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
Solyndra and Satcon Launch Strategic Partnership
Leading Innovators Team to Develop and Market Optimized Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar Power Systems.

National Semiconductor’s SolarMagic System Receives Worldwide Compliance Certifications
SolarMagic improves the output of solar arrays when affected by real-world conditions such as shade, debris and panel aging.

Mayor Presents Solar Technologies with Green Business Award
On Tuesday, April 14, the mayor of Santa Cruz presented the Green Business Award to Solar Technologies.

Solar Technologies Expands Product Line
Solar Technologies announces its alliance with SunPower Corporation, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, photovoltaic panels and solar systems.

New City Program Will Provide Free Solar Energy Consulting
City of Berkeley and U.S. Department of Energy representatives unveiled a new city program Tuesday that provides community members with free solar energy consulting services.

SF Supes Vote on Massive Sunset Solar Project Put on Hold One
San Francisco supervisors today postponed a decision on a proposed 5-megawatt solar installation in the city’s Sunset district in order to address concerns expressed by some board members that the city could negotiate a better deal.

NATIONAL NEWS
Schering-Plough Flips Switch on 1.7MW Roof Top Solar System
Schering-Plough welcomed local and state officials, and a class of fifth graders, to celebrate the completion of a 1.7 megawatt solar energy system.

Vermont FIT Bill Passes Major Milestones
The bill includes changes to Vermont’s Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development Program (SPEED) that would implement a pilot feed-in tariff policy.

Senator Proposes Renewable Energy Plan
An initiative aimed at attracting large-scale renewable-energy industries and promoting small-scale projects such as rooftop solar systems in Nevada was outlined Wednesday by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford.

Certified Steel and Nexus Properties to Build 1.2MW SunPower Solar Power System at Certified Steel Company Facility
Largest Solar Rooftop System Financed Under PSE&G’s Solar Loan Program; May Generate the Equivalent of Nearly 100 Percent of the Facility’s Power Requirement.

Can ‘Solar as Service’ Work in Rhode Island
Rhode Island, on the other hand, is seen as such a weak market for solar power that even vendors with local ties do virtually no business here.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
First Solar Triples 1Q Net Income, Looks for New CEO
The company continues to count on Europe as its primary market, though it’s selling panels at lower prices to gain entry into the U.S. territory.

REC ASA Reports First Quarter 2009 Results
Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) reported revenue of NOK 2,013 million in the first quarter 2009, an increase of 14 percent from NOK 1,771 million in the first quarter 2008.

Akeena Posts First Quarter Loss of $5.1 Million
An unrelenting credit squeeze continues to hurt solar power systems maker Akeena Solar, which announced an expected first-quarter loss Wednesday, mostly due to the weak market for commercial installations.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Energy Secretary Announces $193M for Energy Research
The primary U.S. lab for renewable energy will receive $110 million in federal stimulus funds and another $83 million will go toward wind energy and other alternative power and efficiency projects, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Wednesday.

TECHNOLOGY
Science Foundation Arizona Launches Five Solar Technology Initiatives
Solar Technology Institute (STI) is deploying Arizona’s significant solar resources with industry and the research strengths of the University of Arizona and Arizona State University to grow the state’s global leadership in renewable energy.

Miniaturizing Solar Technology With Flexible Photvoltaic Cells
PV cells are already a familiar sight on rooftops. But one day, miniature cells may also be found in more unconventional places: power-generating windows, car sunroofs or even awnings.

Earth day Visitors to SolarRating Online
To celebrate Earth Day 2009 on April 22, Green Power Labs provided free access to its SolarRating Online service. Over 5000 people visited SolarRating Online to learn how solar technology might fit into their family’s energy mix.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at 7:53 am and is filed under Solar Industry News. 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.