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
Bill Aims to Pay Solar Users for Extra Power
Palm Desert is once more wading into the legislative fray with a new law, AB 432, which has the modest goal of setting up a pilot program for feed-in tariffs with itself as guinea pig and utilities such as Southern California Edison picking up the bill.
Special Districts Solar Systems Help Keep Agencies Green
Solar Power Partners has announced that its three recently-completed solar energy facilities at special districts in California are in operation and generating power.
NATIONAL NEWS
Clear Skies Solar Completes Installation of Solar Energy System at McGowan Building
Through a reduction in energy cost, government incentives and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s (NJCEP) Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) Pilot Program, McGowan Builders is expected to recoup its initial investment in approximately six and a half years.
City of Tucson Places $7.6M in Special Bonds for Seven Solar Projects
On February 26, 2009, the City of Tucson successfully placed $7.6 million of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) which will allow the City to build one megawatt of solar electric projects on seven city sites
Salt Lake County Eyes Solar for Homes
“We want to find where the barriers are to residential solar,” Ober said. “Based on the findings, the county’s goal will be to remove those barriers … and institute a solar incentive program.”
County Panel to Review Going Green
Turning Mohave County green likely will take another step toward realization Wednesday.
South Jersey Leads Clean-Energy Change
Businesses sponsor solar power initiatives while earning return on investments.
Aztec Solar Power is Making News
Aztec Solar Power has always felt the importance of education and as part of our business plan will recruit and put members of the community to work on our residential and commercial projects.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Underground HVDC Power Costs No More Than Ugly Towers
HVDC links should be built to link rich renewable resources to distant population centers.
Tampa Electric to Buy Solar-Generated Electricity
Tampa Electric signed a contract to buy solar-generated electricity from a 25-megawatt facility expected to be built in south-central Florida.
‘Carbon Tax’ Part of Palo Alto Mayor’s Ambitious Environmental Agenda
His proposal would be more like a surcharge imposed on customers of the city-owned utility who do not opt for renewable energy. The revenue would subsidize green rebate programs.
US Companies Left Out of LIPA Solar Project
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has announced the companies selected to develop one of the largest solar power projects in U.S. history.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Industry Internal Research System: The Wall
The Wall contains historical and 5-year forward projections for solar energy sector including price, volume, revenue, cost and demand for c-Si and thin film technologies.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Salazar Calls for Solar, Wind Energy Zones
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar wants to create renewable energy zones to spur solar and wind energy projects, and build power lines to get the electricity to markets.
Obama’s Stimulus Keeps the Solar Power Dream Alive for Start-ups
While BrightSource may have found a way to build its first plant without government backing, analysts say, the stimulus will certainly help.
TECHNOLOGY
Amonix Introduces HCPV
At 53 kilowatts, the Amonix 7700 is designed for utility-scale deployment and is the first photovoltaic system capable of converting one-fourth of the sun’s energy into usable electricity.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Isofoton Plans US Module Assembly Plant
Isofotón, through its subsidiary Isofotón North American, has signed a cooperation agreement with the State of Ohio by which both sides commit mutually to cooperate in the implementation of a new Isofotón production center in the State.
HelioSphera Receives 9MW Thin Film Order
In a first step, the contract includes the supply of a minimum of 9 megawatts of micromorph thin film modules between 2009 and 2010, and both parties agreed to consider a framework for additional quantities in 2010.
