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Project Focus: Morocco invites bids for $9bn solar plans
Aug 30, 2010 - PV-tech.org
Morocco's solar energy agency has revealed that the country will be inviting investors who have expressed interest in phase one of its US$9 billion solar power project to submit pre-qualification bids by October 4 at the latest, reports Reuters.
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A solar detective story: Explaining how power output varies hour by hour
Aug 30, 2010 - George Musser - Scientific American
Solar homeowners' favorite topic of conversation is the performance of their arrays.
- Nuclear
Energy Loses Cost Advantage
Aug 25, 2010 - By DIANA S. POWERS - New York Times
PARIS — Solar photovoltaic systems have long
been painted as a clean way to generate electricity,
but expensive compared with other alternatives
to oil, like nuclear power.
- ARS:
Blending Wind and Solar Meets Peak Energy Demands
Aug 23, 2010 - M2 Presswire - Energy Central
In parts of Texas and California, a good match between renewable energy production
and peak energy demands could be obtained by combining wind power with solar
power, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.
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Solarbuzz predicts U.S. solar market could grow tenfold by 2014
Aug 11, 2010 - Emma Hughes - Market Watch
Solarbuzz's latest report, "United States PV Market 2010," reveals
that the U.S. solar market grew 36% in 2009,
responding positively to the economic downfall.
- Solar power now cheaper than nuclear
Aug 11, 2010 - McClatchy/Tribune
According to news aggregator Energy Collective, a historic era is upon us because solar power has become affordable. More specifically, solar power has become cheaper than nuclear power.
- U.S. researchers claim solar enegy advance
Aug 11, 2010 - UPI
Scientists say a new process utilizing both the light and heat of solar radiation could double the efficiency of electricity-generating solar panels.
- New Energy to Unveil World's First-of-Its-Kind
Jul 28, 2010 - Associated Press
New Energy to Unveil World's First-of-Its-Kind See-Thru Glass SolarWindow Capable of Generating Electricity University of South Florida Research Foundation Grants New Energy Exclusive, Worldwide License for Technologies to Enable Commercial Development of
- Despite inverter shortages, IMS Research raises 2010 solar market to 14.6GW
Jul 14, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
Despite only a small improvement in solar inverter component supply expected in the second-half of the year, IMS Research has raised its forecast for global photovoltaics system installations.
- Ultra pure water system features high efficiency reverse osmosis process
Jul 12, 2010 - engineerlive.com
SunPower Corp has selected GE to supply the new SunPower-AUO joint venture solar cell fabrication plant in Malaysia with an ultra pure water system to
meet the needs of its next generation manufacturing facility.
- 12 remote villages of Ziarat electrified through solar energy
Jul 12, 2010 - Asia Pulse Data Source
International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) and Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) have collaboratively installed 12 solar energy panel systems in ten different remotely located villages of Ziarat district of Balochistan.
- Skyline Solar’s HGS PV system installation makes Nipton, CA, the most solar-powered U.S. town
Jun 22, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - pv-tech.org
Nipton, CA, has become the highest per-capita solar town in the United States, thanks to the first commercial power system installation of Skyline Solar’s high-gain solar concentrator PV technology.
- Brownfields' Bright Spot: Solar and Wind Energy
Jun 21, 2010 - NREL - Energy Central
Wind turbines are rising from abandoned toxic industrial sites.
Solar panels are catching rays over contaminated landfills.
- India: bullish on solar energy
Jun 21, 2010 - Datamonitor - energycentral.com
India added a record 2.33GW of renewable energy capacity in the past year, but only a miniscule 8MW was contributed by solar power.
- Solar power to decrease the influence of pollution on human health: Scientist
Jun 18, 2010 - Nisreen Zahreddine Kuwait Times - McClatchy-Tribune
Kuwait's potential to benefit from the use of alternative energy was the subject of a workshop held at the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) on Thursday.
- Florida takes giant step with huge solar-power plant
Jun 18, 2010 - Kevin Spear - The Orlando Sentinel - Energy Central
Florida Power & Light Co.'s newest solar-energy plant will have enough mirrors to cover 80 football fields. But those mirrors will focus sunlight onto surfaces that add up to slightly less than the area of a single football field.
- CPUC Commissioner Bohn Dedicates California's
First Grid-Connected Solar Farm
June 17, 2010 - Business Wire - Energy Central
Dedication ceremonies were held today for CalRENEW-1,
the first utility-scale photovoltaic solar electricity
plant to connect to the California Independent System
Operator's (CAISO) transmission grid under the state's
Renewables Portfolio Standards program.
- Milestone:
10 Gigawatts of PV in 2010, Part 2
Jun 17, 2010 - Eric Wesoff- greentechmedia.com
As we approach the upcoming autumn milestone of
10 gigawatts of solar installed in 2010, Greentech
Media asks a few solar luminaries to reflect on
the event.
Milestone:
10 Gigawatts of PV in 2010, Part 1
Jun 11, 2010 - Eric Wesoff- greentechmedia.com
As we approach the upcoming autumn milestone of
10 gigawatts of solar installed in 2010, Greentech
Media asks a few solar luminaries to reflect on
the event.
- Raising
Arizona (solar): Tucson Electric primes the PV pump
with 100MW-plus program
Jun 09, 2010 - Tom Cheyney- PV-tech.org
There are few places on the planet more suitable
for solar power than Arizona. Despite the obviousness
of this desert-fried fact, the state trails its
large, golden neighbor to the west in the amount
of PV and CSP installed as well as megawattage in
the development pipeline. But two recently announced
programs from a pair of Arizona’s main
utility operators—Tucson Electric Power and
Salt River Project —would bring a couple of
hundred more megawatts online within the next couple
of years, and in TEP’s case, provide a distributed
test bed for a variety of PV technologies.
- Project
Focus: SolFocus, Victor Valley College complete
1MW CPV solar power plant
June 1, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech.org
Victor Valley College and SolFocushave officially
opened the college's 1MW (AC) CPV solar power plant,
located in the high desert northeast of Los Angeles.
- Czech
Republic in violation of EU directives in order
to stop solar boom
May 26, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech.org
Leading Czech photovoltaic experts addressed the
European Commission with a request to review a brand-new
decree of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT)
of the Czech Republic regulating the construction
of new solar photovoltaic power plants in the country.
Based on this decree, all PV plants installed in
the Czech Republic from June onward that have a
total output of more than 30kWp will have to adhere
to very strict requirements related to using PV
modules containing only solar cells with very high
conversion efficiencies, namely 22% for monocrystalline
cells and 16% for polycrystalline or thin-film cells.
- Plans
for world's largest photovoltaic power plant unveiled
May 25, 2010 - Taylor Luck - zawya.com
AMMAN - An international
consortium on Wednesday unveiled plans for what
is expected to be the largest photovoltaic (PV)
power plant in the world in Maan.
- How
home solar arrays can help to stabilize the grid,
part 1 of 2
May 25, 2010 - George Musser - scientificamerican.com
Solar arrays can do more than feed energy into
the power grid.
- Chile’s
Atacama may become Latin America’s Desertec
May 24, 2010 - Sonia Credencia - latinobusinessreview.com
According to numerous studies, Chile’s Atacama
desert receives more solar radiation than any other
desert in the world, giving the desert the potential
to be transformed into Latin America’s Desertec.
- SDG&E
Adds Solar Energy to Its Portfolio From Imperial
County
May 17, 2010 - Marketwire - renewablesbiz.com
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced
that it has signed a 20-year power-purchase agreement
with an LS Power subsidiary.
- Solar
power could produce 25% of global electricity by
2050, studies say
May 17, 2010 - Tiffany Hsu - latimesblogs.latimes.com
By 2050, the world could be getting a quarter of
its electricity from solar power, the International
Energy Agency said Wednesday.
- Australia’s
Federal Government releases 2010/2011 budget with
strong support for solar
May 17, 2010 - Emma Hughes - Market Watch - pv-tech.org
The Australian Federal Government announced its
2010/2011 budget on May 11, showing strong support
for renewable energy.
- San
Diego Gas & Electric signs 20-year power-purchase
agreement
May 14, 2010 - Syanne Olson - Poer Generation -
pv-tech.org
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has signed
a 20-year power-purchase agreement with an LS Power
subsidiary to secure up to 130MW of solar energy
from the intended Centinela Solar Energy facility
in Imperial Valley.
- EPIA
revises solar market growth for 2009: global installs
reached 7.2GW
May 7, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
Preliminary 2009 market figures issued in March,
2010 by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association
(EPIA) showed that installations had increased by
6.4GW, however in newly revised final figures, installations
increased to at least 7.2GW in 2009. The PV market
therefore grew by almost 15% in 2009 compared to
2008 and the total cumulative power installed in
the World increased by 45% to 22.9 GW.
- CIGS
record of 20.1% efficiency reported by researchers
at ZSW
May 6, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
The U.S. research institute NREL held the conversion
efficiency record for copper, indium, gallium, and
selenium (CIGS) solar cells for 16 years but has
lost this accolade to scientists at the Zentrum
für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg,
Germany (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research,
ZSW).
- ADB
launches Asia solar energy initiative
May 6, 2010 - Xinhua
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched here on
Monday an Asia Solar Energy Initiative (ASEI) to
generate some 3,000 megawatts of solar power by
2012.
- Troubled
by power cuts, Indians go green with solar energy
Mai 3, 2010 - Xinhua
As rising mercury began scorching India this month,
frequent electricity cuts are making the situation
worse.
- Niskayuna,
NY, USA: GE to Study Impact of High Solar Energy
Penetration on the Grid
Mai 3, 2010 - solarbuzz.com
GE researchers are working with Arizona Public Service,
the state’s largest electric utility, to understand
how large amounts of solar can best be integrated
into today’s grid.
- Accelerating
Solar: A Look at the Next Decade
Mai 3, 2010 - Dr. Charlie Gay - Applied Materials
Dr.
Charlie Gay is responsible for the solar efforts
of Applied Materials, a supplier of photovoltaic
processing equipment. Earlier this year, in a talk
at the Industry Strategy Symposium, hosted by the
Semiconductor Equipment and Material Institute (SEMI),
- Purple
Pokeberries Hold Secret to Affordable Solar Power
Worldwide
Mai 3, 2010 - sciencedaily.com
Pokeberries -- the weeds that children smash to
stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War
soldiers used to write letters home -- could be
the key to spreading solar power across the globe,
according to researchers at Wake Forest University's
Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.
- Bringing
Utility-Scale Solar Power to the Grid
May 3, 2010 - Tucker Ruberti - PV Powered, Inc.
Over time the electrical grid will transform into
a more distributed configuration, incorporating
many new energy resources, including solar.
- Bahrain
planning solar energy push
Apr 30, 2010 - Mandeep Singh
Gulf Daily News, Manama, Bahrain
The cost of powering Bahrain will not increase because
the country is moving towards renewable sources,
it was revealed said yesterday.
- Barclays
Capital analyst raises 2010 global solar installation
forecast to 11GW, Germany to 5.8GW
Apr 26, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
Industry demand checks and recent German PV installation
figures have seen Barclays Capital analyst, Vishal
Shah raise his forecast for global solar installations
for 2010.
- Photon
Consulting: Get ready for US$1.00 per watt across
all solar PV technologies
Apr 26, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
According to the latest report from Photon Consulting
the ‘true cost’ of solar power has fallen
rapidly in the last year, driven by low cost producers
in both China and Taiwan in particular.
- SEIA
releases 2009 US Solar Industry Year in Review report
Apr 26, 2010 - Syanne Olson - pv-tech.org
After what was a trying year in economies all over
the world, the Solar Energy Industries Association
has released its 2009 US Solar Industry Year in
Review report finding that the US solar industry
posted strong numbers and showed significant growth.
Overall, the United States ranked 4th in new solar
electric capacity worldwide with industry growth
totaling nearly $4 billion – a 36% improvement.
- U.S.
Department of Energy to invest more than $200 million
in solar power technologies
Apr 26, 2010 - Syanne Olson - pv-tech.org
This past Earth Day was not only an anniversary
of the celebration's 40th birthday, but also a step
forward by the U.S. Department of Energy for the
advancement and expansion of solar power technology.
- GE
to Study Impact of High Solar Energy Penetration
on the Grid
Apr 22, 2010 - Business Wire
With energy experts forecasting substantial increases
in solar power in the coming decades, GE researchers
are working with Arizona Public Service, the state's
largest electric utility, to understand how large
amounts of solar can best be integrated into today's
grid.
- Kohl's
Department Stores Announces Plans to Go Solar at
10 Colorado Stores
Apr 20, 2010 - Business Wire
- energycentral.com
Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS), the largest
retail host of solar power in North America, today
announced plans to convert 10 of its 23 Colorado
Kohl's stores to solar power by the end of this
year.
- Solar
energy: Enormous Ontario potential
Apr 20, 2010 - United Press International
Canadian scientists say solar power production in
southeastern Ontario can potentially produce nearly
the same amount of power of all U.S. nuclear reactors.
- LDK
Solar becomes largest wafer producer: outlines technology
roadmap
Apr 20, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
At an investor event held at LDK Solar’s main
solar wafer manufacturing complex in Xinyu City,
China, the rapidly scaling integrated PV producer
noted that it has reached an annualized wafer capacity
of 2GW, claiming to be the largest solar wafer producer
in the world.
- US
Solar Power Market Grows 37% In 2009 - Study
Apr 17, 2010 - Dow Jones
The U.S. solar power market grew 37% in 2009 from
the previous year, with 481 megawatts of new solar
generation installed, up from 351 megawatts installed
in 2008, the Solar Energy Industries Association
said Thursday.
- Dow
Jones Plans Solar-Power System to Generate Clean
Energy
Apr 14, 2010 - Business Wire
Dow Jones & Company plans to construct a large-scale
solar-power installation to generate clean energy
for its corporate offices in central New Jersey.
- Solar
Thermal Federation of India launched
Apr 14, 2010 - renewableenergyfocus.com
The pan-Indian not-for-profit body Solar Thermal
Federation of India (STFI) has been launched to
provide a voice and platform for the Indian solar
thermal industry.
- IMS
Research says solar installations could reach 10GW
in 2010
Apr 13, 2010 - Mark Osborne - .pv-tech.org
Having forecasted that global PV installations would
actually grow in 2009 despite the fact that’s
its forecast was issued in early 2009 when barely
2.8MW was installed in Germany for January of that
year, IMS Research now expects global installation
could reach 10GW in 2010, despite changes to the
German feed-in tariff.
- SunEdison
activates 945kW PV plant at San Diego’s Otay
Mesa water treatment facility
Apr 7, 2010 - Emma Hughes - pv-tech.org
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and SunEdison have
been celebrating the activation of the 945kW solar
power plant at San Diego's Otay Mesa water treatment
facility.
- California
to develop three more solar projects
Apr 7, 2010 - Xinhua
Solar Millennium LLC company is developing three
solar project sites in California deserts that,
once completed, will generate enough electricity
to power more than 500,000 California households,
it was announced on Wednesday.
- New
program makes solar panels more affordable
Apr 6 - McClatchy-Tribune - David Garrick - North
County Times,
Aiming to encourage more residents to install solar
panels and other energy-saving devices, city officials
have joined a statewide program that loans businesses
and homeowners money to install such devices and
lets them slowly re-pay the loans with property
tax surcharges over 20 years.
- Solar
panels made three times cheaper and four times more
efficient
Apr 4, 2010 - Darren Quick
The Concentrated Universal Energy Solar System (CUESS)
to be commercialized by Technique Solar
- Transmission
Stalls Solar Growth
Apr 2, 2010 - Bill Opalka - renewablesbiz.com
Power purchase agreements and project finance are
two of the legs on the stool for renewable energy's
growth, but the third leg, transmission access,
is turning into a problem for large solar projects
in the Southwest.
- How
Concentrated Solar Power Can Meet India's Future
Power Needs
Mar 31, 2010 - Darshan Goswami - Project Manager,
U.S. Department of Energy
Solar energy is an enormous resource that is readily
available in all countries throughout the world,
and all the space above the earth.
- Global
solar photovoltaic installations reach a preliminary
6.4GW in 2009, says EPIA
Mar 30, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
Preliminary 2009 market figures for the PV industry
have been issued by the European Photovoltaic Industry
Association (EPIA), after its recent workshop was
held in Rome, Italy. The EPIA said that 6.4GW of
newly installed capacity was achieved in 2009, reaching
a total capacity of over 20GW worldwide.
- UPDATE
2-Italy new solar incentives seen in April
Mar 25, 2010 - Svetlana Kovalyova
- Reuters
* Incentive cut slightly
below reduction in solar panel cost
- PV
– A Question of Scale
Mar 23, 2010 - J.Peter Lynch - renewableenergyworld.com
PV is already the fastest growing industry in the
world. But if it is going to play a significant
role in future worldwide electricity production,
it all comes down to one word – scalability.
- Report:
Solar Could Meet 10% of US Energy Needs
Mar 23, 2010 - RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Environment America last week released a new report
that outlines the road to meet 10 percent of the
United States' energy needs by 2030.
- Worldwide
solar PV market reaches 6.43 GW in 2009
Mar 22, 2010 - Renewable Energy Focus.Com
Worldwide solar photovoltaic (PV) installations
reached 6.43GW in 2009 – a 6% growth from
2008, according to the latest ‘Marketbuzz
2010 Report’ from market research and consulting
company Solarbuzz.
- Cost
of solar going down, industry says
Mar 22, 2010 - The Bakersfield
Californian
David Stillwell is trying to wind down his monthly
expenses so he'll have fewer bills when he retires.
Toward that end, last year he bought a solar energy
system for his Rosedale area home.
- US
funds aluminium-based CSP system
Mar 19, 2010 - renewableenergyfocus.com
Alcoa will use aluminium instead of glass mirrors
to generate power by concentrating solar power (CSP).
- Edison's
bright idea: Solar panels on industrial roofs can
act as mini power plants
Mar 19, 2010 - Ryan Carter -San
Gabriel Valley Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune
Southern California Edison officials on Thursday
said they've found another large rooftop to turn
into a power plant to harness megawatts of energy
from the sun.
- Phaesun
builds solar systems in Africa
Mar 16, 2010 - renewableenergyfocus.com
German Phaesun and Ikratos Africa, based in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, are constructing 10 solar power plants
in the Koudougou region, to be finished at the end
of March 2010.
- First
Solar Joins the Desertec Industrial Initiative
Mar 16, 2010 -- BUSINESS WIRE
First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) on Tuesday announced
that it had joined the Desertec Industrial Initiative
as an Associated Partner to demonstrate the potential
of photovoltaic (PV) solar technology to provide
clean, sustainable energy on a vast scale by harnessing
the desert sun.
- SunPower
scores 200MW rooftop PV contract with Southern California
Edison
Mar 11, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - pv-tech.org
The most ambitious rooftop solar initiative in the
U.S. has taken a decidedly crystalline-silicon turn,
as Southern California Edison has awarded a contract
to SunPower to supply up to 200MW, or 80%, of the
utility’s photovoltaic installation program.
- Solar
Power Vastly Underrated in Region
Mar 11, 2010 - The Namibian/All
Africa Global Media
THE southern African region has the highest potential
in the world for the use of Solar Thermal Power
(STP).
- Wind
towers and solar panels help power Jacksonville
strip mall
Mar 11, 2010 - The Florida Times-Union
The twin 30-foot-high towers in front of a strip
mall on the south side of Atlantic Boulevard near
St. Johns Bluff are hard to miss -- especially when
the wind is blowing and both structures are spinning
and generating power.
- SunEdison
receives go-ahead for largest plant in Europe
Mar 11, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech.com
SunEdison has received final approval from the Italian
government to develop and construct what will be
the largest solar power plant in Europe. The 72MW
project will be based in Northeastern Italy, near
the town of Rovigo.
- First
Solar secures 300MW power purchase agreement with
PG&E
Mar 9, 2010 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
The 550MW Desert Sunlight project planned by First
Solar in eastern Riverside County, California, looks
to be set to go ahead now that a power purchase
agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
has been signed for the remaining 300MW plant.
- On
Rooftops Worldwide, a Solar Water Heating Revolution
Mar 9, 2010 - Lester R. Brown - Earth Policy Institute
The harnessing of solar energy is expanding on every
front as concerns about climate change and energy
security escalate, as government incentives for
harnessing solar energy expand, and as these costs
decline while those of fossil fuels rise.
- Renewable
energy can meet 100% of demand: US study
Mar 9, 2010 - renewableenergyfocus.com
A study in North Carolina suggests that solar and
wind energy could supply 94% of the electricity
needs in the state.
- Solar
Industry Learns Lessons in Spanish Sun
Mar 8, 2010 - Elisabeth Rosenthal - nytimes.com
PUERTOLLANO, Spain — Two years ago, this gritty
mining city hosted a brief 21st-century gold rush.
Long famous for coal, Puertollano discovered another
energy source it had overlooked: the relentless,
scorching sun.
- Project
Focus: U.S. Navy to award $200M in contracts to
build 40MW of solar PV power plants
Mar 4, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
The U.S. Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Command
(NAVFAC) has awarded a $200 million contract to
build up as much as 40MW of solar photovoltaic power
plants at Navy and Marine Corps installations throughout
the southwestern United States.
- NREL
says Global Solar first to exceed 13% efficiencies
for CIGS on flex stainless-steel substrate
Feb 25, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - pv-tech.org
In the latest example of increasing CIGS conversion
efficiencies, the Department of Energy’s National
Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed that Global
Solar Energy has achieved 13.2% aperture-area efficiency
on a thin-film photovoltaic module integrated with
flexible cell-strings from its copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide
production line in Tucson, AZ.
- Solar
Thermal Collectors Have Larger Capacity and Produce
More Energy than Wind Power
Feb 24, 2010 - World of Renewables
The report “Solar Thermal Power Report”
describes solar thermal energy technology in its
various applications.
- US
utilities see future for solar and wind
Feb 23, 2010 - Renewable Energy Focus
Wind energy projects are underway or planned by
79% of utilities in the USA within the next five
years, while solar energy is planned by 73% within
that time horizon.
- Italy’s
FiT cuts will be less than expected
Feb 23, 2010 - Emma Hughes - pv-tech.org
Reuters
has reported that the Italian government plans to
reduce the cuts it previously announced to solar
incentives, according to the latest draft of a decree
obtained on February 22.
- Advocates
envision Texas as solar power leader
Feb 22, 2010 - Randy Lee Loftis - The Dallas Morning
News
The sun could rival the wind as a clean power source
in Texas' near future, if the state gets serious
about tapping the potential of pollution-free solar
energy.
- Is
K.R. Sridhar’s 'magic box' ready for prime time?
Feb 19, 2010 - Paul Keegan - CNN
The Bloom Energy CEO is finally unveiling his entry
in the fuel-cell arena after years of playing it
close
- to the vest.
- Large
solar PV to dominate US market
Feb 18, 2010 - Renewable Energy Focus
“Large-scale commercial solar PV and central-station
utility-scale PV will most likely become the dominant
growth market” in the United States, according
to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
- Kyocera
claims new multicrystalline solar PV module conversion
efficiency record, hits 17.3%
Feb 12, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - pv-tech.org
Two months after ECN
and REC claimed the highest conversion efficiency
for multicrystalline-silicon solar modules, Kyocera
has topped their mark and set a new world record.
- Financial
Crisis Paves the Way for Chinese Solar Giants
Feb 10, 2010 - Coco Liu - renewableenergyworld.com
Sales of Chinese solar modules, which accounted
for nearly one third of the global market share,
were shadowed in the wake of the financial crisis.
However, what did not kill the Chinese companies
made them stronger, especially in terms of product
cost and market access.
- Nuclear
Giant Areva Buys Solar Company Ausra
Feb 9, 2010 - Laura Lsensee - Reuters
The world's largest nuclear plant builder, Areva
SA, is diversifying into solar power with the aim
of becoming an industry leader, as it acquires U.S.-based
solar thermal player Ausra, the company said on
Monday.
- Business
coalition pushes solar energy in Texas
Feb 9, 2010 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Bill Teeter Waco Tribune-Herald, Texas
A business organization is pressing for the state
government to expand its solar power goals to make
Texas a national leader in solar energy.
- Solar
energy expo seeks lighting solution to rural India
Feb 06, 2010 -- Xinhua
A four-day solar energy expo has been running since
Thursday in the Indian capital, highlighting the
"dark" situation especially in rural India and proposing
" light'solution through solar energy.
- Release:
Sanders Introduces Major Solar Energy Initiative
Feb 4, 2010 - Bernie Sanders
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate's
green jobs subcommittee, today introduced legislation
with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation
of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes
and businesses over the next decade.
- Tables
of Renewable Tariffs or Feed-In Tariffs Worldwide
Feb 1, 2010 - Paul Gipe - wind-works.org
These tables summarize tariffs for different technologies
in different countries, and various states and provinces.
The tables may also provide an overview of program
details.
- Intel
outside: Chipmaker moves to install more PV power
systems, equipped with First Solar modules
Jan 29, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
Intel likes to talk the green talk and walk it too
with ever-smaller carbon footprints, buying copious
amounts of renewable energy credits, investing millions
of dollars in cleantech startups through its development
fund, spinning off solar cell start-up Spectrawatt,
and researching organic photovoltaics in its labs.
- Solar
energy initiative aired
Jan 29, 2010 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Aaron Besecker The Buffalo News, N.Y.
All kinds of public buildings under the sun, from
schools to libraries to city halls, will be targeted
as installation sites under a new state initiative
to develop solar energy.
- Project
Focus: GA-Solar to build 300MW solar PV power plant
in New Mexico
Jan 28, 2010 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
Spanish renewable energy firm GA-Solar will develop
and build a massive solar photovoltaic power plant
in New Mexico's rural Guadalupe County, according
to an announcement made by Gov. Bill Richardson.
The project, to be sited on 2500 acres of land,
could be scaled to more than 300MW and represents
an investment of $1 billion by the solar company
and its parent, Corporación Gestamp.
- Spanish
company plans NM solar energy plant
Jan 27, 2010 - The Associated Press
A Spanish company plans to invest $1 billion to
build a large solar energy production plant in New
Mexico.
- Solar
energy initiative launched
Jan 25, 2010 - McClatchy-Tribune
Regional News
The King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology
(KACST) on Sunday launched a major national initiative
to produce desalinated water and electricity at
a much cheaper rate -- less than a riyal for a cubic
meter of water and 30 halalas per kilowatt/hour.
Prince Turki bin Saud bin Muhammad, vice president
of KACST for research institutes, said the initiative
would reduce the cost of water and electricity production
by 40 percent. He said the first solar-powered desalination
plant with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters would
be established in Al-Khafji to serve 100,000 people.
- Duke
Energy to start first solar power plant; buys juwi/First
Solar ‘Blue Wing Solar’ project
Jan 25, 2010 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org
A 16MW solar power plant under development by juwi
solar, using 214,500 ground-mounted cadmium-telluride
thin-film PV panels from First Solar, has been acquired
by Duke Energy.
- Tessera
Solar and Stirling Energy Systems Unveil World's
First Commercial-Scale SunCatcherTM Plant, Maricopa
Solar, with Utility Partner Salt River Project
Jan 22, 2010 - Energy Central
Only four months after breaking ground, Tessera
Solar and Stirling Energy Systems (SES) showcased
the highly anticipated Maricopa Solar power plant
today at a special event for key partners, stakeholders
and media. Maricopa Solar is the first commercial
project for the SunCatcherTM concentrating solar
power (CSP) technology designed and manufactured
by SES. Joining in the celebration were Arizona
Governor Jan Brewer and officials from Salt River
Project (SRP), local and state government, the U.S.
Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories,
utility customers, suppliers and NTR plc, Tessera
Solar and SES’s majority shareholder.
- Solar-driven
Stirling engines get to work
Jan 22, 2010 - Martin LaMonica - CNET
Business and government officials on Friday cut
the ribbon on a planned factory in Arizona that
will build giant parabolic dishes to generate electricity
from the sun.
- NREL
invests US$12 million in early stage solar development
Jan 21, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech.org
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
will invest up to US$12 million in total funding
in four companies to support the development of
early stage solar energy technologies and help them
advance to full commercial scale. The money will
go towards expanding the U.S. clean energy economy
and the development of solar energy as a more cost-competitive
source of electricity.
- At
1 MW, Wal-Mart Completes its Largest Solar Array
to Date
Jan 19, 2010 - Environmental Leader
More than 5,300 solar panels at Wal-Mart’s
Apple Valley distribution center in California will
generate about a megawatt of electricity, reports
LATimes
blogs.
- Solar
PV module shipments up 25% in 2009
Jan 19, 2010 - Renewable Energy Focus.Com
The recently published report The World Market
for PV Cells and Modules, reveals that solar
PV module shipments grew by over a quarter to more
than 8 GW in 2009, but new installations grew just
5-10%.
- 21-Megawatt
Solar Power Plant Opens in California
Jan 18, 2010 - Ethan A. Huff - Natual News
California-based solar panel producer First Solar
has opened a 21-megawatt power plant in Blythe,
making it the largest photovoltaic solar power plant
in the country. Utilizing thin film solar cells
made out of cadmium telluride, the plant will be
able to generate power for about 17,000 southern
California homes.
- China
Snaps Up California Solar Market
Jan 14, 2010 - Todd Woody - The New York Times
China’s rise as a major solar module maker
has been meteoric, but perhaps nowhere has its ascension
been faster than in California, the United States’
largest solar market.
- Project
Focus: EDF EN Canada completes 23.4MW Arnprior Solar
Project
Jan 12, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech
EDF EN Canada has reached commercial operation and
closed financing for the 23.4MW Arnprior
Solar Project. This announcement marks the achievement
of another of North America's largest solar PV projects.
The site is located on the western side of the City
of Ottawa, Ontario and consists of 312,000 First
Solar thin-film panels. The plant is expected to
generate enough renewable energy to meet the peak
demands of approximately 7,000 Ontario homes.
- Paint,
spray or ink it on
Jan 12, 2010 - Lisa Sibley - Cleantech Group
In solar and batteries, thin--and sprayable--are
in. Will brand new spray-on and inkjet printing
tech of the last week supplement or replace existing
solutions?
- Polysilicon
producers top U.S. federal tax credits
Jan 12, 2010 - Mark Osborne - Fab and Facilities
- PV-tech
In respect of the US$2.3 billion U.S. federal tax
credits issued last week for job creation, two key
trends have emerged. As already highlighted, the
solar sector garnered approximately US$1.0 billion
of the credits allocated. However, another trend
emerged whereby three major polysilicon producers
garnered the most from the credits in the solar
sector.
- India
to Boost Solar Power Generation
Jan 12, 2010 - Voice of America News
India has launched a program to boost solar power
generation over the next decade. India wants to
make solar energy a central part of its efforts
to combat climate change.
- eSolar
strikes deal to build power plants in China
Jan 9, 2010 - Cara Anna - AP
A U.S. solar power company said Saturday it will
help build a series of solar thermal power plants
in China, as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse
gases tries to decrease its heavy reliance on coal,
imported gas and oil.
- Solar
and Solyndra top venture capital funding in 2009,
says Cleantech Group report
Jan 08, 2010 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org
According to new figures from the Cleantech Group
and Deloitte, VC investments in companies in the
solar sector, reached US$1.2 billion or 21% of the
share in 2009, making it the largest ‘Cleantech’
sector for investment. Clean technology venture
investments in North America, Europe, China and
India totalled US$5.6 billion in 557 deals. However,
as these figures are preliminary, the firms expect
the final figures could be up by as much as 10%.
- Project
Focus: Morocco invites bids for 500MW plant: first
in country
Jan 7, 2010 - Emma Hughes - PV-tech.org
Morocco will be inviting bids for the construction
of its 500MW solar power station due to be complete
at the end of February 2010. The project is estimated
to cost US$9 billion and will be the first solar
power station in the country according to Reuters.
- Solar
pond could produce fresh water
Jan 06, 2010 - United Press International
Salty lakes worldwide could produce valuable freshwater
using a low-cost solar process developed at the
University of Nevada, researchers said.
- Acciona
Energia gains financing for 150MW project in Spain
Jan 05, 2010 - Emma Hughes - pv-tech.org
Reuters has reported the financial close of a combined
150MW project deal for Acciona Energia in Spain.
The solar thermal power project involves a deal
with 29 banks and is said to be one of the largest
single solar financings to date.
- Solar
Panel Project to Light Up Schools
Jan 5, 2010 - Business Daily - All Africa Global
Media
Two private companies have been commissioned to
install solar panels in 117 schools and health centres
in arid and semi arid regions in a move geared to
reduce Kenya's reliance on hydro-generated electricity
and lower the cost of energy to poor communities.
- Storing
the sun’s heat
Dec 31, 2009- Stephanie Tavares - lasvegassun.com
The U.S. solar energy industry is poised for a major
technological breakthrough, and Nevada is in a race
with Arizona to be the first to take advantage of
it.
- Solar
rules! New list of proposed renewable energy projects
in California has gigawatts of potential
Dec 31, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
Ever wonder how many large-scale renewable energy
projects might be on the drawing board in California?
Thanks to the latest announcement from Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger, we now have a round number—244.
- SunEdison
to build, run five 10MW solar power plants for Xcel
unit in New Mexico
Dec 30, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - pv-tech.org
SunEdison will design and construct five ground-mounted
solar photovoltaic power plants that will generate
a total of 50MW (AC) in New Mexico for Southwestern
Public Service, a regional operating company of
Xcel Energy. The five 10MW sites will be located
in Lea and Eddy counties in the southeastern part
of the state and will be fully operational by the
end of 2011, the companies said.
- Hybrid
Solar Panels Combine Photovoltaics with Thermoelectricity
Dec 30, 2009 - Larry Greenemeuer - ScientificAmerican.com
Columbia University and N.Y. engineering firm Weidlinger
Associates are developing a layered approach that
will draw electricity from the sun's energy in multiple
ways
- Are
Engines the Future of Solar Power?
Dec 30, 2009 - Cynthia Graber - Scientificamerican.com
Stirling engines might be the best way to harvest
the power provided by the sun
- Regulators
Approve Key Contract for New 48-Megawatt Sempra
Generation Solar Power Plant
Dec 17, 2009 - MARKETWIRE - Energy Central
Sempra Generation announced today that the California
Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved
Pacific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) contract to purchase
48 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar power from
Sempra Generation's Copper Mountain Solar facility.
- EDF
taps €1 billion in solar project financing: exclusive
use of First Solar modules
Dec 17, 2009 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org
In a significant move by EDF Energies Nouvelles
to boost its solar energy portfolio, the renewable
energy producer has secured new project finance
that is underpinned by a €500 million loan from
the European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB is financing
50% of planned projects in both France and Italy
through 2012, while commercial banks will support
each project with the other 50% of project finance
required. EDF is exclusively using First Solar’s
CdTe thin film modules for the €1 billion of projects
over the next 2-years.
- Rebound:
US Photovoltaic Market Growth through 2010
Dec 15, 2009 - Larry Sherwood, Anneke Hohl, Eric
Paul and Jon Guice, PhD
Recently, AltaTerra Research presented a national
web conference on the American solar market with
Jon Guice, an expert on U.S. solar market entry,
and Larry Sherwood, author of the annual "U.S. Solar
Market Trends" reports published by the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council (IREC).
- Solar
industry groups release report in Copenhagen
Dec 14, 2009 - LA Times
As the United Nations Climate Change Conference
enters its second week in Copenhagen, several international
solar organizations released a report today summarizing
solar power
goals around the world.
- South
Korean polysilicon manufacturer OCI to invest $858.5
million in new plant
Dec 11, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
In a bid to join the leading global producers of
polysilicon, South Korean chemical manufacturer
OCI plans to restart construction on a new poly
plant inside its existing facility in Gunsan in
January.
- Ellensburg
residents invest in solar power park
Dec 11, 2009 - Leah Beth Ward - The Associated Press
Gary Nystedt was brainstorming with a group of colleagues
at a solar energy conference a few years ago when
the idea hit him.
- GE's
New Solar Inverter Tackles Challenges of Integrating
to Today's Grid
Dec 09, 2009 - GE Energy - energycentral.com
Technology used in GE’s (NYSE:GE) wind turbines,
known for proven performance and reliability, is
now bringing similar benefits to large-scale solar
photovoltaic (PV) systems. Building on a platform
of power electronics, monitoring and controls that
enhance wind energy grid integration, GE has developed
a 600 kW solar inverter, which includes grid-friendly
features to deliver performance in large-scale solar
installations similar to conventional power plants.
- US
Solar Spins a 360
Dec 8, 2009 - Elisa Wood - Renewable Energy World.COM
The solar industry is finally feeling optimistic
again, having apparently achieved a full 360 degree
turn over the past 12 months, but what will 2010
hold?
- Solar
pipeline at U.S. utilities reaches 4.8GW: EER reports
21.5GW of solar power generation in 2020
Dec 4, 2009 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org
A new detailed study of the U.S. utility market
for solar applications by market research firm,
Emerging Energy Research (EER) highlights the current
and future pipeline of PV installations expected
from the U.S. utilities. The utility-scale PV project
pipeline has already reached 4.8GW with utilities
expected to add a further 21.5GW to their generation
portfolios between 2009 and 2020. Compared to the
77 MW of utility-driven projects currently operating,
an explosion in the market is rapidly gaining momentum.
- HelioSphera
to build $500 million, 160MW solar PV module plant
in Philadelphia Navy Yard complex
Dec 1, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
Greek solar manufacturer HelioSphera will build
a new photovoltaics module factory in Philadelphia’s
historic Navy Yard mixed-use complex. Work on the
160-MW production plant is scheduled to begin next
year.
- Southern
California Edison's Solar Transmission Line Approved
Nov 30, 2009 - Wall Street Journal
Southern California Edison (SCE) has received approval
from the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) for the construction of the 128-mile, 500
kV Devers Palo-Verde No. 2 line, which is designed
to deliver solar power to demand centers in Southern
California.
- Cambodia
to develop solar power to meet domestic need
Nov 27, 2009 - Energy Central
Ten companies from eight countries have sought permission
to invest in solar energy projects in Cambodia after
the August removal of a 15 percent duty on imports
of the materials needed to build solar plants, local
media reported Thursday, citing an official from
Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy.
- Tunisia
adheres to “Desertec” project
Nov 26, 2009 - Tunisia Online News
An international conference on ” Desert Friendly
Energy as a Challenge for Regional Cooperation and
the Union For the Mediterranean” as part of
the “Desertec” project to develop solar
energy in southern Mediterranean countries, was
held on Monday in Gammarth north of Tunis.
- 20,000
MW grid solar power by 2022 under Nehru solar mission
Nov 25, 2009 - Asia Pulse Data Source
The Government of India Monday said that it has
approved the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
with an aim of setting up 20,000 MW grid solar power
and 2,000 MW off-grid solar power by 2022.
- Cost
of solar energy will drop by half this year and
other renewable energy by 10%, says analyst
Nov 24, 2009 - World of renewables.com
The levelised costs for solar energy will drop 50%
in 2009, while the pre-subsidy cost for other renewable
energy technologies will decline by 10%, according
to a quarterly research note from New Energy Finance.
- India
to Spend $900 Million on Solar
Nov 20, 2009 - Vakas Bajaj - New York Times - Green
Inc.
Ending months of speculation about exactly what
it was planning to do to boost the use of renewable
sources of energy, India said this week that it
will spend about $900 million on solar energy.
- Project
focus: China to subsidize 294 solar power plants
Nov 16, 2009 - Syanne Olson - PV+Tech Newsletter
China has chosen 294 solar power projects, which
will produce a total generation capacity of 642MW,
for its first pilot program wherein it will subsidize
at least half of the investment cost. Reuturs.com
reports that the expected total cost will be around
20 billion Yuan and should be in production within
the next two to three years as stated by the Chinese
Ministry of Finance.
- Suntech
to develop 20% of BIPV Solar Rooftop Program projects,
China
Nov 13, 2009 - By Emma Hughes - PV-tech.org
Suntech Power expects to develop approximately 20%
of the 91MW of solar projects that were approved
under China's Solar Rooftop Program, launched in
March this year by the Ministry of Finance.
- Solar
Thermal Electricity Production to Jump 100-Fold,
IEA Says
Nov 10,2009 - Jeremy van Loon - Bloomberg.com
Power generation using giant mirrors and solar panels
to concentrate the sun’s rays and turn turbines
will expand more than 100-fold over the next two
decades, according to the International Energy Agency.
- Solar
Flare Ups
Nov 9, 2009 - Ed Humes - California Lawyer
True or false: California's plan to generate massive
amounts of clean, sustainable solar power is a win
for everyone—liberal or conservative, environmentalist
or business executive.
- Rooftop
solar cells blossom, posing new challenges for power
grid
Nov 09, 2009- North County Times
Solar power installations are sprouting on California
rooftops like leaves in the spring, but all that
renewable energy poses new problems for the aging
power grid.
- DoE
highlights best practices from 25 Solar America
Cities
Nov 2, 2009 - renewable energy focus.com
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced
an online resource for local governments that assists
community leaders and local stakeholders in building
sustainable local solar markets with best practices
from 25 Solar America Cities.
- Japan
accelerates purchase of surplus solar electricity
at homes
Nov 1, 2009 - The Associated Press
The government launched Sunday a new program that
enables power companies to purchase at higher rates
surplus electricity produced by solar power generation
systems installed in homes, schools and hospitals.
- Solar
power from Sahara a step closer
Nov 1, 2009 - Ashley Seager - guardian.co.uk
A $400bn (£240bn) plan to provide Europe
with solar
power from the Sahara moved a step closer to
reality today with the formation of a consortium
of 12 companies to carry out the work.
- Order
focus: PG&E contracts with NextEra, Abengoa
for 500MW of solar power
Oct 27, 2009 - Syanne Olson - PV-tech.org
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has
inked a deal with subsidiaries of NextEra Energy
Resources and Abengoa Solar for a total clean solar
power delivery of 500MW. Combined with other solar
deals that PG&E has recently signed with independent
developers the company has totaled
a delivery of 830MW.
- Applied’s
new solar research centre in China houses both ‘SunFab’
and c-Si pilot lines
Oct 26, 2009 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech. org
Billed as the largest nongovernment solar energy
research facility in the world, Applied Materials
has opened its new solar research centre in Xi’an,
Shaanxi province, in northwest China. The 400,000-square-foot-plus
facility houses a ‘SunFab’ thin film
manufacturing line and a complete crystalline silicon
pilot process. Applied started construction in 2006
on the center, which is expected to cost US$250
million as part of a multiphase project.
- Solar
Leaders Applaud New PV Cost Study That Shows Government
Policies Reduce Installed Costs, Expand U.S. Solar
Market
Oct 21, 2009 - Business Wire
Today researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National
Lab released "Tracking the Sun II: The Installed
Cost of Photovoltaics in the U.S. from 1998--2008."
The new report found that the average cost of going
solar in the U.S. declined by more than 30 percent
from 1998 to 2008, a trend that can be largely attributed
to the success of market-building policies at the
state and local level. Findings also show that,
after a three-year plateau, costs decreased by 3.6
percent from 2007 to 2008, marking a pivotal year
for the American solar industry.
- Chipotle
Plans Major Solar Power Initiative
Oct 20, 2009 - Business Wire
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) (NYSE: CMG.B)
announced today it is partnering with Houston-based
Standard Renewable Energy (SRE) to install solar
panels on approximately 75 Chipotle restaurants
over the next year. In all, Chipotle has committed
to panels that will produce 500 kilowatt hours of
electricity, making Chipotle the largest direct
producer of solar energy in the restaurant industry.
- Second
Rooftop in Southern California Edison's Massive
Solar Panel Installation Program Now Generating
Power in Chino
Oct 20, 2009 - Business Wire
The roof of a 458,000-square-foot industrial building
in Chino, Calif. is now providing as much as one
million watts of solar power to Southern California's
Inland Empire. This is the second installation in
Southern California Edison's (SCE's) plan to place
advanced solar panels on hundreds of otherwise unused
commercial rooftops across Southern California.
The Chino site is owned by the Multi-Employer Property
Trust (MEPT) whose exclusive investment advisor
is Kennedy Associates.
- California
and Texas: Renewable energy's odd couple
Oct 17, 2009 - Kate Galbraith - The New York Times
Texas cares little for environmental niceties. Its
governor, Rick
Perry, bashes the Environmental
Protection Agency at every opportunity, and
recently branded the climate bill that passed the
House of Representatives a “legislative monstrosity.”
- ComEd
Awarded $4 Million in Federal Economic Stimulus
Funding To Expand Green Vehicle Fleet and Test Impact
on Electric Grid
Oct 16, 2009 - PRNewsWire
ComEd today announced it has been awarded a total
of $4 million in federal economic stimulus funding
to expand one of the nation's largest private fleets
of alternative-fuel vehicles and test solar-powered
vehicle charging infrastructure as part of its study
of plug-in electric vehicle usage and its impact
on the electric system.
- Video:
Inside the 2009 Solar Decathlon
Oct 15, 2009 - Graham Jesmer - Video Producer -
RenewableEnergyWorld.com
A look inside some of the homes in this year's competition.
The U.S. Department of Energy's 2009 Solar Decathlon
brought 20 teams from colleges and universities
around the world together on Washington D.C.'s National
Mall, pitting them against one another in friendly
competition to see who's solar-powered house would
rise to the top.
- Duke
Distributed Generation Solar Sites Revealed
Oct 14, 2009 - Renewable Energy World.com
Four sites have been selected to have solar energy
systems installed on their rooftops as part of the
first phase of Duke Energy's distributed solar generation
program in North Carolina. Duke Energy has selected
large nonresidential customer sites for this first
phase.
- Schwarzenegger,
Salazar Sign MOU To Expedite RE Development In California
Oct 13, 2009 - Solar Industry
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., has signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Department
of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ken Salazar in order
to expedite the siting of California renewable energy
projects.
- China's
first 10MV ground mount solar system connected to
the grid
Oct 12, 2009 - Renewable Energy Focus.com
The Suntech
solar PV system is located in Shizuishan, Ningxia
Autonomous Region, China, and the 10 MW ground mount
solar system is the first phase of a 50 MW solar
plant that is targeted to be completed by 2011 in
conjunction with Suntech's strategic partner, China
Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC).
- Governor
Signs Two Big Solar Bills AB 920 and SB 32 Continue
California’s Drive toward a Million Solar
Roofs, Give Consumers New Incentives to Go Solar
Oct 12, 2009 - YubaNet.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Oct. 12, 2009 - Californians
have two more reasons to go solar tonight. Governor
Schwarzenegger signed two popular solar bills designed
to give consumers added incentive to invest in a
solar roof and help the state achieve its aggressive
clean energy goals.
- Iberdrola
Creeps Into Solar Technology Development
Oct 9, 2009 - Jennifer Kho - greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com
The renewable energy venture arm of Iberdrola, the
big Spanish utility, has made a small investment
in a Toronto photovoltaic solar company — a sign
that the company is stepping up its role in developing,
and not just deploying, renewable-energy technologies
beyond wind power.
- Rust
Belt sunshine: Silicon Valley solar firm gives autoworkers
green jobs
Oct 9, 2009 - Alex Salkever - dailyfinance.com
the hope for redeploying industrial America likely
lies in with technologies more similar to that of
Skyline Solar. The array in Santa Clara puts out
27 kilowatts, enough to power a small- or medium-sized
office building. That is the market Skyline is targeting,
a space that includes office parks, churches, schools
and state and local governments.
- Dow
Introduces Stealth Solar Shingles
Aug 10, 2009 - Megan Treacy - ecogeek.org
This week Dow Chemical Company joined the ranks
of companies trying to make renewable energy both
practical and visually pleasing. The company introduced
its POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle this week and, I have
to say, I'm impressed. The new shingles almost seemlessly
blend in with asphalt shingles, providing you with
solar power without the possibility of offending
your neighbors.
- KYOCERA
Donates Solar Power Generating Systems to Schools
in Uganda
Oct 8, 2009 - Business Wire
Kyocera Corporation (President: Tetsuo Kuba)(NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971)
announced today that it is donating and installing
solar power generating systems to 15 schools in
the Republic of Uganda over the next five years.
- KSK
Surya Photovoltaic Venture Selects Applied Materials’
SunFab Solar Panel Production Lines for 150MW Project
in India
Oct 7, 2009 - BusinessWire
KSK Surya Photovoltaic Venture, Private Limited
(KSK), a subsidiary of KSK Power Ventur plc, a leading
independent power provider in India, announced today
that it has signed a contract with Applied Materials,
Inc. to purchase two Applied SunFab™
Thin Film Lines for manufacturing high-power
output 5.7m2 solar panels. The SunFab lines will
be installed in a state-of-the-art facility, including
an R&D center, which KSK plans to build in the
“Fab City” located in Hyderabad, India,
at a total project cost (including land and buildings)
of approximately USD $500 million.
- Dow
Unveils Solar Shingles
Oct 7, 2009 - Todd Woody - The New York Times
Dow Chemical has
unveiled
a residential roof shingle in the form of a solar
panel designed to be integrated into asphalt-tiled
roofs.
- Enlight
to build new nation-wide solar energy project
Oct 6, 2009 - Merav Ankori - McClatchy-Tribune
Regional News
Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. has won a BOT (build,
operate, transfer) project for 25 solar energy installations.
Enlight will set up and operate the installations
together with investors. The company is in advanced
talks to secure financing with one of Israel's big
banks, which sources inform "Globes" is Bank Hapoalim
(TASE: POLI). The financial closing is due in a
few weeks.
- Nicaragua
placing its bets on solar energy
Oct 5, 2009 - EFE
Nicaragua intends to become less dependent on electricity
from fossil fuels in the short term, and to do that
the country is carrying out solar development projects
along the Caribbean coast and in rural areas, the
deputy energy minister said Monday.
- Ontario:
The next solar hotbed?
Oct , 2009 - Michael Bates - Solar Industry Magazine
A little more than a week ago, the government of
Ontario revealed the missing pieces of its Green
Energy Act and the associated "Ten Steps to Green
Energy." One of those steps - a feed-in tariff -
has the potential to dramatically change the solar
photovoltaic market in the province.
- Financing
Heating Up For Solar Industry
Sep 29, 2009 - Donna Howell - Investor's Business
Daily
Lending is starting to flow a little more freely
toward solar-power projects and providers, after
a stall.
- Alternative
energy projects stumble on a need for water
Sep 29, 2009 - The New York Times
Amargosa Valley, Nev. — In a rural corner of Nevada
reeling from the recession, a bit of salvation seemed
to arrive last year. A German developer, Solar Millennium,
announced plans to build two large solar farms here
that would harness the sun to generate electricity,
creating hundreds of jobs.
- Local
solar outlook is worldly, TREO tells visiting journalists
Sept 21, 2009 - McClatchy-Tribune
Regional News
There's enough noonday sunlight striking the University
of Arizona campus to produce 1.5 gigawatts of electricity
and power all of Tucson.
- First
Solar to build 2 GW solar power plant in Chinese
Desert
Sep 18, 2009 - Renewable Energy Focus.Com
Phase one of the solar power plant will be a 30
MW demonstration project that will begin construction
by June, 2010 and be completed as soon as practicable.
Phases two, three and four will be 100 MW, 870 MW,
and 1 GW. Phases two and three of the solar power
plant will be completed in 2014 and Phase four will
be completed by 2019.
- TEP
Unveils Plans for Giant Photovoltaic Array and New
Solar Power Plant
Sept 16, 2009 - Business Wire
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is working with partners
to develop two new solar power systems that would
rank as the Tucson area's largest renewable power
plants, generating enough clean energy to serve
more than 6,000 Tucson homes.
- Printed
PV: Nanosolar unveils 640MW utility-scale panel
fab, high-efficiency CIGS cell production
Sept 9, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
After staying relatively quiet for much of the past
year, thin-film PV manufacturer Nanosolar has come
out with a full docket of announcements: the completion
of its 640MW panel-assembly factory near Berlin
celebrated during an event attended by the German
Minister of the Environment and other dignitaries;
the start of serial roll-to-roll production of its
flexible copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide cells
in the company’s San Jose facility; $4.1 billion
in panel purchases from customers--including some
of the world’s largest utility companies;
NREL-verified cell efficiencies up to 16.4%; and
new technical details of both its printed CIGS cell
technology and utility-scale panels.
- Concentrator
PV: Harvesting More, Spending Less
Sept 8, 2009 - Nancy Hartsoch - Renewable Energy
World.COM
Today we are faced with dramatically increasing
electricity demand globally presenting a critical
need for clean, renewable energy. While the sun
is the world's most abundant renewable resource,
today it is barely tapped as an energy source. The
challenge has been in cost effective conversion
of that sunlight to electricity. Historically, harvesting
photons has been hindered by high costs compared
with traditional energy.
- First
Solar signs MOU to develop 2GW of PV power plants
in Inner Mongolia
Sept 8, 2009 - Tom Cheyney - PV-tech.org
First Solar has signed a memorandum of understanding
with the Chinese government to build a multiphase
solar power plant project in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia,
a site that will eventually reach 2GW in installed
capacity. Once finalized, the agreement--the first
of its kind between the Chinese authorities and
a non-Chinese solar company--could also lead to
the construction of First Solar moduling and supplier
manufacturing facilities in the region.
- Chinese
solar plant expected to be the biggest
Sept 8, 2009 - Chris Kahn - The
Associated Press
First Solar Inc. said Tuesday it has received initial
approval from the Chinese government to build what
may become the largest solar field in the world.
- Munich
Re may insure Desertec solar energy project
Sept 7, 2009 - George Frey - The
Associated Press
German reinsurer Munich Re AG said its main role
in the proposed Desertec solar energy project is
currently as a catalyst and advisor, but could become
a bigger investor and possible insurer for the project
in future - if and when it gets built.
- How
much surface area would it take to power the world
completely with solar or wind?
Sept 2, 2009 - Ariel Schwartz - Fast Company
Ever wonder how much space we would need to use
to power the entire world with solar energy or offshore
wind power? So did the good people at the Land Art
Generator, who created two infographics that show
the amount of surface area required to power our
planet with renewable resources.
- China
Racing Ahead of U.S. in the Drive to Go Solar
Aug 24, 2009 - Keith Bradsher - New York Times
WUXI, China — President Obama wants to make the
United States “the world’s leading exporter of renewable
energy,” but in his seven months in office, it is
China that has stepped on the gas in an effort to
become the dominant player in green energy — especially
in solar power, and even in the United States.
- Firm
to Light up The Country With Solar Power
Aug 20, 2009 - Daily Trust/All Africa Global Media
Private Networks Nigeria Limited (PNN), a leading
Pan-African technology service, has announced plans
and ability to provide 100% visibility in Nigeria
through the application of solar powered lights
which can adequately address the persistent epileptic
power supply in the country.
- First
Solar, Southern California Edison Sign Contracts
for 550 MW of Photovoltaic Solar Electricity
Aug 18, 2009 - Business Wire
First Solar, Inc. and Southern California Edison
(SCE) today announced agreements to build two large-scale
solar power projects in Riverside and San Bernardino
counties in Southern California. The installations,
which will be among the largest of their kind, will
have a generation capacity of 550 megawatts of photovoltaic
solar electricity, enough to provide power to approximately
170,000 homes. The agreements are subject to approval
by the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Utilities
Hatch Ambitious Plans to Own and Operate Large-scale
PV Projects
Aug 13, 2009 - Justin Moresco - RenewableEnergyWorld.com
n years past, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations
were largely done in a piecemeal fashion, planned
and implemented one rooftop or ground-mounted system
at a time. But as solar technology has improved
and as state governments demand more renewable generation
through portfolio standards, large-scale projects
are becoming more common. A growing number of utilities,
rather than depend on independent power producers
to build these projects, have launched multi-million
dollar initiatives to own and operate their own
solar assets.
- India
plans massive increase in solar energy
Aug 10, 2009 - Renewable Energy Focus.Com
India will launch a solar power target by September
2009, which could increase the output from almost
nothing to a staggering 20GW by 2020 - in a bid
to fight global warming. To put this in context,
today's global PV installed capacity stands
at around 14GW.
- Award
- winning reflector to cut solar cost
Aug 3, 2009 - NREL
Huge parabolic mirrors catching the sun's rays could
crisscross America's deserts soon, thanks to a breakthrough
that may greatly lower the cost of solar power.
- FedEx
Ground Plans Largest Rooftop Solar Power System
in U.S.
Jul 30, 2009 - BUSINESS WIRE
FedEx Ground, the small-package shipping unit of
FedEx Corp., today announced plans to install the
nation's largest rooftop solar-electric system at
its distribution hub in Woodbridge, N.J.
- African
Sun May Light Up European Homes
Jul 29, 2009 - Inter Press Service/All
Africa Global Media
Twenty German companies have drawn up ambitious
plans to meet at least 15 percent of the European
electricity demand by 2020 from solar thermal power
plants installed in the North African Maghreb region.
- India
To Launch 20 GW Solar Target Under Climate Plan
Jul 28- 2009 - Energy Business Review
India will launch its first solar power target by
September 2009, according to Reuters. This is to
increase the output from near zero to 20 gigawatts
(GW) by 2020 as it firms up its national plan to
fight global warming, draft documents show. The
target, which would help India close the gap on
solar front-runners like China, is part of a $19
billion, 30 year scheme that could could boost India's
leverage in international talks for a new UN climate
pact in December 2009.
- Suntech
Power Announces 1.8 Gigawatts of Strategic Agreements
in China
Jul 23, 2009 - Clean Edge News
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., a global crystalline
silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, recently
announced that it has entered into a number of strategic
agreements with each of Shaanxi provincial government,
Shizuishan city government, Ningxia province, Qinghai
provincial government and Panzhihua city government,
Sichuan province to develop 300MW, 500MW, 500MW
and 500MW of solar projects respectively. These
projects, with an aggregate of 1.8GW, are expected
to be developed in several stages.
- N.M
hydrogen power plant planned
Jul 17, 2009 - The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE —
A New Mexico-based energy-technology company announced
plans Wednesday to develop in southern New Mexico
what it calls the world's first utility- scale,
zero-emissions hydrogen power plant.
- Cambodia
installs over 500 solar energy electricity generations
in rural areas
Jul 14, 2009 - Xinhua
More than 500 solar energy electricity generations
have been installed in Cambodia's rural areas to
help improving the living standard of poor people,
local media reported on Tuesday.
- €400bn
energy plan to harness African sun
Jul 12, 2009 - Tony Paterson - The Independent World
The world's most ambitious green energy project
is about to take shape. It is a plan for a chain
of mammoth sun-powered energy plants in the deserts
of North Africa to supply power to Europe's homes
and factories by the end of the next decade.
- UC
Berkeley researchers harness nanotechnology for
solar panels
Jul 10, 2009 - Daily Californian/UWire
The answer to developing low-cost solar panels may
lie in the creation of tiny 3-dimensional fibers
that are 1,000 times smaller than a human hair.
- Off-grid
PV back on the map with developing countries
July 9, 2009 - Renewable Energy Focus.com
Off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) power has taken
a back-seat in talk about solar power in recent
years despite once holding 90% of the total installed
capacity worldwide. However, as the thirst for energy
increases in regions like Africa, Asia or Latin
America, off-grid solar PV energy is experiencing
a come-back.
- Sahara
solar project to move forward at Munich meet
Jul 9, 2009 - Erik Kirschbaum - Reuters
BERLIN (Reuters) - A group of companies from Europe
and northern Africa will meet in Munich on Monday
to map out concrete steps for a series of large-scale
renewable energy projects worth 400 billion euros
($560 billion) over 40 years.
- Toxic
waste casts cloud on Massachusetts solar co.
Jul 3, 2009 - Christine McConville
- McClatchy-Tribune Regional
News
Evergreen Solar Inc., one of Massachusetts' rising
green energy stars, is on its way to becoming one
of the state's top producers of hazardous waste.
- US
Interior Secretary Outlines Solar Energy Zones In
US West
Jun 29, 2009 - Dow Jones &
Company, Inc.
Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar on Monday
announced measures he said would expedite solar
energy projects on federal lands.
- European
solar power from African deserts?
Jun 18, 2009 - James Kanter - The New York Times
Germany has become a global leader in solar energy
by building up a substantial industry at home. Can
the country now repeat the feat in North Africa?
- California
Regulators Approve Southern California Edison Proposal
to Create Nation's Largest Solar Panel Installation
Program
Jun 18, 2009 - Business Wire
A plan proposed by Southern California Edison (SCE)
for the largest U.S. installation of advanced solar
panels on otherwise unused large commercial rooftops
across Southern California was approved today by
the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Massive
European solar project set for launch
Jun 16, 2009 - Spiegel Online International
A German-led consortium wants to fund an international
solar-energy plan to the tune of €400 billion.
The idea is to gather solar heat in North Africa
and send the electricity to Europe. If it works,
it would be the largest green-energy project in
the world.
- Solar
systems in desert regions
Jun 16, 2009 - Deserttec
In the coming decades, global developments will
confront mankind
with unprecedented challenges: climate change, a
population growth
far beyond Earth‘s present carrying capacity,
the global striving for
prosperity, and increasing demands for energy and
water, are the
core problems we are faced with. 200 years of global
industrialization
has resulted in an unparalleled standard of living
and an increased
life expectancy for part of the world’s population.
However,
all this has been and is still being achieved at
a price: alarming
environmental destruction as well as climate change
which can no longer be ignored. These things will
mean dramatic changes to life on
Earth in the future.
- Masdar
10 MV solar PV plant connects to Abu Dhabi power
grid
Jun 5, 2009 - renewable energy focus.com
Abu Dhabi-based solar integrator Enviromena Power
Systems has completed the Masdar 10 MW solar power
plant, the largest grid-connected solar system in
the Middle East and North Africa.
- Could
India become a solar leader?
Jun 5, 2009 - James Kanter - The New York Times
India may be gearing to turn itself into the global
leader in solar power generation, a sign that major
developing nations could become renewable energy
hubs to rival Germany and the United States.
- Enviromena
Completes It's First Large Scale Project: Masdar
10MW Solar Plant
Jun 02, 2009 - Middle East
Company News
Abu Dhabi based solar integrator Enviromena
Power Systems (Enviromena) announced the completion
of the Masdar 10MW Solar Power Plant, the largest
grid connected solar system in the Middle East and
North Africa.
- Energy
from - molten salt?
May 29, 2009 - Dan Whitcomb - Reuters
In these green times energy producers are leaving
no stone unturned in the hunt for new sources of
energy.
- Solar
power could surge by 2050 in deserts-report
May 25, 2009 - Alister Doyle - Reuters
PARIS - Solar power plants in deserts using mirrors
to concentrate the sun's rays have the potential
to generate up to a quarter of the world's electricity
by 2050, a report by pro-solar groups said on Monday.
- Solar
Shootout in the San Joaquin Valley
May 18, 2009 - Bob Haavind - RenewableEnergyWorld
Side-by-side crystalline and thin-film photovoltaic
installations at a water treatment plant in California's
Central Valley should provide a clear indication
of which provides the best energy production and
cost benefit performance over varying climatic conditions
within a year.
- Rudd
plans "world's largest" solar project
May 17, 2009 - ABC News
The Federal Government says it wants to create the
largest solar energy project in the world.
- PG&E
upgrades BrightSource deal to 1.3GW
May 13, 2009 - Cleantech.com
Series of seven solar thermal projects in California
are expected to power more than half a million homes
in 'largest solar deal in the world.'
- 220
MPH solar-powered bullet train on Arizona horizon
May 12, 2009 - Jorge Chapa - inhabitat
Travelers going from Tucson to Phoenix may soon
be blazing across the desert in speeding solar bullet
trains propelled by the sun’s rays. Hot
on the heels of President Obama’s plan for
High
Speed Rail in the US comes the news that Arizona-based
Solar Bullet LLC is proposing a new 220mph bullet
train that will be entirely powered by the sun and
will make the trip in 30 minutes flat.
- APS
Pilot Envisions Interconnected Solar Rooftops
May 11, 2009 - BUSINESS WIRE
PHOENIX - Arizona Public Service (APS) is launching
an innovative pilot project in Flagstaff that ultimately
could provide a substantial increase in the number
of solar rooftops statewide.
- China
solar photovoltaic installed capacity set to rise
in 2020
May 07, 2009 - AsiaPulse
China's solar PV installed capacity is likely to
reach 10,000-20,000 megawatts by 2020, with the
implementation of its solar photovoltaic (PV) roof
plan and other supportive measures, China Securities
Journal quoted Wang Zhongying, head of the Renewable
Energy Development Center of the Energy Research
Institute (ERI) as saying.
- “Enormous
potential” for solar energy in India - report
May 6, 2009 - renewableenergyforum.com
Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical
country like India where around 45% of households,
mainly rural, do not have access to electricity,
according to Research and Markets’ report Indian
Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012.
- World's
Largest Solar Power Tower Commissioned
May 4, 2009 - RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Abengoa Solar has begun commercial operations of
the world's largest solar power tower plant, a 20
MW installation.
- Abengoa
Solar Begins Operation of World's Largest Solar
Power Tower Plant
Apr 27, 2009 - PRNewswire
Following the conclusion of the successful three-day
production and operational testing period, Abengoa
Solar has begun commercial operation of the new
PS20 solar power tower plant located at the Solucar
Platform, near Seville (Spain). Over the course
of the testing period, PS20 surpassed the predicted
power output, thus further validating the high potential
of power tower technology.
- DESERTEC-Australia:
Solar and Geothermal Cheaper than Coal and Nuclear
Apr 11, 2009 - Stewart Taggart - Deseretec - Australia
The average Australian household could pay up to
30% more per year by 2025 for electricity generated
from coal and nuclear power than from concentrating
solar and hot dry rock geothermal power, according
to DESERTEC-Australia.
- Developer
plans all solar city
Apr 11, 2009 - UPI
A Florida developer says he wants to build a 19,500-home
city powered entirely by solar energy.
- New
Google maps to guide solar, wind placement
Apr 7, 2009 - Adam Hadhazy
Where should new solar and wind power facilities
go? Seems
many of the best potential sites, including
rugged, windswept regions in the Rocky Mountains
to the sun-baked Mojave Desert, contain swathes
of land legally set aside as national parks, or
support what remains of an endangered
species' dwindling habitat, for example.
- Canadian
Solar Wins a Bid to a Rural Electrification Project
in China
Apr 6, 2009 - PRNewswire-Asia
Canadian Solar Inc. ("the Company", "Canadian Solar"
or "we") (Nasdaq: CSIQ) today announced that we
were recently selected in a competitive bidding
process to supply solar panels for 80,000 solar
home systems for rural households in Sichuan province
of China. The total order size is 1.6 MW. This project
was initiated and financed by China's Ministry of
Agriculture and the Sichuan Provincial Government.
The solar home systems are rated for a peak capacity
of 20 Watts each. A system of this size can power
two lights and a small TV. The delivery of the 80,000
units will be completed by April.
- World's
Second Largest Solar Plant to be Built in Florida
Mar 27, 2009 - PRWeb.com
Lauren Engineers & Constructors recently signed
a contract with Florida Power & Light Company
(FPL) as the engineering, procurement and construction
contractor for a new 75 MW Concentrated Solar Power
(http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/csp_program.html)
Plant located near Indiantown, FL.
- Spain
sets the benchmark for the concentrated photovoltaic
industry worldwide
Mar 27, 2009 - Energy Central
The Concentrated Photovoltaic industry has excited
scientists worldwide because of the opportunities
it provides to produce cheap energy in large quantities,
using relatively simple technology. Currently Spain
is the world leader in Concentrated Photovoltaic
and is the point of reference for other countries
to follow in this sector. In order to maintain this
leadership and create a solid industrial infrastructure,
an economic stimulus is required such as that given
to the thermo-solar energy sector.
- First
Solar Produces One Gigawatt of Clean Solar Electricity
Mar 24, 2009 - Adrienne Selko - IndustryWeek
By the end of this year the company will have the
capacity to produce more than 1GW per year -- the
equivalent of an average-sized nuclear power plant.
- Qatar
to build USD 500 m solar power plant
Mar 23, 2009 - Asia Pulse Data
Source
Qatar is planning to build a major solar energy
plant with an aim to generate at least 100 MW of
solar power within five years, a news report said
today.
- Solar
energy research & education foundation, Google.org
release"Solar Jobs Map" projecting economic
growth across nation
Mar 17, 2009 - SEIA
Real stories about solar industry workers
unveiled to spotlight green-collar job opportunities.
- 106
Members of British Parliment Sign Off on Solar Power
and Supergrid
Mar 15, 2009 - News Blaze - Daily News
More Than 100 MPs Support Concentrating Solar
Power and The Supergrid
More than 100 MPs (106 at the last count) have now
signed Early Day Motion 123, calling on the government
to put its weight behind the development of concentrating
solar power (CSP) in desert regions and a 'supergrid'
of low-loss transmission lines spanning the whole
of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
- The
Mediterranean Solar Plan – a necessity, not an option
Feb 16, 2009 - Benita Ferrero-Waldner - egovmonitor.com
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner articulates why renewable
energy especially solar energy is a key part of
Europe's external policy development challenges
and secure our energy future.
- PSE&G
Proposes $773 Million Solar Energy Program
Feb 10, 2009 - PRNewswire-FirstCall
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)
today asked New Jersey regulators to approve a $773-million
proposal to bring the benefits of 120 megawatts
of solar power directly to communities and customers
throughout its service territory.
- Key
Provisions Benefiting the Solar Energy Industry
in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Feb 2009 - Solar Energy Industries Association
Here is a summary of the key provisions, courtesy
of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
- Commission
gives its approval to feed-in tariff for solar power
Feb 6, 2009 - Megan Rolland - Gainesville.com
Beginning March 1, those in Gainesville with new
solar photovoltaic systems will be eligible to receive
32 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity produced
by the system over the next 20 years.
- Unprecedented
growth seen for solar energy
Feb 6, 2009- McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The
Blade, Toledo, Ohio
The head of the federal government's effort to promote
solar technology told about 200 industry leaders
yesterday that expanding the industry to the level
needed by 2030 will require unprecedented levels
of growth.
- Solar
Power Coming to a Boil
Jan 31, 2009 - USA Today; New York
After emerging in 2006 from 1 5 years of hibernation,
the solar thermal power industry is experiencing
a resurgence, with plenty of new capacity coming
online worldwide. During the 1990s, cheap fossil
fuels, combined with a loss of state and Federal
incentives, put a damper on solar thermal power
development However, recent increases in energy
prices, escalating concerns about global climate
change, and fresh economic incentives are renewing
interest in this technology.
- DESERTEC-Australia
- Clean Power From Deserts
2009 - www.desertec-australia.org
DESERTEC-Australia advocates developing large-scale
solar, geothermal, wind and wave energy projects
in interior Australia.
- The
Rush for Gigawatts in the Desert Explodes
Jan 9, 2009 - Ucilia Wang - greentechnmedia.com
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.
- Wind,
solar power capacity in 27 nations to quadruple
by 2020
Jan 14, 2009 -- AsiaPulse
Tokyo - The capacity to generate electricity through
wind and solar power systems in 27 nations, excluding
Japan, will increase four- to fivefold from 2008
to 2020, according to a report released Tuesday
by research firm Fuji Keizai Co.
- 40
MW solar PV station connected to grid
Jan 6, 2009 - RenewableEnergyFocus.com
BRANDIS/KÖTHEN, GERMANY - The German juwi group
has completed grid connection of its 40 MW Waldpolenz
energy park in Brandis, near Leipzig in eastern
Germany.
- Sempra
Generation Completes North America's Largest 'Thin-Film'
Solar Power Installation
Dec 22, 2008 - Market Wire
Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy
(NYSE: SRE), today announced the completion of the
company's first solar energy project, a 10-megawatt
(MW) photovoltaic power-generation facility adjacent
to the company's existing 480-megawatt El Dorado
Energy power plant near Boulder City, Nev., about
40 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
- China's
first grid-connected solar power station in desert
enters operation
Dec 19, 2008 -- Xinhua
WUWEI, Gansu - China's first grid-connected solar
power station built in a desert entered operation
on Friday in Wuwei City,northwest China's Gansu
Province.
- Solar
power helping light streets of Iraq
Dec 17, 2008 -- DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND
PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks
Mostly desert and a lot of sun, it makes sense there's
a place for solar power in Iraq.
- Southern
California Edison Completes First of Its Major Commercial
Rooftop Solar Installations
Dec 01, 2008 - BUSINESS WIRE
Southern California Edison (SCE) today announced
completion of the first of its proposed 150 solar
photovoltaic installations on Southern California
commercial rooftops. The project could eventually
cover two square miles of existing commercial roofs
with 250 million watts of peak generating capacity
- equivalent to building several utility-scale solar
power plants.
- Vatican
unveils ambitious solar energy plans
November 26, 2008 - Reuters
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - And then there was light
-- and it was powered by the sun. The Vatican on
Wednesday activated a new solar energy system and
announced an ambitious plan that could one day make
it an alternative energy exporter.
- France
plans to ramp up solar energy by 2020
Nov 18, 2008 -- Reuters
PARIS - France pledged on Monday to multiply by
400 the amount of solar power used in the country
in the next 12 years as part of its plan to double
the share of renewables in consumed energies to
23 percent by 2020.
- New
solar maps help homeowners and installers
Nov 3, 2008 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Matt Nauman San Jose mercury News, Calif.
Innovations in online mapping are contributing to
the rapid growth of solar energy. The high-tech
tools benefit everyone from homeowners and solar-panel
installers to the developers and financiers of large-scale
power projects, industry experts said at a recent
solar conference here.
- Dubai
starts ambitious 1GW PV production plan using Applied’s
SunFab technology
Oct 27, 2008 - Mark Osborne - pv-tech.org
At a two day event held in Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah,
Dubai, Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai
World (pictured), announced the establishment of
a photovoltaics manufacturing company, dubbed Solar
Technologies FZE, which will build an operate a
130MW production plant in Dubai’s Technopark. Future
plans include establishing manufacturing facilities
in China, Mexico and Bulgaria, which will increase
the total production capacity to 1GW by 2015.
- Solar
mapping technology rolling out
Oct 11, 2008 - Steve Gelsi - MarketWatch
CH2M Hill wins $6 million contract to map 25 cities
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Home and business owners
in 25 cities will soon be able to punch up the solar
energy potential of their own rooftops on a free
Web site, under a new mapping program rolling out
with backing from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Berlin
aims to become solar powerhouse
Oct 10, 2008 - iNS/news/net
Berlin wants to become a world leader in the solar
energy field, both as a user of the sun's rays for
energy and as a pioneer in solar technology despite
its northern, cloud-covered location, its economy
minister said. "You don't necessarily have to have
the best natural geographic conditions to be a solar
power capital," Harald Wolf told Reuters in an interview,
referring to the German capital's 52-degree north
latitude and its cloud cover for about two-thirds
of daylight hours.
- Acciona
Delivers Two Solar Gardens to 1,200 Investors in
Navarra, Spain
Sep 25, 2008- Datamonitor
Acciona Solar has delivered two solar gardens to
its over 1,200 owners in Corella and Bardenas Reales
in Navarra, Spain.
- NW
China's Largest Solar Power Plant Linked to the
Grid
Sep 17, 2008 - AsiaPulse
An experimental solar energy power plant in northwest
China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was linked
to the electricity grid recently, and is the largest
solar photovoltaic high-tension power plant to be
hooked up to the grid.
- Harvesting
the Power of the Sun in Rema, Ethiopia
Sep 12, 2008 - Clinton Global Initiative
On July 31, President Clinton visited the rural
community of Rema, the first “solar village” in
Ethiopia. After making a Commitment to Action at
the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in
2006, the Solar Energy Foundation (SEF) and Good
Energies, Inc. installed 1,100 solar panels in Rema,
generating electricity for more than 5,500 people.
Access to electricity has made night school and
refrigerated medicine possible and has improved
villagers’ eyesight. “Renewable energy is the economic
opportunity of this century,” said Marcel Brenninkmeijer,
chairman of Good Energies.
- Nagpur
to have Asia's biggest solar thermal power plant
Sep 2, 2008 - Asia Pulse Data Source
Nagpur - Asia's biggest solar thermal power plant
will be set up here to generate 10 MW electricity
for the national grid.
- Clean
power need gives India's solar mission a boost
Aug 29, 2008 - Times of India
The government is looking to get India's 'national
solar mission' underway with steps to set up research-industry
partnerships, tariff structures and tax breaks to
citizens aimed at promoting competitiveness and
even seed 'solar valleys' for largescale energy
generation.
- SOLAR
THERMAL ELECTRICITY AS THE PRIMARY REPLACEMENT FOR
COAL AND OIL IN U.S. GENERATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Aug 2008 - David R. Mills and Robert G. Morgan -
Ausra, Inc.
Advanced solar thermal electric options are dropping
in price and some companies are beginning to introduce
thermal storage. This paper suggests not only that
Solar Thermal Electricity (STE) has sufficient diurnal
and seasonal natural correlation with electricity
load to supply the great majority of the US national
grid (and by logical extension, those of China and
India) on an annual basis with only 16 hours of
storage. The correlation between the natural output
and load exceeds 90% California and Texas, and also
on the entire US grid. Furthermore, STE can supply
much of the transportation market without destroying
these natural correlations. The almost complete
elimination of both fossil fueled generation and
oil usage for transportation in the USA appears
to be technically feasible.
- Solar
utility: electricity from sunshine on a massive
scale in California
Aug 15, 2008 - David Biello - Scientific American
(60 Second Science)
The amount of solar photovoltaics harnessing electricity
from sunshine in the U.S. will more than double
by 2013, thanks to plans to build 800 megawatts
worth in California. The two vast solar farms—covering
more than 12 square miles—will be among the largest
ever built in the world and dwarf the current U.S.
record holder: Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada with
14 megawatts. In fact, the total amount of solar
photovoltaics connected to the grid in the entire
U.S. is just 473 megawatts at present.
- The
technical, geographical, and economic feasibility
for solar energy to supply the energy needs of the
US
Aug 11, 2008 - Vasilis Fthenakis, James E. Mason,
Ken Zweibel
So far, solar energy has been viewd as only a minor
contributor in the energy mixture of the US due
to cost and intermittency constraints. This paper
demonstrates the feasibility of a much larger role
for solar energy.
- Grids
Ready for Solar
Jul 25, 2008 - RenewableEnergyFocus.com
FREIBURG, GERMANY - Two reports compiled by Fraunhofer
Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE show how
municipal electricity grids can accept large amounts
of photovoltaic (PV) electricity.
- Welcome
to DESERTEC
Jul 24, 2008 - trecers.net
By far the largest, technically accessible source
of energy on the planet is to be found in the deserts
around the equatorial regions of the earth. The
DESERTEC Concept is designed to bring deserts and
existing technology into service to improve global
security of energy, water and the climate.
- Solar
PV Builds Momentum Across Europe
Jul 24, 2008 - RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Barcelona, Spain After years of being labeled a
German phenomenon, the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector
is building momentum across Europe, particularly
in Spain. Catalyzed by newly adopted feed-in tariffs,
PV development activity in Europe is booming and
project size is scaling - causing shifts in competitive
positioning along the project development value
chain, according to a recent study from Emerging
Energy Research, a leading research and advisory
firm analyzing clean and renewable energy markets.
- Top
Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings (pdf)
Jul 23, 2008 - Solar Energy Power Association
In the last year, U.S. electric utilities’ engagement
with grid-connected solar electricity increased
significantly, with major photovoltaic (PV) and
concentrating solar thermal (CST) announcements
by utilities, their customers, and third-party solar
developers. Utilities have traditionally operated
as a solar facilitator, integrating customer developed
projects. However, recently there have been several
announcements by utilities of new entrepreneurial
ideas that provide fresh solutions to regulatory,
customer and internal issues. Based on these announcements
and internal discussions with other utilities, the
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) anticipates
that utilities will quickly become the largest and
one of the most important customers for the solar
industry. Whether solar electric systems are developed
by utilities, their customers, or solar companies,
the utilities’ proactive engagement with emerging
solar technologies is important to the solar industry
as a whole.
- Solar
power from Saharan sun could provide Europe's electricity,
says EU
Jul 23, 2008 - Alok Jha - The Guardian
A tiny rectangle superimposed on the vast expanse
of the Sahara captures the seductive appeal of the
audacious plan to cut Europe's carbon emissions
by harnessing the fierce power of the desert sun.
- GM
to build world's biggest rooftop solar station in
Spain
Jul 8, 2008 - Yahoo News
MADRID (AFP) - US automaker General Motors said
Tuesday it will equip the roof of its factory in
Zaragoza in northeastern Spain with solar panels
to create the world's largest rooftop source of
power from the sun.
- New
Mexico utilities cooperate on CSP
Jul 4, 2008 - RenewableEnergyFocus
Four major utility companies in New Mexico have
issued a joint request for proposals from solar
developers for the construction of a solar parabolic
trough generation facility to provide solar electricity
to each utility by 2012.
- KEPCO,
Sharp to build solar plant
Jul 3, 2008 - The Yomiuri Shimbun - The Associated
Press
Eco-friendly facility to be first of its kind to
power nation's homes, factories
OSAKA--Kansai Electric Power Co., the nation's second-biggest
electricity producer, and Sharp Corp., the consumer
electronics giant, recently announced plans to set
up a solar power plant in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture,
that will be one of the world's largest.
- Energy
Security in Africa with Renewable Energy
Jul 2008 - Preben Maegaard - World Council for Renewable
Energy (WCRE)
More than any other continent, Africa needs an energy
revolution and independence from the international
fossil fuel economy; a change to renewable energy
and energy autonomy is paramount for survival. Africa
depends largely on the import of fossil fuels to
meet a significant and growing part of its modern
energy needs, which has created perverse effects
on the economy and lives of Africans. Renewable
energy is the only viable alternative that has the
potential, when properly managed, to improve quality
of life on a national and continental scale.
- A
role for Sandia in solar plan
Jun 26, 2008 - Albuquerque Journal
The most ambitious alternative energy project that
would feed a proposed cross-country power line in
Southern California is a gigantic, $400 million
solar plant that will use technology partially developed
at Sandia National Laboratories.
- Concentrated Solar Power and the Creation of
a High Voltage Direct Current Grid
Jun 24, 2008 - Howard Stoate - www.parliament.uk
That this House notes that Concentrating Solar Power
(CSP) technology, a means of capturing solar energy
from deserts, has the potential to generate a substantial
proportion of Europe's future electricity needs;
notes that it would be feasible and cost-effective
to transmit energy derived from desert based CSP
plants in North Africa to Europe via the creation
of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) super-grid,
as this would restrict transmission losses to just
three percent per 1,000 km; further notes that the
cost of collecting solar thermal energy equivalent
to the energy output of one barrel of oil is currently
about US$50 and is likely to fall to around US$20
in the future, which is substantially less than
the current world price of oil; welcomes the work
that has been done by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable
Energy Co-operation (TREC) in promoting the development
of CSP and an integrated Europe and North Africa-wide
HVDC super-grid; and calls on the Government to
endorse TREC's proposals formally and to work with
its international partners to advance the concept.
- PG&E
enters contracts for 106.8 MW of renewable solar
hybrid power
Jun 13, 2008 - Thomson Financial
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Thursday it has
entered into two contracts with San Joaquin Solar
LLC, a subsidiary of Martifer Renewables Electricity
LLC, for a combined 106.8 megawatts of solar thermal-biofuel
hybrid power.
- Arizona
State University to start rooftop solar project
Jun 10, 2008 - Chris Kahn - The Associated Press
Arizona State University plans to spread solar panels
across the rooftops of its sprawling Tempe, Ariz.
campus, creating the largest solar array at an American
university, school officials said.
- Bangladesh
to make installation of solar panels mandatory
Jun 6, 2008 - Xinhua
The Bangladeshi government has decided to bring
changes in the country's existing building code
to make installation of solar panels on top of high-rise
buildings mandatory, aiming to reduce dependency
on conventional power.
- India
to Focus on Solar Energy
Jun 1, 2008 - The Times of India
The much-awaited national climate change action
plan is almost ready. As per the final draft, to
be discussed by the PM's Climate Change Council
on June 2, the government has decided to launch
eight national missions. These eight focus areas
will be implemented in a time-bound fashion as part
of India's domestic agenda to counter impacts of
climate change and reduce the country's emissions
of greenhouse gases.
- Acciona
completes 66% of Amareleja PV plant
May 27, 2008 - Datamonitor
Spanish renewable energy firm Acciona has stated
that the 46MW photovoltaic plant it is building
in Amareleja, Portugal, is 66% complete and is expected
to be connected to the grid later in 2008.
- Green
Revolution to Create 50,000 Jobs
May 13, 2008 - The Scotsman
Scotland is on the brink of a green jobs revolution
with 50,000 posts expected to be created in the
next decade, careers experts claim.
- Group
sees promise in solar power
May 10 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - John
G. Edwards Las Vegas Review-Journal
Large solar thermal power plants, which use the
sun's heat to generate electricity, could generate
715,000 megawatts of electricity in Nevada without
greenhouse gases that lead to global warming, an
advocacy group said Thursday in a new report.
- German
lighting firm aims to build solar power hubs
May 8, 2008 - IPS/GIN
Lighting industry entrepreneurs are hoping that
alternative devices such as solar-powered LED lights
will eventually replace the smoky kerosene lamps
that keep the darkness at bay in many of Africa's
towns and villages.
- The
Power of the Sun: Solar Lanterns Transform Lives
in Malawi, Africa
May 7, 2008 - Nick Sireau - SolarAid Director -
RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Malawi, Africa - Mirriam is 18 years old and lives
in Malawi. She has two children, one brother and
one sister. Her father died of AIDS and her mother
is now also sick with HIV AIDS. Every day is a struggle:
finding food for her children, caring for her mother,
looking after her other sick relatives – all this
with next to no income.
- Solar
water heaters required in new Hawaii homes
May 2, 2008 - Mark Niesse - The Associated Press
All new homes in Hawaii will be required to have
solar water heaters installed starting in 2010 under
a law approved Thursday by the Legislature.
- German
energy giant to bid on Negev solar plant
Apr 30, 2008 - Lior Baron - Globes - Tel Aviv -
McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
The tender to build and operate the Negev solar
power station at Ashelim is drawing international
alternative energy companies to Israel. Sources
inform "Globes" that Germany's Solar Millennium
AG (XETRA: S2M), one of the world's top three solar
energy companies, plans to participate in the $650-700
million tender. Solar Millennium is considering
collaborating with some of the Israeli companies
already participating in the tender, and recently
met representatives of Israel Corp. (TASE: ILCO)
to discuss a possible joint bid in the tender.
- Nevada
goes solar
Apr 23, 2008 - The Associated Press
Thanks to two big solar projects, Nevada ranked
second only to California in solar power development
last year, the Solar Energy Industry Association
says.
- Government
Planning to Convert 60 Cities into Solar Townships
Apr 21, 2008 - Times of India
Taking a cue from European and American cities,
the government is aiming to convert 60 cities into
solar townships that run partially on renewable
energy sources.
- Large-Scale
Solar Thermal Power Projects Planned for California
Apr 9, 2008 - EERE Network News
The push to develop large concentrating solar power
(CSP) plants in California gained momentum last
week, as FPL Energy filed an application to build
a 250-megawatt CSP plant in the Mojave Desert and
the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) agreed
to buy the power from up to 900 megawatts of CSP
projects proposed by BrightSource Energy, Inc. The
FPL Energy project, called the Beacon Solar Energy
Project, will employ trough-shaped parabolic mirrors
to concentrate the sun's heat, capture the heat
in a fluid such as oil, and then transfer that heat
to a boiler. The boiler generates steam that drives
a turbine to produce electricity. FPL Energy plans
to build, own, and operate the facility, which will
be located on 2,000 acres of land in eastern Kern
County. Construction is slated to begin late next
year, and it will take about two years to build
the project, which will consist of more than 500,000
parabolic mirrors.
- New
report out on future energy scenarios in the GCC
Apr 3, 2008 - Business Intelligence Middle East
(BI-ME)
UAE. With initiatives like MASDAR in Abu Dhabi and
ENPARK in Dubai, the UAE is set to lead the world
in future energy technologies according to a new
report titled 'Future Energy Scenarios - Exploring
the Energy Challenges and Opportunities in the GCC'.
- Southern
California Edison Launches Nation's Largest Solar
Panel Installation
Mar 27, 2008 - Business Wire
Southern California Edison (SCE) today launched
the nation's largest solar cell installation, a
project that will place 250 megawatts of advanced
photovoltaic generating technology on 65 million
square feet of roofs of Southern California commercial
buildings - enough power to serve approximately
162,000 homes.
- FPL
Energy Advances Solar Strategy; Plans to Build New
Solar Electric Generating Facility in California
Mar 26, 2008 - Business Wire
FPL Energy, LLC, (NYSE:FPL) already the country's
leading generator of wind and solar thermal power,
announced today an important step in its strategy
to add significantly to its solar power generating
capability.
- Abu
Dhabi and Spanish entities combine to develop concentrating
solar projects
Mar 21, 2008 - Power News
Spanish engineering group SENER and Abu Dhabi energy
company MASDAR have incorporated a new company,
Torresol Energy, whose mission will be to develop,
build, and operate large concentrated solar power
(CSP) plants worldwide.
- Low-cost
Solar Thermal Plants at Heart of Algerian-German
Research Push
Mar 20, 2008 - Jan Burgermeister - renewableenergyworld.com
Vienna, Austria - The development of a new generation
of large-scale, low-cost solar thermal power plants
is the focus of a joint research agreement signed
between Algeria and Germany.
- Japan's
Mitsubishi Electric plans major solar cell investment
Mar 19, 2008 - Thomson Financial
Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corp said Wednesday
it planned to invest 7 billion yen to boost production
of solar cells as global demand rises on high oil
costs and environmental awareness.
- Study
says solar's potential as high as 90%
Mar 5, 2008 - Power News
Ausra Inc., a developer of utility-scale solar thermal
power technology, has announced a peer-reviewed
study showing that over 90% of the U.S. electric
grid and auto fleet's energy needs could be met
by solar thermal power.
- Arizona
Public Service to build solar plant
Feb 14, 2008 - Associated Press
Arizona Public Service Co. said Thursday it will
build a solar-power plant with enough capacity to
serve 70,000 customers.
- ProVision
Opens PV Array on Maui
Feb 12, 2008 - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
ProVision Technologies, Inc. a Hawaii-based provider
of solar electric systems has announced that it
has commissioned two photovoltaic (PV) solar systems
which will provide over 100,000 kilowatt hours of
energy per year to the Maui Economic Development
Board, Inc. (MEDB). The hurricane-ready design will
give MEDB a showcase PV facility providing predictable
power pricing in a volatile market.
- New
photovoltaics change solar costs
Feb 6, 2008 - Naomi Lubick
A new life-cycle assessment of photovoltaic technologies
shows that some are better than others:.
New photovoltaic technologies, such as the recent
introduction of thin-film cadmium–telluride (CdTe)
materials, have nearly doubled the efficiency of
solar cells within the past few years. But the methods
of making the materials used for photovoltaic cells,
whether from silicon, metal, or other material,
have raised doubts about the environmental friendliness
of these passive energy collectors. Purifying and
producing silicon uses a lot of water and energy,
and refining zinc and copper ores to get Cd, Te,
and other elements creates metal emissions and an
energy sink—all of which increase the technology's
environmental footprint.
- Hawaii
unveils solar power plan
Jan 11, 2008 - Associated Press
The state plans to have large solar power arrays
constructed at a dozen locations around the state.
- Energy
from the sun gets off the ground: After a long
delay, the tender for building the Negev solar power
plant will be published
Jan 3, 2008 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Dalia Tal Globes, Tel Aviv, Israel
The Ministries of Finance and National Infrastructures
will publish the BOT (build, operate, transfer)
tender for the Negev solar power plant at Ashelim,
after years of delay. This is Israel's first tender
for a solar powered plant. Many other countries
already have such power stations in operation or
under construction.
- A
Solar Grand Plan
Jan 2008 - Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis
Fthenakis - Scientific American Magazine
By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on
foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions.
- World
Bank mulls financing Negev solar project
Dec 20, 2007 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Lior Baron Globes, Tel Aviv
The World Bank is considering financing the proposed
solar energy power station planned to be built in
the Negev. A World Bank delegation may visit Israel
to meet officials from the Ministries of Finance
and National Infrastructures to discuss the project.
The World Bank has already expressing its willingness
to finance the Red-Dead Sea canal, or "Peace canal",
subject to a feasibility study.
- Poor
Nations Demand Green Technology
Dec 14, 2007 - The Associated Press
Bali, Indonesia - Uganda gets plenty of sun, making
it a great spot for solar energy. There's only one
problem: In one of the world's most impoverished
nations, few people can afford an imported solar
panel.
- FPL
and NASA Join Forces to Explore Renewable Energy
Projects
Dec 13, 2007 - Business Wire
From charting a clean energy future to trailblazing
on the space frontier, they are respected leaders.
Now Florida Power & Light Company and National Aeronautic
and Space Administration's Kennedy Space Center
(NASA-KSC) are teaming up to jointly explore developing
renewable energy projects. FPL Group owns and operates
the largest solar facility in the world and Florida
Power & Light has the proven energy expertise in
Florida. NASA has the top space science experts
with extensive experience using solar technology
in space. Together they hope to advance and deploy
the use of large scale solar technology in Florida
as early as 2008.
- China
Creates Wolrd's Largest Solar Energy Industry
Dec 13, 2007 - SinoCast
Beijing - As the world's largest consumer and producer
of solar water heater, China ranks the global No.1
by its solar energy industry size, according to
the National Reform and Development Committee (NRDC).
- BP
Solar to Build 300MW Solar Manufacturing Plant in
Spain
Dec 11, 2007 - Clean Edge News
BP Solar, a European market leader in the design,
manufacture and marketing of photovoltaic solar
energy, will begin construction in the second quarter
of 2008 of a module assembly factory in the industrial
park of La Nava II, in Puertollano (Castilla La
Mancha). This represents an investment of around
100m Euros.
- MBPV
to Set Up India's Largest Grid Connected Solar Farm
Dec 4, 2007 - renewableenergyaccess.com
Moser Baer Photo Voltaic (MBPV) has signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Government of Rajasthan
(India) for establishing a solar power project with
an estimated generation capacity of 1-5 megawatts
(MW).
- How
Africa's desert sun can bring Europe power
Dec 2, 2007 - The Observer
A £5bn solar power plan, backed by a Jordanian prince,
could provide the EU with a sixth of its electricity
needs - and cut carbon emissions
Europe is considering plans to spend more than £5bn
on a string of giant solar power stations along
the Mediterranean desert shores of northern Africa
and the Middle East.
- Mozambique
rural areas to receive solar panels
Nov 27, 2007 - Xinhua
Mozambique is to launch a project to provide solar
panels to a number of districts which have not been
covered by the country's power grid in 2008, local
media AIM reported on Tuesday.
- Major
switch for solar energy: Researchers investigate
use of carbon-based materials to produce cheaper
energy
Nov 27, 2007 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Larry Rulison - Albany Times Union, N.Y.
In a small physics lab on the uptown campus of the
University at Albany, researchers are trying to
develop a new type of solar-electric cell that will
be cheaper -- and more flexible -- than a traditional
solar cell made from silicon.
- Clean
Power from Desert (pdf)
Nov 26, 2007 - The Club of Rome
The Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation
(TREC) is an initiative of The Club of Rome, the
Hamburg Climate Protection Foundation and the National
Energy Research Center of Jordan (NERC) in the field
of renewable forms of energy. Since it was founded
in 2003, it has developed the DESERTEC Concept for
energy, water and climate security in Europe, the
Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA), promoting
cooperation between countries of the sun-belt and
the technology belt. Now TREC is making this concept
a reality in cooperation with people in politics,
industry and the world of finance.
- California
Colleges Add 2 MW of Solar with MMA Renewable Ventures
Nov 8, 2007 - PRNewswire- FirstCall
MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal
Mortgage & Equity, LLC (NYSE: MMA) ("MuniMae"),
today announced that it is financing the installation
of new solar energy systems at two California college
campuses, California State University, Fresno (Fresno
State) and Los Angeles Community College District's
East Los Angeles College (ELAC). MMA Renewable Ventures
will own and operate the clean energy systems and
sell predictably priced electricity to Fresno State
and ELAC under long term Power Purchase Agreements
(PPAs). At approximately one megawatt (MW) each,
the solar installations are among the largest photovoltaic
systems in U.S. higher education.
- Endesa
starts western Almeria's largest solar farm
Nov 7, 2007 - Datamonitor
Endesa has connected a new photovoltaic solar farm
in the La Redonda industrial park in western Almeria,
Spain to the power grid. The photovoltaic plant
has a totalled installed capacity of 700KW, which
could lead to annual savings in CO2 emissions of
1,170 tons.
- Wind
and Solar Energy: Renewable Energy to Create Thousands
of New Jobs
Oct 26, 2007 - Business Wire
Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries
Association, and Randy Swisher, President of the
American Wind Energy Association, guests at separate
Executive News Roundtables sponsored by Energy Policy
TV, said the renewable energy industries will be
large creators of new jobs in the U.S. in the coming
years. Videos of their appearances are available
at no cost on Energy Policy TV's Solar and Wind
Channels, respectively.
- Egypt
signs contract for solar power plant
Oct 21, 2007 - BBC Monitoring
Cairo - Egyptian Electricity and Energy Minister
Hasan Yunis attended Sunday [21 October] the signing
ceremony of a contract on the implementation of
a solar component in the first Egyptian solar power
station.
- Alternative
to Powerlink is Proposed
Oct 19, 2007 - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Opponents of the Sunrise Powerlink yesterday unveiled
a detailed alternative plan for a vast expansion
of solar power and other measures that they say
would cost no more than the proposed power line
and provide greater energy security and environmental
benefits.
- Spectrolab's
Solar Breakthrough (pdf)
Oct 9, 2007 - Technology Frontier
A solar cell energy research breakthrough that has
attracted national attention could open the door
to the production of cost-competitive solar power
within a decade, according to researchers involved
in the effort.
- Germany
Looks to North Africa's Untapped Solar Thermal Potential
Sep 27, 2007 - Jane Burgermeister - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Vienna, Austria - Flabeg has recently developed
a mirror that can reflect 93 percent of the sun's
rays. A study by the German Aerospace Center estimated
that harnessing the sun's energy falling on just
6,000 square kilometers of desert in North Africa
would supply energy equivalent to the entire oil
production of the Middle East of 9 billion barrels
a year.
- The
Mediterranean Photovoltaic Power Plant Revolution
Sep 25, 2007 - Jane Burgermeister - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Costs of photovoltaic power plants in Italy could
be recouped in as little as 8 to 12 years because
of government subsidies and electricity market.
- World
Bank Launches Lighting Initiative for Africa
Sep 9, 2007 - Planet Ark
The World Bank launched an plan on Wednesday to
provide inexpensive, safe and cleaner lighting to
250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who lack
access to electricity. The project is designed to
replace costly and inefficient fuel-based lighting
sources, such as kerosene lamps, that pose fire
hazards and cause pollution.
- Ultra
Thin Solar Modules to Make 2008 Debut in Germany
Sep 7, 2007 - Jane Burgermeister - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
A new generation of ultra thin solar modules that
can be integrated into the facades of buildings
at low cost is to be produced in Germany next year.
The German company Schueco has joined up with E.ON,
the country's biggest energy company, to invest
100 million euros [$US 136 million] in the research
and production of this new ultra thin solar technology
that cuts down on the need for silicon, the costly
raw material for solar cells.
-
Delhi insist on solar power use for billboards
Sep 6, 2007 - The Hindu
New Delhi - Delhi government has decided to pass
an order for compulsory use of solar power for advertising
hoardings and water heating in government and some
categories of buildings.
- Lack
of lines limit solar energy sales
Sep 1, 2007 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News -
Matt Hildner The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.
If the large-scale production of solar energy is
going to take off in the San Luis Valley, it will
need some help getting to urban markets.
- With
Proven History, Solar Parabolic Technology Attracts
Investors
Aug 29, 2007 - California Energy Markets
The once-dormant solar-parabolic industry has shown
robust signs of life, with investment banks underwriting
solar-power plants and utilities signing titanic
contracts.
- Zambia
to go for solar energy
Aug 13, 2007 - Xinhua
The Zambian government intends to make solar energy
an integral part of its rural electrification program,
a government official has said.
- Company
sets record for solar efficiency
Aug 10, 2007 - Kim Leonard - Tribune-Review
Solar energy's cost and relative inefficiency have
stunted its growth for decades, but Harmar-based
Plextronics Inc. said it's made a major step toward
solving both problems through a technology that
"prints" solar cell technology onto plastic or glass.
- China
Builds Concentratory Photovoltaic Solar Power Stations
Aug 10, 2007 - AsiaPulse
Construction of China's largest concentrator photovoltaic
solar power station is in full swing at Xichang,
Sichuan Province.
- Five
solar plants scheduled to come on line
Aug 3, 2007 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
Every couple years or so, someone announces the
"world's largest solar plant" for the Mojave Desert,
where clouds rarely block the sun. Why, then, is
Victorville moving forward with a large natural
gas-fired plant that has a small solar component?
- Arab
countries urge solar future
Jul 8, 2007 - Vanya Wlaker-Leigh - Times of Malta
Arab energy ministers and some EU politicians attending
a high-level conference in this desert oasis town
flanked by the ruins of a vast Roman city, announced
support for a revolutionary renewable energy electricity
supply system proposed by Germany to link both areas.
The Damascus Declaration adopted here on June 24
by them as well as the several hundred participants
(scientists, industrialists, civil servants) at
the Fourth Middle East and North Africa Renewable
Energy Conference (MENAREC4) advocated "large-scale
renewable energy systems" which would permit solar
electricity to the EU. All nations were invited
to set national renewable energy targets, and donors
were asked to massively increase related assistance.
- Indonesia
to build 33,000 more solar power generators
Jun 29, 2007 - AsiaPulse
The Indonesian government is planning to build 33,000
more solar power generators for 33,000 households
living in remote areas, an Energy and Mineral Resources
Ministry official said.
- Solar
Energy to light dark villages in Mizoram
Jun 19, 2007 - ZEENEWS.COM
The Mizoram government, with
the help of Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy
Sources, has chalked out a comprehensive one-year
vision plan to provide electricity to all un-electrified
villages, including households, through renewable
energy resources by 2007.
- Target
starts solar-power rollout
Apr 30, 2007 - John Vomhof Jr.
Target Corp. is spending millions of dollars to
cuts its energy costs and secure a greener image
in the process. The Minneapolis-based retailer has
installed solar panels on the roofs of four of its
California retail stores and plans to install similar
systems at 14 more locations later this year. The
solar-panel systems will generate about 20 percent
of those stores' annual energy requirements.
- Retail
Goes Solar
Apr 30, 2007 - Jack Uldric - The Motley Fool
Advocates of solar power were given additional reasons
to be bullish about the industry's long-term prospects
this past week after two large retailers --
Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF)
and Kohl's Corp (NYSE: KSS)
-- announced plans to install major solar power
projects.
- Spanish
Solar Thermal Plant First in World Tied to National
Grid
Apr 24, 2007 - Energy Central
FLORENCE, ITALY A new solar thermal plant in Spain,
the largest of its type in Europe and the first
in the world to produce power for a national grid,
illustrates how technology innovation can be applied
to meet the growing demand for cleaner energy. Featuring
a specially designed steam turbine-generator supplied
by GE Oil & Gas, Planta Solar (PS10), an 11-megawatt
solar thermal power plant at Sanlúcar in Spain’s
Seville province, was inaugurated March 30. Now
producing power for Spain’s electricity grid, it
is the first solar plant developed in Spain by the
Abengoa Group of Seville.
- Iran's
First Solar Power Plant to Become Operational in
2010
Apr 13, 2007 - BBC Monitoring Middle East
Tehran: Iran's first solar thermal electric power
plant will become operational in 2010 in central
province of Yazd.
- GE
Invests, Delivers One of World's Largest Solar Power
Plants, Harnessing Portugal's Sunshine, PowerLight's
Technology
Mar 28, 2007 - BUSINESS WIRE
Spread across a hillside pasture amid olive trees,
52,000 shimmering photovoltaic modules in one of
the world's largest solar power plants have begun
generating enough electricity for 8,000 homes, GE,
PowerLight Corp. and Catavento SA announced today.
- Egypt
tries Concentrating Solar Power
Feb 20, 2007 - Derek Sands - ME Times
CAIRO -- Egypt may soon harness the same physics
that a child uses to burn an ant with a magnifying
glass, to generate electricity from the sun, a move
that reflects the growth of Concentrating Solar
Power technology worldwide. Plans to build a 150
megawatt (MW) combined solar- and gas-powered electric
plant near Cairo are part of a larger effort by
Egypt, and others in the region, to expand their
use of renewable energies, including solar, wind,
and nuclear power.
- Gulf
to get first solar-power plant
Feb 18, 2007 - Aljazeera.net
AbuDhabi is to build a $350m solar power plant,
the first of its kind in the Gulf, according to
an investor in the project.
- State
report touts solar energy's bright future
Jan 20, 2007 - Tribune Business News
Arizona could generate up to 1,000 megawatts of
solar electricity and create 3,000 jobs by 2020
by supporting solar-energy technologies and boosting
the state's solar-electric industry, a state report
says.
- Superefficient,
Cost-Effective Solar Cell Breaks Conversion Records
Dec 8, 2006 - Scientific American
A tiny solar cell doubles the efficiency of
common photovoltaics' conversion of sunlight to
electricity by capturing the energy from a broader
spectrum of light.
- African
solar farms to solve energy crisis?
Dec 5, 2006 - James Murray - Green Business
News
It appears the UK government is not the only one
busy commissioning reports on combating climate
change, the German government has now got in on
the act with two major new study's on the viability
of a leftfield plan that could deliver clean energy
to the whole of Europe within the next forty years.
- A Study: Deserts
offer cheap source of energy = 1/3 the price
of oil
Nov 21, 2006 - Asia Wind
SAHARA sunshine could provide Europe with clean
and cheap energy, according to a study for the German
government. Experts said solar energy from north
Africa could help to reduce emissions from European
power stations by 70 per cent by 2050 as well as
providing energy at a cost equivalent to a $20 barrel
of oil - about a third of the current price.
- SDG&E
to buy 120 megawatts of solar, geothermal energy
Nov 13, 2006- Press Release - Sempra Energy
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced
that it has signed new contracts to procure an additional
120 megawatts (MW) of solar and geothermal power
for its customers by 2010.
- Scientists
detail desert solar power
Oct 31, 2006 - UPI
A German study suggests Europe can make deep cuts
in carbon dioxide emissions and phase out nuclear
power at the same time.
- P.V.
Could Supply 2 Billion Households By 2025
Sep 19, 2006 - Green Building Press
Photovoltaic solar panels could generate enough
electricity to supply 2 billion households by 2025,
according to a report by Greenpeace and the European
Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). The report,
Solar Generation, says that the PV industry would
be capable of producing 276 terawatt hours (TWh)
of electricity a year worldwide by 2020, rising
to 589TWh by 2025, and cutting carbon dioxide emissions
by 350 million tonnes a year.
- SunPower
Celebrates the Dedication of SOLON's Gut Erlasee
Solar Park
Sep 1, 2006 - SunPower Corporation - PRNewswire-FirstCall
World's Largest Solar Electric Power Plant Features
SunPower's High-Efficiency A-300 Solar Cells. SunPower
Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based
manufacturer of the world's highest efficiency,
commercially available solar cells and solar panels,
celebrated today's dedication of SOLON's Gut Erlasee
Solar Park, the world's largest solar electric power
plant.
- Schwarzenegger
Signs Legislation to Complete Million Solar Roofs
Plan
Aug 22, 2006 - Ed Mendel - Union Tribune
More panels, cleaner power goal
of project Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday signed
a bill that completes his "million solar roofs plan," a move he says
will put California on the cutting edge of renewable energy while also boosting
the economy. - Let
it shine, let it shine
Aug 14, 2006 - Jon Ortiz - Sacramento Bee
How's this for irony? A massive West Sacramento cold-storage
warehouse is being powered by one of California's biggest privately owned solar
energy systems. - BP
Teams with Caltech to Explore Game-Changing Solar Technology
Jun 27,
2006 - Press Release - BP Solar BP and The California
Institute of Technology have teamed up in a multi-million dollar research program
that could open the door to a radical new way of producing solar cells, making
the cost of solar electricity more competitive and increasing current efficiency
levels. - Notice
the sunshine in the desert
Jun 21, 2006 - Sanjay Suri
- IPSnews A recent United Nations report suggests that
the Sahara desert could capture enough solar energy to eventually supply all of
the world's electricity needs. The report also points to some of the threats such
as declining water resources which threaten delicate desert ecosystems.
- Club
of Rome wants deserts to become source of renewable energy
Jun 14,
2006 - Refocus Weekly Hannover, Germany - The world’s deserts could serve
as an "overabundant source of clean energy through solar thermal power plants,"
according to the president of the Club of Rome.
- Solar
Flares Imperil Grid (PDF)
May/Jun, 2006 - EnergyBiz Magazine
Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research predict that during
the next several years solar activity will be unusually high — and this could
bring down power systems. - Former
Soviet President Calls for Global Solar Fund
May 1, 2006 - renewableenergyaccess.com
Geneva, Switzerland and Washington, DC: Calling on leaders
of the world's largest industrialized nations (G8) to invest in renewable energy
and energy efficiency, former Soviet President Gorbachev marked the 20th anniversary
of the world's largest nuclear power plant disaster in Chernobyl with a request
for the creation of a $50 billion Global Solar Fund over 10 years.
- Forget
Computers. Here Comes the Sun
Apr 14, 2006 - John Markoff - nytimes.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. — T. J. Rodgers is surrounded by a sea of silicon
wafers on the roof of his company's headquarters in a Silicon Valley industrial
park. - SA
solar research eclipses rest of the world
Feb 11, 2006 - Willem Steenkamp
- Saturday Argus In a scientific breakthrough that has stunned the world,
a team of South African scientists has developed a revolutionary new, highly efficient
solar power technology that will enable homes to obtain all their electricity
from the sun. This means high electricity bills and frequent power failures could
soon be a thing of the past. - Here
comes the sun
Oct 25, 2005 - Anthony Doman - Popular
Mechanics Despite a soaring oil price and a panic-stricken planet
scrambling to counteract its profligate use of energy resources, there is a glimmer
of sunshine. And sunshine is all it takes, says an enterprising South African
academic who is sitting on potentially one of the biggest solar energy breakthroughs
to date. - SDG&E
to buy solar electricity
Sep 8, 2005 - Craig D. Rose - Union-Tribune
San Diego Gas & Electric announced yesterday it had contracted with
a Phoenix company to buy electricity from what could be the largest solar power
generating project in the world. - Solar
Pedaflo Creates Potable water for Remote Areas
Aug 23, 2005 - renewableenergyaccess.com
Communities of people living in remote villages around the globe often endure
scarcity of safe water for drinking and cooking, jeopardizing health and hygiene.
- Rooftops
Could Support Vast U.S. Market for Solar Power (PDF)
Mar 1, 2005 -
The Energy Foundation A new study released today by the Energy Foundation,
and undertaken by Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:NCI), describes the vast market
potential for rooftop solar photovoltaic systems (PV) in the United States. The
study, “PV Grid Connected Market Potential in 2010 Under a Cost Breakthrough Scenario,”
provides an estimate of the market for PV systems in the United States based on
available rooftop space for residential and commercial solar PV. - Energy
from the Desert
May 2003 The world's deserts
are sufficiently large that, in theory, covering a fraction of their landmass
with PV systems could generate many times the current primary global energy supply.
Moreover, the energy produced is from solar radiation - a clean and renewable
source - hence such systems would have the potential to contribute massively
to the protection of the global environment. - Solar
Power Alone Can Solve West Coast Power Crunch
Aug 9, 2001 - PRNewswire
BERKELEY, Calif. -- PowerLight Corporation (http://www.powerlight.com)
today announced shipment of a 100 kWac solar electric PowerGuard system for installation
on the Anaheim Convention Center. Owned by the City of Anaheim, the system is
the largest solar power system on a convention center in North America.
- EDITORIAL:
Solar eclipse
Jan 12, 2001 - Staff Editorial - The Technician - North
Carolina State U. According to researchers at the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., photovoltaic units or solar
panels spanning only 10,000 square miles could provide all the electricity
the United States needs based on the current solar energy technology of 10-percent
system efficiency. With next-generation 15-percent efficiency models, that land
space would be decreased by 30 percent. An area roughly equivalent to 1 percent
of the continental United States could supply enough electricity to charge the
world. - Shea
Homes and AstroPower Announce Premium Power Partnership
Jan 3,
2001 - PrNewswire Leading US Home Builder to Adopt Solar Electric Technology
As a Standard Feature, Increasing Performance, Home Efficiency and Value NEWARK,
Del. - Shea Homes, Inc. of San Diego, CA and AstroPower, Inc. (Nasdaq: APWR) jointly
announced today that they have signed an agreement to make solar power a standard
feature in new Shea communities. The partnership kicks off with the construction
of 100 solar powered homes in San Diego, CA this year. The companies have a goal
to build a total of 200 solar powered homes in the next 18 months, as new development
phases roll out. - Alternative
sources of power are in business
Nov 5, 2000 - Dan Weisman - North
County Times San Diego County's status as an energy disaster area has
propelled the few North County alternative energy companies into seeing green
---- green as in environmentally-friendly systems and green as in increased income.
- New
Sandia control method opens doors for more photovoltaic systems being safely linked
to electric grid
Sep 26, 2000 - Sandia ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
A new way to safely, simply and effectively connect electricity-producing photovoltaic
(PV) solar systems to utility company power grids has been developed by the Department
of Energys Sandia National Laboratories. Already several manufacturers have
adapted it into their systems. Related GENI Resources
Definition
Solar Energy Renewable
Energy Resource Maps National
Energy Grid Maps GENI Transmission Library Links
IREC Connecting to the Grid
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council) CIGRE:
International Congress on Large High-Voltage Electric Systems IEEE/PES
International Practices Committee panel sessions |
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