GEMM July Newsletter

Pragatie
Jul 30
5 min read

Keeping you up-to-date on the latest in renewable energy and sustainability.

Welcome to the July edition of the GEMM Energy Monthly Newsletter. We aim to bring you the latest in renewable energy advancements, highlight sustainability efforts, showcase GEMM's current projects, and provide valuable insights for a brighter, more sustainable future.

Global News

Spain Invests $7.7B to Supercharge Its Power Network

Spain is opening the door for new clean energy projects with its first big call for grid access. The country has seen a flood of requests to connect to its electricity network, so the government is rolling out a competitive selection to make sure the most strategic projects move forward first.

The plan will unlock about 3,681 MW of capacity at eight connection points across Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla La Mancha, Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country. To win a spot, projects will be judged on how much they cut emissions, the size of their investment, and how quickly they can start using power. Applications are open for one month, and decisions will follow within six months.

Meanwhile, Spain’s transmission operator Red Eléctrica de España is investing nearly $7.7 billion from 2021 to 2026, with around $6.3 billion going toward strengthening the country’s power grid.

UN officials say switch to renewables needs to speed up

United Nations officials said the switch to renewable energy, while remarkable compared to 10 years ago, is not happening fast enough. The global renewables growth has been mostly in developed countries such as China, where one-tenth of the economy is tied up in green energy, as well as countries such as India and Brazil.

“The Global South must be empowered to generate its own electricity without adding to already unsustainable level of debts,” said Bahamian climate scientist Adelle Thomas of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Renewable Electricity Generation by Country/Region (2024–2025)

Country/Region	Renewables % of Electricity	Key Sources	Notes
Norway	~98–100%	Hydropower	Near-total renewable generation
Brazil	~88%	Hydro, Wind, Solar	Strong clean mix; major renewable exporter
Paraguay	~100%	Hydropower	Almost all electricity from Itaipu Dam
China	~33%	Solar, Hydro, Wind	Largest capacity; 64% of new global capacity in 2024
India	~23%	Solar, Wind, Hydro	Rapid growth; green sector rising in GDP share
USA	~23%	Wind, Solar, Hydro	Moderate share, rising slowly
EU (average)	~51%	Wind, Solar, Hydro	Strong regional policies drive high share
Chile	~69%	Solar, Hydro, Wind	Leader in South America transition
Africa (avg.)	<2% of new capacity added	Mixed	Major electrification needs; financing is main barrier
Global Average	~32–33%	Hydro, Wind, Solar	Renewables = 92.5% of new capacity added in 2024

Recent Advancements in Solar Panel and Cell Technology

Perovskite Solar Cells
- What They’re Made Of: A synthetic crystal structure based on the mineral perovskite (often lead or tin halides combined with organic compounds)
- Why They’re Competitive:
  - Potential for high efficiency (lab-tested up to 30.6%).
  - Lower production costs than traditional silicon panels.
  - Lightweight and flexible—ideal for curved surfaces or lightweight applications.
  - In 2025, Japan invested ¥227 billion (~USD 1.5 billion) into scaling these ultra-thin, flexible cells.
  - Not yet widely commercial but rapidly approaching commercialization.

Bifacial Solar Panels
- What They’re Made Of: Typically, monocrystalline silicon cells with transparent backsheets or dual glass, allowing light to enter from both the front and rear.
- Why They’re Competitive:
  - Capture reflected sunlight from surfaces like rooftops, snow, or ground cover.
  - Can increase power output by 10–30% compared to single-sided panels.
  - Widely adopted in utility-scale and commercial installations for maximizing energy yield without extra space.

Monocrystalline High-Efficiency Panels
- What They’re Made Of: Pure silicon cut into wafers from a single crystal (e.g., PERC or TOPCon technology).
- Why They’re Competitive:
  - Current models like LONGi Hi-MO X10 Scientist reach up to 24.8% efficiency.
  - Significant improvement from early panels that offered ~10% efficiency.
  - Continue to dominate the residential and commercial markets due to mature supply chains and reliability.

Ultra-Thin and Flexible Panels
- What They’re Made Of: Often made from thin-film technologies such as CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) or emerging perovskite-based films.
- Why They’re Competitive:
  - Lightweight, bendable, and versatile, opening use cases on vehicles, backpacks, windows, and irregular surfaces.
  - Ideal for mobile and low-load-bearing structures like RVs, tents, or drones.
  - Still evolving in terms of efficiency, but niche adoption is increasing.

Nationwide

Latest Solar Panel and Energy Advancements Across the US

As the United States prioritizes energy independence and more efficient power solutions, solar energy is rapidly becoming a critical part of the nation's energy strategy. As of the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. residential solar segment has added approximately 1,106 MWdc, bringing total domestic solar power capacity to about 239 GW—enough to power over 50 million homes across the country.

This growth is being driven by significant advancements in solar panel efficiency, smarter system design, supportive state-level policies, and rising demand from homeowners and businesses looking to lower energy bills and reduce reliance on the traditional power grid.

Read more here: Solar Energy Industries Association

Key PA. senator says bipartisan energy bills on hold until contested climate program settled

A group of bills aimed at boosting electricity production and regulating clean energy has rare, bipartisan support in Pennsylvania's divided legislature.

But a key Republican leader says he doesn’t plan to consider them until a court issues a final verdict on a long-debated interstate cap-and-trade program.

That program is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, which the previous Democratic administration joined via executive order in 2019 in an effort to combat climate change. It has been mired in litigation since.

The state's highest court is preparing its ruling on the program's fate after hearing arguments in May. State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) told Spotlight PA that until a decision is made, his chamber is unlikely to act on energy bills.

Resilience in the Storm: Protecting Hospitals During Extreme Weather

With rising threats from flash floods and hurricanes across Pennsylvania, hospitals face increasing risks from power outages and infrastructure failures. For critical facilities, downtime isn't just costly — it's dangerous. Now is the time to strengthen resilience.

How GEMM Supports Hospital Preparedness

GEMM specializes in Grid and Energy Master Planning to help hospitals remain operational during blackouts and extreme weather. Our solutions include:

Microgrids and On-Site Power Enable hospitals to function independently of the main grid.
Battery Storage Provide immediate backup without relying on diesel.
Flood-Proof Infrastructure Safeguard generators and electrical systems from water damage.
Smart Energy Management Prioritize essential loads and optimize energy use during emergencies.

Why It Matters Now

Resilient energy systems allow hospitals to:

Maintain operations during severe weather
Meet regulatory codes and emergency standards
Access funding through FEMA, IRA, and HUD programs

Don’t wait for the next flood. Start planning today to keep your facility safe, secure, and operational.

Stay connected

We're excited to continue this journey with you, by sharing news and insights on sustainability and progressing our path toward a better future. Stay tuned for our newsletter next month.