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
What’s Up with Berkeley FIRST solar program?
Berkeley’s long awaited solar program started yesterday. However, most folks in Berkeley are sharp enough to take a pass on B FIRST and invest in solar for themselves.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Voluntary RE Market Will Reduce Emissions Under RGGI
Under the rules set up by states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), voluntary renewable energy purchases may count towards the emission reduction aims of the program.
East Coast Electric Grid Getting a $1.8 Billion Make Over
Dozens of projects priced at less than $50 million each will make the needed improvements within PJM Interconnection’s transmission zones, which include all or parts of DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and DC.
Swing State Success Might Shift in Climate Battle
The proposition mandates the use of renewable sources of energy with a goal of 15-percent renewable energy by 2021. Under this initiative, utility customers will pay a rate increase of up to 1% per year.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Dollar’s Strength Hurts SunPower
SunPower, a leading American U.S. solar PV maker, reduced growth projections because of weakening euro, and analysts project more solar companies will follow.
Stocks Stumble After SunPower Lowers Forecast
Solar shares fell as much as 38 percent the day after the U.S. elections.
Sanyo Posts Losses, Panasonic Considers Buy
Net income for the solar panel and battery maker fell 67% for Q2. But its strong battery business and expansion plans into thin-film solar make Sanyo an attractive acquisition target for Panasonic.
SMA Reports Third Quarter Results
SMA generated a 140% surge in sales to EUR 519.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008.
Wacker Reports Third Quarter Results
Wacker Chemie AG increased both its Q3 sales and operating result by 21 percent against the prior-year quarter and expects new full-year sales and earnings records.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Not so Green: Voters Nix Most Environmental State Ballot Measures
Among five major energy and environmental ballot initiatives from California to Missouri, all but one were voted down.
America Hired a New Generation of Leaders Promising Clean Energy Policies
Leaders like Jeanne Shaheen of NH and Kathy Dahlkemper of PA augment established Democratic and Republican leaders that are committed to expanding our nation’s renewable energy supplies.
Power Play Emerges on House Energy Panel
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) has told colleagues that he plans to challenge the House’s most senior member, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), for the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Who Will Be the Next Energy Czar?
As a key advisor to the president, the next U.S. secretary of energy will play a key role in shaping policies that could encourage more renewable-energy production and research. Here’s our list of just a few of the possible choices for the next U.S. energy czar.
TECHNOLOGY
Blue Square Energy Announces 14% Efficient Solar Cell
BSE’s efficiency result is one of the highest in the world on upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon and has been verified independently by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Generating Electricity from a Balloon
California startup Cool Earth Solar believes this high-low tech approach is what will make its solar power plants competitive with fossil fuels.
SMA America Offering Solar Inverter Training in California
Inverter manufacturer SMA America is presenting a 3 day training event addressing technical and system-design details related to its Sunny Island products. Training will be Nov. 18-20 in Rocklin, CA.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Yingli Green Energy Subsidiary Signs Supplemental Long Term Credit Facility Agreement
The Supplemental Agreement to Tianwei Yingli’s previously announced agreement with DEG and FMO adds PROPARCO to the lending group with an additional US$25 million of credit available to the Company.
Government Urged to Improve “Feed in Tariffs” to Boost Renewable Energy
Industry groups, trades unions and green campaigners are today calling on the UK government to introduce a strong system of support for renewable energy known as a “feed-in tariff”.
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