Rise & Shine: January 12, 2009
CALIFORNIA NEWS
Go Solar California Contest Educates Consumers About Solar and Energy Efficiency
Californians embraced the power of the sun in the Energy Commission’s first Go Solar California Sweepstakes that educated consumers about solar and energy efficiency. Nearly 17,000 entries were received in the contest and 34 percent - 5795 entries - requested more information about solar energy.
Suntech Power and Open Energy Sign Solar Roof Membrane Licensing Deal
Suntech will undertake the worldwide manufacture, distribution, sales and marketing of Open Energy’s lightweight, easily-installable solar membrane product.
Optisolar Lays off 300, Half the Staff
The layoffs come because the company cannot get access to capital, said spokesman Alan Bernheimer. News of the layoffs came today.
Perpetual Energy Systems Activates Largest Solar Energy Installation at a US Winery
Perpetual Energy Systems (PES), comprehensive financier and developer of solar powered renewable energy systems, and Foster’s Wine Estates Americas (Foster’s), a subsidiary of Foster’s Group in Australia, today announces the activation of four solar installations including the largest solar energy system hosted by a United States winery.
Power Switch
The city is awaiting two consultants’ reports this month - one on solar and one on hydroelectric energy that will spell out costs and how long it would take for the city to recoup its investment.
NATIONAL NEWS
Solar Promoters Push Recycling as Path to “Double Green”
The solar industry in Europe is not taking any chances with its reputation as a clean business and has pledged to collect and recycle large numbers of them so they don’t end up in the garbage dump.
WorldWater & Solar Technologies Changes Name to Entech Solar
WorldWater & Solar Technologies acquired ENTECH, Inc. in January 2008.
Tennessee Joins Race for “Green Energy”
Tennessee is working hard to position itself to take advantage of a revolution in manufacturing that could bring thousands of new, high-paying “green energy” jobs in such fields as solar.
All-in-One Solar Panels and Solar Thermals
Entech Solar has devised a solar unit that contains silicon photovoltaic cells, which can convert sunlight into electricity, as well as a fluid-filled pipe that collects heat from the sun.
The Rush for Gigawatts in the Desert Explodes
Although the economy is in the dumps, there’s been a 78% jump in applications to build solar projects on BLM land in the last six months.
Colorado Could Become 1 of Largest Solar Producers
Xcel Energy’s plans to expand its use of renewable energy could make Colorado one of the world’s largest solar producers. On Friday the company said it was seeking bids from companies to build solar projects that could produce 600 megawatts of power, enough to serve 150,000 customers.
Advanced Solar Photonics Announces New Thin Film Module Production Plant
ASP has expanded to a 318,000 square-foot facility to build a solar panel thin-film module production plant.
AVA Solar One of Top Startups
CSU spinoff AVA Solar has been named by Business Week’s online edition as one of the most successful startups in the nation for 2008 and one of the 25 hottest companies.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Why Refundable Tax Credits are Important for Clean Power
Last week, the Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Wind Energy Association joined forces to push for refundable tax credits in an economic stimulus package. We’re likely to hear a lot more about it as Congress mulls Obama’s plan.
How Realistic is Obama’s Goal to Double Clean Energy by 2012?
The incoming administration estimates that the U.S. currently produces 24,000 MW of wind, solar and geothermal power, and the optimistic email noted that wind generation would play a key role in doubling that figure, accounting for an additional 20,000 MW. Solar and geothermal are expected to fill in the rest.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Watchdog Group Bashes International Energy Agency on Renewables
The Energy Watch Group, backed by the nonprofit Ludwig Bölkow Foundation, accuses the IEA of showing ‘ignorance and contempt’ toward renewable.
Sovello Signs 120MW in Sales Deals
Signed in the fourth quarter of 2008, the contracts run from three to five years, respectively. The deal calls for the distribution of Sovello’s Pure Power Modules, which are made out of crystalline silicon.