Rise & Shine 8.17.09
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
Flexible Financing Puts Solar Power Within Reach
Could it be right for you? Consider the experiences of these homeowners who went solar using three different methods.
Failed Promise to the City Under Scrutiny
San Francisco supervisors have called for a hearing to get to the bottom of why a solar company has failed to develop a job training center in the Bayview, as promised.
Legislators Return to Discord and a Full Agenda
In addition to lingering budget issues, they must deal with water and energy matters and prison crowding. Another battle is expected over boosting the state’s use of renewable energy including solar.
Make Practical Green Fixes Before Going Solar
Most of the energy in a home goes into constructing it, heating it or powering it. Everyone loves to talk about solar. But it’s really a matter of energy conservation versus energy production.
California Employees Face Quandary Over Carbon Offsets
Mary Nichols of the state Air Resources Board has publicly backed the concept of offsets but says they don’t yet yield proven benefits.
NATIONAL NEWS
Negotiations Under Way for More Solar Energy in Eldorado Valley
Boulder City will begin negotiating with Green Tech Solar to fill the expansion of the city’s energy zone in the Eldorado Valley.
New Jersey Shines in Effort to Increase Amount of Solar Power Generation
Regulators there have approved more than $515 million in projects that will more than double the amount of solar power generated in the state, placing it in a solid No. 2 spot behind California in power produced from the sun.
Mayor Continues Efforts to Green up Pittsburgh
Conference attendees will learn how to replicate Pittsburgh’s solar program through seminars geared towards Planning and Zoning, Solar Access Laws, Solar Financing, and Inspection.
City Firehouses Get Funding for Solar Energy Systems
A $47,043 matching state grant has been awarded to buy and install solar hot water systems at five city firehouses in Pittsburgh.
Solar company Reaches Agreement with City of Saco
GridSolar says it can meet half of Maine’s residential energy needs with fields of solar panels across the state.
Las Vegas Going Green and Senator Harry Reid is Leading the Show
Las Vegas is taking another gamble, but with an ace up their sleeve. The sun. Solar energy is abundant with 320 days of sunshine in the Mohave Desert. Senator Harry Reid leads a group tour to show off his stacked deck.
The Cost of Building a Solar Powered Economy
A lush Nevada valley seems the perfect foundation for green industry, but obstacles — such as available water— stand in the way.
Solar Highway: Is it a Bright Idea?
While many people think the project has benefit, Oregon City residents don’t want it tarnishing their views of West Linn.
More City Rebates for Solar Power Coming This Fall
Homeowners in Longmont, CO left out in the cold with the city’s solar rebate program last year will have another crack at some cash incentives this fall.
Odessa in Running for Solar Facility
The city received a “prospect” visit last week from a Spanish company interested in building a solar power collector.
City Could Get State’s Largest Solar Plant
A proposed solar farm was approved by a unanimous vote this week, clearing the first hurdle for its development in Laurinburg.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Rooftop Solar Panels Decrease Power Line Costs
Like many places around the world, California has big goals in terms of renewable energy. The US state has set a target of obtaining 33% of the its electricity from renewables by 2020.
Industry Group Protests Utility’s Plan
Plans by Public Service Company of New Mexico to scale back solar incentive programs for its customers threatens green jobs and the growth of the state’s renewable energy industry, an energy trade group said Friday.
San Diego Utility’s Smart Grid Plans: Cisco, WiMAX, DOE Funds
SDG&E has one of the most aggressive and interesting smart grid wireless plans of any utility.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Feds Roll Out Manufacturing Tax Credit Program
Manufacturers of renewable energy equipment are about to have their shot at federal stimulus dollars thanks to a $2.3 billion federal tax credit program rolled out in August.
Critics Seek to Raise Worry About Climate Bill
Critics of the Dems’ carbon-capping climate legislation are stoking fear that it would kill jobs and raise energy prices if it goes ahead this fall.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Spire Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results
Record revenues of $22.2 million with year-to-year quarterly growth of 39%.
Q Cells Chooses to Refocus as Business Performance Decline
Following what the company’s board calls a “considerable decline in business performance” during the first half of this year, Q-Cells SE has announced a set of measures designed to improve performance.
Solar-Energy Loses Some Shine
Solar-energy companies are feeling the pinch of the global downturn, leading investors to dump what had become popular growth stocks.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Zebasolar Wins Solar Concession in the State of Gujarat, India
Zebasolar Inc is one of 34 applicants that have been awarded a part of India’s first major allocation of Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal farms in the State of Gujarat.
Oerlikon Receives 120MW Thin Film Manufacturing Plant Order
Oerlikon Solar today announced that Nano Solar Technology Ltd. (NST), a newly formed Russian high-tech firm, has ordered a 120 MW end-to-end Micromorph® line for production of thin film solar modules.
Solar Power Offers Light and Hope to Bangladesh Villages
At the moment, only 40 per cent of Bangladesh’s nearly 150 million people have access to electricity, often only for a few hours a day.
Australian Solar Industry Fights On
Solar power supporters and the Australian solar industry have been once again left in the dark after the voting down of ETS legislation.
Trina Solar Records Excellent Results at Desert Knowledge Solar Cetre
Trina Solar has announced that its monocrystalline modules recorded one of the highest average outputs in terms of actual electricity generated at Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre in Alice Springs, Australia.
Tata BP Solar And NXP Semiconductors Co-operate on Solar Solutions
NXP Semiconductors has announced a development partnership with Tata BP Solar India, a joint venture of BP Solar and Tata Power, under which Tata BP intends to use various electronic solutions for solar applications developed by NXP.
Solar Power Pilot Takes Off
The Nelson Solar City pilot project has passed first base, with the first of 25 homes and businesses selected for the project now online with the web-based solar monitoring service SolarTrak.
Click here to subscribe.