park significantly supports the UPM paper manufacturing plant in Deeside, Flintshire, by supplying approximately 60% of the factory’s energy needs.The project underscores the potential of renewable energy to provide substantial economic benefits while also contributing to sustainability. Shotwick Solar Park’s operation minimises annual CO2 emissions by 15,991 tonnes and serves the energy needs of around 18,055 UK households!

• China: Perovskite solar cells

Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have made a significant breakthrough in solar energy. By creating a new additive that improves the efficiency of perovskite solar cells, their invention could influence the growth of perovskite films and result in larger, more uniform crystals that minimise energy loss. The university’s innovation addresses a major challenge in the use of perovskite solar cells! It opens up new possibilities for their commercialisation and the wider adoption of solar energy as a sustainable power source.

• UAE: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, located in Dubai, is a groundbreaking renewable energy project that showcases the potential of solar power on a massive scale. By harnessing the sun’s energy, this solar park plays a pivotal role in diversifying Dubai’s energy mix away from fossil fuels.

• Netherlands: Solar roads

The Dutch SolaRoad project represents a massive advancement in the field of sustainable infrastructure development. The initiative has transformed a bike path into a solar power generator capable of producing enough energy to sustain a household. The SolaRoad concept involves embedding solar panels within the road surface. These panels capture solar energy and convert it into electricity. SolaRoad promotes the use of renewable energy sources and demonstrates the potential for integrating solar power generation into everyday infrastructure. Such advancements could have far-reaching impacts on the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. By harnessing the vast potential of road surfaces worldwide, projects like SolaRoad offer a glimpse into a future where roads do more than facilitate transportation – they actively contribute to energy sustainability.

• Namibia: Renewable energy projects

Namibia’s government, through NamPower, launched a tender for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems, under the Namibia Renewable Energy Scale-Up Support Project. The initiative, boosted by a $4.44 million grant from the World Bank, aims to position Namibia as the first net zero emissions country in Africa, fostering job creation and sustainable development. Namibia’s push towards renewable energy is targeted towards enhancing its energy security, economic growth and efforts to mitigate global climate change.

• India: Bhadla Solar Park

The Bhadla Solar Park, located in Rajasthan, India, represents a monumental leap towards clean energy. Its sprawling capacity of 2.25 GW makes it one of the largest solar parks globally!Occupying over 14,000 acres in a region known for high solar potential, this $1.4 billion initiative is a testament to India’s commitment to increasing its renewable energy footprint. Constructed in phases, Bhadla Solar Park contributes to India’s goal of expanding its renewable energy capacity while serving as a model for large-scale solar development worldwide.

• UK: Solar power & water purification

In a groundbreaking study, UK researchers have developed a device that they hope will address two of the most pressing global challenges: clean energy production and water purification.The innovative device harnesses solar energy to split water into hydrogen (a clean fuel) and purify water from contaminated sources, including seawater. The dual-functionality offers a path to sustainable hydrogen fuel production and addresses water scarcity by purifying water through solar power. The device’s ability to operate with untreated, natural water sources (including seawater and contaminated rivers) positions it as a promising solution for off-grid energy and clean water production, especially in regions where water and land are scarce.

Choose Project Solar for your residential and commercial installations! 

From large-scale solar parks to solar roads, eco-warriors can rest easy knowing that global efforts to save our planet are ongoing. If you’re looking to make a personal difference in climate change mitigation, residential and commercial solar panels are one of the easiest ways to do so. By investing in a solar panel system, homeowners can take personal responsibility for their energy use. The more businesses and property owners invest in solar panels, the quicker we can reach the Net Zero 2050 emissions goal. If you’re ready to start your own solar journey, contact us to learn more about what we offer.