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This Week in Cleantech: Key Developments in Clean Energy
This Week in Cleantech presents a concise weekly podcast that highlights significant developments in the fields of clean energy and climate change, all in under 15 minutes. Hosted by Paul Gerke of Factor This alongside Mike Casey from Tigercomm, the show provides insights into the latest industry news.
The latest episode features Casey Crownhart from MIT Technology Review, who discusses the cancellation of $8 billion worth of U.S. climate technology projects that has occurred thus far in 2025.
The “Cleantecher of the Week” recognition goes to Rev. Nate Pyle, senior pastor at Christ’s Community Church in Fishers, Indiana. Pyle has been instrumental in advocating for rooftop solar installations at his church, demonstrating how environmental stewardship aligns with faith values in the community.
New Tariffs on Solar Panel Imports
The United States government has instituted tariffs reaching up to 3,521% on imported solar panels from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. This decision follows a thorough investigation that identified claims of these countries benefiting from unfair subsidies and selling their solar products below production costs in the U.S.
The primary objective of this action is to protect domestic manufacturers such as First Solar and Hanwha Q Cells from what the administration perceives as unjust foreign competition. Nevertheless, this tariff could pose significant challenges for American renewable energy developers who have been dependent on affordable solar modules from these Southeast Asian nations, which represented 77% of U.S. solar imports in 2024.
Advancements in Thermoelectric Generators
Innovators in the field have made strides with thermoelectric generators, which convert heat from vehicle exhaust into usable electricity. These devices, which can be integrated into a vehicle’s tailpipe, operate by exploiting the temperature difference between the exhaust and the surrounding air, functioning similarly to batteries.
The prototype developed has achieved a 15% efficiency in converting waste heat into electricity, nearly double the efficiency of previous models. With an output of 40 watts, it has sufficient power to charge small devices or power lights. The absence of coolant in this design enhances its suitability for aircraft, where it can potentially contribute to powering up to 25% of a vehicle’s battery at high altitudes.
Model for Economic Damages from Fossil Fuel Pollution
Researchers have introduced a groundbreaking model that quantifies the economic impact of pollution caused by fossil fuel companies. This model estimates that from 1991 to 2020, emissions from 111 major fossil fuel producers resulted in approximately $28 trillion in damages attributable to extreme heat events. If adopted by the courts, this model could lead to significant legal challenges for major oil corporations like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and Saudi Aramco, holding them accountable for their role in global warming.
Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States saw a growth of 10.6% in early 2025, despite a decline in Tesla’s own sales by 9%. Tesla’s market share has decreased from around two-thirds to under 50% over a span of two years, as consumers increasingly explore newer EV models from brands such as Cadillac, BMW, Porsche, and Polestar. Factors driving this shift include dissatisfaction with Tesla’s leadership under Elon Musk, as well as the attraction of contemporary designs and enhanced technology features in rival vehicles.
Cancellations in Climate Tech Projects
A recent report by the policy group E2 reveals that in the first quarter of 2025 alone, at least 16 significant climate tech ventures in the U.S.—with a total value of around $8 billion—have been canceled or downsized, exceeding trends from previous years. This influx of terminations is attributed to changing federal support mechanisms, the implementation of new tariffs on imports such as Chinese batteries, and a slower-than-anticipated uptake of technologies, including electric vehicles. While some closures may indicate a necessary market recalibration, others hint at growing uncertainties within the climate tech sector. Despite these challenges, construction continues on many projects, although experts suggest that a more stable policy environment could potentially boost overall project numbers.
Source
www.renewableenergyworld.com