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
Bay Area Beverage Completes Solar Power Installation
Bay Area Beverage Company, the largest distributor of branded beverages in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, has flipped the switch on a 500 kW solar power system, one of the largest in region.
Los Gatos Shorts: Sunny Gardens and Sunny Homes on Solar Tour
The Loma Prieta Community Foundation’s Mountain Garden and Solar Home Tour is scheduled for May 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Schwarzenegger Touts Solar Technology in San Jose
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday told an audience of solar technology executives and industry representatives that “we need to find ways to reduce our use of fossil fuel and use what we have in abundance in California — the sun.”
Solyndra Inks $189M Panel Deal
The company on Thursday added to that list a $189 million deal to sell an undisclosed number of panels to Amsterdam-based solar integrator SunConnex through 2013.
Solar-Powered Housing Complex is Stockton First
The The solar project – boosted by $2.7 million from the California Energy Commission, enough for about one-third of the extra cost – was a logical next step that will help families even more.
NATIONAL NEWS
Solar Energy to Power Student Apartments
The New York Power Authority today joined with the University at Buffalo to announce a $7.5 million award to the university to construct a 1.1 megawatt solar energy array on UB’s North (Amherst) Campus.
Duke Energy to Build up to 400 ‘Mini’ Solar Power Plants
Duke Energy will build between 100 and 400 electricity-generating mini solar power plants throughout North Carolina over the next two years in one of the first large-scale initiatives of its kind in the U.S., CEO Jim Rogers said today.
Weak Demand Forces Uni-Solar to Implement Temporary Plant Shutdowns
Uni-Solar has been forced to temporarily shut down its Michigan production operations in Auburn Hills and Greenville, while also delaying the planned ramp at its second facility in Greenville.
Building a Solar Company in a Recession Economy
To operate in this recession, the first rule is that all the old rules don’t apply.
Solar Housing Development Proposed for Bay View
The former Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave., in the Bay View neighborhood, would host 20 single-family homes and townhomes, 75 to 80 independent senior apartments, and 35 to 40 assisted living senior apartments, under a new proposal.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Solar, Utility Partnerships on the Horizon for Coulomb Technologies
Last month the company unveiled a solar-powered charging station, but Williams would not disclose details about specific solar companies or projects that might be on the horizon for Coulomb.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Satcon Reports First Quarter 2009 Results
Satcon Technology yesterday announced its results for the first quarter ended April 4, 2009. The company reported year over year revenue growth of 31% in the first quarter of 2009.
Suntech Announces Additional Repurchase of $150.4M 2012 Convertible Senior Notes
Suntech re-purchased $150.4 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2012 for a total cash consideration of $129.9 million.
Silicon Wafer Producer Sas and Solar Cell Producer Neo Solar Power Post Mixed April Results
Taiwan-based Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Neo Solar Power on May 6 reported revenues for April, with the former’s revenues slipping by 2.19% and the latter’s rising by 5.62% on month.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
President’s Energy Budget Will Help Create Solar Jobs, Grow Industry
SEIA supports Obama’s Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2010 budget request, which includes $320 million in solar energy funding and $42 million for clean energy transmission and reliability:
TECHNOLOGY
World Efficiency Record of 16.4% Achieved Using Photovoltaic Modules with Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cells Manufactured by REC
The previous world-record was held by Sandia National Laboratory (USA), at 15.5% aperture-area efficiency.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Suntech and PV CYCLE Association to Develop Solar Module Recycling Program
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. has joined the 35 other members of the PV Cycle association which is engaged in establishing a voluntary take-back and recycling program for end-of-life PV modules.
Isofoton Starts Up 2MW PV System in Badajoz
Initial operations confirm that real production figures for the PV plant are 7.62% higher than initially predicted, the companies said.
Alice Solar City Consortium Issues Request for Proposal
The Alice Solar City Consortium is seeking proposals from solar technology providers to develop iconic projects at Ilparpa (south of Alice Springs) and the Alice Springs Airport.
