Rise & Shine: June 30, 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
Villaraigosa Sheds Light on Second-Terms Plan, Touts ‘Solar LA’ to Business Group
Villaraigosa signaled that a major focus this year will be building public support for his plan to draw more of the city’s power from solar energy.
Area Solar Fees are Too High
A large number of Southland cities are charging high fees for solar panel permits, ignoring a state mandate designed to promote the energy system, according to a survey by the Sierra Club.
Belmont Library Could Get Solar Panels on Roof
The City Council tonight will discuss a proposal to install solar panels on the roof of the 20,040-square-foot library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas.
Solar Energy Initiatives Secures Land for New Solar Park
Solar Energy Initiatives has announced that the Company signed a contract securing land for the design, construction and operation of a solar park in Southern California.
NATIONAL NEWS
Siemon, Watertown-based Global Manufacturing Leader, and AlterisRenewables Commission New Solar Power Installation
Designed and installed by Alteris and supported in part by a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Siemon’s solar power system will reduce the manufacturing operation’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources and will provide greenhouse gas reductions.
U of M Students Build Solar House for International Competition
This summer, a group of University of Minnesota students are using what they’ve learned about architecture, design and energy to build a solar-powered house from the ground up.
Solar Liberty in Line for UB Contract
New York Power Authority President and CEO Richard Kessel said he’ll recommend to NYPA’s Board of Trustees that Williamsville-based Solar Liberty be approved for a multi-million dollar contract to install a 1.1-megawatt solar photovoltaic system at the University at Buffalo.
Elections, Solar Power Top Dems’ Meeting Agenda
Tom Kociemba will be speaking about solar energy and how Arizona citizens can take advantage of it to save money on their electric bills.
World’s First Zero-Energy Climbing Gym
When the world’s first solar-powered climbing gym, Movement Climbing and Fitness, opens in Boulder in July, its electricity will be produced by a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic array. The project was financed in part by a PPA from Lighthouse solar.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Zoi Confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE
Cathy Zoi has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the post of Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy (DOE).
Fed Works to Speed Solar Development in Southwest
The Department of Interior said Monday it will designate 670,000 acres of federal land in Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah as study areas for utility-scale solar projects. The land will be divided into 24 energy zones.
FINANCIAL
Wells Fargo Plans for $100M Solar Financing
The bank has agreed to bankroll commercial projects to be built and operated by SunPower. Two projects already are underway in California.
Satcon Added to Russell 3000(R) Index
Satcon announced today that it has been added to the Russell 3000(R) Index following the Russell Investment Group’s reconstitution of its family of U.S. indices on June 26, 2009.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Roth & Rau Extends Management Contract with Carsten Bovenschen
The Supervisory Board of Roth & Rau AG has prematurely extended the management contract with Carsten Bovenschen (45), which was due to expire in May 2010, for a further five years.
Canadian Solar Receives Purchase Order from Systaic AG
Canadian Solar has received a purchase order from German system integrator, Systaic AG for 30 MW of solar modules to be delivered to Spain. This is a specific purchase order under the 60 MW annual supply agreement that the two companies announced in October of 2008.
BP shuts Alternative Energy HQ
BP has shut down its alternative energy headquarters in London, accepted the resignation of its clean energy boss and imposed budget cuts in moves likely to be seen by environmental critics as further signs of the oil group moving “back to petroleum”.
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