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
Alta Devices: Kleiner’s Latest Stealth Solar Company
Sources in the 650 area code have told me to keep an ear and an eye out for Alta Devices, a stealthy solar startup that allegedly has received funds from Kleiner, Perkins.

Suntech and 3rd Rock Form Strategic Alliance
Suntech Power and 3rd Rock Systems and Technologies, Inc., a solar project developer based in San Francisco, have established a strategic alliance in connection with the development of an initial 7.2 MW of solar systems in the United States.

NATIONAL NEWS
Solar Energy Policies Sought
Lobbyists asked lawmakers on Thursday to adopt policies favoring tax credits, rebates and other incentives that will encourage solar energy development in Nevada.

Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in US
Put simply, the idea is to pay homeowners and businesses top dollar for producing green energy.

Duke, N.C. Officials At Odds Over Solar Proposal, Costs
Customer advocates say Duke Energy Carolinas is exaggerating its fear that regulatory limits on its “rooftop solar” program could cost it $250 million in tax credits.

Stimulus Dollars to Head Jackson County’s Way
Medford airport officials are looking at installing acres of solar panels as part of President Barack Obama’s energy plan. The county is looking at outfitting other buildings it owns with solar panels if they can acquire the energy grants.

Utah Will Spend Stimulus Cash on Clean Energy Push
Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass top the development list.

Global Economy, Local Solar Plant
When the Austin City Council gave thumbs-up last week to a $250 million solar array east of town, an aspect that drew criticism was buying the panels from China.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
California regulators Approve Edison Rate Hike
Edison said it would begin collecting the new rates April 4.

Virginia-based GridPoint Lands More Funds for Smarter Utility Use
GridPoint, one of the largest companies in the emerging smart grid sector, announced that it has brought in an undisclosed sum from Craton Equity Partners.

PG&E Upgrading its SmartMeters
On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission gave PG&E permission to start installing a different, more advanced SmartMeter that can be switched on or off remotely, eliminating the need to send an electrician to a home whenever a customer starts or stops service.

SEPA Educates Utilities Exploring Solar Options
SEPA will conduct its second annual Solar Fact Finding Mission for Utility Decision Makers, May 17th to 22nd and its first annual Utility Solar Conference, July 28th to 29th in San Jose, California.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
LDK Solar Faces Tough Road Ahead, Says Analysts
A financial analyst downgraded LDK’s stock out of concerns that the silicon wafer maker might not benefit from building its own silicon factories in light of the falling silicon prices on the market.

Solarfun Power Holdings to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results
Solarfun will release its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2008 before the market opens on March 25, 2009.

Solar-Fabrik Releases Preliminary Results to December 31, 2008
Solar-Fabrik AG has disclosed the preliminary (unaudited) consolidated group results for the company as of December 31, 2008. Solar-Fabrik was able to increase total revenues in 2008 by some 61.8% to 217.279 million euros (previous year 134.454 million euros).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
91% of Brits Consider Solar Power
Nearly all UK households have considered or would consider buying solar panels to generate electricity at home if “the price is right”.

Mitsubishi Electric Takes 34% stake in 46MW Solar Project
Acciona and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed an agreement giving Mitsubishi a 34% stake in Amper Central Solar, the developer of Portugal’s Amareleja (Moura) PV solar plant, 100% owned by Acciona.

Colexon Signs 12MW Framework Deal with DCM Energy
In addition, Colexon agreed to provide the service, maintenance and operation of the power plants for a ten-year period.

Ontario Proposes New Feed In Rates
Ontario is poised to introduce new electricity pricing to encourage the development of renewable energy from a diverse range of producers including homeowners, community-based groups and larger scale commercial generators.

Sweden Unveils Ambitious Clean Energy Strategy
The government said it now aims by 2020 for renewable energy to comprise 50 percent of all energy produced.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 7:28 am and is filed under Solar Industry News, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.