Rise & Shine: February 4, 2010
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
More AB811 $$$ for Solar in Palm Desert
The City of Palm Desert has announced the upcoming release of $6 million in new funding for its popular Energy Independence Program. Half of the new funds will be dedicated to loans for energy efficiency improvements with the other half reserved for loans for solar projects.
Marin County to Provide Power, Oust PG&E
Marin County is poised to jump into the public power business, despite fierce opposition from Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
NATIONAL NEWS
A Boom in ‘Distributed’ Solar Projects
Over the past few weeks, some 1,300 megawatts’ worth of distributed solar deals and initiatives have been announced or approved. At peak output that’s the equivalent of a big nuclear power plant.
REC Solar, SunEdison Complete Ground Mount PV System
The system was constructed with incentives provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon. REC Solar designed and installed the system, which created over 20 jobs for the project.
City Wants to Build Solar Farm in Glen Hazel
A site ruined by coal mining would become a “solar farm” under a plan floated Wednesday by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s administration.
Home Solar Systems Are Becoming Affordable as Companies Offer Zero Down Leasing
The Prosperos are leasing a 9-kilowatt system from San Francisco-based SunRun, the country’s oldest solar-leasing company.
Dow to Locate Solar Shingle Plant in Michigan
Midland is the preferred site for Dow Chemical Co.’s first full-scale production plant for Powerhouse-brand solar shingles, the company announced Feb. 3.
groSolar and IEC Chesapeake Partner to Provide Solar Training Seminars
Solar installation and distribution firm partners with electrical contractors association.
United Solar to Provide up to 25MW of Uni-Solar Laminates for Rooftop Installation in Italy
Enel Green Power is the renewable energy operating company of the Enel Group, Italy’s largest utility.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Energy Diversification: A National Security Imperative
To minimize such vulnerabilities and the moral and security dilemmas they create, we must put an end to the mad pursuit of fossil fuels across these war-torn and politically volatile parts of the world.
Smart Grid Problem? Smar at the Edge, Dumb in the Middle
Too much intelligence at the edge of a network, and not enough in the middle, makes for a volatile network.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
MEMC Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter Results
MEMC net sales for the fourth quarter were $356.7 million, representing an increase of 15.1% from third quarter 2009 net sales of $310.0 million, and a decrease of 16.2% from fourth quarter 2008 net sales of $425.7 million.
CPE invests 10 Eur in Norwegian Solar Firm
Climate Change Capital Private Equity (CPE) has invested 10 million euros ($14.01 million) in Norwegian solar company Metallkraft AS through a convertible bond issue, the fund told Reuters on Wednesday.
TECHNOLOGY
Micro-inverters vs. Central Inverters: Is there a Clear Winner?
On the utility side, inverters have been getting bigger in order to accommodate massive, multi-megawatt projects. On the residential side, they’ve been getting smaller and more adaptable, opening up the market for “plug and play” systems.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
2010 French Tariffs Raise Price for Solar, Geothermal, and Biomass
Solar advocates warn of overheating the French PV market.
UK Energy Policity – Has it Run out of Steam?
Two decades since Margaret Thatcher decreed there was no freedom without free markets, it looks like the regulators are poised to reverse some of the policies that gave Britain the most liberal energy sector in Europe.
Mediterranean Region Aims to Make Use of Solar Energy
Turkey, especially the Mediterranean region, has the opportunity to use solar energy but has not realized its potential, according to participants at a conference in Antalya.
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