Rise & Shine: January 15, 2009
The Rise & Shine is your daily source for all solar-industry news. Brought to you by Sweet Solar Home and the Experts at SunRun.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
SunRun Offers Innovative Business Model to Bring Affordable Solar Energy to Homeowners
SunRun offers residential customers the means of accessing the benefits of clean solar power through a power purchase agreement similar to the type used by commercial buyers, utilities and large-scale solar power plants. Customers pay for energy delivered and not the equipment required to deliver it.
Century City MGM Tower Goes Solar
Constellation Place, LLC today unveiled an installation of solar panels designed to provide a portion of the electrical power required by MGM Tower, installed by SPG Solar.
Supporters of L.A. Solar Energy Ballot Measure Raise $276,000
Two-thirds of the money comes from groups affiliated with DWP unions. Its workers would install 400 megawatts of solar panels if the measure is approved.
California’s Scheming
The northern Californian region that brought the world personal computers and Google has its sights set on another technological revolution: one founded on photovoltaic solar cells, sources of biofuel, and energy efficiency.
Several Projects on Tap for 29 Palms in 2009
Projects could also include a solar energy project aimed at creating enough energy to take care of the five city buildings: City Hall, Park and Recreation building, the community center, Public Works and Animal Control.
Hillsborough to Subsidize Home Solar Installations
Through the end of April, Hillsborough will be subsidizing home solar installations in an effort to green the town.
XsunX to Sell 4MW of Thin film Solar Modules
XsunX Inc. announced that it has entered into a two-year supply contract for the sale of 4 megawatts (MW) of it ASI-120 TFPV solar modules to an Oregon based firm that has specialized in commercial solar project development for more than 20 years.
NATIONAL NEWS
Budget Shortfalls Could Shrink States’ Solar Incentives
Maryland and Connecticut are struggling to come up with statewide budgets while trying to figure out how or whether to fund solar power programs that have run out of money early.
As Fed Steps Up, States Step Back on Solar Funding
As federal subsidies are rolled out, states under severe economic strain and utilities have slashed their own solar incentives, and as a result, cut the expected discount by thousands of dollars in some cases.
Hoku Materials Updates Position on Polysilicon Plant and Contracts
Hoku Materials announced the arrival of 6 Siemens-process reactors at the company’s facility in Pocatello, Idaho.
Top 7 Alternative Energies listed
A study by a Stanford University researcher found wind power to be by far the most desirable source of energy. Concentrating solar is #2 and solar panels are in the middle of the list.
First Solar to Supply Modules for Masdar City Solar Power Project
First Solar has been selected by Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company to supply 5 MW of its thin film solar modules to be part of the largest grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system in the Middle East.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
U.S. Utilities Support 80% Emissions Reduction by 2050
The Edison Electric Institute, which represents about 70% of U.S. electricity producers, voted to support national mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below current levels by 2050 ? the same long-term target supported by President-elect Barack Obama.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
First Solar Supplier Reports Record Revenue
5N Plus, a major supplier of high purity cadmium telluride to First Solar, Inc., has reported record quarterly revenue of $18.1M on the back of strong demand in the PV market and increases in prices.
Clean Power Projects are in for a Bumpy Ride
Last year might have been a record year for cleantech investing, but the first half of 2009 will be a lot more ?subdued? according to research from New Energy Finance.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Obama Energy Goal Hard to Meet
President-elect Barack Obama will have a hard time significantly increasing America’s alternative energy production, outgoing U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said on Wednesday.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
OPEL International Supplies HCPV Panels to Spanish Project
OPEL International, a developer of high concentration photovoltaic and other solar products, today announced that it has begun supplying OPEL?s HCPV panels to build a utility grade solar power plant of 440 kilowatt (kW) in Spain under an agreement with BETASOL.
A Review and Forecast of the Chinese Solar Cell Industry in 2009
CCID Consulting, China’s leading research, consulting and IT outsourcing service provider recently released its article on China’s solar cell industry.
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