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
Semitropic Water Storage District Issues Solar Site Lease RFP
The objective of the RFP is to solicit bids to lease SWSD vacant lands, certain portions of its canals and spreading pond area for Solar Photovoltaic Sites. SWSD operates and 27,000 kilowatt Grid.
San Diego Cities Apply for $260M Stimulus for Solar Projects
CleanTech San Diego leads group in effort to win grants that will create green jobs and projects in the region.
Los Gatos Crew Hopes to Build Best House Under the Sun for Solar Contest
The house is being built at Santa Clara University for the 2009 Solar Decathlon sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
NATIONAL NEWS
altPOWER Completes BIPV Façade System in Manhatten
The 48kW solar power project, located in Battery Park City, is altPOWER’s eighth BIPV project in NYC and their seventh in Battery Park City.
SunWorks Solar Systems Plans 2MW Plant for Central Florida
Total project value is estimated at $12 million.
Oregon Governor May Veto Bills
Gov. Ted Kulongoski, D-Ore., has issued a possible intent to veto relating to a pair of state House bills, which, if passed, would be detrimental to Oregon’s renewable energy efforts.
Falling Behind on Green Tech
There is no topic of greater importance to America’s economic future. The question is whether the United States will lead or lag in tomorrow’s global energy markets. The United States is home to only one of the 10 largest solar panel producers in the world and two of the top 10 advanced battery manufacturers.
Spire to Attend 3rd Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo
Spire announced its senior management will attend the 3rd Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India
Neah Power System Acquires SolCool One, LLC
Also announced, Neah Power has reached an agreement with Optimus Energy Capital Partners, LLC (‘Optimus’), an investment fund, under which Optimus may purchase up to $10 million of Neah Power’s Series B Preferred Stock at Neah Power’s sole discretion.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Solar Customers to Xcel: We’re Upset, Confused
On Tuesday, Xcel backtracked and withdrew their request for a new fee on solar customers.
How will Utilities Make Money as PV Continues to Grow?
For now, there are a variety of methods that utilities can use to manage the fiscal impacts of net metering, some of which also apply to other factors that affect consumption.
Con Edison Launches Smart Grid Pilot Program
Consolidated Edison is launching a $6 million smart grid pilot program in northwest Queens that will test how various technologies support efforts to modernize the electric grid. It will provide customers with more information about their energy usage, and help customers use energy more efficiently and save on their electricity bills.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Feed Me: Should the U.S. Follow Europe’s Clean Energy Recipe?
How, exactly, should the U.S. spur the development of clean energy?
DOE Announces US $57M to Fund Smart Grid Development
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced delivery of more than US $47 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for eight projects to further smart grid demonstration projects in seven states.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
GT Solar International Reports Results to June 30, 2009
Revenue for the first fiscal quarter totaled $71.8 million, compared with $57.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Revenue for the first fiscal quarter included $19.9 million in the PV segment and $51.9 million in the polysilicon segment.
TECHNOLOGY
Solar on a Budget: NuvoSun Hits 11.8 Efficiency with CIGS
Miasole founder Dave Pearce’s new company has put a prototype facility together with used equipment.
Scientists in Luxembourg Achieve Efficiencies of 12% with New Generation of Thin Film Solar Cells
The laboratory for photovoltaics of the University of Luxembourg has produced its first thin film solar cells made from compound semiconductors, which already reaching 12% efficiency rates.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TSMC Goes Shopping for Solar
The world’s largest contract chipmaker wants to buy its way into the solar market. What are its options?
