Rise & Shine: May 22, 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
Going Solar Doesn’t Have to Cost a Grip
Would you put solar power in your home if it only cost a fraction of the price?
Akeena Solar Launches a New Direct to Installer Sales Channel
Akeena has begun shipment of their proprietary Andalay solar panels with orders from installers throughout the United States including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York and Washington.
California’s Solar Push
The bill, from Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), is intended to boost the Million Solar Roofs initiative.
Solyndra Signs $115M Deal With German Solar Integrator
The startup announced today that it has signed a $115 million deal to sell panels to EBITSCHenergietechnik, a solar integrator in Zapfendorf, Germany, through 2013.
NATIONAL NEWS
City of Newark Must Reapply for Grant for Solar Project
A last-minute Ohio Environmental Protection Agency change and a missed deadline might mean a delay, but it’s not the end for potential solar panels on an East Main Street site.
Greenville Joins with United Solar Ovonic LLC on a Solar Powered Future
The quest for cheaper, cleaner energy has city and school officials partnering with United Solar Ovonic LLC on a $36 million project to convert their facilities to solar power.
Renewable Energy Bills Debated
Nevada lawmakers rushed Thursday to complete work on “green energy” legislation which has become one of the major initiatives of the 2009 session.
Massport Turns to the Sun
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today approved $55.7 million to rehabilitate the Terminal B parking garage at Boston Logan International Airport.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
LDK Solar Announces an Update to Fourth Quarter and Annual 2008 Financial Results
LDK plans to file its 2008 annual report on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its 2008 audited financial statements, on May 22, 2009.
Stock Market Indexes – What Do they Indicate?
Should a solar PV index be price-, cap-, or equal-weighted?
OPEL International Files First Quarter 2009 Financials
OPEL announced the filing on SEDAR of its Financial Statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the 3-month period ended March 31, 2009 (collectively the “Financials”).
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Will Energy Ideas be Private or Public?
The United States Chamber of Commerce, a leading lobby representing businesses, is expressing growing concern that moves to spread new energy technologies to developing countries could erode the intellectual property rights that have driven commercial efforts to innovate for generations.
Climate Bill Clears Hurdle, but Others Remain
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, splitting largely along party lines, approved on Thursday the most ambitious energy and global warming legislation ever debated in Congress.
Climate Bill Would Generate $750B for Consumers
A new analysis of the current House proposal to curb greenhouse gas emissions finds that consumers would receive around $750 billion in direct and indirect handouts and subsidies through 2030 to offset the higher energy costs.
Major Provisions of House Climate and Energy Bill
A list of the major provisions of the House climate and energy bill call for.
Your Vote: Where the ARRA Fails
The stimulus is great, but it’s not perfect. It shortchanges efficiency to some degree. Where do you think it falls short?
House Climate Change Bill a Step Forward for Solar Energy, US Economy
Specifically, this bill stimulates deployment of solar energy by allocating carbon allowances for renewable energy and energy efficiency, applying triple renewable energy credits (REC’s) for distributed generation (like solar).
TECHNOLOGY
Sanyo Develops HIT Solar Cells with World’s Highest Energy Conversion Efficiency of 23%
Sanyo has broken its own record for the world’s highest energy conversion efficiency, achieving a efficiency of 23.0% (until now 22.3%) at a research level for its proprietary HIT solar photovoltaic cells.
SunPower Rolls Out New 315 W Solar Panel
The improved 96-cell, 315 W panel uses SunPower’s high-performance solar cells and an efficiency conversion of 19.3%.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Suntech View for Big Share of China Subsidy Program
The Chinese solar panel maker and project developer has submitted 179 megawatts of applications and expects to be one of the first subsidy recipients.
Ernst & Young Release Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices
The firm has introduced a revision to the Solar index, to reflect the increasing role of solar thermal in electricity generation.
China’s New Focus on Solar
China’s government has announced generous support for its photovoltaic companies, which are aiming to become market leaders and be the first to supply solar power at just US $ 0.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Singapore Awards First Projects Under Solar Capability Scheme
The Clean Energy Program Office (CEPO) has awarded the first five private sector projects under the S$20 million Solar Capability Scheme (SCS) with the Solar Pioneer Award.
Spire Expands International Solar Reach
Spire has appointed three new companies to represent Spire internationally: Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. in The People’s Republic of China; Energy Control Systems for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and PV Middle East for the Gulf Arab States.
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