Rise & Shine: February 19, 2009
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
SunRun Partners With SPG Solar to Bring Low-Cost Solar Electricity to More California Homeowners
Industry leaders partner to offer homeowners comprehensive solar system management
Mergers Under Way in Home Solar Installation Market
GroSolar, a New England solar installer, announced an aggressive move into sunny California, acquiring the residential-installation portion of Borrego Solar Systems, a San Diego County company with three Northern California offices.
California’s Renewable Energy Goals Feasible
California’s goal of getting 33 percent of its electricity from the sun, the wind and other renewable sources by 2020 might be more feasible than previously thought, according to a new government report.
How Green is Measure B?
An expert on renewable energy policy says the DWP shouldn’t shut out private-sector routes to going solar.
The Right Way for LA to go Solar
A partial transcript of remarks to The Times’ editorial board by supporters of Measure B, the solar program on the March 3 L.A. city ballot.
SunPower Corp. Signs Project Agreement with Sunshire
SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, has signed an agreement with Sunshire Srl, a subsidiary of Api Nova Energia Srl, to design and build a 2.2 MW solar electric power plant in Tolentino, Italy.
West County Waste Water District Uses Solar to Lock in Electricity Costs
West County Wastewater District, Solar Power Partners and Premier Power Renewable have completed a solar energy system designed to replace 35 percent of WCWD’s annual electricity usage with clean, renewable solar energy at zero out-of-pocket costs.
Home Solar Getting Cheaper
The average installation cost fell from $10.50 per watt in 1998 to $7.60 per watt in 2007, the study said.
Sun power: Butte College Unveils Newest Solar Array
With national attention being focused on renewable energy policies, Butte College proved its leadership in use of solar power by unveiling its newest set of energy-capturing panels Wednesday.
GE, SunPower and California’s Lake County Partner on 2.2MW Solar Power System
Arrays Constructed on Two Wastewater Treatment Plants and County Jail; Savings to County Residents May Reach $5 Million Over 20 Years.
NATIONAL NEWS
Solar Shining Bright in Coal Country
Pennsylvania state officials are pouring $180M into solar , hoping to reverse deepening job losses.
Solar-Power Equipment Prices Drop
Prices for solar-power equipment are plummeting in response to an oversupply of modules and components from the more than 250 global manufacturers, providing a potential boon for local governments, utilities and others trying to roll out new solar-power projects.
Spire Encourages Foreign PV Manufacturers to Establish US Operations
Spire Corp., a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories to manufacture photovoltaic modules worldwide, has initiated its Come to America program to assist foreign manufacturers of PV modules to establish manufacturing operations U.S.
UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion
Renewable energy advocates released a report outlining why the federal government, not the states, should have more say in approving transmission projects.
Study Says Federal Government Must Lead US Grid Update
U.S. lawmakers must set specific guidelines and provide resources for federal agencies to foster the development of an electricity grid that can handle renewable energy power sources, according to a study released on Wednesday.
FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
REC Reports 4th Quarter 2008 and Full Year Results
Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) reported revenue of NOK 2,380 million in the fourth quarter 2008, an increase of 27 percent from NOK 1,874 million in the fourth quarter 2007. For the full year 2008, revenue increased by 23 percent to NOK 8,191 million.
MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Shakeout Under Way, Serious Oversupply to Come, Report Says
We’ve been approaching the tipping point for awhile now, and according to the latest research from Lux, the solar market is finally tumbling over with a push from the global economy.
TECHNOLOGY
Polysolar Wins Best Emerging Technology Award
Polysolar, an innovative Cambridge company developing transparent photovoltaic glazing based on organic photovoltaic material, was the winner of the ‘Best Emerging Technology Award 2009′ at the East of England Energy Group’s ‘Energy Innovation’ awards ceremony held in Norwich on the 4th February.
Powering The Future: Solar Cells By The Metre
Trials commencing today promise a new era of solar cells that are printed like money.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Suntech: Solar Market Looking Up
The Chinese solar panel maker expects the U.S. market demand to reach as much as 700 megawatts if the federal stimulus plan works out. Suntech plans to begin shipping thin-film panels this year.
Centrotherm to Construct 50MW Thin Film Manufacturing Plant
Centrotherm photovoltaics AG has received an order to construct a thin-film plant. Illies Renewables GmbH, Hamburg, has ordered a 50 MW production line for thin-film modules based on CIGS technology for its production location at Magdeburg-Rothensee, Germany.
T-Solar Starts Thin Film Production
T-Solar Global has begun volume production of the world’s largest solar photovoltaic modules using a SunFab Thin Film Line supplied by Applied Materials, Inc.
Acciona Project Equipped with Ingeteam Inverters
The solar project – the largest in its class – was connected to the Portuguese grid on Dec. 29, 2009.
Sun Well Solar, Oerlikon Complete Ramp Up Of 40MW Line
Oerlikon Solar and Sun Well Solar, a subsidiary of CMC Magnetics, have finished the ramp-up of a 40 MW amorphous thin-film silicon production line – one month ahead of schedule. The Sun Well IEC certification was earned in October 2008.
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