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Solar News for January 2010
Green Energy
New Haven public schools to receive green energy and heating installation
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Public schools in New Haven will soon be getting a bit greener, as the school district has announced a partnership with a Holyoke, Massachusetts based green energy company to renovate the schools' heat and power systems.New Haven Public Schools and Aegis Energy Services announced their partnership on January 26 and will focus on the installation of a total of six 75-kilowatt Combined Heat and Power plants at schools throughout the city.The power plants will utilize cogeneration, or the "sim
Solar Business
Quantum achieves industry standard with photovoltaic modules
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide revealed on Friday that its photovoltaic solar panel modules had achieved important certifications that will enable it for mass production in the near future.The Lake Forest, California company announced that its 230-watt crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic modules had achieved the industry standards of UL in the U.S. and C-UL in Canada. Additionally, the company's modules also became listed as "eligible photovoltaic modules" under the Ca
Solar Energy
Solar companies join forces for rooftop solar panel projects in Ontario
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Energy Conversion Devices and the Efinity Corporation have announced a partnership to create a multitude of solar energy rooftop installations in Ontario, Canada.The agreement between the two companies was spurred somewhat by the recently passed feed-in-tariff program, which the Ontario Power Authority describes as "North America's first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production."According to Rafael Dobrzynski, CEO of Enfinity Corp, the new tariff
Solar Energy
Agreement between two companies to explore solar capabilities of landfills
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Months after creating a one-of-a-kind sustainable energy park at a Texas landfill, Republic Services has announced it will be transferring ownership of the park to Carlisle Energy Services Inc.After taking control of the Tessman Road Landfill in San Antonio, Texas, Republic combined flexible solar cell technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity onto a solar cap covering closed portion of the landfill along with a pre-existing gas-to-energy system to transform it into an energ
Solar Energy
Solar energy experts optimistic following State of the Union speech
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In the wake of President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech last week in which he stated that it was "time for America to lead again" in regard to solar power use, industry experts are rushing to add their opinion to the matter.According to photovoltaic analyst and PHOTON Consulting CEO Michael Rogol, solar energy has re-emerged as a force in America after lying dormant for so long."Solar power has reached a scale in the U.S. at which it is capturing national attention as an
Solar Energy
Carlisle Energy Services announces partnership to sell UNI-SOLAR laminates
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials has signed a deal to receive UNI-SOLAR photovoltaic laminates from Energy Conversion Devices.Carlisle Energy Services has signed a multi-year deal to utilize the solar laminated panels so it can offer a number of new services involving the sales and distribution of the photovoltaic panels with its already established roofing and rooftop products, Solarbuzz recently reported"UNI-SOLAR products are a natural fit for both our EPDM and
Green Energy
'Green' Baltimore hotel awarded by USGBC for renewable energy efforts
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Maryland's chapter of the United States Green Building Council has singled out Baltimore's Green Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot with a Special Accomplishment Award last week for its efforts to lead a green revolution in the Old Line State.Ever since the opening of the hotel in July 2009, the Green Fairfield Inn has drawn its fair share of attention for its renewable energy initiative.Last November Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley awarded the hotel with a sustainable tourism award. It was
Solar Energy
Canadian Solar partners with Spain-based Fire Energy Group
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Two solar energy companies from Canada and Spain have agreed to enter into a sales contract that could lead to the creation of solar energy modules that create 60 megawatts of power.Canadian Solar Inc. announced on Tuesday that it had entered into an agreement that will send the company's photovoltaic panel products to the Spain-based system integrator Fire Energy Group. By the end of 2010, Fire Energy is expected to have enough products to supply 60 megawatts worth of photovoltaic modules.The m
Solar Energy
Suniva and GS Battery to create solar energy storage device
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
While the Achilles heel of many power systems using solar energy has been their inability to retain energy without sunlight, and reliance on a backup form of energy, a new product by Suniva Inc. may help to alleviate the issue. The U.S.-based solar manufacturer announced on Thursday that it would be partnering with GS Battery, a U.S. subsidiary of the Japan-based GS Yuasa Group, to create a system that could store solar energy gathered by solar panels. "Solar system owners that are able to
Solar Energy
LDK Solar signs supply contract with subsidiary of Oneworld
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A leading manufacturer of multi-crystalline solar wafers - the materials used to produce cells in photovoltaic solar panels, has announced it will supply parts to a Canadian based subsidiary of Oneworld Energy Inc.The agreement between the two companies, which was announced on Wednesday, will deliver enough solar modules Ontario-based COU Solar to create products capable of providing 30 megawatts of solar energy."We are very excited to expand our relationship with COU/Oneworld. This relatio
Solar Energy
Survey finds increased interest in harvesting materials for renewable energy products
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
After years of wallowing in relative obscurity to many, renewable energy harvesting materials have begun to receive increased attention from companies looking to create smarter and cheaper energy solutions for themselves.According to a recent report published by Frost & Sullivan on Tuesday as part of its Technical Insights sector, titled Energy Harvesting Materials - The Road Ahead, the company found that several companies had begun showing interest in harvesting certain products for commerc
Solar Energy
Oregon-based company to use solar energy to power majority of facility
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
SEKO Worldwide has announced that it will utilize a number of available tax credits to convert its Portland, Oregon-based facility to one that runs on solar energy.The company, which offers supply-chain solutions to companies across the world, installed 143 solar panels on the company's 33,000 square-foot facility. After going into effect last month, the system can generate 31 kilowatts of electricity, approximately 80 to 90 percent of the electricity needed to power the facility.In total, the c
Solar Energy
Suntech to open photovoltaic solar panel plant in Arizona
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The world’s largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar panel modules has decided to utilize the opening of its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Arizona as a showcase for how efficient solar energy can be used.China-based Suntech Power Holdings Co. announced on Wednesday that it would locate its U.S. plant in Goodyear, Arizona bases on the state's forward thinking philosophies regarding solar power usage."I am pleased to welcome Suntech to Arizona, and commend the c
Solar Energy
Massachusetts Audubon Society Heavily Vested in Solar
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
It isn’t “new” news, but the Massachusetts’ Audubon’s investment in solar energy – 98.5 kilowatts (not counting solar hot water) – is one of the more surprising quiet revolutions in solar energy.The largest solar photovoltaic array in the system is at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s Esther Underwood Nature Center. There, a full 21.1 kilowatts of ground- and roof-mounted arrays are visible on top of the Platinum-certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building and al
Solar Energy
Washington D.C. company sells first carbon neutral home in district
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A leading Washington D.C. real estate company has announced the sale of the district's first ever "carbon neutral" home that ranks in the top one percent of the most energy efficient homes in the country.According to Urban Pace, the energy efficient home is not a modern structure, but actually a very old pre-Civil War home located at 19 4th Street, NE that underwent a vigorous energy conservation-oriented makeover by local build firm Greenspur.Among the changes made to the property dur
Solar Energy
NM Governor Richardson introduces solar energy project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has announced that a Spanish renewable-energy company has invested $1 billion to construct one of the largest photovoltaic solar panels on earth in the state and create solar power for the use of its residents.GA-Solar will be investing in the project, which will take four years to fully construct and be located on 2,500 acres of land in the state's Guadalupe County. Once completed, the project will be capable of generating 300 megawatts of solar energy, or en
Solar Policy
Intel To Install 6 Acre Solar Installation in CA
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The newest news from world-leading semiconductor chip manufacturing Intel Corp., the inventor of the x86 microprocessor found in most PCs, is that its Folsom, California location will soon sport the largest of eight new solar power systems the company plans to install in four states.Santa Clara, California-based Intel, which has U.S. facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, D.C., Illinois, Mass., New Hampshire, New Mexico, N. Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, S. Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia
Solar Policy
Phoenix Paradise Village Goes Solar
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
It would be a surprising development if public housing “greened” faster than private residential units, given the typical disparity in income between the two groups and the likelihood that affluent homeowners are better positioned to take advantage of renewable energy technologies like solar. But that’s exactly what seems to be happening in some areas of the nation, notably Phoenix.The city’s 62-unit Paradise Village, aimed at low- to middle-income Phoenix residents, has been retrofitted with so
Solar Energy
Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer to open new laboratory
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A leading manufacturer of the photovoltaic products used to create solar panels will be establishing a new laboratory to further its research on solar energy-related products.China-based manufacturer Trina Solar Limited announced on Tuesday that it had received the necessary documents from China's Ministry of Science and Technology to begin the establishment of the State Key Laboratory in the Changzhou Trina PV Industrial Park.While specific commercial terms of the structure have not yet been fi
Solar Business
Energy harvesting materials seeing increase in demand, says study
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Rising energy prices and a desire to become more environmentally friendly are among the reasons that a new survey has found that energy harvesting materials such as solar panels have become increasingly popular in recent years.According to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan titled Energy Harvesting Materials - The Road Ahead, it was determined that materials that are used to create self-powered devices have been on the rise due to continued developments in numerous fields, including the sola
Solar Energy
Apple looking to use solar power for portable devices?
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
While many are awaiting the announcement of new products from Apple, potentially including new iPhones and a tablet computer, the company has apparently already set its sight on its next technological breakthrough: the ability to run portable devices using solar power.According to The Atlantic, Apple recently submitted patent applications for a new system that could attach miniature solar panels onto their iPod and iPhone products to charge them without the need to plug anything into a power sou
Solar Energy
U.S solar technology company to help power Belgian expo center
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The second largest exhibition complex in Belgium has reached a deal with a U.S. rooftop photovoltaic solar panel producer to install solar power membranes to produce nearly 2 megawatts to power the structure.Energy Conversion Devices Inc. has been tapped by the Flanders Expo in Ghent, Belgium to install the solar power system, which will generate 1.87 megawatts of solar power for the structure. The system will utilize ECD's Uni-Solar photovoltaic laminates along with a durable roofing membrane t
Green Energy
More than 200 international experts pave the way for photovoltaic module recycling
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
More than 200 experts in photovoltaic (PV) energy, waste management and recycling participated today in the 1st International Conference on PV module recycling organized by PV CYCLE and EPIA in collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Attendees had the opportunity to learn first-hand from different industry associations and companies what is currently being done to implement recycling mechanisms and to minimise the environmental impact of end-of-life solar panels.“Sinc
Green Energy
Minneapolis To Build 2,600 Solar Panel Installation on Convention Center
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
On Jan. 21, the Minneapolis (Minnesota) City Council again voted to approve a solar project on top of the city’s convention center that would provide about 5 percent of the power the facility uses.The newest deal, aimed at St. Paul, Minnesota-based Best Power International LLC, a design-build solar energy company owned by Mario Monesterio, intends to provide a 600-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system delivered via 2,600 solar panels installed on the flat portions of the convention center r
Solar Energy
Duke Energy Buys 14Mw Blue Wing Solar Project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
On Monday, Jan. 25, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy announced plans to buy its first solar project.Duke, a publicly owned utility with about 35,000 megawatts of electricity generating capacity, serves about 4 million customers in North Carolina, western South Carolina, southwestern Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky.Duke’s electricity generation profile (53.3 percent coal, oil and gas, 46.4 percent nuclear, 0.1 percent hydro, .02 percent wind, and .001 percent solar) is very brown,
Solar Policy
Sequoia Solar Absorbing San Diego Solar Permit Rate Increase, Saving Customers $472
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In response to the city of San Diego’s solar permit rate increase from $93 to $565, Sequoia Solar will absorb the increase and pay the $472 difference through April 1, 2010.“This was a no-brainer for us,” said Sequoia Solar CEO Marty Reed. He added, “There is so much momentum going with solar in San Diego right now that we want to do our part to keep that moving forward and keep solar within the reach of San Diego homeowners. This is our Sequoia Solar stimulus package so to speak.”For more in
Solar Energy
New Jersey resident offered solar energy at discounted rate through 1BOG
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
New Jersey may see its share of unflattering environmental stereotypes, but it is also quickly becoming one of the nation's leaders in solar energy initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by homes and businesses throughout the state.One Block Off The Grid, one of the nation's largest solar consumer advocates in the country, announced on Monday that it would be implementing its first solar group purchasing program on the East Coast in the Northern part of New Jersey. The program will run through A
Solar Energy
Duke Energy to enter into solar power business following acquisition
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A large-scale renewable energy corporation has announced the addition of solar power to its commercial renewable energy options following its purchase of a large-scale photovoltaic solar panel company.Duke Energy Generation Services announced on Monday that it intends to purchase the Blue Wing Solar Project from Boulder, Colorado-based Juwi Solar Inc. in order to begin offering solar power services under their Duke Energy Commercial Businesses unit.The project, which will generate 14 megawatts o
Solar Energy
Ontario signs agreement for large-scale solar power project with Samsung
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A new green energy investment agreement between Samsung C&T Corporation and the Government of Ontario, Canada will result in the creation of wind and solar power projects that will be among the most substantial green energy projects in North America.The agreement was signed into effect last week by Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid, Premier Dalton McGuinty, Samsung C&T Corporation President & CEO Sung-ha Chi, and Korea Electric Power Corporation Executive Vice
Solar Energy
Golden State Warriors complete solar project to power practice facility
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The NBA's Golden State Warriors have unveiled their new solar power installation at their Oakland, California practice facility that could save them more than $2 million in the next 25 years.The project was the culmination of a partnership between the NBA franchise and California-based solar energy company The Solar Company and led to the creation of the first-ever solar installation to be used at an NBA practice facility. The solar system will supplement 26 percent of the facility's current ele
Solar Energy
New solar power dish unveiled in Arizona, to go into production this summer
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A partnership between Stirling Energy Systems and Tessera Solar has resulted in a new solar power plant featuring new solar energy systems that can generate up to 25 kilowatts each.Last week, the two companies unveiled their Maricopa Solar power plant to company partners and media only four months after breaking ground on the project. One of the project's centerpieces was the new SunCatcher solar panels produced for SES by Tessera.The solar energy systems consist of 38-foot mirrored parabolic di
Solar Energy
Colorado State University Dedicates One of Nation’s Largest Solar Plants on a University Campus
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Colorado State University today dedicated one of the largest solar plants in the nation at a university – a two-megawatt operation that will help the state meet goals for renewable energy and keep the university’s utility rates stable and affordable during the next 20 years. The solar power plant, owned and operated by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, features more than 8,000 Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) panels that cover 15 acres of the university’s Foothills Campus – about three miles west of the main
Green Energy
PSEG Opens New Energy and Environmental Resource Center
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
PSEG today hosted the grand opening of its new Energy and Environmental Resource Center (EERC) featuring hands on, interactive exhibits designed to promote conversations about energy, the environment and solutions for meeting the challenges of climate change.“The EERC reinforces PSEG’s belief that it takes a multi-faceted approach to combat climate change,” said PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo. “The exhibits highlight the importance of clean baseload power like nuclear as well as the role of renewables and
Solar Energy
California introduces solar water heating system incentive program
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The California Public Utilities Commission has announced that it will be establishing a new initiative that will establish monetary incentives for homes and businesses that install solar water heating systems.The California Solar Initiative Thermal Program applies to all homes in the areas covered by the four major gas and electronic companies throughout the state. It will be funded through $250 million in collections from natural gas ratepayers as well as $100.8 million through a separate photo
Solar Business
Jackson Hole, Facing 2011 Energy Cap, Looks to Solar
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In 2011, the residents of Jackson Hole, Wyoming will face what are likely to be astronomically inflated energy prices.Why? Because the local utility, Lower Valley Energy (LVE), a regional electric cooperative, will see itself operating in a new climate in which the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) – a federal entity that operates the Northwest U.S. grid and sells power from a series hydroelectric, nuclear and wind energy plants – caps energy purchases and changes its pricing structure to in
Solar Business
EOS Ventures Launches $4.5 Million Solar Energy Installations Across Mass.
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
On January 20, officials with Hancock, Massachusetts-based EOS Ventures announced the completion of a $4.5-million solar power package comprised of seven solar installations across the state – five in Berkshire County, one in Waltham and one in Seekonk.Design-build EOS, a two-year-old renewable energy startup which also offers project financing in the form of power purchase agreements, or PPAs, has so far built more than 1.3 megawatts of solar power systems across the Northeast.One of these syst
Solar Energy
SunRun to offer residential solar energy service in New Jersey
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In an attempt to broaden the use of solar panels from primarily corporate entities to residential homes, residential solar energy company SunRun has announced that it is expanding its service into New Jersey.Residents in the Garden State will now have the access to SunRun's unique solar energy services. After signing up for the service, homeowners will have solar panels from the company installed on their property to collect energy for costs as low as $500. Following the installation costs, home
Solar Energy
Solar energy summit to be held in San Francisco for 4th straight year
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Looking ahead toward what will be coming out of the renewable energy industry in the coming year, 650 concentrated solar power industry leaders will converge on San Francisco this June for the 4th Annual Concentrated Solar Power Summit.One topic that will likely headline the event will be discussion on how to handle the market potential for solar power throughout North America in the wake of new political and financial support the industry has received in the last year.A press release announcing
Solar Business
PG&E Corp. Venture Capital Arm to Finance SolarCity
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Think of Ford agreeing to fund mass transit expansions and you’ll come close to understanding the nature of PG&E Corp.’s (parent of California utility Pacific Gas & Electric) agreement to finance SolarCity solar panels on homes and businesses.Or perhaps you won’t. In any case, the recent announcement by PG&E Corp. subsidiary Pacific Venture Capital LLC – that it will provide $60 million in tax equity financing for design/build solar panel firm SolarCity – seems like either a timely and environme
Solar Energy
First Solar reaches agreement with New Mexico utility company to build solar power plants
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
First Solar has solidified a deal with the largest electric utility company in New Mexico to construct five separate utility scale photovoltaic solar power plants across the state by the end of 2011.Pending the approval of state regulators, the agreement would allow the Tempe, Arizona-based company the ability to construct the power plants that would generate 22 megawatts of solar power - enough to power 7,000 average-sized homes - that will be utilized by PNM and its 500,000 customers across th
Solar Energy
Western NY company signs agreement with Chinese solar power group
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A Western New York real estate and solar development company has agreed in principle to work with the Shanghai New Energy Industry Association to equip a Buffalo, New York-area business park with solar power.Montante Development announced on Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese organization, which is made up of 300 companies specializing in the renewable energy sector, to begin incorporating solar energy developments into New York to help consumers and compani
Solar Energy
SolarCity to install 1,000+ solar energy systems through new $60 million agreement
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A subsidiary of PG&E Corporation has announced a partnership with SolarCity Corp. intended to fund solar panel installations in homes and businesses across the country that require no upfront investments and will cut down on energy costs.Pacific Venture Capital LLC announced on Tuesday it would be investing $60 million in tax equity financing into SolarCity, one of the leaders in solar power system design and installation. The money will be funded by shareholders of PG&E and will be used
Solar Policy
10 Vermont Schools Get ARRA Solar Power Grants
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
According to an announcement by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (an Independent), 10 Vermont schools have been selected by the state to receive $50,000 solar power grants, each as a result of winning renewable energy proposals submitted last year. The funding, which will come from the U.S. Department of Energy via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA (also known as the stimulus), will help the schools install small-scale solar photovoltaic arrays which – though not large enough to
Solar Energy
DuPont commits nearly $300 million to photovoltaic-related production facility
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In an attempt to grow along with the burgeoning interest in solar energy, science-based product and service company DuPont has announced it has committed $175 million in additional funds to expand its photovoltaic product lines.The newly invested money will join $120 million that had previously been invested for capacity expansions announced last August to build a DuPont Tedlar PV2001 oriented film capacity, which is used as an essential component for the photovoltaic backsheets used in solar pa
Solar Business
Royal Caribbean Goes Solar
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
It’s probably not surprising, given that the cruise ship company was the first in history to equip two of its Celebrity Solstice-class ships with solar panels in 2009, but the addition of 21,000 square feet of solar thin-film panels to the Oasis of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship at 225,282 tons and 5,408 passengers – marks a sustainability high point for Royal Caribbean.Passengers can’t see the solar photovoltaic installation, which is on top of deck 19 (the ship’s uppermost deck), b
Solar Policy
Abound Solar Picks up $12.6 Million Tax Credit
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
On January 18, Abound Solar Inc. of Loveland, Colorado, announced that it would be getting $12.6 million in the form of a tax credit from the U.S. Energy Department, via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (also known as the economic stimulus program, or ARRA).The credit was reportedly awarded through a competitive selection process that examines how many “green” jobs a firm creates, the cost effectiveness of its operations, the speed at which it implements manufacturing processes
Solar Energy
Aerojet, Solar Power commissioned by EPA for help after successful solar project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The Environmental Protection Agency has asked for the continued partnership of two companies to help with its research on creating renewable energy production projects on land they controlDuring an event last week in Los Angeles hosted by the EPA, Aerojet and Solar Power announced they would be partnering up to help streamline the development process of almost 15 million acres of EPA-tracked land for potential renewable energy production projects.The two companies were chosen to work on the proj
Solar Business
Tower Automotive To Bring 200 New Solar Jobs to Arizona
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
According to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, her administration has secured an agreement with Tower Automotive to locate a manufacturing facility in Arizona that is likely to produce at least 200 local jobs.In September of 2009, Livonia, Michigan-based Tower Automotive, a global supplier of vehicle structural parts and assemblies, announced a strategic diversification which would see it manufacturing parts for Stirling Energy Systems under a long-term agreement.Stirling Energy Systems, or SES, head
Solar Energy
Golden State Warriors Go Solar At Team’s Practice Facility
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
New, Solar-Powered Practice Facility will save more than $2,000,000 in electricity costs over 25 yearsJANUARY 21 (Oakland, CA): A ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new solar installation at the Golden State Warriors practice facility in downtown Oakland, California, will be on Thursday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. Warrior’s President Robert Rowell and rookie guard Stephen Curry will be joined by Mark Danenhower, President of the Solar Company, at the unveiling of the new solar system.About the
Solar Energy
Shanghai World Expo to be powered by solar energy
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Showing that solar energy is by no means an inferior or limited form of energy production, Suntech Power Holdings has completed two solar systems that will power the China and Theme Pavilions at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.Suntech, the world’s largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar panel manufacturer, had initially been engaged by the Shenergy Group, one of the city’s largest power companies, to develop and build the two solar systems.Each system will be building-integrated an
Solar Energy
First Solar acquires projects from Edison Mission Group
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
One of the world’s largest solar module manufacturers has announced its acquisition of a number of solar projects located in California and the Southwest.First Solar announced on Thursday that the solar power projects it had acquired had been through an agreement with Edison Mission Group that gave them control of a portion of their solar project development pipeline.The acquisition was done primarily to increase First Solar’s portfolio of solar panel projects. The projects that will f
Solar Energy
JA Solar exec sees solar energy growth in 2010
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
An executive for a Chinese solar energy company is predicting that demand for sun-fueled power will rebound in the new decade as worldwide interest in the technology continues to grow.Ming Yang, the vice president of business development for JA Solar Holdings, told a New York news conference this week that he expected the global market for solar power to grow at "a 30 percent per year clip over the next two to three years," Reuters reported.Already, he said that overseas sales had been
Solar Business
First Solar Buys Out All EMG Joint Solar Projects
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In what has to be one of the biggest pieces of solar news this year, at least from a business standpoint, First Solar announced on Thursday, Jan. 14, that it had bought all the shares of its development partner, Edison International.The terms of the purchase have not been disclosed, but stocks for both Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar and Edison International’s Edison Mission Group (EMG), headquartered in Irvine, California, were recently trading lower; First Solar down 56 cents, and EMG down 24
Solar Energy
Maryland Staples facility completes solar energy project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A Maryland Home Depot is ringing in the new year with a newly green energy initiative, as it has completed the construction of the largest solar power station in the state.Earlier this month, the Staples fulfillment center in Hanover unveiled its 175,000-square-foot photovoltaic rooftop solar panel installation that had been born out of a partnership between the retail giant and SunEdison.The installation, which covers most of the 200,200-square-foot roof of the building will be able to generate
Green Energy
Personal carbon credits may be sign of things to come
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Well aware that preaching only does so much good, a website has decide to up the ante in its offerings for those who use means such as solar panels to reduce their carbon emissions: Cash.Such is what happened to the Wilson family from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. According to USA Today, after installing $58,000 in solar panels to decrease their carbon footprint, the family input their utility information into the website of My Emissions Exchange (MyEex.com) and eventually received a check in the ma
Solar Policy
Harvard University completes construction of solar power system
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Harvard University has announced the completion of its first large rooftop solar power system, which had been in the works for most of the last year.The system, which is comprised of SunPower T5 Solar Roof tiles, was installed by solar power developer CarbonFree Technology and was designed along with the help of SunPower, a San Jose-based solar technology company. In total, the 500-kilowatt system will generate enough energy to power 83 homes per year while also offsetting 367 metric tons of car
Solar Energy
Jemez Tribe of New Mexico to Build 14,850 Solar Panel, $22 Million Solar Power System
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In New Mexico, the 3,000-member Jemez tribe of Native Americans is planning the nation’s first utility-scale solar project on tribal land.For residents of New Mexico, it represents a future of cleaner energy. Most of the state is now powered by Colorado-based Tri-State Generation, whose generation mix includes approximately 70 percent coal, 24 percent natural gas and 5 percent oil.Other utilities include Arizona Public Service (APS), which operates Units 1, 2 and 3 of the notoriously pollutive F
Solar Business
Grande River Vineyards 70% of Energy Supplied from Solar Power
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In western Colorado, a regional vineyard has chosen solar photovoltaic panels to reduce its energy burden and deliver clean, renewable energy.Grande River Vineyards, near Palisade on the Western Slope, was founded in 1987 when Denver growers Stephen and Naomi Smith decided to take advantage of the Slope’s arid hillsides and moderate winters to produce some of the finest wine grapes in the nation.Under the hands of vineyard manager Jim Mayrose, the enterprise was a success, and by 1990, Grande Ri
Solar Business
SolarAttic's Conservation Technology Projected To Save
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
As the cost of energy continues to increase, so does debate over the issue of drilling versa implementing conservation technologies. Recently, the national dialogue was focused on painting roofs white to reduce the sun's energy impact on buildings. However, there are technologies in existence, which can make use of the solar heat on building roofs. Ironically, painting roofs white would actually increase energy costs by eliminating the energy savings that the hot roofs represent. SolarAttic's co
Solar Energy
200-acre solar farm proposed at Long Island laboratory
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Long Island may soon be the site of the largest solar energy farm in the Northeast if plans for a new solar energy project become a reality.The Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Long Island-based lab that qualifies as one of ten national laboratories that is overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced it intends to construct a 200-acre solar energy farm and generator in the island's Pine Barrens.According to NBC New York, the proposal
Solar Energy
New Mexico tribe investing in solar energy project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Leading the initiative in bringing solar power projects to Native American communities across the country, the Jemez Pueblo tribe in New Mexico has announced a new large-scale solar energy project. According to the Associated Press, the proposed 30-acre site for the project will contain 14,850 solar panels that will be able to generate four megawatts of solar energy or enough to power approximately 600 homes.The project will cost $22 million that will be financed through various government loans
Solar Policy
Duke Energy Announces Second Round of Rooftop Solar Program
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In response to a 2007 North Carolina state law which says that, by 2012, three percent of all retail electric sales by a utility must come from renewable energy resources, Duke Energy in 2008 established the North Carolina Solar PV Distributed Generation Program, which aims to install small solar arrays on public and private roofs across the state.Under the terms of its program, Duke Energy will own and maintain the systems during their 25-year lifetimes. Duke will also claim all renewable energ
Solar Energy
Minnesota Pushes Solar Energy Industry
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A September, 2009 article by Fresh Energy (a nonprofit organization leading the transition toward a clean, efficient and fair U.S. energy system) reported that Minnesota was slated to get about $26 million for “green” energy projects.Of that amount, $3 million was part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Cities program, which aims to increase solar participation in selected cities.Other project categories included: residential and small business renewable energy rebates for systems 40 kilow
Solar Energy
China solar power project will generate 2 gigawatts of solar energy
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A U.S.-based solar power company has entered into a large-scale agreement with a Chinese power equipment manufacturer that will lead to the creation of solar thermal power plants across China that will generate at least 2 gigawatts of power.The deal, which was signed last week in the Chinese State Council building, will partner U.S. solar power plant builder eSolar with Penglai Electric to make official what will become China's largest concentrating solar power project.The first part of the proj
Solar Policy
San Diego City Increases Solar Installation Fee 500%
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In a move that solar aficionados find inexplicable and dangerous, the City of San Diego in December upped its solar installation fee, from $93 to $565, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.San Diego City officials say the inflated cost reflects the actual cost by the city to insure that solar systems are installed in a safe and appropriate manner. The rate increase, they insist, has nothing to do with the city’s general fund.Still, it’s surprising the city would make such a move, given last
Solar Business
Wyoming's Biggest Solar Rooftop Array Installed on Padnos Iron & Metal
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Some are calling it the biggest solar array in the state. Unfortunately, that award may already have gone to Galesburg residents Sam and Conor Field, whose ground-based solar array of 700 panels provides enough energy to power 20 to 25 homes, at least according to local utility Consumer’s Energy.Still, the solar rooftop array at Louis Padnos Iron & Metal in Wyoming – of 636 Sharp solar panels across 15,000 square feet of roof – is nothing to sneeze at, particularly in a state where 10-kilowatt s
Solar Energy
New Jersey university agrees to 3.5 Mw energy panel constructions
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
An agreement has been reached between William Paterson University, Nautilus Solar Power, and SunDurance Energy to construct the largest solar energy facility at a university in the U.S.The project, which will include the installation of solar energy projects on the rooftop and parking lot of the Wayne, New Jersey university campus, will initially aim to generate three megawatts of solar power with the completion of its first phase this summer.The second part of the project, which will add anothe
Solar Energy
Walmart completes part of California solar energy project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Walmart has announced that is has completed a part of a solar power initiative with the installation of solar panels onto three California store locations. The three solar power projects - which are located at store locations in Paramount, Baldwin Park, and Highland - are part of a program announced by the retail giant last Earth Day. As part of the project, 10 to 20 Walmart facilities will be outfitted with enough solar power technology to almost double its use of solar energy use in Californi
Solar Business
ShopRite Supermarket Installs 1,024 Panel Solar Array
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The ShopRite of Garwood, New Jersey, just completed installation of a 276-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic array.The building, at 563 North Ave. East in Garwood, now sports 1,024 solar panels which jointly deliver 303,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to operate lighting and refrigeration units at what is primarily a highly diversified grocer, selling everything from baby food to fresh vegetables, with electronics and pharmacy offering one-stop shopping.The 276-kilowatt array also pr
Solar Business
SunWize Gets $7.8 Million in Solar Energy Contracts from VA
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Kingston, New York-based SunWize Commercial Power Systems, the installation arm of SunWize Technologies, recently announced the acquisition of $7.8 million more in solar power contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, or VA.SunWize, which operates as a solar power innovator, manufacturer and installer, said the funds will go to installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at 10 VA hospitals nationwide, for a total of more than 1.1 megawatt of solar energy. The company has, over
Solar Policy
ARRA Provides $4.8 Million for Texas Green Jobs
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Under a provision in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA, the state of Texas will get $4.8 million to train workers to fill jobs in the renewable energy industry.The funding, recently announced by Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), will be used to train about 1,000 workers at solar power plants in Austin and San Antonio. Once trained, workers will fill gaps in a Texas workforce depleted by the recent recession.According to Representative John Culberson (R-TX), the state ha
Solar Energy
Solar energy portable device chargers may gain popularity in 2010
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Energizer has introduced new charging devices that utilize solar energy instead of traditional electric to provide extra power to consumers' portable devices.The solar energy devices, which were recently featured at the Digital Experience! and Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, are part of Energizer's Energi To Go line of products that provide on-the-charging of portable devices such as mp3 players and cell phones.The company's Energi To Go SP Solar Power Packs will be able to charge variou
Solar Energy
New Jersey electric company forges ahead with solar farm projects
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
New Jersey's oldest and largest gas and electric utility company has announced its selection of four sites on which it hopes to construct ground mounted solar farms as part of a 12 megawatt grid-connected solar energy project.Public Service Electric and Gas Company said on Wednesday that it hopes to begin construction on the four energy farms in the spring so they can be ready at some point during the summer. Each of the farms - which will be located in Edison, Hamilton, Linden, and Trenton - w
Solar Business
Jacksonville Electric Association to Buy Solar From PSEG Array
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In Jacksonville, Florida, the city’s electric coop, Jacksonville Electric Authority, will soon begin buying “green” power from a 15-megawatt solar farm being built along U.S. 301, near JEA’s 1,270-megawatt natural-gas generation facility called Brandy Branch.The 200,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) ground-mounted panels, on 100 acres owned by JEA on Jacksonville’s Westside, are being installed by New Jersey-based solar firm PSEG Solar Source LLC, with initial power provided as early as March and the
Solar Energy
Military To Rely On Solar Power To Decrease Vulnerbility
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
On January 5, members of Ohio’s Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing joined Representative Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) to dedicate Phase IV of the unit’s massive, ground-mounted solar array currently rated at 1.2 megawatts.The solar farm, which will provide 37 percent of the electric needs of the base, is the largest of its kind at any Air National Guard station in the United States, and also the largest installed or projected solar installation in the state. The next largest is Dayton Power an
Solar Business
PSE&G Selects Sites and Developers for 4 NJ Solar Projects Totaling 12 MW
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
(Newark, NJ) PSE&G is starting the New Year by announcing it has selected four sites and developers for over $50 million in investments in 12 megawatts of grid-connected solar energy. PSE&G hopes to start construction at its sites in Edison, Hamilton, Linden and Trenton this spring, with projects completed this summer and fall. All four ground-mounted solar farms would be among the largest to be developed in New Jersey, with the Hamilton project being the largest in the state and the project in
Solar Energy
SEI completes solar panel project for Colorado school district
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Solar Energy Initiatives has announced the completion of an 80 kilowatt project for the Canon City School District in Colorado that will reduce the city's schools reliance on fossil fuels through the use of solar panel technology.The project was completed as part of SEI's "Renew The Nation" campaign that hopes to decrease the nation's reliance on fossil fuels while adding to the workforce through the spearheading of thermal and photovoltaic technology installation projects.The completi
Solar Energy
Nevada water company considering construction of 100 megawatt energy farm
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
One of the nation's leading private water resource companies has proposed the construction of a privately financed solar energy farm that would be among the biggest in the country.Vidler Water Company, which handles the acquisition of strategic water resources and water storage facilities for the Western part of the United States, recently announced its intent to build a 100-megawatt solar farm at its Fish Springs Ranch in Reno Nevada, the Reno Gazette-Journal recently reported. The 2,670 acre r
Solar Business
OPDE signs the biggest Project Finance in Spain in 2009 for €100 million solar photovoltaic project
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
The Spanish multinational OPDE, dedicated to the promotion, development, construction, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic plants, has just signed the largest Project Finance in Spain for a solar photovoltaic project in 2009. The agreement has been signed with Banco Santander, La Caixa and BBVA for two solar photovoltaic projects in Tordesillas (Valladolid) and Valtierra (Navarra), which together have a capacity of 22 MWp. The capital financed amounts to €100 million.This signing is
Solar Energy
Partnership of companies could lead to increased solar panel use in commercial and residential properties
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
A leading designer of solar panels has announced a partnership that it hopes will lead to an increased use of energy-saving photovoltaic products on residential, commercial, and utility industries.Solar Panel Plus has announced that it will be integrating its solar panel technologies with grid-tied inverters from Solectria Renewable LLC as part of the new partnership. Together, the products from the two companies will make it easier for customers to install solar paneling technologies and take a
Solar Energy
Massachusetts School Opts for 10 Kilowatt Solar System for Education
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In Ashburnham, Massachusetts, the successful installation of a solar photovoltaic system at the town’s municipal light plant has inspired town and light plant officials to ask for a federal grant to take solar a step further; installing solar panels at both Oakmont Regional High School and the Ashburnham Public Safety Building.The system at the light plant on 24 Williams Road, rated at 13.68 kilowatts, was a project of Evergreen Solar and installed by Allain & Son, Inc. The installation is the r
Solar Policy
Benicia, California Offers $75,000 for Solar Installation
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
In California, the mid-sized town of Benicia (Solano County) has agreed to participate in a California Communities solar program called CaliforniaFIRST, which will provide loans to homeowners to install solar systems via their property taxes.The loans offer up to $75,000 worth of solar financing power (or 10 percent of the property’s value, whichever is smaller), and are repaid over 20 years. A $10,000 solar system would cost an additional $500 per year, plus interest (at an unspecified rate) –
Solar Business
Deutsche Bank Completes 1,066 Panel Solar Array
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Deutsche Bank, a leading global investment firm, recently finished installing a 250-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its Piscataway, NJ, office as part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2012.The roof-mounted solar array consists of 1,066 solar panels generating about 270,000 kilowatt-hours per year of electricity. This is reportedly enough to provide all the electricity the facility needs during daylight hours (and, of course, on sunny days), and will offset 12-percent of the b
Solar Policy
Hawaii becomes first state to mandate solar water heaters
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
Under a law that took effect on New Year's Day, new homes in Hawaii will have to have solar water heating systems.Hawaii is the first state to have such a requirement.Rebates and incentives offered by utility Hawaiian Electric Company and the state will be phased out, said Inter-Island Solar Supply manager Ron Richmond to the Honolulu Advertiser. The cost of solar hot water heaters - about $5,000 to $6,000 - will be absorbed into the cost of new homes.But, said Blue Planet Foundation executive d
Green Energy
GRID Provides Solar Power at No Cost to Low-Income Homes in CA
Posted 2 years ago — Read Full Story
California is the nation’s solar energy leader, and groups like GRID Alternatives are the reason why.GRID, a nonprofit, clean energy organization (and program manager for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program), works with California communities and local organizations to identify needs and develop renewable energy solutions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable for low-income individuals and families.The SASH program is funded by California ratepayers,

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