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
Kyocera Solar to Begin Solar Module Manufacturing in San Diego
Kyocera Solar Inc. plans to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego this year, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company said Wednesday.

Can Tax Incentives Bring Back Manufacturing to California?
The Energy Commission has $95 million more in incentives. And Governor Arnold is developing his own spiffs, too.

The Outlook for Solar: Q&A with Borrego Solar CEO
Borrego is a fast-growth company that finances, designs, and installs grid-connected photovoltaic solar systems. Much of Borrego Solar’s business is concentrated in New England and California.

California Proposes First Renewable Energy Storage Requirements
California Attorney General Jerry Brown has announced a completely new kind of renewable energy legislation, introduced by State Assembly member Nancy Skinner (D) – designed to add more renewable energy storage to the grid.

Alcatraz Island to Get Solar Panels
The National Park Service, which oversees the island, said Friday it will fund a project to put more than 1,000 solar panels on the main prison and laundry building.

NATIONAL NEWS
Senator Harry Reid Named 2009 National Solar Energy Champion of the Year
SEIA awards Senate Majority Leader for national and state leadership.

SunPower Awarded 200 MW Contract
SunPower Corporation has won a contract from Southern California Edison to provide solar technology for generating up to 200 megawatts, or 80 percent, of the solar power capacity needed for the utility’s large solar photovoltaic installation program.

SunLink Starts Shipping Mounting Solution to 5 MW Project
SunLink® Corporation today announced that its roof module mounting solution has begun shipping for one of the nation’s largest municipal solar installation, a five megawatt project located on the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco, California.

Pursuing Solar Energy
13 states, including neighboring Michigan and Pennsylvania, now have more solar manufacturers than Ohio.

First Solar Signs 300 MW Contract with PG&E
First Solar today announced a power purchase agreement to supply Pacific Gas and Electric Company with renewable electricity from a 300 megawatt (AC) utility-scale photovoltaic solar power facility that First Solar is developing in Southern California.

Massachusetts Homeowners Cut Electricity Rates up to 50%
Alteris Renewables partners with SunRun to let homeowners go solar for only $3,000 down with locked-in rates for 18 years

Arizona Corporation Commission Approves APS AZ Sun Solar Program
Until the time that the costs of the first 50 MW of the AZ Sun program are recovered in base rates, the costs will be recovered through the existing Renewable Energy Surcharge.

World Class Flowers Unveils 178kW Solar Energy System
World Class Flowers expects to reduce its electricity costs by more than $130,000 and generate close to $600,000 in SREC revenue over the next five years, with its new solar energy system installed by Mercury Solar Systems.

Chicago Ventures into Distributed Solar Energy
Chicago utility company ComEd (an arm of the energy giant Exelon Corporation) has a new pilot project in this field that will outfit 100 Chicago-area homes with solar photovoltaic panels and “at least 50 of those with ’smart’ meters.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Planned Electric Rate Increase in Los Angeles May Affect Solar Power
LADWP is poised to pass a roughly 5 percent rate increase on electricity use. The proceeds would be earmarked for renewable energy purchases and programs, including one that would repay people or businesses that use solar panels to contribute to the power grid.

Probe of PG&E Meters to Begin Soon
California energy regulators say they will soon begin investigating new Pacific Gas and Electric Co. meters that some customers have blamed for higher energy bills.
DWP Drops Plan to Build 85 Mile Power Transmission Line Across the Desert
Facing enormous costs and fierce opposition from environmental groups, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on Wednesday announced that it has dropped plans to build an 85-mile-long “green” power transmission line across desert wilderness preserves and scenic ridgelines.

Smart Meter Backlash, Again: This Time in Texas
The Dallas Morning News reports that “hundreds” of Texans who received smart meters in Oncor’s service territory are complaining about the accuracy of the meters after receiving unusually high energy bills after the meters were installed.

PG&E May give Consumers Data on Daily Power Consumption
Now you’ll have to keep up with the Joneses when it comes to power consumption.

Japan, New Mexico Collaborate on Smart Grid Tech
Officials with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization were in New Mexico on Friday to sign a memorandum of understanding that spells out the four-year demonstration project.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Power Could Provide 10% of US Energy
The United States could source 10 percent of its electricity from solar power by 2030, a report said Tuesday, winning support from a US lawmaker who wants to boost the number of US solar panels.

After Boom and Bust, Solar Power Has a Place in the Spanish Sun
Puertollano’s wrenching fall points to the delicate policy calculations needed to stimulate nascent solar industries and create green jobs, and might serve as a cautionary tale for the United States, where a similar exercise is now under way.

Will Agribusiness Be a Growth Market for Solar?
Two businesses that depend on the sun come together.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Solar Power, Inc. Receives Initial $24.7M Commitment from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Solar Power, Inc. has received an initial commitment of $24.7 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) by Sacramento County.

Canadian Solar Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results
For the fourth quarter of 2009, net revenues were $287.0 million, compared to net revenues of $68.8 for the fourth quarter of 2008 and $213.1 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Suntech Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results
Total net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $583.6 million, an increase of 23.4% from $473.1 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Phoenix Solar AG Releases Preliminary Figures for 2009 Financial Year
Phoenix Solar AG generated consolidated revenues of EUR 473.0 million in the financial year 2009, which corresponds to the upper range of the corridor forecast for revenues.

TECHNOLOGY
1366 Tech Leaping from Pure Silicon to Solar Wafer
Solar start-up 1366 Technologies is developing a technology to convert raw silicon ingots directly into solar cells, a process that could slash solar manufacturing costs.

Showa Shell Shows Off Second Gen CIGS Panel
Efficiency in the champion cell is at 16 percent.

Solar Inverter News Roundup
There has been a furious flurry of activity in the PV inverter market of late, including design wins, funding, personnel moves and earnings reports.

Jewel-like Curtains on Windows Create Solar Energy
A prototype gets a real-world tryout after the opening this week of an eco-friendly research building in Syracuse.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
SMA to Launch Facility in Ontario
SMA Solar Technology AG this week announced plans to form a subsidiary in Canada. The company plans to invest between €5 and 10 million initially and a site is expected to be chosen in the first half of 2010.

Solar Prospectors Chase ‘Gold Mine’ Deals in China, Israel
Olivier de Vergnies quit managing family fortunes at Dexia Private Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. in 2008 to run a New York start-up at 100 Wall St. that’s trying to tap riches in solar energy.

Canadian Feed-in Tariff Approves Solar Projects
The feed-in tariff in the province of Ontario has approved the first trache of larger solar energy projects.

SunEdison to Build Europes Largest Solar Power Plant in Rovigo, Italy
When completed, this is expected to be the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant in Europe.

DelSolar to Proceed with 900 MW Cell and Module Manufacturing Plant
The Board of DelSolar has approved the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Jhunan, Taiwan. The HsinChu Science Park Administration has already approved DelSolar’s proposed rental of 1.8 hectares of land for the construction of a new plant.

Trina Solar Signs Sales Agreement with US Distributor Essco
Trina Solar’s subsidiary has signed a sales agreement with Essco Wholesale Electric, Inc., the southwest US company of Sonepar USA, a full-service commercial, utility and residential electric distributor with locations throughout the United States.

SOLON SE Signs 20 MW Framework Agreement
The total quantity of the contract amounts to approximately 20 MW, or 90,000 modules, for the first year.

ReneSola Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results
Total solar product shipments in Q4 2009 were 202.9 MW, an increase of 38.1% from 146.9 MW for Q3 2009, exceeding the Company’s guidance.

CNPV Solar Power Signs Module Supply Agreement with South Korea’s Techbank
Under the terms of this strategic agreement, CNPV will supply Techbank with a total of 36MWp of PV Modules from 2010 to 2012, which includes 10MWp of scheduled delivery during 2010.

SunPower and K6 Partner on Two Solar Power Plants in Italy
SunPower Corporation and K6 S.a.S. today announced an agreement under which the companies are building two 1-megawatt photovoltaic solar power plants in the Puglia region, Italy.

Prothea S.r.l. Developing Three Photovoltaic Projects in Central and Southern Italy
They are located in Calabria Region, Catanzaro Province, Municipality of Cropani and two in the Lazio Region, Viterbo Province, Municipality of Viterbo.

Aleo Solar Announces 2009 Financial Results
Aleo solar AG has announced revenue of EUR 376.1 million (previous year: EUR 360.5 million) and EBIT of 16.0 million (previous year: EUR 23.8 million) for financial year 2009, according to preliminary calculations.

Yingli Announces Fourth Quarter Results; Expands Production Capacity
Total net revenues were RMB 2,530.9 million (US$370.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of 13.7% from RMB 2,225.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 and an increase of 43.7% from RMB 1,761.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

China Gogreen Assets Starts Construction on 100MW Thin Film Plant
The Group also announced the entering of purchase and operation contracts with Apollo Precision (Fujian) Limited and GS-Solar Company Limited respectively.

Czech Renewable Energy Exceeds Grid Limit
The installed capacity of wind and solar energy projects approved in the Czech Republic is nearly four times what can be safely fed into the country’s electricity grid, energy distributors said.

The Rise & Shine is your daily source for all solar-industry news. Brought to you by Sweet Solar Home and the Experts at SunRun.

NATIONAL NEWS
ProLogis to Develop 2.4MW Rooftop Solar Project in Oregon
Once completed, this project will be the largest rooftop solar system in the Pacific Northwest.

Geoscape Solar Continues its Residential NJ Solar Leasing Program Despite Uncertainty about the Future of State Subsidies
Possible N.J. Clean Energy Budget Cutbacks Reinforce and Increase Value of Leasing for Consumers.

Hoku Solar to Install a 339kW Solar Power System for New Diagnostic Laboratory Services Facility
Hoku reported it had been selected by Diagnostic Laboratory Services through a competitive bidding process, and that it had entered into a subcontract with Allied Builders System to install the 339-kilowatt, turnkey PV system.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Chicago Utility to Test Distributed Solar
ComEd is planning a distributed solar array that will involve outfitting 100 Chicago-area homes with solar photovoltaic panels.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
UK Solar Industry May Grow 50-fold, Create Jobs
Britain’s solar industry may create thousands of jobs and expand by a factor of 50 after the government guaranteed above-market prices for clean power sources, the head of Sharp Corp.’s U.K. solar division said.

Japanese Solar Power Groups Lift Capacity
Japanese solar-panel manufacturers are expanding capacity in spite of concerns about oversupply in the sector, as they eye long-term growth in demand for renewable energy.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Cap and Trade to be Left Out of Latest Senate Climate Bill
In the latest effort to craft a climate bill capable of passing the Senate, the trio of senators at the center of the legislative push—John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-NC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT)—have gotten rid of cap and trade in favor of a plan that would target sectors of the economy most responsible for carbon emissions

Save the Climate Bill – Rebrand Cap and Trade
Think growth, not tax, says Matt Lecar.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
SolarCity Creates New $90 Million Fund
SolarCity yesterday announced a new fund to finance an additional $90 million in commercial and residential solar projects in 2010 with U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC), a division of U.S. Bancorp.

Konarka Gets $20M More for Organic Cells
$150 million raised, so far, on a decade-long quest for low-efficiency, niche market solar cells.

Canadian Solar Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results
For the fourth quarter of 2009, net revenues were $287.0 million, compared to net revenues of $68.8 for the fourth quarter of 2008 and $213.1 million for the third quarter of 2009.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Bosch & Sustainable Energy Partner in Canada
The two companies have set installations targets of between 10 and 15 megawatts (MW) for 2010 and between 50 and 75 MW for 2011.

Q-Cells Largest PV System Integrator in 2009
Q-Cells International was the largest PV system integrator in 2009 having gained significant market share according to a recently released study by IMS Research.

France Builds Biggest Ever Solar Plant
French energy giant EDF is building the world’s biggest photovoltaic solar power plant at an abandoned NATO air base and plans to have it open by 2012.

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
What Berkeley Can Teach Us About Taking Clean Energy Programs to Scale
With Berkeley’s pilot program now completed, it is time to take stock of what was learned through the experiment.

Generate Renewable Energy on Bay Bridge Span
Imagine, for instance, that experimental wind turbines dotted the structure, corkscrews whirling in the stiff afternoon wind. Or a thin-sliced row of photovoltaic solar panels stretched across the top of the span, harvesting the sun on all but the foggiest days.

NATIONAL NEWS
Konarka Announces Business Collaboration and Strategic Investment with Konica Minolta
The companies reached agreement to start full-scale collaboration in April in the joint development and distribution of organic thin-film photovoltaics.

Second Large-Scale Solar Project Completed at Denver International Airport
1.6 MW System at Airport’s Fuel Facility is Comprised of more than 7,300 Sharp Solar Panels.

Xcel Energy Launches Solar Rewards in Minnesota
Xcel Energy is now offering incentives to Minnesota electricity customers to install solar panels on top of their homes and businesses.

Illinois Green Energy Finance Initiative
A recent initiative from Illinois may serve as a model for other states that hope to attract green energy projects and stimulate economic development.

Solar Energy Initiatives Announces rand Opening of Technical Solar School
The new school is funded by stimulus dollars provided to the Company by collaborating public partners.

NPD Group Acquires Solarbuzz Market Research Firm
Market research firm The NPD Group said Monday it has acquired Solarbuzz, a solar energy market research and consulting company.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Utilities Push Back on FERC’s Transmission Authority
The Coalition for Fair Transmission Policy — an industry group made up of 10 big utilities including Southern Co., Consolidated Edison, Alliant, DTE Energy, PPL, Progress Energy and PSEG — says it will lobby to change proposed Senate legislation that it says could unfairly spread the costs of building big new transmission lines across multiple states.

PG&E Plans to Spend $7B to $10B on Projects Over Next 2 Years
PG&E Corp. (PCG) executives said Monday the company’s utility plans to spend between $7 billion and $10 billion over the next two years, on its electricity and natural gas distribution system, building new transmission and generation facilities, installing smart meters and other projects.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Market Competition Set to Intensify
Even though installations of photovoltaic solar systems will rise in 2010, a sharp drop in solar components prices will lead to intense competition, as per iSuppli Corp.

TECHNOLOGY
Renewables Well Represented in MIT Technology Review’s 2010 TR50
The energy companies in the TR50 reflect both the invention of exciting new technologies and progress in deploying more mature technologies.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Kyocera Plans 1 GW Production Capacity by 2013
Kyocera Corporation has recently completed construction of a new solar cell manufacturing plant; further increasing the company’s production capacity to meet the growing demand for solar energy products in the global market.

India Proposes Coal Tax for Clean Energy
The Indian government proposed a coal tax Friday aimed at creating a fund for promoting clean energy.

Qatar to Tap Solar Power in a Big Way
A state-run foundation in the natural gas-rich state of Qatar says it is setting up a joint venture plant with Germany’s SolarWorld to produce the main ingredient in solar panels.

Yingli Green Energy to Supply 10MW of PV Modules to SunDurance Energy
Under the terms of the agreement, Yingli Green Energy will supply more than 10 MW of PV modules to SunDurance Energy through the third quarter of 2010.

Sustainable Energy Bets on Ontario Solar Market
The company, whose shares have risen 150 percent in the past year, also expects to announce a tie-up soon with a top European solar panel maker to supply the Ontario market with thin-film panels carrying Sustainable Energy’s power inverters, its chief executive said on Monday.

GTZ Plans 15,000 Solar Projects Per Month
The GTZ is planning to install 15,000 solar systems per month in Ethiopia, where only less than one per cent of the rural population uses solar power because of low investment in the sector.

Maratifer Solar’s Solar Roof System Resists Hurricaine Force Winds
Martifer Solar, the Portuguese photovoltaic (PV) specialist, has developed a new solar roof system capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 km/h.

Suntech Recognized for its Bold Business Strategy
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world’s largest producer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, was recently handed the 2009 FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Environment Award in London for its inspired approach to business.

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
SunPower Signs 32-Megawatt Solar Power Supply Agreement With Toshiba
The SunPower panels will form the cornerstone of Toshiba’s new residential solar offering in Japan, to be launched on April 1.

NATIONAL NEWS
Solutia Announces Agreement to Acquire Etimex Solar
Solutia Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Etimex Solar GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Etimex Holding GmbH, which is controlled by funds affiliated with Alpha Gruppe.

Michigan Investing in Dow Solar Shingle Production Facility
Combined, the 11 projects are expected to create 17,321 new jobs and generate over $804 million in new investment in the state.

Hawaii PUC Approves New Electric Rate Method to Help Spur RE
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a new method for setting electric rates designed to encourage a clean energy economy for Hawaii.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
PG&E Rate Cut Would Help Bakersfield, Hot Areas
The proposed rate cut would average 2.5 percent and would take effect on June 1.

California Energy Commission Announces Clean Energy Program
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced the $90 million Clean Energy Manufacturing Program, which will provide financing to manufacturers in the clean energy sector.

Villaraigosa Considers a Carbon Surcharge for DWP Customers
The extra revenue would be used to move the utility from coal to wind, solar and geothermal sources of energy.

Smart Meters replacing Meter Readers in Southern California
SCE, PG&E and San Diego Gas and Electric are among those making the switch. Utilities hope this will lead to reduced power demand.

Bakersfield’s SmartMeter Trouble Worries Industry
Kern’s SmartMeter backlash has raised red flags around the world and sparked debate within the electric utility industry.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
US Backs Loans to Build World’s Largest Solar Power Complex
The Obama administration gave preliminary approval Monday for $1.4 billion in federal loan guarantees to help build what it says will be the world’s largest solar power complex — in California’s Mojave Desert.

Feingold, Ensign Introduce Renewable Energy Bill
U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and John Ensign, R-Nev., are introducing renewable energy legislation that would ensure all forms of renewable energy meet a potential renewable electricity standard (RES).

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
SolarWorld AG Reports 2009 Results
The Group outperformed its revenue target in spite of an industry-wide decline of prices by one third due to a shipment increase by 38 per cent.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
SolarWorld Participates in Polysilicon Joint Venture in Qatar
The joint venture built there the first production of polysilicon in the Arabian Peninsula. Partners are the Qatar Foundation (70%) and the Qatar Development Bank (1%).

Showa Shell Solar Changes Name to Solar Frontier
The move will be accompanied by a global branding consolidation under a single name, Solar Frontier (the original name of its international sales subsidiary), and a new logo.

Mitsubishi Electric Expands Production Capacity
By March 2011, the company will raise its annual PV cell/module production capacity by 50 MW to 270MW, and ultimately plans to reach an annual capacity of 600MW at an early stage.

Toshiba Makes Full Scale Entry into Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems Business
Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it will make its full-scale entry into the residential solar photovoltaic systems business in Japan on April 1st 2010.

PV testing and Certification Center Opens in Singapore
The Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (the VDE Institute) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have partnered with the Solar Energy Research Institute Of Singapore (SERIS) to open what the organizations say is the first testing and certification center for photovoltaic modules in southeast Asia.

New Energy Loan Designe to Help Rural Canada Increase RE
Canadian agriculture producers and agribusiness operators who are considering the use of renewable energy sources in their business will soon have a new financing option, thanks to a new energy loan.

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
PROINSO Supplies MECASOLAR Trackers for Madera Water District Project
The Spanish company PROINSO will supply 1 MW of MECASOLAR 2-axis solar trackers for a solar photovoltaic project located in the California district of Madera.

Real Goods Solar Celebrates Completion of 417kW Solar Electric Installation
Real Goods Solar will be taking part in a ribbon cutting ceremony with Sunwheel Energy Partners and Solar Richmond to celebrate the recent completion of a 417 kW solar electric system at Richmond Village.

Solyndra Inc Signs Distribution Agreement with DC Power System
Solyndra, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative cylindrical photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial rooftops, announced it has signed a new North America distribution agreement with DC Power Systems, a full-service distributor of renewable energy products, headquartered in Rohnert Park, California.

SunRun Strengthens Executive Team, Appoints Executive from Bloom Energy to Vice President of Corporate Development
SunRun, the nation’s leading residential financing solar company, today announced Matt Eggers has joined the company as Vice President of Corporate Development. Matt will oversee business operations and product management at SunRun.

NATIONAL NEWS
Sunetric Starts Construction on PV System for Kona Brewing
Kona Brewing Company has signed a contract with Sunetric to install a 229 kW solar energy generating system at its Kailua-Kona brewery and pub on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Sparta and Hardyston Complete Solar Electric Systems at their Municipal Headquarters
Vanguard Energy Partners, a leader in the design and installation of large-scale solar electric systems, today announced the completion of two solar power systems for the municipalities of Sparta and Hardyston.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Arizona’s Solar Industry Killer Bill Dropped
A solar industry-stunting bill moving through the Arizona legislature is withdrawn amidst a firestorm of protest.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Industry Faces Stiff Price Drops
The solar industry faces steep price declines again in 2010, although prices will drop at a more moderate pace than last year, predicted iSuppli.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Solar Segment Takes a Pounding on Concerns Surrounding Germany Subsidy Cuts
The broader Solar Stocks Index came a close second, slipping by more than 10%.

TECHNOLOGY
Taking Photovoltaics to Another Level Using Silicon Wire
A team of scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has created a new type of flexible solar cell using arrays of long, thin silicon wires embedded in a polymer substrate.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
GT Solar Receives Orders Totaling More than $200 Million
GT Solar has signed new contracts totaling more than $200 million for its market-leading DSS450™ ingot growth furnaces and ancillary equipment and services.

Moser Baer Has Biggest Gain in 8 Months on Solar Cell Tax Break
Moser Baer India Ltd., an Indian maker of solar equipment, rose the most in more than eight months after the government said it will give tax breaks on products needed to set up solar power plants.

China Overcrowded Solar Sector Faces Lower Demand, More M&A
China’s “overcrowded” solar power industry faces lower demand this year from Germany, the biggest buyer of the technology, and an increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions, according to Yuanta Securities Co.

Germany Tones down Plan to Slash PV Feed-in Tariff
Solar companies around the world benefited from the news as their share prices rose.

First Solar’s Future is Uncertain as it Expands Beyond Europe
First Solar (FSLR) is expanding beyond Europe, home to its largest thin-film solar module customers, due to planned subsidy cuts for solar projects.

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
Solar Bill Will Help California’s Energy Future
For homeowners and businesses, a big part of the appeal of “going solar” is the chance to offset their energy bills by earning credit for the power they generate.

NATIONAL NEWS
MetLife and John Hancock Finance 19MW Solar Power Plant
MetLife and John Hancock Financial Services will finance the construction and third-party ownership of a 19-megawatt (AC) solar photovoltaic power plant that SunPower Corporation is contracted to build for Xcel Energy in Colorado’s Alamosa County.

Solar Electric Facility O&M Now Comes the Hard Part, Part 3
The third in our three-part series focusing on O&M issues for solar electric facilities. You can access the first two parts at the bottom of this page.

SMA Solarchecker iPhone Application Provides Versatile Measurement Tool for Solar Installers, Consumers
Free 3GS Download Provides Fast, Detailed Estimate of PV Performance.

Alteris Renewables Launches New Website
Features include expanded gallery of extensive installations, improved navigation and videos.

Should a Thin Film Manufacturer Integrate Downstream?
It was the phrase on every module vendor’s lips in 2009. But does it really make sense?

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Utility vs. Private Ownership
Microgrids will maintain a constant and complex relationship with the utility — buying power at some times, selling it back at others.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Arizona Going Brown: House Committee Kills Renewable Energy Mandate
By a 5-2 margin, the Arizona House Government Committee voted to overturn the state’s renewable energy mandate.

EPA, NREL Partner on Renewable Energy Development
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have partnered to evaluate the feasibility of developing renewable energy production on Superfund, brownfields and former landfill or mining sites.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Trina Solar Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Results
Trina Solar’s net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $313.3 million, an increase of 25.4% sequentially and an increase of 44.8% year-over- year.

TECHNOLOGY
Axion Power Awarded Grant to Develop Solar Power Storage System
The Axion grant was the only storage project approved as part of the state’s Solar Energy Program.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Yingli Green Energy Signs 285 MW Three-Year Framework Agreement
Under the terms of this agreement, Yingli Green Energy has agreed to supply 285MW of PV modules to Gehrlicher Solar over a three-year period through 2012.

Enerqos Group Starts Construction on Two Photovoltaic Roofs
They will be among the first Italian solar plants to be built with the innovative Solyndra cylindrical panels.

Colexon Breaks Ground on 1 MW Plant in Imola
Hamburg based project developer and operator of solar power plant, Colexon Energy AG is starting to erect a solar power plant with a total capacity of 993.3 kilowatt peak (kWp) in the North Italian community Imola.

Yingli Green Energy Signs 285 MW Three-Year Framework Agreement
Under the terms of this agreement, Yingli Green Energy has agreed to supply 285MW of PV modules to Gehrlicher Solar over a three-year period through 2012.

Italy Delays New Solar Plan Again, Industry Worried
The Italian government has delayed again a long-awaited unveiling of a new incentive plan for the booming solar energy sector.

T-Solar and Solarpack Sell Solar Energy to Peru
To supply the 173 GWh, T-Solar and Solarpack will be jointly developing four 20-MW photovoltaic plants.

First Solar Seeks Contract for China Power Supply
First Solar Inc (FSLR.O) expects to sign a sales agreement for electricity produced by its planned Chinese photovoltaic solar power plant.

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
Berkeley’s Solar Plan Goes Dark
The city has decided to abandon its once-touted home-solar financing program.

Cupertino Electric Completes Two Solar Projects
Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) Energy Alternatives have completed a 360 kilowatt design/build solar photovoltaic installation for the City of Pleasanton and a 36,190 watt Design/Build solar PV installation for the City of Novato.

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems and Fronius Expand Partnership
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation’s largest, privately-owned roofing and solar energy company, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Fronius USA, LLC to support, distribute and market Fronius as their preferred residential and small commercial grid connected PV inverter for 2010.

Solar Companies Power up Education at Schools
A partnership between a local solar-system developer and a solar-panel company could result in schools getting more than new rooftop arrays.

NATIONAL NEWS
Get Solar Panels Installed for Free through TXU Program
TXU is teaming up with a California-based company, SolarCity, to lease solar panels that will be installed for free.

Solar Leaders Warn of Consequences for Arizona’s Renewable Energy Industry if HB2701 is Passed into Law
SolarCity, Kyocera Solar, Inc. and Suntech Power joined with other solar energy providers to warn that if Arizona House Bill 2701 (HB 2701) is passed into law, it would jeopardize Arizona’s entire renewable energy industry.

PA Governor Announces New Solar Project Investments
The projects are receiving funds from the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund that Rendell signed in 2008. They were approved for funding by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Wilmington Water Plan Goes Solar
This $8.9 million project at the Porter Reservior is a first in a series of greening efforts by Mayor James Baker.

States Can Create Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs
After feed-in tariff legal uncertainty, a recent 2010 report by the National Regulatory Research Institute finds that states can successfully and legally implement feed-in tariff programs to accelerate renewable energy projects.

Satcon Technology Receives 30 MW Inverter Order
Satcon Technology will deliver 30.5 megawatts of its PowerGate® Plus solar PV inverters under a global master supply agreement with ENERGY 21 Group, one of Europe’s largest private power utilities.

Chevron to Build Solar Plant at NM Tailings Site
Chevron Mining Inc. and Gov. Bill Richardson announced the concentrating photovoltaic demonstration project Tuesday in Santa Fe.

Canadian Solar Targeting US Utility Market
Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ.O) is holding “extensive” discussions with U.S. power companies to develop photovoltaic solar projects.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Net Metering to Shine on in New York, California
That’s because legislatures in the two states have passed new rules that boost net metering.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
SOLON Presents Preliminary Results for Fiscal 2009
The net loss after minority interests amounted to EUR 276 million (2008: net income of EUR 33 million).

CivicSolar Bags $400k to Help You Choose the Right Solar Panels at the Best Price
Based in San Francisco, the company, which calls itself a direct solar distributor, has just raised $404,991 in seed funding.

TECHNOLOGY
Intertek’s Offers New White Paper on Methods for Expanding Market Access for PV Modules through Improved Certification Planning
Learn how a strategic approach can significantly reduce your time-to-market.

3TIER Completes Remapping the World
3TIER® today announced the completion of its REmapping the World ™ initiative, which was launched in March 2008 to address the biggest barrier to global renewable energy adoption – the lack of reliable information regarding resource potential and availability.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Scheuten Solar Opens Two 1 MW Projects
The Italian companies Molino Casillo S.p.A. and Ascopiave S.p.a. (subsidiary company Ascoenergy S.r.l.) have teamed up as investors in these sustainable energy projects in Italy’s Apulia region.

German Solar Park Aid Cut Less Than Expected in Draft
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has toned down plans to slash subsidies for solar parks, potentially improving the outlook for companies such as Phoenix Solar AG and Q-Cells SE, draft legislation shows.

Germany to Trip Solar Power Subsidies on July 1
Germany’s governing parties say they will cut solar power subsidies by up to 16 percent this summer in a move aimed at lowering consumer costs.

SunRay Plans Seven Solar Fields in Israel
SunRay Israel said it had requested permission from Israel’s Public Utilities Authority to build the photovoltaic energy fields and has already contacted a number of towns and agricultural communes from which it hopes to acquire land.

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
PG&E to Spend Millions to Pass Prop 16
PG&E Corp. plans to spend $25 million to $35 million on a California ballot initiative that would limit the ability of cities and counties to go into the public power business, the company reported Friday.

S.F. Clean Energy Plan Could Fuel Higher Rates
San Francisco voters have rejected a dozen public-power proposals over the years, but that isn’t stopping city officials from jumping into the “clean energy” business. The question is, at what cost?

California Solar Startup and German Industrial Giant Forge Partnership
The German industrial giant Ferrostaal will use solar technology from the California startup eSolar in power plants to be built in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa.

Developer Proposes 30,000 Solar Dishes in Calif. Desert
Federal efforts to permit nearly a dozen large-scale solar-power projects in California by year’s end moved a significant step forward last week as the Bureau of Land Management rolled out a detailed environmental review for one of the largest plants proposed to date.

NATIONAL NEWS
groSolar to Distribute and Install American Made Solon PV Modules
SOLON’s products and information will be on display in the groSolar booth at the upcoming Renewable Energy World Expo in Austin, Texas on February 23.

Chu: Energy Initiatives Could bring Jobs to Colo.
He announced Friday that $8 million in federal stimulus money will go to help 43 communities across the country make emergency plans to restore power systems in the event of natural or other disasters. The cities include six in Colorado—Aspen, Aurora, Denver, Durango, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge.

Where Will Solar Power Plants be Built – Deserts or Rooftops?
Distributed energy is certainly the way forward in the field of solar energy use.

Oregon’s Solar Future Could Hinge on Copying Germany
In the coming months, Oregon will test a new incentive program that takes after the German subsidy called a feed-in tariff.

A New Array Above the Grocery Fray in Vermont
Last week, 136 newly installed photovoltaic panels decked the roofscape — and began chipping away at the expense incurred by the Dumpster-sized mammoths.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
The Long Road to an Alternative Energy Future
Blame it on technology, infrastructure or policy. But it’s going to take many years for new technologies to make much of a dent in our current energy mix.

The Long Road: Solar
Even at that rate of growth, solar power is still minuscule: Solar generation in 2009 accounted for less than 0.1% of total electricity production in the U.S.

Solar Energy in 20 Years
There appears to have been much disagreement and no little intransigence with regards to the implementation of green energy initiatives regularly at many of these international conferences, and there is much debate on which technologies will be most effective.

U.S. Clean Energy Industry Expects Record Growth
The clean-energy industry is poised for record growth in the U.S., with big companies expecting to invest billions of dollars, despite Washington’s failure to enact limits on greenhouse-gas emissions.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Clean Energy is Mired in Politics
Uncertainty over proposals in Congress has firms holding off on investments.

Senate Weighs Final Push to Move Climate Bill
A last-ditch attempt at passing a climate change bill begins in the Senate this week with senators mindful that time is running short and that approaches to the legislation still vary widely, according to sources.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
SoloPower Raises $45M, Payday for Founders
SoloPower is now working to add an additional 60MW of capacity to its existing manufacturing facility, and planning to submit its first flexible CIGS module for independent certification by April 2010.

TECHNOLOGY
Solar Panels Go Through Extreme Tests at San Jose Lab
At a nondescript office park on Zanker Road in San Jose, solar panels from manufacturers in Silicon Valley and around the world are going through tests of extreme endurance to make sure they are safe to put on your roof.

Wireless Technologies in Renewable Energy Markets
The same wireless technologies that are used in many utility applications are available to renewable energy plants.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
China City Investments Signs Contract for Thin Film Manufacturing Plant
China City Investments signed contract with BudaSolar Technologies as technology provider for the turnkey delivery of production lines at the capacity of 85MWp/year using Silicon based thin film PV technology.

EU Countries Expect to Meet Renewable Energy Target
The EU will meet its 2020 20% renewable energy target – slightly exceeding it – according to an analysis by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) of all 27 Member States’ national forecast documents.

North Africa and Middle East Solar Opportunities Booming in 2010
The abundant sun resource in MENA is now being commercialised as governments and international enterprises speedily begin to enter the multi billion dollar solar market in the region.

Lobby Opposes Germany Plan to Stash Solar Power Subsidies
German officials trying to pare back pioneering subsidies for electricity-generating solar panels are discovering that what goes up does not come down again so easily

Day4 Energy Signs Distribution Partnership with Regency Solar for Australian Market
The first shipment of Day4 Energy’s high performance 48MC modules to Regency Solar was completed immediately upon the signing of the agreement.

Feed in Tariff Revolutionizes Renewables in Ontario
Ontario’s precedent setting feed-in-tariff (FIT) program for Renewable Energy is spawning a few new Canadian based Renewable Energy industry leaders.

Iberdola Ingenieria to Build 27M PV Array in Italy
This new renewable energies facility, being developed for Pugliasolar, will have installed capacity of 8 MW and annual estimated output of 12 GWh.

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
SunRun Residential PV: “There’s a Ton of Business”
PPAs and PACE are complementary tools for financing home energy efficiency.

Solar Net Metering Bill Heads to Schwarzenegger’s Desk
The program currently caps the amount of electricity eligible for the credit to 2.5% of each utility’s peak power demand. The measure passed Thursday doubles that cap to 5%.

NATIONAL NEWS
SunPower Taps a $100M Sale Leaseback Financing Program
The Deal: Wells Fargo and SunPower discuss financing of their distributed solar energy projects.

SolarCraft Brings Solar to Historic Jackse Winery
Novato-based SolarCraft announced the completion of a solar electric generating system at the newly renovated Jackse Winery in Glen Ellen.

Solarized Portland on a Mission to Make Solar Panels Affordable For All
The plan: to convince like-minded homeowners to go in on a bulk purchase of solar panels — and to get the best possible price. Hard and Stevens signed up.

Massachusetts Initiating Reform with Government Grants
Governor Deval Patrick today announced the award of over $13 million in federal stimulus funds to help 111 communities across Massachusetts invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects.

City Approves Solar Site
City council members unanimously approved conditional use permits for two tracts of land that would allow either to be used for what is expected to be the largest solar power plant in North Carolina.

Alpha Energy Commissions to First Solar Installation in the City of Avondale
The Alpha Group, recently completed the construction and commissioning of a 75kW Elevated Solar PV Grid-Tied structure for Cox Communications in Avondale, AZ.

There’s Something About Maryland…
That state over there on the other coast is trying to give California a run for its money as the solar leader with some news this week.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Cali Utilities: Get ready to Give Your Customers Smart Meter Data!
By the end of 2011, the CPUC wants the big investor-owned utilities to provide customers and approved third parties with “near real time” data from smart meters.

Classifying the Top States for Utility Scale PV Development in the US
Look for states with RPS solar requirements, municipal utilities, and (of course) California to drive market growth.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Washington Stalemate Blocks Job Creating Investment in Green Energy
At a time when the U.S. economy is desperate for jobs and investment in future growth, economists and business leaders say these projects – and billions of dollars in other investments in so-called “clean energy” — are on hold in large part because of political stalemate in Washington.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Plan B Energy and MP2 Capital Partner to Advance Rooftop Solar PV Projects in Ontario
Toronto-based Plan B Energy today announces that it has joined forces with San Francisco-based MP2 Capital to jointly develop, finance, own, and operate 10 megawatts of rooftop PV systems under Ontario’s feed-in-tariff program.

Canadian Solar Updates 4Q09 Outlook
Canadian Solar today updated its outlook for the fourth quarter 2009 ended December 31, 2009 based on selected unaudited financial results.

First Solar Announces Fourth Quarter Results
Quarterly revenues were $641.3 million, up from $480.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and up from $433.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

TECHNOLOGY
As Solar Power Advances, Displosal will Become an Issue
Like any other consumer product, solar panels have a limited shelf life and disposing of old panels will eventually come into play.

Innovalight’s Silicon Ink “Tatoo” Will Lower the Cost of Solar Cells
Compared to conventional vacuum processes, the inkjet method is significantly less expensive, and far more energy efficient.

Ceramics for Solar Cells and OLEDs
DuPont wants to show how we can get away from glass later this year.

The Secret Ingredients Inside IBM’s New Solar Cell
Think thin films for thin film.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EU Countries Vie to Meet Renewable Goals
The report, which is based on each country’s most recent forecast, suggests that 13 member states expect to meet their goals, while eight countries say they will go beyond their benchmarks.

To Date 25,000 of CO2 Emissions Avoided by Photovoltaic Plants Arsol-1 and Arsol Toledo
Both plants, located in Ciudad Real and Toledo, Spain, are producing highly efficient clean energy with a total of 15 MW of power.

Italy to Double Solar Capacity up to 2,000 MW in ‘10
Italy, Europe’s third-biggest solar market, is set to double photovoltaic capacity up to 2,000 megawatts in 2010 as operators race to sign up for generous incentives before they expire, a senior sector official said.

Israel Talks Solar with Egypt, Biofuel with Jordan
Israel has started talks with Egypt about possibly establishing a joint solar project in Egypt’s Sinai Desert.

T-Solar and Solarpack will Sell 173Gwh a Year of Photovoltaic Solar Energy to the Government of Peru for 20 Years
T-Solar’s installed capacity makes it one of the biggest photovoltaic (PV) power generators in the world, and Solarpack is a pioneer in the development, construction and maintenance of photovoltaic projects.