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
PetersenDean’s SmarterRoof Leads the Way for Clean Energy and Consumer Savings
Petersen-Dean combines heat-reflecting tiles and integrated solar panels for a longer lasting roof that saves energy and hundreds of dollars each month.
Where the Jobs are, Green Edition?
If you want to know what these jobs are and where they can be found in California, visit a new mapping website from the Environmental Defense Fund.
SolarCity Snags New Tax Equity Investor
It’s difficult to gauge the impact of this fund on SolarCity’s business since it won’t disclose the funding amount or the solar power generation capacity that could be created with the money.
Last Days to Register: Palm Desert AB 811 Conference
The schedule for the day-long event includes keynote addresses by Ann Livingston, Boulder County, CO, and Rodney Dole, Sonoma County, CA with special reports on Federal stimulus funding and the current bond market. Break-out sessions will address the role of the utilities in AB 811 planning, and how best to market this new financial tool.
NATIONAL NEWS
Schott Solar Streamlines North American Production
Schott Solar intends to end production at its Billerica, Massachusetts facility effective July 31st in an effort to streamline the company’s global manufacturing footprint.
Tecta America Launches Tecta Solar
Commercial roofing firm Tecta America has launched Tecta Solar, a division that will be dedicated to the development of turnkey solar energy systems.
Pitching Solar to Enterprise Customers
Executives from Safeway and Whole Foods Market project and technology developers need to figure out how to make a strong business case for installing solar. And don’t ask dumb questions.
Pocatello, Hoku Strike Deal on New Plant
Hoku and Pocatello have agreed on a financial incentive package for Hoku’s new $390 million polysilicon plant in the eastern Idaho city.
New Finance Options Could Help Solar to Rebound
Funds from the Recovery Act are starting to raise solar spirits after the stock market slide of 2008 slammed many solar stocks, and new financing mechanisms are looking to make it easier to produce your own power.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Progress Energy Expanding Solar Incentives
U.S. power company Progress Energy Inc announced a plan on Wednesday to expand the use of solar energy in the Carolinas and Florida by more than 100 megawatts over the next decade.
Drawing in the Southeastern US
As the US prepares for the likely introduction of a national renewable portfolio standard, some regions are turning up pressure to keep renewable energy policy in state hands.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
An Analyst’s View on Solar Stocks and Today’s Market
The current market is the MOST “crazy” market that I have seen in my 30+ years of observing the market.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Renewable Energy Investments Top Traditional Investments, Report Finds
For the first time ever, investment in clean power generation outpaced investment in traditional energy sources.
US Solar Market: So Promising
The United States could become the leading solar market one day, but it’s likely to be Germany that saves the day for solar panel makers who have seen demand plummeted so far this year, analysts say.
Will Emerging Markets Make Renewable Energy More Democratic
Think of the renewable-energy market as an oligarchy, with a handful of countries making up by far a super majority.
TECHNOLOGY
Concentrator PV Plant Efficiency Figures Revealed
Concentrix Solar has revealed efficiency figures for its demonstration system at its commercial concentrating photovoltaic power plant in Spain.
Methane Could Be Storage Solution for Solar and Wind Power
In a surprising find, scientists have discovered a microbe that can efficiently convert direct electrical current into methane.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
CentroSolar Shuts Down Module Manufacturing Facility
Ubbink Solar Modules B.V., a 100% subsidiary of CentroSolar Group AG is to close down its solar module plant located in Doesburg (NL). Ubbink Solar Modules B.V. will remain in existence as a legal entity and will continue to meet all its financial obligations.
E.ON Inaugurates Solar Farm
E.ON will today inaugurate the company’s first solar farm near the southern French town of Le Lauzet, some 150 kilometres north of Marseille. Once all sections have been completed, the solar farm will have a capacity of 5 megawatts occupying an area of more than 20 hectares.
European Renewables Target Can Create 2.8M Jobs
Reaching the 2020 renewable energy targets is expected to lead to around 2.8 million jobs in the renewable energy sector and generate a total value added of around 1.1% of GDP.
