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
Solar Energy Technology on Display at Annual Event
The fifth annual Solar Energy Week began yesterday with family activities at Liberty Station, followed by an all-day conference, bus tour of commercial sites and self-guided tour of homes powered by the sun.
NATIONAL NEWS
Solar Power, Without the Bulky Panels
Companies are now offering alternatives to these fixed installations, in the less conspicuous form of shingles, tiles and other building materials that have photovoltaic cells sealed within them.
State Moves into Solar Spotlight
For all its sunshine, Arizona is a dim star in the solar- energy world. But the future is looking brighter.
TEP Seeks to Let Customers Invest in New Community Solar Power Systems
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is planning to give customers an opportunity to invest in new community solar arrays that would offer an affordable way to meet the electric needs of their homes or businesses with clean, green renewable energy.
ASES Solar Tour, World’s Largest Grassroots Solar Event
The National Solar Tour provides solar-interested citizens an opportunity to view the real-life energy solutions people in their communities are deploying to save money, assert their energy independence and help the environment.
More PA and NJ Firms Give Green Light to Solar
The savings and incentives are fueling a demand for solar panel projects, particularly in Pennsylvania, which began offering rebates under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program—so-called “Sunshine Grants”—in May. In New Jersey, financial incentives have been available since 1999, making the state second behind California in solar energy projects, industry experts said.
US Must Take Lead in Renewable Energy
America must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, reverse the pace of environmental degradation and embrace the reality of renewable energy generation on smart grids.
Applied Materials Looks to China for Solar’s Future
China represents the largest opportunity for solar panel makers, based on its government’s commitment to establishing solar manufacturing and spurring demand, said Mark Pinto, head of Applied Materials Inc.’s (AMAT) solar unit.
Greater Efficiency Through Thick and Thin
With new printing and etching technology, Schmid in Freudenstadt, Germany says it can now manufacture a new type of crystalline solar cell with selective emitters.
Small Scale Solar PV Project Updates
A weekly look at select projects 1-megawatt (MW) and under being installed and developed around the world.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
SDG&E Customers to Get Refunds
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. customers will get a $124 million refund next month, reflecting the steep drop in natural gas prices this year.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Analyst Seeks Oversupply and Other Challenges Last Through 2010
Hapoalim Securities analyst Gordon Johnson, who accurately predicted a fall in solar stocks last year, said solar companies face excess supply and other challenges through 2010, according to Barron’s on Sunday.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Boxer, Kerry Set to Introduce Climate Bill in Senate
Ending some nine months of closed-door deliberations, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) will release global warming legislation Wednesday that they hope will be the vehicle for broader Senate negotiations and an eventual conference with the House.
Energy Bill Update: Senate Version Coming this Week, But Pessimism Remains
The most important U.S. energy legislation, which will put a price on carbon emissions, could be introduced in the Senate as early as Wednesday of this week.
TECHNOLOGY
Solargy Systems Inc. Developing High Output Solar Panels
Solargy Systems Inc has indicated it is developing high output solar panels of 500 watts and possibly as high as 1000 watts at the same cost of standard 200 or 300 watt panels.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Bosch Waives Condition on Takeover Offer for Aleo Solar
In its ongoing takeover offer to the shareholders of aleo solar AG, the Bosch Group has now waived its condition that it should hold at least 75 percent of aleo solar AG stock when the public takeover offer expires.
Solarig & HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund Sign Solar Partnership Agreement
Solarig and HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund (HEIF) have sealed an alliance for the development and construction of more than 50 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Spain and Italy.
Sputnik Commissions First MW Size Plant
This month in Hemau, Germany, the first megawatt size plant built by Sputnik Engineering, a Swiss inverter manufacturer was commissioned.
Solar Power Incentives in Germany Draw Fire
As cheaper Chinese rivals threaten to outshine Germany’s pioneering solar-power industry, the head of a leading German solar company is proposing a radical counteroffense: cut the generous government subsidies that let German solar firms flourish in the first place.
French Announce New Solar Feed-in Tariffs
For the second time within twelve months, the conservative French Government has proposed raising the feed-in tariff for solar PV in the coming year.
Foreign PV Enterprises Seek Opportunities in China
Despite China’s domestic worries about an overcapacity forming in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, many foreign PV enterprises are now seeking opportunities in China.
Bringing Solar Power to Africa’s Poor
Politicians from 11 southern African countries gathered in Maputo, Mozambique, over the weekend to examine how to address climate change issues without reducing access to energy.
