Rise & Shine: October 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
Satcon Selected for 5MW CalRENEW
The 5 megawatt AC facility, located in Mendota, CA, will utilize five, one megawatt Prism solutions, Satcon’s fully integrated utility platform that comes complete with factory integrated medium voltage transformers, switchgear, and electronics.
Renewable Energy Projects Threaten Some of California’s Rarest Plants
The proposed construction of massive wind and solar energy projects on public land in the California desert would hasten destruction and further fragment land that is home to 17% of state’s rarest plants, botanists said Saturday.
Fish and Solar Cells Will Co-Exist in Pyron’s New Concentrated Solar Project
San Diego Gas & Electric has embarked on a demonstration project to test the commercial viability of a new concentrated solar power system that uses shallow pools of water as a passive cooling system for high-efficiency solar cells.
NATIONAL NEWS
What’s Hot at Solar Power International 2009?
The good thing about the Solar Power International show is that every year it’s packed with companies showing off the latest solar tech advances.
SunEdison’s 9.1MW Plant Maps the Solar Road for Utilities
The opening of SunEdison’s new 9.1MW solar PV power plant in Canada reflects a confluence of factors from financing and incentives to increased interest from utilities.
Arizona Air Force Base Community to Rely 75% on Solar
The Soaring Heights Community at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will become the largest solar-powered community in the continental U.S., upon completion.
Uni-Solar to Install PV System at Austin Water Utility’s Glen Bell Service Center
Energy Conversion Devices announced today that its UNI-SOLAR ® laminates will be used to power a 136-kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system at the Austin Water Utility’s Glen Bell Service Center in Austin, Texas.
Suntech Power Launches Program to Seek More Installers
Suntech Power has launched its new North American Partner Program, designed to increase its current network of approximately 200 domestic installers and help dealers generate more sales.
President Obama Commissions Nation’s Largest Solar PV Power Plant
President Barack Obama joined FPL Group and Florida Power & Light Company officials yesterday for the commissioning of the largest photovoltaic solar facility in the nation.
MX Group Establishes 100MW Module Manufacturing Plant in New Jersey
This plant will be one of the largest manufacturers of polycrystalline solar panels in the Northeastern United States.
Sharp Celebrates Several Milestones Since Entering the U.S. Market
Solar leader enters 2010 with great record of achievement, welcomes wider U.S. solar deployment in the future.
US Solar Organizations SEIA and SEPA Form New Entity to Produce Trade Events that Drive Solar Industry Expansion
Solar Energy Trade Shows LLC Will Produce “Solar Power International”, “PV America” and Other B2B Events; Show Proceeds Will Continue to Support the Growth of the U.S. Solar Energy Industry.
SEPA Boosts Solar Electric Power Build-out with New Resources
Online solar tools and other resources customized for utility executives, employees and solar industry leaders.
3TIER Expands Geographical Coverage of Most Advanced Solar Map & Dataset
State-of-the-art solar assessment now available in new regions.
Green Jobs: Trickling In?
U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis outlines her department and other federal agencies’ efforts to create green jobs, but the full impact of these programs isn’t likely be felt until 2010.
Solar Industry Attacks Fossil Fuel Lobbies Head On
The aggressive rhetoric took on a patriotic tone when Resch declared the start of the conference “solar’s Fourth of July,” and launched a “solar Bill of Rights,” which are supposed to help the industry “declare our independence from policies that prevent greater use of solar energy.”
Water use by Solar Projects Intensifies
The Genesis Solar Energy Project would consume an estimated 536 million gallons of water a year, while the Mojave Solar Project would pump 705 million gallons annually for power-plant cooling, according to applications filed with the California Energy Commission.
Solar Within City Limits
There’s a commercial-scale solar project that’s getting some buzz in Chicago and beyond. The builders promise to use up some abandoned industrial space within the city limits… and hope to provide some local jobs.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
PG&E to Accept More Power for Solar Homes
The agreement addresses a key concern of the state’s growing solar energy industry. It also buys time for Sacramento to settle some unfinished business from the last legislative session.
SDG&E to Get Federal Smart-Grid Funding
$28 million to help pay part of wireless communications link.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Sharp Sees Start of Solar Recovery in 2010
The solar power industry will start to recover in 2010, an executive with Sharp Corp told Reuters on Tuesday.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
White House Steps Up Climate Efforts
The Obama administration and some Senate Democrats expressed fresh urgency on Tuesday about the need to address climate change and refashion the nation’s energy economy.
Obama Team: US Needs Bill to Lead in Clean Energy
The Obama administration warned on Tuesday that the U.S. could slip further behind China and other countries in clean energy development if Congress fails to pass climate legislation, as early signs of a rift emerged among Democrats over the bill’s costs.
What the Solar Industry Wants in a Climate Change Bill
The Solar Energy Industries Association is asking members to pony up for a big political battle against oil and coal industries.
Tenn. Gov Says China Trip Has Green Energy Focus
The renewable energy sector has been among the most promising areas of discussion while on a trade mission to China, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said Tuesday.
TECHNOLOGY
Schneider Elecric/Xantrex PV Box to be Demonstrated at Solar Power International 2009
The exhibit will showcase the PV Box, a solar power conversion substation designed specifically to meet the growing demand for large scale grid-tied solar farms and large commercial rooftop installations.
Vibrant Solar Introduces SunCube CPV Module
Vibrant Solar Inc. has introduced SunCube Mark 9.2 CPV module, which the company said is 31% efficient.
Solar Power Innovator Who Weathered Booms and Busts
Using his family as human guinea pigs, George Löf created two of the first solar-heated homes in America.
Wacker Showcases New Silicone Product Line for Photovoltaic Applications
The German multinational Wacker Group has its sights firmly set on the solar photovoltaic industry and has expanded its existing silicone range by a new product line geared specifically to the needs of the solar industry.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Jinko Solar and UpSolar Sign Co-operation Agreement to Market in United States
Jinko Solar, a manufacturer and service provider of PV integrated products has recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Upsolar.
Solea Starts Construction on 1.3MW PV System
The investor and operator of the project is Chorus CleanTech Solar GmbH.
Spain Sees No Need to Boost Solar Aid
The solar power market is not likely to see a boost in aid from Spain’s new energy plan, which will debut a draft by January, one of the country’s top energy officials told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
Italy Green Boom May Stutter Over Incentive Doubts
Uncertainty over the future of generous incentive schemes is a major risk factor for the green energy sector in Italy, which has blossomed after rival Spain lost its allure by cutting down on sweeteners for investors.
First Solar Canada Will Be First Company to Undergo Ontario’s Process for Renewable Energy Project
The company and its proposed project will be the first to go through the new Ontario process aimed to speed renewable energy projects. First Solar’s proposed project spans three municipalities and two counties.
Masdar PV Delivers First Modules
At Masdar PV, the ramp-up of the new manufacturing facility in Ichtershausen is well underway.
Council May Warm to Solar Plan
Marlborough homeowners may soon be able to install solar heating systems funded by a loan from the Marlborough District Council.
New Multi-Plex May Get Solar Roof
Belleville’s new multi-plex may be used to help produce energy. City council unanimously agreed to have city staff prepare a report on the feasibility of installing solar panels on the facility’s roof.
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