Rise & Shine: April 21, 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
Sunfilm & AMAT Certify Tandem Junction PV Line
Sunfilm AG and Applied Materials Inc. announced that the world’s first tandem junction SunFab Thin Film Line installed at Sunfilm’s Grossroehrsdorf facility achieved factory acceptance on April 14, 2009.
Akeena Solar’s Award Winning Solar Panels Used in First Joint Solar Project Between Morgan Stanley and the State of CA
Akeena Solar’s Andalay AC panels were installed at a new housing development offering low-income housing to veterans and low-income families
Sungevity Launches in New Markets and Now Covers 65% of California
In 2008, Sungevity made 66% of its sales completely online, making it more affordable and easier for the average homeowner to go solar. This year, Sungevity is celebrating Earth Day by expanding the availability of its Solar Sales Platform to Southern California, enabling the company to serve 65% of the addressable California solar market.
A New Model for Financing Home Solar Power
Government doesn’t offer the only creative solar financing option; corporate innovation is also taking off. Sun Run, a San Francisco company, owns the panels on people’s homes, allowing homeowners to pay less up-front and to buy electricity at a fixed rate.
NATIONAL NEWS
US $4M Invested in Arizona Solar Institute
Science Foundation Arizona has announced five new solar investments totaling US $4 million and the opening of the Solar Technology Institute (STI) to advance Arizona’s renewable energy leadership.
Solar Power Cheaper than Utilities for First Time in Northeast
Alteris Renewables and SunRun announced a breakthrough program today for powering Massachusetts homes with clean, renewable solar energy.
Private Sector Waiting for Solar to Shine
Anticipation is high that the Tennessee’s solar manufacturing boom, along with federal investment in green technologies, will energize smaller, local companies looking to make a buck in the new economy. The reality, however, is still a work in progress.
Clouds Can’t Hold Back Portland’s Solar Expansion
Mayor Adams, who took office in January, set a goal for the city of expanding the installed solar in the city from the current 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts by 2012, and hopes that the actual number will be around 10 megawatts.
Portland Named Solar America City
The U.S. Department of Energy has named Portland a “Solar America City,” Mayor Sam Adams announced Sunday at the National League of Cities’ Green Cities Conference in Portland.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Smart Grid Miami: FPL, FE, Cisco, Silver Spring Rolling Out 1M Smart Meters
Today FPL, Cisco, GE, Silver Spring Networks and the city of Miami are announcing a large smart meter rollout in the Miami area that they hope will be partly funded with investment from the stimulus package.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
US Congress to Being New Debate on Clean Energy
Under pressure from the Obama administration to show the world that Washington is making advances against climate change, Congress is to open debate on a “clean energy” bill this week.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Trina Solar Signs 42MW in Sales Deals
The modules will be shipped to customers in Germany, including 12 MW to Bull Solar GmbH. The names of the other customers were not disclosed.
Timminco Renegotiates Solar Grade Silicon Contracts
These discussions have focused on alternatives to the existing contractual commitments, in the context of maintaining long-term relationships with customers in light of the challenging economic environment and market conditions affecting the solar industry.
First Solar Going Strong in Germany
A new 53MW solar power plant near the German city of Cottbus, could well be unique and come to represent the explosive growth of thin film solar leader.
Yingli Green Energy Draws Down on Three Year Loan Facility
Yingli today announced the US$50 million draw down under the previously announced three-year loan facility provided by a fund managed by Asia Debt Management Hong Kong Limited.
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