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A Spring 2026 survey of 1,060 U.S. adults reveals that a majority of Americans (56%) oppose building data centers in their local areas and 59% believe such developments would increase their electricity bills. There is broad support (73%) for requiring data center developers to offset electricity use by installing rooftop solar or providing weatherization and insulation for local homes. While views vary across the 'Six Americas' segments, opposition to local data centers and support for electricity offsets are common across most groups, including those typically dismissive of global warming.

A Spring 2026 survey of 1,060 U.S. adults reveals that a majority of Americans (56%) oppose building data centers in their local areas and 59% expect such developments to increase their electricity bills. There is strong broad support (73%) for requiring data center developers to offset electricity use by installing rooftop solar or weatherizing local homes. While views on global warming vary across the 'Six Americas' segments, opposition to local data centers and support for energy efficiency offsets are relatively consistent across most groups, with the 'Alarmed' showing the highest opposition and the 'Dismissive' the lowest support for offsets.

The report argues that communication is a critical climate solution that must be integrated into the budgeting and design of all local government programs. It outlines six key strategies for effective communication: investing in dedicated funding, conducting audience research, prioritizing climate justice and equity, leveraging social norms and storytelling to reduce psychological distance, utilizing trusted community messengers, and employing diverse communication channels. The document emphasizes that local governments are uniquely positioned to drive action because a majority of Americans want their local officials to address climate change.

The document reports that non-fossil sources reached a record 46.2% of the global electricity mix in April, with wind and solar accounting for 21.3%. It discusses how the instability of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the fragility of fossil fuel supply chains, prompting countries like China, Poland, and the Philippines to accelerate electrification and renewable energy adoption. Despite this, global fossil fuel subsidies are expected to exceed USD 1 trillion this year, and major energy firms like Shell and BP are pivoting back toward traditional oil and gas models. The text also notes the climate risks evidenced by record heatwaves in Europe and record global carbon emissions in 2025.

The report examines the financial and operational crisis facing South African municipal electricity distribution, characterized by rising bulk costs from Eskom and a massive infrastructure maintenance backlog. It proposes that municipalities leverage the growing amount of behind-the-meter rooftop solar PV—estimated at 3,495 MWp as of December 2024—to reduce reliance on expensive bulk purchases. By purchasing curtailed excess power and deploying leased BESS for peak demand arbitrage, municipalities could significantly increase operating surpluses to fund infrastructure renewal. The report specifically analyzes the City of Johannesburg, arguing that rooftop solar is not the primary cause of its revenue decline—which is instead driven by high technical and non-technical losses—and warns that punitive policies toward solar owners may accelerate grid defection.

In the first five months of 2026, Türkiye's renewable electricity generation reached a record 87 TWh, accounting for 61% of total generation. This surge, driven largely by exceptionally high rainfall boosting hydropower, pushed wholesale electricity prices to historic lows, particularly in May 2026. Consequently, the gap between market prices and regulated residential tariffs narrowed, resulting in a $746 million reduction in government electricity subsidies compared to the previous year. The report argues that to sustain these low prices and mitigate the risk of drought-induced price spikes, Türkiye must streamline permitting for storage-integrated wind and solar, hybrid plants, and rooftop solar installations.

Despite the removal of federal tax credits for clean energy upgrades via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, residential clean technologies in the US continue to offer significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions and cost savings. Using the Green Upgrade Calculator, RMI found that electric vehicles (EVs) generally lead in emissions reductions and cost savings in the West, while air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are most effective for emissions in the Northeast and Midwest and for savings in the South. Rooftop solar provides the highest emissions impact in Hawaii and leads in cost savings in California, Florida, and the Northeast due to high electricity prices and sunlight. The report emphasizes that the most effective state and local programs will target specific household archetypes—such as high-mileage drivers for EVs or delivered-fuel users for ASHPs—and bundle technologies to maximize synergy and savings.

The report argues that India's rural electrification must shift from simple access to improving reliability and quality through distributed renewable energy (DRE). While centralized projects are essential for national targets, DRE can address last-mile constraints. The authors develop a 'Model DRE Village Framework' that uses load typologies—such as agriculture-dominant versus residential-dominant—to determine system sizing, storage needs, and grid integration. Through techno-economic modelling in Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra) and Bamun Sualkuchi (Assam), the study demonstrates that solarization is generally cost-competitive compared to average power purchase costs (APPC), though battery energy storage systems (BESS) require careful sizing to remain affordable. The framework emphasizes a co-implementation model where distribution companies (DISCOMs) lead technical planning and ownership, while Gram Panchayats manage community governance and onboarding.

Rooftop solar capacity in the Philippines has likely doubled between April 2025 and April 2026, reaching approximately 1,300 MW. This growth is driven by surging electricity prices, which have reduced payback periods for residential, commercial, and industrial users to between 2.3 and 3.1 years. The report highlights a massive influx of solar panel imports from China and the emergence of domestic manufacturing. To further scale rooftop solar to a target of 3,500 MW with 4,500 MWh of battery storage within 24 months, the author recommends expanding low-interest loan schemes, legalising 'plug-and-play' solar kits under 800 watts, and implementing a distributed grid-battery project.

Türkiye aims for 120 GW of wind and solar capacity by 2035, requiring an annual addition of 8 GW. The primary obstacle is limited grid capacity, which necessitates an estimated $28 billion in additional investment. The report recommends resolving permitting bottlenecks for 33 GW of storage-integrated projects, diversifying energy sources through floating solar and offshore wind auctions, and leveraging regional interconnections to enhance grid flexibility. It also highlights a policy contradiction in the $8.7 billion purchase guarantee for domestic coal plants, which may hinder renewable goals and system stability.

Ember's analysis reveals a significant gap between planned renewable energy expansion and available grid capacity in Europe, with at least 120 GW of projects at risk. While some distribution grids can support household electrification, transmission bottlenecks threaten large-scale wind and solar projects, particularly in countries like Austria, Bulgaria, and Poland. The report advocates for 'non-wire solutions' and administrative reforms to unlock capacity and ensure energy security.

Solar growth in South Asia is reducing the power sector's exposure to global fossil fuel price shocks, though the pace varies by country. In Pakistan, rooftop solar generation grew from 7.7 TWh in 2022 to 36.6 TWh in 2025, saving an estimated USD 12 billion in LNG imports. In contrast, Bangladesh increased its reliance on coal, with generation rising from 7.87 TWh to 30.06 TWh between 2022 and 2025. While the power sector is diversifying, the region remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas for transport and industry. The report suggests that electrifying these end-uses and expanding regional electricity trade—with India as a hub—are essential to further cutting import costs and improving energy security.

The Dominican Republic faces high electricity costs and grid instability due to a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, which account for nearly 83% of generation. While rooftop solar exists, it is concentrated among the wealthiest 4.5% of the population, creating an unequal transition that erodes utility revenues and increases government subsidy burdens. To address this, the Convite Solar initiative uses a community-led model based on standardized, modular systems installed through collective labor and local training. A pilot in Nizao has demonstrated success in reducing household bills and increasing resilience during blackouts. The model proposes redirecting a portion of the $2 billion annual government electricity subsidies toward equipment costs and cooperative financing to scale distributed generation across the Caribbean.

In 2025, renewable energy reduced annual household electricity bills in Türkiye by an average of 9%, with some monthly savings reaching 17%. While renewables lowered wholesale prices by up to 45%, the full benefit is not passed to consumers due to regulated tariff structures and the lack of hourly demand-side management for residential users. The report suggests that implementing demand-side management could double annual household savings to 15.7%, and removing the zero-price floor to allow negative pricing would further lower costs.

In 2025, renewable energy reduced annual electricity bills for households in Türkiye by an average of 9%, with some monthly savings reaching 17%. While renewables lowered wholesale electricity prices by up to 45%, the benefit to end-consumers is limited by a regulated tariff structure. The report highlights that 2.5 million households are expected to transition to the non-subsidized Last Resort Supply Tariff (LRST) in 2026, potentially doubling their bills, though renewable growth may mitigate this. Additionally, implementing hourly demand-side management could increase annual household savings to 15.7%, equivalent to two months of bills.

Gham Power installed an 83.16 kWp rooftop solar PV system for Datahub Nepal in Tilottama, Butwal, to replace a reliance on diesel generators and an unreliable utility grid. The project, completed on 2 July 2024, provides stable daytime power, reducing daytime electricity costs by 68.11%. Over a 25-year period, the system is projected to displace 38 kiloliters of diesel and reduce carbon emissions by 220 tonnes.

KIOCH, a pediatric hospital in Damak, Nepal, installed a 31.6 kWp rooftop solar PV system to address chronic power outages and voltage fluctuations from the grid. The project, implemented by Gham Power with financial support from GRID Alternatives, provides reliable power to 200 hospital beds. Over 25 years, the system is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 70 tons and displace 10.5 kiloliters of diesel fuel.

Gham Power installed a 1.3 MW rooftop solar PV system for Goyal Ispat, a metal factory in Ramgram, Nepal, to address high electricity costs and power quality issues. The system reduces reliance on the 33kV NEA grid and diesel generators, with projected savings of 2–3% on electricity bills in the first year. Over 25 years, the project is expected to replace 452 kiloliters of diesel and avoid 2,970 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The report analyzes India's energy subsidy landscape in FY 2025 and FY 2026, highlighting a significant imbalance where fossil fuel subsidies are three times higher than clean energy subsidies. It details the fiscal strain on state governments due to rising electricity subsidies and the vulnerability of the national budget to global LPG and crude oil price volatility caused by conflict in the Gulf. The analysis argues for a strategic shift from recurring fossil fuel subsidies to one-time capital investments in renewable energy, electric cooking, and electric mobility to enhance energy security and fiscal sustainability.

The report identifies induction stoves as the most practical alternative to LPG in Indonesia, noting that they are cheaper than unsubsidized LPG for both households and the government. It highlights that current universal LPG subsidies are the primary barrier to adoption and proposes a reform where subsidies for well-off households are replaced by induction subsidies, potentially saving the government IDR 7–12 trillion annually. Recommendations include lowering voltage upgrade costs, implementing one-off connection subsidies for stoves and cookware, and targeting LPG subsidies specifically to low-income households.