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
San Jose Homeowner Spends More than $100,000 to go ‘Off the Grid’
Levine won’t disclose how much the job cost. However, he said he will have an out-of-pocket cost of “at least” $100,000.
S.F. City Hall Split Over Solar Project
A groundbreaking project that would more than triple San Francisco’s solar energy portfolio has run into some unexpected bumps at the Board of Supervisors.
Startup Skyline Solar comes Out Shooting for Grid Parity
According to co-founder and CEO Bob MacDonald, the startup has all the funding it needs to carry it through to commercialization of a concentrating solar photovoltaic system that combines the durability of silicon solar panels with the lower cost of thin-film solar.
Solar Panels Chill Electric Bill
To cover their west facing rooftop, the couple shelled out $25,000 – and that was after claiming government tax credits and rebates from Pacific Gas & Electric.
NATIONAL NEWS
Arizona State University to Install Another 3.3MW of Solar PV Systems
Construction on this second phase of the school’s overall solarization project is expected to begin this summer and be completed in December.
Oregon Convention Center Issues RFP for Solar Energy Project
MERC is specifically requesting proposals whereby the Contractor will finance, design, build, operate and maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) electric power systems for MERC at the Oregon Convention Center (OCC), and sell the electricity generated by the Project to OCC at guaranteed rates.
Solar in a Box Announced as PV Option for Green Friendly i-house from Clayton Homes
SOLAR IN A BOX from Ready Solar will be pre-installed at the factory for i-house buyers who order the solar option at the time of purchase or can be ordered later as on after market installation.
Here Comes the Sun, Right?
Buoyed by the potential promise of a green economy, the head of the American branch of SolarWorld AG is ramping up production of solar cells in a retrofitted factory that had its grand opening last October.
Governor’s Energy Bill is at Risk in House
Florida’s clean energy future is on the line today as Gov. Charlie Crist’s push to make the state a leader in the rapidly growing renewable energy industry comes down to the final hours of the regular legislative session.
Annapolis Plots Clean Energy Park
The City of Annapolis is looking to hire clean power companies to build a renewable energy park it hopes will one day generate enough electricity to support the entire city. The city’s proposal calls for at least three different methods, including solar.
Schering-Plough Starts Production from 1.7MW Roof Top PV System
With panels located atop seven buildings at the company’s Summit, New Jersey, site, the system is one of the largest photovoltaic rooftop installations in New Jersey and North America.
Nevada Lawmakers Start 14th Week
Senate Energy, Infrastructure and Transportation debates SB331, which would grant property and sales tax breaks to home and business owners who install enough solar panels.
Solar Power Inc. Completes Commercial Solar System in Georgia
Solar Power Inc. (SPI) has finished the installation of a photovoltaic energy system for Cox Enterprises Inc. at its Manheim DRIVE Center facility.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Hawaii Electric Utilities Seek to Double Solar Commitment
If approved by the PUC, the photovoltaic host pilot program could add up to 16 MW of new PV systems over a two-year period.
Georgia Power Seeks Renewable Energy Resources
The company is seeking up to 80,000 MWh of green energy annually, 1,500 MWh annually of which may be solar photovoltaic energy.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Cleantech Squeezed by Drop in Financing
According to the Cleantech Group, which measures venture capital funding going into clean technology, global venture investments in the sector plummeted 48 percent, to $1 billion.
The Sun Shines on Solar Stocks
Shares of lithium-battery makers GS Yuasa of Japan; BYD of Hong Kong; and U.S.-listed lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile have all more than doubled since their lows around the time of Obama’s election victory.
Real Goods Solar Announces First Quarter 2009 Results to be Released on Wed. May 6
The Company will also hold a teleconference to discuss these results with additional comments and details.
The Importance of First Solar
Many solar companies shot up on Thursday after First Solar reported, outperforming the broader market.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
China to Focus on Renewable Energy
China’s government has vowed to increase the use of alternatives to oil and coal for energy, such as wind, solar and nuclear power.
Solar: the Cost of Going Green
Abu Dhabi is betting that the sun will be the source of much of the emirate’s electricity in 10 years, and policy makers are trying to figure out how to do it most economically.
Canadian Solar Signs 5MW Contract with Topinfrasolar
Canadian Solar has entered into a sales agreement with Topinfrasolar, a Korea-based systems integrator, that will expand the companies’ existing relationship and supply agreement by 5 MW.
Thane’s Planed Solar Energy Project Way Ahead of its Time
The TMC is trying to further reduce the percentage with the use of renewable energy sources like solar energy.
