Rise & Shine: April 28, 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
Solar Permit Fees Vary Greatly Among Cities
How much green you’ll spend to obtain a city permit for the job varies widely depending on where you live, and some cities are overcharging, say solar advocates who are releasing a new survey today comparing prices.
Protecting Net Metering: The Civil Rights Movement for Solar Energy
California’s current net-metering legislation limits the total amount of rooftop solar power that can be connected to the electric grid to no more than 2.5% of the state’s total electric load. AB 560 seeks to raise this net- metering cap and unshackle the solar industry from an arbitrary cap.
L.A. Metro, Chevron Energy Solutions Unveil Solar Installation at Transit Facility
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority yesterday unveiled a groundbreaking energy efficiency and renewable power project with the installation of the nation’s largest solar panel system at a transit facility.
NATIONAL NEWS
Habitat for Humanity Goes Solar in Bullhead City, Arizona
DJH Construction, Inc., a leading integrator of solar electric power systems has been selected to install a 3.78 kW photovoltaic solar system on a Habitat for Humanity project in Bullhead City, Arizona.
Kiss the Upfront Costs of Solar Goodbye
Sun Run enables residents to enter into a long-term contract called a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which helps a homeowner purchase the energy being produced by the solar panels on the roof without actually purchasing or leasing the panels.
ASU & Advent Solar to Develop Next Generation of Ventura Solar Technology
Arizona State University (ASU) and Advent Solar Inc. have formed a development partnership to further the advancement of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
Spire Opens Advanced Technology Center
The ATC consists of a state-of-the-art PV module production line for product development and PV material evaluations, including solar cells.
NM Tribes to Share in Stimulus Funding
The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque will get more than $1.8 million for replacing hot water lines and preparing for the installation of solar panels.
SV Solar RIP?
2009 will be a year of attrition for weak startups in solar power and greentech. It will be a gut-wrenching experience but it will leave the industry leaner and stronger in the 20-year solar boom to come.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Canadian Solar Announces Funding Agreement with New District, City of Suzhou for Local Solar Projects
The Suzhou New District Government has agreed to provide RMB 7.5 million in matching funds in conjunction with the subsidies provided by China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Constructions for building PV installations.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Energy a Bright Spot in Renewables
Solar energy is gaining market share, as interesting new technologies are being developed to drive this renewable energy source forward.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Conergy to Sue MEMC Over Solar Wafer Contract
German solar company Conerg said Monday it plans to sue MEMC over a 10-year, $4 billion solar wafer contract after renegotiation talks failed.
Abengoa Solar Begins Operation of Solar Power Tower Plant
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 Solúcar Platform, near Seville (Spain).
Solargiga Establishes Module Manufacturing Joint Venture
Solargiga Energy announced that Jinzhou Yangguang Energy entered into a formal joint venture agreement with two independent third parties for the establishment of Jinzhou Jinmao Photovoltaic Technology, marking its first step to expand to downstream business.
Solar EnerTech Establishes Joint Ventures with Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development
Solar EnerTech and Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. have partnered to pursue solar expansion opportunities in the U.S. region.
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