NEWS

US OMSA Forms Offshore Wind Committee

The U.S. Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) has formed the OMSA Wind Committee said to be dedicated to supporting the local offshore wind industry and the Jones Act. The OMSA Board of...

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JDR Wins SeaMade Inter-Array Cable Contract

Hartlepool-based JDR Cables has signed a contract with DEME Offshore to provide inter-array cables and accessories for the SeaMade offshore wind farm in the Belgian North Sea. JDR, part of the...

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Universal Foundation Wraps Up Suction Bucket Tests

Universal Foundation has completed the industrialized suction bucket installation tests offshore Denmark. The offshore campaign was completed on 1 June and the industrialized suction bucket...

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German State Clears Gennaker Offshore Wind Farm

The German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has granted a license to OWP Gennaker GmbH, a subsidiary of wpd, to build and operate the 865.2MW Gennaker offshore wind farm. The license covers the...

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Wilhelmsen Ship Management Buys Half of NorSea Wind

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) is acquiring a 50% stake in NorSea Wind and its subsidiaries with an aim to strengthen its foothold in the offshore and onshore wind sectors. WSM said that with the...

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Bold Tern Halfway There on Hornsea One

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's jack-up Bold Tern has installed the 44th Siemens Gamesa 7MW turbine on the Hornsea One offshore wind farm, marking a halfway point on the project for the company. The...

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NKT Puts Kriegers Flak CGS Cable Into Operation

NKT has commissioned the 170kV high-voltage cable system at the Kriegers Flak Combined Grid Solution (CGS) connecting Denmark and Germany. According to NKT, the work on the CGS cable connecting the...

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Ideol and AOL Present Market-Ready Floating Substation

Ideol and Atlantique Offshore Energy (AOE) have unveiled the details of their market-ready universal floating offshore substation. Developed in cooperation with ABB, the floating offshore substation...

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MHI Vestas Turns Borkum Riffgrund 2 Reins Over to Ørsted

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has handed over the commercial operation of the 56 V164-8.3 MW wind turbines on the Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm to Ørsted. This marks the official inauguration of...

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SMC Bags Formosa Deal

Specialist Marine Consultants (SMC) has won a client representative contract for the Formosa 1 Phase 2 offshore wind project in Taiwan. SMC will provide client representative services across a range...

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Wind Measurements is making an new web platform for selling used towers: www.usedmetmasts.com

Company was based in 1999 with an long history in the met mast towers manufacture, instalation and meintenance industry.

„In the last years many clients where asking us for finding a new owner or destination for their towers. Since they used the towers for an limited time 2-3 years and the life time of an good tower is minimum 15 years is still a lot of value in the the tower structure itself or in the tower equipment.

Because of this demanding requests we launch this web platform to facilitate the transactions for all the players in this market.” - Mihai Suciu general manager.

Wind Measurements signed an contract to desinstall 20 lattice met masts

Magnum Energy releases MagWeb Wireless Monitoring ME-MW-W

Large-scale Solar Power is Focus of New PennWell Event

In 2010, the U.S. solar power market grew more than 100%, with 28% of installations considered large-scale – over 1 MW. There are now more than 700 MW of utility PV projects under contract and 11 GW of concentrating solar power plants in various stages of development across North America.

Green Carrots: Conergy completes solar installation for Grimmway Enterprises

Yingli Green Energy Announces Business Updates

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar," today announced certain business updates.

PennWell Corporation Announces Large-Scale Solar Conference and Exhibition

TULSA, OK, May 12, 2011 –PennWell Corporation announces a new annual conference & exhibition for the large-scale solar power market. Solar POWER-GEN Conference & Exhibition, which will premier in Long Beach, CA on Feb. 14-16, 2012, will be co-located with the 9th annual Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America. The new event will delve into the specifics of developing, supporting and growing large-scale solar power in North America.

OPEL Proposing New Directors and Other Governance Information

OPEL Solar International Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OPL) ("OPEL" or "the Company") today announced a realignment of its Board of Directors.

Carbon War Room CEO: "Radical Incrementalism Will Fail"

The Richard Branson-backed nonprofit, the Carbon War Room is a group that thinks big in the battle against catastrophic climate change. They're only interested in attacking problems with the potential to reduce carbon emissions on the gigaton scale, that is reducing emissions by a billion tons a year.

Gov. Mitch Daniels signs energy bill with voluntary Clean Energy Portfolio Standard for Indiana

AWSL Issues Shareholder Update on Power Purchase Agreement Status, S-1, Rooftop Solar Pipeline and New Video News Updates.

Atlantic Wind & Solar (OTC:AWSL) reports that they have received notice from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), confirming that 26 of their initial Power Purchase Agreement applications, all applied for last year between June and December, have been successfully processed by the OPA and have moved into the OPA's final review queue. The initial 26 contracts are expected to be released in the next round of Capacity Allocation Exempt (CAE) approvals. As indicated in a Press Release issued by the OPA on February 24, 2011, this may be expected to occur any time.

3TIER Names Craig Husa as New CEO

3TIER®, a global leader in renewable energy risk analysis, today announced that Craig Husa has been named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Husa brings over twenty years of executive leadership experience in high-growth, technology companies. He previously served as CEO of break-through companies including NeuralIQ, General Software, and Healia. He also founded CourtLink Corporation which was acquired by LexisNexis.

ADVANCED ENERGY SETS INDUSTRY RECORD FOR SOLAR INVERTER EFFICIENCY

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), today announced that its 500kW Solaron® PV inverters have achieved a 98 percent efficiency rating from the California Energy Commission (CEC), a record-breaking efficiency rating for any inverter in this power class. Advanced Energy also held the previous industry benchmarks of 97 percent and then 97.5 percent. By achieving 98 percent average efficiency without carve-outs for auxiliary power or other adjustments, the company is further distancing its products from competitors in the large commercial and utility-scale solar inverter market.

Schiller Wins Additional Thin Film Fab Automation Contracts

Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG, a leading provider of production solutions to the solar industry, announced today that it has been awarded contracts for a new thin film factory. Based on the Schiller design already in use in 8 operating thin film factories, the new contract expands the company's growing base of business in China.

TROJAN BATTERY EXPANDS AGM LINE TO SUPPORT A WIDER RANGE OF SOLAR APPLICATIONS

Trojan Battery adds U1-AGM and 22-AGM battery models expanding its AGM lineup to feature a wider variety of battery sizes to address most any renewable energy application. The new deep-cycle AGM batteries support the power needs of renewable energy off-grid and grid-tied solar home systems, solar lighting, industrial and backup power applications that require daily battery cycling capabilities. Trojan batteries provide the reliability and low maintenance which are key factors contributing to the overall performance and maintenance requirements of a grid-tied or off-grid solar system.

California grows wind energy market and reaps the benefits, encouraging 20,000 dealmakers to head to Anaheim in 10 days

MA Proposes GHG Restrictions on Biomass Power

The Massachusetts governor's office last week said the biomass electricity industry must meet strict emissions standards if wood-fired power plants expect to earn renewable energy credits (RECs).

GEA Sees Lively Discussion, Strong International Presence at Geothermal Forum in DC

The 2011 Geothermal Energy Technology and International Development Forum was held by the Geothermal Energy Association, in collaboration with The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Energy, on May 4 in Washington DC. High level officials in attendance represented Pakistan, Canada, Dominica, Iceland, Japan, St Kits and Nevis, New Zealand, Hungary, Australia and Indonesia.

Advanced Energy Storage: What's the Value of Frequency Regulation?

Advanced energy storage, including solutions based on lithium-ion battery technology, are technically and economically superior to traditional generation-based mechanisms used for supply of ancillary services. Energy storage can also help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy by compensating for the variabilty of wind and solar. Energy storage makes these sources more predictable, allowing them to be more seamlessly integrated with the existing power grid.

Natural Power to host free webinar on lidar best practice

Natural Power's Technical Director will be hosting a free webinar on the company's recommendations on the use of lidar in field campaigns for wind energy projects.

California's Largest Multi-Residential Solar Water Heating Project of State's New Program

Thanks to a new solar water heating incentive program from the state of California, The Tradewinds, a community of condominium homes nestled in the heart of San Jose's Blossom Valley, will become the largest solar water heating project in the state. Construction on the project is expected to start this month.

Spire Corporation Reports Results for First-Quarter 2011

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) integration services for solar systems, today reported revenues from continuing operations for the first-quarter ended March 31, 2011 of $18.4 million, a 2% decrease from $18.9 million for the same quarter of 2010.

Ormazabal signs LTA with Vestas Offshore UK and Siemens Wind Energy Systems

Renewable Energy Associations Laud United Nations Climate Report

Leaders of the renewable energy industry hailed the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that shows with the right policies to support growth, renewable power sources could dominate the world's energy supply by 2050, and called even more strongly for the development of smart energy policies to ensure that renewables continue to grow.

SolarBridge Lauches Microinverters for a New Market

The idea of combining power conversion electronics with solar panels to create AC panels has been kicked around for a while. But it hasn't taken off in the market partly because developing suitable inverters and making them in volumes has proven a serious challenge. That barrier is disappearing, however. SolarBridge Technologies, for one, announced Monday that it has begun producing its microinverters in volumes, a milestone for a company that delayed the product launch to improve the technology.

40th ASES National Solar Conference Features More Than a Dozen Industry-Leading Speakers

Attendees of the 40th annual ASES National Solar Conference (SOLAR 2011), May 17–21 in Raleigh, N.C., will gain valuable insights, experience and training from 14 industry-leading speakers. The speakers represent government, utilities, nonprofits, national environmental organizations and other groups essential to increasing renewable energy use. They will discuss advances in technology and mass deployment of renewable energy and efficiency, national security, jobs creation, how to market solar PV and thermal, legislation to encourage further growth of renewable energy and much more.

Environmental Attorney Todd E. Palmer Joins Michael Best to Lead Environmental Team

The law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is pleased to announce that Todd E. Palmer has joined the firm as a Partner in its Madison office, effective May 2nd. Mr. Palmer will lead the Environmental Law Group within the Firm's Energy & Sustainability Industry Team. Throughout his 19-year career, Palmer has focused his practice on environmental law and in particular on assisting clients with the complexities of the Clean Air Act.

The 22nd Annual Energy Fair Annouces Will Allen as Keynote Speaker

Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) in celebrating its 22nd annual Energy Fair, June 17 – 19, 2011. Each year, The Energy Fair brings over 20,000 families, homeowners, and professionals from all over the nation to celebrate and discover renewable energy and sustainable living. The Energy Fair is the nation's longest running and largest energy education event of its kind. This 3-day event includes over 200 exhibitors, over 200 workshops, a Clean Energy Car Show, Green Home Pavilion, Green Building Demo, Sustainable Tables, inspirational keynotes, lively entertainment, great food, and local beer.

NLP Solar Sales Training

The NLP Solar Sales Training Course provides you with all the information and tools necessary to close a residential solar sale.

New solar I-V curve educational poster from Solmetric

Solmetric has announced this free poster to help solar professionals and trainers develop their understanding of I-V curves. In addition to background information, the poster provides helpful tips on troubleshooting and measurement techniques.

Wilmington Friends School to use new campus solar power system for student education

Wilmington Friends School, one of the oldest private schools in the country, today announced that it will install more than 700 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftops of two campus buildings this summer, resulting in one of the largest of solar PV systems on a K-12 school in Delaware and providing a unique learning opportunity for the school's students.

The Emerging Market for Small Renewables in California

The long battle between public and private power is flaring up again. California is the hot spot because the state legislature has lined up on the side of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), a form of public power lite in which communities choose power sources but distribution is left to the incumbent utilities.

Biomass Energy – Mixed Signals Abound

Standing in front of 200 New Hampshire loggers on a cold night last February, it was my job to explain electricity markets and why biomass power projects are facing a tough time. For these guys, it wasn't an academic discussion of the influence of natural gas prices on wholesale power prices. It wasn't a class on supply and price interactions in the market for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). It was about their jobs.

Solar Energy International Launches Continuing Education Series

In 20 years of service to the renewable energy and solar industries, Solar Energy International has seen the growth of professions in the green workforce and need for continuous learning and training opportunities.

WSTE Not, Want Not

A truly sustainable economy would produce no waste: everything would be recycled or reused for some productive purpose. We're a long way from that ideal today, but the rising cost of commodities makes recovering used material through recycling increasingly economic. Further, the rising cost of energy makes converting municipal and industrial waste into advanced biofuels or combusting it to produce electricity an increasingly economic option.

Baltic Sea Could Be Home to 1 GW of Wind Power Capacity

The Baltic Sea is poised to become Europe's second biggest wind energy hub after the North Sea following the launch of Germany's first commercial offshore wind power park.

Lufft VENTUS ultrasonic anemometer tested survivability to -95 degrees C!

Lufft VENTUS anemometer proven by latest test to withstand extreme vibration, corrosion heat and extreme ice conditions. The HALT test is a special test designed to destroy a wind sensor by pushing it to the limits of heat, cold, vibration and corrosion. The VENTUS survived to -95 degrees and +95 degrees C and the maximum vibration and corrosive limits of the test. Lufft has plans to improve the sensor to reach -120 degree C to +120 degree C limits of functionality.

Spire Corporation to Hold First-Quarter 2011 Conference Call on May 11, 2011

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules and Engineering, Procurement and Construction integration services for solar systems, today announced that the Company will host its first-quarter 2011 financial results conference call on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

Second-Generation Biofuels Gain Traction But Growth Challenges Remain

Some 5 billion gallons of second-generation biofuels could hit the market in five years, a new research report by consultancy Frost & Sullivan revealed last month. However, analysts say the fledgling sector remains challenged by high feedstock and production costs due to a complex production chain.

Virginia Transformer Celebrates 40th Anniversary

May 1, 2011 marks Virginia Transformer Corporation's 40th year in business. The company was founded in 1971 in Roanoke, VA, and has since grown to be a major manufacturer and worldwide supplier of power transformers.

Solar FlexRacks Are Part of One of the Largest Solar Arrays in the State of Michigan

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — The Solar FlexRack, the most innovative rack mounting system for photovoltaic cells, continues to be a popular choice for solar projects serving both residential and commercial energy needs.

Colorado Legislature Cuts Permit Fees for Solar Installations

Costs to install solar technology are set to decrease in Colorado under new legislation just passed by the state Senate yesterday. Known as the Fair Permit Act, this legislation HB-1199 prevents state and local government agencies from charging excessive permit fees and plan review fees to customers installing solar electric or solar thermal systems.

China's Hebei Province Aims To Boost Renewable Energy Development

Hebei province proposed in its Twelfth Five-Year Plan, which spans 2011-2015, increasing the portion that renewable energy contributes to final energy consumption -- including electricity, heat and fuel -- from 2.6 percent to more than 5 percent, in a move to boost the development of the new energy sector.

How ASES is Innovating Conference Training - The Top 5 Reasons to Attend Solar and You! 2011

There are a lot of in-depth training programs and a lot of solar conferences in this industry. But there's only one that combines the two: the Solar and You! training sessions at the ASES National Solar Conference.

MIT Showcases New Way of Turning Sun's Heat into Electricity

MIT researchers and their collaborators have come up with an unusual, high performance and possibly less expensive way of turning the sun's heat into electricity.

NREL Adds Giant Wind Turbine to Research Site

Blades longer than a basketball court, a tower the length of a football field, the 3-megawatt Eco 100 is the latest — and largest — wind turbine behemoth erected at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) near Boulder, Colo.

Manufacturing Agreement: Conergy launches Conergy ON quality solar module in Ontario

• 2-year module supply agreement ensures Conergy customers meet consumer demand • Good build quality and energy production specifications promise long-term performance and yield • Conergy ON is fully compliant with Ontario FIT and MicroFIT programs' local content requirements

Utilities Gearing Up for Smart Grids

It wasn't so long ago that we were wondering whether the term 'smart grid' should have a hyphen or not.

Reassessing the Chinese Clean-Tech Juggernaut (or Why the U.S. Shouldn't be Written off Quite Yet)

China is clearly a clean-tech force to be reckoned with. It installed more wind power, manufactured more solar PV and solar hot water heaters, and spent more money overall on clean-energy investments than any other nation in 2010. The Chinese government, facing severe pollution issues and energy shortages, has made clean tech a cornerstone of its economic security and development plans.

Conergy: Alexander Gorski Appointed as Deputy Board Member

Top Trends in the Adoption of Electric Vehicles

A key take-away from this electric vehicles webinar recording is the myriad types of businesses that will flourish as a result of the migration to electric transportation, including clean power generation, "telematics" (information services), smart-grid components, and billing services.

Krannich Solar at National Solar Conference 2011

The Interview: Leadership Roundtable

James G.P. Dehlsen is a pioneering figure in wind power and renewable energy. In 1980, Dehlsen founded Zond Corp. and served as its CEO and Chairman of the Board. The company, which is now owned by GE, pioneered wind power technology and grew to become one of the largest global companies in wind turbine manufacturing, wind power project development and plant operation. He was honored with a leadership award at this year's conference.

The Costs of Inaction

Despite what has been said in recent Congressional hearings and debates; despite the House vote to block the Environmental Protection Agency's climate regulations; and, despite what a handful of vocal skeptics are saying, climate change is real. It is happening. But, it is not just about changes in weather patterns. This phenomenon could cost the U.S. billions of dollars and thousands of jobs if we doing nothing to slow it.

Wind in Egypt Presses On

Less than two months after former President Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office, the transition government now aims to push ahead with stalled plans to build new wind farms in the Gulf of Suez.

Nanosolar's 3 Big Contracts and Plans to Deliver Them

Nanosolar has been trying hard over the past year to repair its public image as a startup that raised a huge amount of money but had little to show for. It hired a new CEO, semiconductor industry veteran Geoff Tate, early last year and began to provide more realistic numbers about its factory capacity and production rates.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Briefing Features City of Saint Paul and PG&E

On Thursday, May 12 AltaTerra Research will host the online briefing, "Solutions for Sustainable Cities: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning and Deployment." The briefing will feature speakers from the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Registration is complimentary for government employees.

U.S. wind industry reports enduring growth in first quarter of 2011

World's Largest Web-Based PV Monitoring Solution Reaches 50,000 Registered Solar Systems

With 50,000 registered solar arrays in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada, SMA's Sunny Portal is the world's largest Web platform for monitoring, managing and presenting photovoltaic systems. That equates to 3.5 gigawatts of power monitored via the Sunny Portal Web site and iPhone application, both free services.

KYOCERA Supplies 6MW of Solar Modules for Solar Power Plant in Italy

KYOTO, April 28, 2011 — Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) announced that it has supplied approximately 6-megawatts (MW) of the company's multicrystalline silicon solar modules for a large-scale solar power plant near Turin, Italy.33-2

Valentin Software's impressive new integrated photo dimensioning tool is now available in PV*SOL Pro.

PV*SOL Pro 4.5 is now available with Valentin Softwares' PhotoPlan tool, as well as the new Metesyn design which allows for climate data searches with a given zip code!

DynGlobal Releases Emergency Preparedness Portable Solar Power Solutions

SolarCraft Team Member Honored for Green Living

SolarCraft announced today that a staff member, James Holloway, was honored as a Clean Energy Advocate by the City of Santa Rosa at its 2nd Annual Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Schiller Highlighted for Advanced Solar Manufacturing Solutions

Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG, a world leading provider of production solutions to the solar industry, was featured recently in Greentech Media's coverage of advanced solar manufacturing.

Malaysia Adopts Sophisticated System of Feed-in Tariffs

Joining several other Asian countries, Malaysia's parliament has approved a sophisticated system of feed-in tariffs to develop its renewable energy resources.

Anaerobic Digestion: Unaddressed Opportunity

While wind and solar generally grab the lion's share of headlines on renewable energy, there are less celebrated, untapped renewable energy resources that can add to the U.S.'s energy mix. One example is a form of waste-to-energy.

The Solar Golden Mean

When it comes to solar energy there's a lot of confusion about size. Still in its infancy, industry claims of "first" and "best" are reminiscent of two toddlers arguing over who's dad is bigger

Magnum Energy goes to Africa

Magnum Energy goes to Africa. In continuing support, our very own Gary Baxter went to Africa to be a part of African Energy's 20th Solar & Back-Up Power Training Seminar.

Winds of Change: Challenges in an Ongoing Wind Boom in Texas

In regard to wind energy, Texas is the most important state in the U.S. and has been leading the American wind energy market with a cumulative installed wind energy capacity of 10,085 MW, which is more than twice the capacity of the next ranking state, Iowa (3,675 MW).

Stoel Rives Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Team presents THE LAW OF MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC ENERGY: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues

Trina Solar Announces Sales Agreement with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures

Trina Solar Limited (TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that its subsidiary, Trina Solar (U.S.) Inc., has signed a sales agreement to supply solar modules to US-based FRV AE Solar, LLC ("FRV"), a subsidiary of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc. ("FRV, Inc."), a global independent solar power producer.

Solar Frontier Opens Largest Thin-film Plant in the World

One of the world's largest solar module factories, perched atop the bucolic foothills of West Japan's bamboo and pine-covered mountains, began operating in February.

Shenzhen's Achievements in Solar Industry

Responding to Premier Wen's commitment at Copenhagen Conference, Shenzhen City requires that all of the newly constructed buildings (less than 12 floors) should be installed with the solar power. And the scope of relevant regulation will be enhanced to all the constructions. Shenzhen City has already been approved by the Central Government to be Pilot City in turns of making good use of renewable energy. The central government requires that Shenzhen City must successfully adopt renewable energy for 7 million square meters area within 3 years. This is a good turning point for Shenzhen City to adopt the solar power for the constructions.

China's Wind Power Sector Expected To See Tremendous Growth

The nuclear accident triggered by the devastating earthquake in Japan has created new market opportunities for China's wind power sector. According to a statistical report released by the Chinese Wind Energy Association, mainland China added 18.9 GW of new wind power capacity in 2010, a year-over-year increase of 73.3 percent, bringing the country's installed wind power capacity up to 44.7 GW and catapulting the country to first place globally for the first time, ahead of the U.S., in terms of installed wind power capacity.

Myths about Large-scale Solar Threaten Public Lands

The Interior Department and Department of Energy are currently engaged in a large-scale plan for solar development that proposes to open up 21.5 million acres of public land to permit applications by industrial-scale solar developers. Projects will include large-scale PV and CSP plants. Much of the land being targeted is in fragile desert areas that support rare and endangered plant and animal species. And while the developments are expected to have operational lifetimes of just 30 to 50 years, their impacts will be permanent, irreversibly converting the land to industrial zones.

Facebook Datacenter Grand Opening Features PV Trackers® Solar Array

On Friday, April 15th, Facebook hosted a Grand Opening celebration for their first new Datacenter in Prineville, Oregon, and the first thing visitors saw upon entering the site is a 100kW array of PV Trackers (PVT) dual-axis solar trackers.

The Cadmium Telluride Solar Factory Race

Solar manufacturers are racing to build the next cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) factory in the United States. Three major CdTe on glass factories in the US have been recently announced each with a unique starting point.

Our Final Podcast. For Now.

We're sorry to announce that after five years of production, our Inside Renewable Energy podcast series will be coming to a close after this week's episode.

Creating Investor Certainty in Large-Scale Solar

Helped by government loan guarantees and growing investor confidence in the technologies, large-scale solar PV and CSP developers have made some headway in recent weeks. But there are plenty of headwinds too.

Small Wind Conference

The 7th annual Small Wind Conference on June 14 - 15, 2011 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the premier event for small wind-electric system installers, designers, manufacturers, educators and advocates, and for those involved in sales, specification, management, funding, and permitting of small wind systems.

Spain Seeks To Shore Up Battered Biofuels Industry

Spain has pledged to launch measures to help shore up the biofuels industry, which is being hit by huge imports of biodiesel from foreign producers.

BrightSource Guns for a $250M IPO

The solar industry hasn't had a blockbuster initial public offering for a while, underscoring the investors' confidence in the long term prospect of solar. Could BrightSource Energy help change that? The company recently filed to go public and raise $250 million in order to complete a series of power plant projects and fulfill power delivery contracts to utilities.

Solar Lifts California Home Sales Prices

Homeowners in California who invest in photovoltaic systems are netting up to 6.4 percent more in resale value for their homes than for similar homes sold without solar systems, according to a new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley.

Renewables on the business agenda

David Appleyard, conference director at Renewable Energy World Europe (REWE) examines the transformation of renewables from niche interest to major driver in the global energy arena highlighting some of the key industry issues that will be addressed at this year's conference.

Renewable Energy World Europe announces schedule of panel discussions and keynote speakers

Renewable Energy World Europe, Europe's leading renewable energy conference and exhibition, today announced details of the major panel discussions and keynote speakers scheduled for this year's event at Fiera Milano City in Milan, from 7-9 June. With Europe's 20-20-20 targets topping the industry agenda, organisations of all sizes and types are having to adopt a more strategic approach to renewable energy technologies. This year's joint plenary panel discussion sets out to address European Power Policy and will examine how the industry can deliver on its ambitious clean energy targets.

Solaria, Rabobank Ink Solar Loan

Solar panel maker Solaria inked a loan for its new Fremont, CA-based tracking demonstration field and manufacturing facility on Earth Day with Rabobank, representing part of the $65 million in funding that Solaria has recently raised. Dan Shugar, CEO of Solaria Corp. also recognized the financial support of the California Public Utilities Commission, for the development of the Fremont facility.

Spire Corporation Honors Earth Day by Teaming Up with Rails-to-Trails

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced that it kicked-off its efforts to give back to both the community and the environment last Friday, Earth Day, by planting a golden forsythia on the Minuteman Bikeway, a branch of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The plant symbolizes Spire's monthly commitment to cleaning up the litter and excess debris from the trail.

Solar on Campus

Situated on 375 rolling and tree-covered acres in Wayne, N.J., William Paterson University might offer an idyllic classroom setting, but a less-than-ideal spot for solar energy.

Indiana House passes Clean Energy Portfolio Standard, spurring Hoosier job creation

Growth of American Wind Power means a cleaner Earth

On this celebration of Earth Day, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is proud to note that beyond being affordable and homegrown, wind is by far one of the cleanest forms of energy on the planet. As evidence, wind uses no water, requires no fuel, and has no waste.

Spire Solar Systems Breaks Ground at the Berkshire School

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), an American global solar company providing turn-key production lines to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) integration services for solar systems, today announced that it has begun the construction of a 2 megawatt(MW),eight-acresolar PV system at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts.

Dates announced for IntertechPira's 5th Annual Organic Photovoltaics conference

IntertechPira is pleased to announce the 5th annual Organic Photovoltaics 2011 conference, scheduled for September 20-21, 2011 at the University of Pennsylvania: Houston Hall, Perelman Quadrangle in Philadelphia, PA, US. Once again, this year's program will bring together important players, key innovators and decision makers from the technical and business sides of the PV, OPV and organic and printed electronics industries to discuss the organic photovoltaic (OPV) market, market drivers, policy developments and future directions.

Top Performing Clean Energy Funds in 2010

When Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) released their clean energy league tables for 2010, the top of the list was my favorite exchange traded fund (ETF), the Powershares Cleantech Portfolio ETF (AMEX: PZD), with an annual return of 7.6%. Second place was the Winslow Green Growth (WGGFX) mutual fund (7.4% return), which is one of what I consider to be the three best clean energy mutual funds.

Scrutiny of Boiling Water Reactors Implemented at Vermont Yankee and Fukushima Won't Dampen Market Value Long Term According to SBI Energy

Executives from Entergy Corporation filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court Monday after Vermont state officials threatened to shut down operations at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear power plant in Vernon. The complaint comes 4 weeks after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the plant a 20-year license renewal that was issued just one day before the earthquake and tsunami damaged four nuclear reactors in northeastern Japan. The 40-year old General Electric Mark 1 boiling water reactor (BWR) at Vermont Yankee is the same model and age as the reactors in the Fukushima power plant.

Canada Hydropower: Liquid Cornerstone

Canada is already the world's second-largest hydropower producer behind China. But Canada is bent on producing more, driven by its vast potential for hydropower generation and demands for more clean energy in the U.S.

NAES AWARDED EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE

The Director General of the U.S. Commercial Services awards the Export Achievement Certificate to recognize small and medium-sized enterprises that have successfully entered the international marketplace for the first time, or that have successfully entered a new market. U.S. Commercial Services offices in the U.S. and globally support export endeavors of private companies and organizations committed to exporting goods and services with standard programs and customized services.

Study: Algae Could Replace 17% of U.S. Oil Imports

High oil prices and environmental and economic security concerns have triggered interest in using algae-derived oils as an alternative to fossil fuels. But growing algae — or any other biofuel source — can require a lot of water.

Organic PV Not Ready for Primetime

Organic PV (OPV), polymer-based solar that can be integrated into building materials, paints and clothing, is often hailed as the next step in solar technology. But don't expect OPV to make a splash yet: A new report out from Lux Research projects the market will only grow to $159 million in the next decade.

Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose Renewable Energy

Recent events in Japan have brought new attention to how national energy systems are vulnerable to natural disasters. But, one risk has largely flown under the radar: climate change. Considerable scientific research has looked at how our energy choices are threatening the climate, but much less attention has been paid to the other side of the equation.

German Wind Energy Association publishes Wind Energy Market Overview for 2010/2011

The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) has published its magazine Wind Energy Market 2010/2011, a comprehensive overview of the international wind energy industry.

U.S. Department of Interior approves Cape Wind's Construction and Operation Plan

U.S. Secretary Ken Salazar today announced approval of the first-ever Construction and Operation Plan (COP) for a U.S. offshore wind energy project, granting Cape Wind Associates the official go-ahead to begin construction on the over-100-turbine project across 25 square miles of Nantucket Sound. When complete, the project will produce enough electricity to supply hundreds of thousands of American homes.

Biodiesel, ethanol industry leaders applaud USDA, EPA for supporting renewable fuels programs

Today Renewable Energy Group® officials hosted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President's energy independence goals.

Hannover Messe Provides International Wind Opportunities

The event marked the most successful show in 10 years, with over 6,500 companies from 65 countries displaying and sharing their innovative industry concepts. Over 230,000 visitors—an increase of 10-15 percent over the 2009 event—traversed the more than 30 halls, spanning 5.3 million square feet of exhibit space. (For comparison's sake, 2010's attendance numbers are not as relevant as 2009's, as the volcanic ash situation affected attendance last year.) Companies from a variety of industries and sectors, with energy, power plant, digital, vacuum, automation, and micro and nano technologies all represented.

Hear From Puget Sound Energy at the Hydro Plant Maintenance and Reliability Conference

Hydro plants have been around for many years and due to the increasing generation demand, many of these plants are being forced to operate under less-than ideal conditions. It is crucial for hydro plants to determine the approach they should take in regards to preserving these assets and modernizing the aging plants.

Unirac Achieves ISO 14001:2004 Certification for Environmental Management System

Unirac, Inc., North America's leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, today announced that it has achieved the International Organization for Standardization ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Last November, Unirac announced its ISO 9001:2008-certified Quality Management System (QMS). It is thus the first solar infrastructure company to achieve both certifications, a real testament to the company's unwavering commitment to global standards and continuous improvement.

Canadian Renewable Energy Market Overview

Renewable energy's fortunes in Canada lean heavily on government support, making 2011 a particularly crucial year in places like British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario where political leadership changes are underway and elections are scheduled.

Westinghouse Solar Launches First Large Format Integrated AC Solar Panel

Westinghouse Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEST), a designer and manufacturer of solar power systems, today announced the release of their second-generation AC solar panel. This new panel will be available in the second quarter at a very attractive price point.

AE Schedules First Quarter 2011 Earnings Call on May 3, Before Market Open

Announcing TIREC 2011 - The 3rd annual Turkish International Renewable Energy Congress

The 3rd annual Turkish International Renewable Energy Congress will once again be the must-attend event in the region, bringing together major players in geothermal, solar and wind with government ministers and regulators.

What Feed-in Tariffs Could Do for Japan's Electricity Shortage

If Japan adopted an aggressive renewable energy policy like that of Germany, it could, within ten years, generate more than four times the electricity lost at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant, cutting the country's reliance on nuclear power by one-half or more.

BIG SOLAR to Install more than 4MW of SolarEdge Power Harvesting Systems in Greece

Expanded Black & Veatch service supports solar technology investment

Black & Veatch is expanding its solar photovoltaic (PV) services. The company's Solar PV Bankability practice now provides independent engineering and due diligence services to manufacturers of solar PV materials.

Magnum Energy releases 2011 Product Catalogs

Like Superman, American University Will Get Its Energy from the Sun

With a mandate for renewable energy in the District of Columbia in place, and a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2020, American University is installing one of the largest solar electricity systems in Washington, D.C. and the largest urban solar hot water system on the east coast.

Catholic University to Recognize Students' Solar Picnic Table Design and Announce Expansion of Solar Energy System

Six students from The Catholic University of America (CUA) are being recognized today by University President John Garvey for their innovative, one-of-a-kind, solar-powered picnic table that was recently installed on the patio outside the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center. The table — equipped with outlets capable of charging laptops, cell phones, e-books and other electronic devices — was the winning design in a contest sponsored by the University. Students on the design team received scholarships provided by Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES).

Spanish Wind Generated More Power Than German Wind in 2010

Spain's wind energy industry is happily spreading some good news to detract from a troublesome slowdown in the sector and uncertainty over future regulation: The country beat Germany to become Europe's leading producer of wind energy last year.

No Grid, No Gain: Untangling the Transmission Tie-up

Great strides have been made in enacting state renewable energy standards (RES) in the United States, which significantly affect the urgency of developing new renewable energy facilities. Also called Renewable Portfolio Standards and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, over 30 states have adopted RES mandates. These initiatives are paving a path toward a more economically and environmentally sustainable and secure energy future for America.

California Supreme Court Tosses Solar Project Lawsuits

The California State Supreme Court has tossed out two lawsuits challenging the state's approval of the Calico Solar project, which drew the ire of Sierra Club over its proposal to use public land that is home to wildlife such as big horn sheep and golden eagles.

Solectria Renewables to Deliver 5.3MW of SMARTGRID Inverters to Tecta Solar

Lawrence, MA – April 14, 2011 – Solectria Renewables, LLC, the leading U.S. PV inverter manufacturer, announced today that it has been selected by Tecta Solar of Billerica, MA to supply four locations in Massachusetts with SMARTGRID Inverters (SGI Series Inverters). The four rooftop systems will amount to 5.3 megawatts (MW).

Maritime Geothermal Ltd introduces the NORDIC® 80 Series

Maritime Geothermal Ltd leaps ahead with the release of a proprietary monitoring system for geothermal heat pumps. The new micro controller board facilitates both manual control and fully remote performance monitoring for Direct Expansion, Triple Function and Commercial Water units.

SolarOne® Founding Member of Consortium for Solar Lighting (CSL)

SolarOne Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce its participation as a founding member to form the Consortium for Solar Lighting (CSL). The CSL's other founding members are Sharp Electronics Corporation, Inovus Solar, Inc. and Carmanah Technologies Corp.

Enphase Energy Announces Sneak Preview Roadshow Tour

Enphase Energy, the market leader in solar microinverters, today unveiled plans for a 24-city North American roadshow tour providing a sneak preview of its advanced third generation microinverter system. The roadshow will begin with its first stop in Petaluma, CA on April 18, 2011, after which the customized truck and trailer will embark on a 60-day tour across the U.S. and Canada.

SMA Canada Production Underway at Ontario Manufacturing Facility

Production of the SMA Sunny Boy and Sunny Central solar inverters is underway in Ontario. These residential, commercial and utility-scale devices are being assembled by Celestica, a global leader in the delivery of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions, to meet Ontario's microFiT and FiT domestic content requirements.

Sunrises on Rooftops

In the Doney Park area of Flagstaff, Arizona Public Service (APS) is transforming rooftops into what in essence will be an interconnected renewable power plant.

Plasma Nanoscience Needed for Green Energy Revolution

A step change in research relating to plasma nanoscience is needed for the world to overcome the challenge of sufficient energy creation and storage, says a leading scientist from CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering and the University of Sydney, Australia.

China's Guangdong Province Pulls Out All the Stops in EV Initiative

The Guangdong provincial government announced an initiative last week that indicates the electric vehicles (EVs) industry is set to take off in a big way across the province. Dubbed the Guangdong Province Electric Vehicles Development Action Plan, EVs defined in the plan include hybrid, pure electric and fuel battery-powered electric vehicles.

Q1 Wind Speeds Substantially Higher than Normal in Western U.S.

3TIER®, a global leader in renewable energy information services, today released a wind performance map for the first quarter of 2011. The map illustrates that wind speeds were above their seasonal averages for large areas across the western US. The rest of the country experienced slightly below average wind speeds, including a majority of Texas, the Midwest, and the East.

With Wind Power Smaller is Bigger

One of the best-known clichés of industry is that bigger is better – that a larger plant is more efficient, reliable and cost-effective than a smaller one would be. We've heard that observation from many folks in the utility business. They know the advantages of wind power, but some assume that a large wind farm will somehow automatically be better than a small one or a distributed series of small ones.

Geographic Diversification of Wind Power Has No Bearing on its Variability

Last Wednesday I stirred up a hornets nest with an article titled "A Reality Check for Wind Power Investors" (link at the bottom of this article) that included two graphs from the Bonneville Power Administration, or BPA, which manages a four state, 300,000 square mile service region that's home to over 40% of the installed hydro capacity and roughly 12% of the installed wind capacity in the US.

Why Geographic Diversification Smooths Wind Power

Intelligent skepticism is valuable to me as an investor when it makes me question my assumptions. When I'm wrong, it makes me find out sooner (and hopefully get out of a bad trade sooner, or never get into it.) When I'm right, I emerge with my thesis tested, which leads to the confidence needed to stick to a trade when the stock market voting machine moves against me in the short term, before it comes around in the longer term.

Solar in America: Why Are We Celebrating?

For the past 6 years I've been following the development of the solar industry, particularly PV, in the United States. While I'm inspired by some of the ideas and innovations I'm seeing, such as the emergence of solar leasing, the Federal ITC and Loan Guarantees, and the continuing reductions overall cost of solar panels and complete solar systems, I'm still not satisfied, and frankly a little disappointed with our progress to date. Why are our most visible industry champions so happy these days?

Editor's Letter: After Japan

In the first moments after the earthquake, it appears that reactors across Japan successfully saw control rods inserted into their cores. Here the technology worked well. It was after the reactors came offline that systems began to fail.

Can We Get an Energy Plan, Please?

The last month was a big one for energy. Oil prices reached two-and-a-half year highs; Japan dealt with a nuclear power plant on the verge of a meltdown; the one-year anniversary of the Gulf Oil disaster neared; and the International Energy Agency, historically known as an interest group for oil producing nations, issued a report calling a more aggressive build-out of clean energy to offset declining oil production and climate change.

Statement of NHA Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci on Senate Markup of Hydropower Legislation

"The National Hydropower Association applauds the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for passing the Hydropower Improvement Act of 2011. The bipartisan legislation supports research and development, increased deployment and common sense regulation of our country's affordable, reliable, available and sustainable hydropower resources. The bill will help expand America's access to clean energy and the jobs it creates, and given its bipartisan support we look forward to action in the full Senate.

OPEL Solar's Advanced Single-Axis Trackers Are Selected by Greenlight Power Company for a Maryland Business Park Installation

OPEL Solar International Inc. ("the Company" or "OPEL Solar")(TSX VENTURE:OPL), a leading global developer and supplier of ground-based and rooftop solar tracker systems and high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels announced today that they will supply OPEL Solar TF-850 single-axis trackers to Greenlight Power Company ("Greenlight") for the launch of a 125kW ("kilowatt") project which they will be installing for a solar farm in a Kent County, Maryland business park. This is the first phase of a 1.4MW ("Megawatt") multiphase solar development at the same location. The OPEL Solar trackers will increase the project's energy production approximately 24% over what would be expected from the same solar PV ("photovoltaic") panels using a fixed installation. The output from the project will be sold to Choptank Electric Cooperative, a Maryland company owned by Touchstone Energy Cooperative. This first phase of the Greenlight project is forecasted to produce approximately 182 MWh ("Megawatt-hours") of energy annually.

Lufft Weather Stations Adding Efficiency and Value to Large Solar Plants

Lufft USA has been working with large Solar Energy developers, owners and operators to meet growing regulatory requirements for project monitoring. Larger power plant projects are required to monitor meteorological data and report it with power production of their site. Solar radiation measurements are a part of this. The Lufft WS301 and WS501 are fully integrated with solar pyranometers to provide a full range of data for project operators. Flexible communication capabilities, including MODBUS- RTU interface make them easy to install and integrate with any system.

A Nobel Prize for Renewable Energy

President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize was conferred in anticipation of the future good he would do more than for deeds he had already accomplished. Can there not be a Nobel Prize in physics and chemistry prospectively announced for scientists who achieve a breakthrough in solar energy or storage technologies in the next five years? A Nobel is an incentive all by itself, even if such breakthroughs would bring with them their own commercial rewards.

Financial Trends: The IPO Myth

Ask the CEO of any leading emerging private cleantech company what their ultimate end-goal is and you'll often get a similar response: "To IPO the business, of course." For many entrepreneurs in the cleantech sector, the IPO exit is perceived as the Holy Grail and the yardstick by which to measure success.

Nuclear Woes Boost Japanese Wind but Supply Remains Limited

Japan's severe nuclear crisis is pushing wind power to the forefront as a safer and more reliable alternative to meet the country's future energy requirements, according to industry observers.

Morgan Solar Rethinks Concentrating PV

Take a family that includes a brother best described as a Swiss Army Knife-type of engineer, a second brother who spent two years at a Web 2.0 startup in Spain and an angel investor dad with $1 million to back his kids' idea and you just might end up with a company like Morgan Solar, a startup based in Toronto with a plan to drive down the cost of concentrating solar photovoltaics by rethinking the optics.

Canada Market Overview: O Canada

Renewable energy's fortunes in Canada lean heavily on government support, making 2011 a particularly crucial year in places like British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario where political leadership changes are underway and elections are scheduled.

Nominations open for 2011 Projects of the Year!

ABB Group – A Cleantech Company?

Power and automation giant ABB, Ltd. (NYSE:ABB) was named Cleantech Corporation of the Year at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. The company has been focused on acquiring start ups in the cleantech space for the last couple of years, with two significant ones in 2010: Ventyx, a provider of IT systems to utilities, and Baldor Electric, the premier supplier of high-efficiency motors in the US.

Expanding Military Interest in Microgrid Technology Fuels $4 Billion Industry

The world microgrid market reached $4 billion last year with North America claiming 74% of 2010's total industry share, finds market research publisher SBI Energy. Fueled by rapidly growing solar, renewable energy and smart grid markets, the microgrid has become a viable solution to supply energy to local communities. Microgrid installations around the world include everything from diesel generator-based rural electrification projects that supply electricity to small rural communities to large, futuristic cities and theme parks using the newest microgrid technologies.

Industry Leaders: SunShot's $1 per Watt Goal Feasible

Rapid growth in solar photovoltaics has brought installation costs within sight of $1 per watt for large projects and closer to competing with fossil fuels.

Pollution, Global Health Concerns Drive Growth of Water and Air Purification Systems

Mannvit acquires shares in GTN Latin America in Chile

Mannvit, a leading geothermal energy consulting company, becomes a shareholder in GTN Latin America, founded by Fundación Chile and GTN from Germany, to service the Chilean geothermal market.

KYOCERA Supplies Approx. 1MW of Solar Modules for "Eco Shopping Mall" in Japan

Kyocera Corporation (President: Tetsuo Kuba) today announced that 960-kilowatts (kW) of its solar modules (roughly 4,300 units) have been installed on the roof of the recently opened AEON Itami-Koya shopping center (operated by AEON Retail Co., Ltd.) in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Astenik Solar Announces Exclusive Partnership with Largest Solar Parts Manufacturer in China

Astenik Solar is pleased to announce an exciting partnership with Hangzhou First PV Material Co., the largest solar parts manufacturer in China, and a recognized global leader in providing superior quality PV materials for the solar industry.

Blue Sky Energy Unveils Universal Communication Module

Vista, California - Blue Sky Energy, Inc., a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) battery charge controllers introduces the Universal Communication Module (UCM) for its Solar BoostTM family of Maximum Power Point Tracking solar charge controllers. Blue Sky Energy's IPN network based charge controllers coordinate their activities and share resources over the proprietary IPN network. The new UCM provides is a full featured communication bridge or gateway between IPN network based charge controllers and external system, including remote access over the Internet.

When Did Progress Become a Partisan Issue?

Political debate over the direction of United States energy and technology policy is obviously nothing new. But in recent weeks, two news items jumped out for me from the usual political cacophony:

How Are State SREC Markets Performing?

Americans like free-market based solutions, even if a market is based on the illusion that it's free. (Like the entire energy system, where there's not one unsubsidized electron or drop of fuel.)

Murkowski, Oak Ridge National Lab Tout Hydropower Potential

"There is no question that hydropower is, and must continue to be, part of our energy solution," Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) said in remarks delivered at the National Hydropower Association's annual conference today.

3rd German American Energy Conference - Registration Extended Till 5 May

SolarCraft Hires - Expands Sales Force

SolarCraft, a leader in solar energy system installation, announced today several new hires to their sales team to help manage their expanding business.

Off-Grid Solar Solutions Shine in Low-income Rural Cambodia

Cambodia's decades of war has made the country's poor electricity infrastructure even worse, leaving millions of Cambodians in constant struggle for lighting. But that is now changing. With declining prices of solar technology and the introduction of low-income oriented payment options, villagers are increasingly harnessing the sun to power their wooden huts.

NHA applauds Administration funding announcement to increase hydro development

Statement by National Hydropower Association Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci on the $26.6 million funding opportunity by the Departments of Energy and Interior – a new initiative to advance development of innovative technologies, produce power more efficiently, reduce costs and increase sustainable hydropower generation:

Solar is All About Efficiency -- Business Efficiency

As squeezing out efficiency improvements on the module level becomes harder for manufacturers, the industry is turning toward gaining efficiencies in other areas like financing, permitting, installation and back-office management.

Wind Power Gaining Greater Support in Germany

With every day of uncertainty about the outcome of the nuclear disaster in Japan, wind energy is winning over new supporters in Germany's federal and powerful state governments.

Michael Best at the International Biomass Conference

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP will be at the International Biomass Conference and Expo May 2-5, 2022 in St. Louis, MO.

Solaire Generation Installs Largest Corporate Solar Parking Power Plant in the U.S.

Solaire Generation, a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of patented solar photovoltaic parking structures, has recently transformed a typical corporate parking lot into an elegant solar power plant — the largest corporate one in the nation. The 3.6 megawatt solar-power project, completed on time and on budget, is in service at a Fortune 100 corporate office campus in central New Jersey.

Anne Arundel Community College Installs One of the Largest Solar Carport Systems on the East Coast

Standard Solar, Inc., a leader in the full-service development and installation of solar electric systems for commercial, government and residential customers, today announced construction of a 753 kW system for Maryland's Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). The entire photovoltaic (PV) system is being installed on top of a covered parking structure – the largest such system in Maryland and one of the largest carport systems on the East Coast. As a Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Project Sunburst Partner, AACC received an American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) grant from the MEA specifically designed for the development of solar electric projects on public buildings in Maryland. Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) provided the balance of the financing for the project and will own and operate the system once installed.

China Installing Wind-power Capacity As Fast As It Can

China is on track to install as much as 18 GWs of wind-power capacity this year as the world's second-biggest economy continues to diversify its energy resources, according to officials at Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association

Carlisle Area School District Solar Array Receives First Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award

The Carlisle Area School District Ground Mount Solar Array was honored today as a recipient of the first Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Awards, presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) at the PV America show. The awards celebrate major achievements in the U.S. solar energy market that have been accomplished by companies, individuals, and projects.

DHL moves with tomorrow's energy today

Watch Out California, Here Comes the Rest of the U.S.

The U.S. solar PV market is becoming increasingly fragmented. And while that's somewhat frustrating for solar businesses working across states with different incentives and regulations, it's a very good thing for the overall health of the national market.

UK To Capture 10% of £170bn Offshore Market by 2050

Offshore wind is set to grow strongly in the UK, which will account for 10% of the global market by 2050, according to renewable energy non-profit Carbon Trust.

Short Rotation Energy Crops Could Help Meet UK's Renewable Energy Targets

Planting short rotation energy crops on England's unused agricultural land could produce enough biomass to meet renewable energy targets without disrupting the food industry or the environment, according to research led by Professor Gail Taylor from the University of Southampton.

Renewable Energy Provided 11% of Domestic Energy Production in 2010

According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), nuclear power and renewable energy sources are now neck-in-neck with nuclear power's share of domestic energy production dropping while that from renewable sources growing rapidly.

OREC Testifies at Senate Energy Committee Hearing

Sean O'Neill, President of The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC), testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during a hearing on Thursday, March 31, 2011 focused on water power issues for the marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry.

POET corn oil to supply up to 60 million gallons biodiesel production annually

Planned expansion of corn oil production to all of POET's ethanol plants will produce enough raw material for up to 60 million gallons of biodiesel.

Renewable Energy Law Alert: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permits Reissuance

Solar Water Heating is on the Rise for Commercial Applications in the U.S.

New report from AltaTerra Research finds that more commercial and institutional customers are exploring and installing solar water heating to meet environmental goals and hedge against rising energy p

SunWize Systems Completes Phase One of Nation's Largest Solar Carport Installation, Announces Expansion of Phase Two

SunWize Systems, the premier installation group of SunWize Technologies, Inc., announced today it has completed the first phase of the nation's largest solar carport for the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) at its Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. SunWize will offer a free solar tour on the VA grounds of the solar installation in conjunction with CleanMED 2011, the premier global conference on environmentally sustainable health care, which takes place in Phoenix this week.

Geothermal Leaders to Gather in the Nation's Capital for GEA Geothermal Energy Technology and International Development Forum

As the geothermal industry is poised for record setting expansion, leaders will gather in Washington DC on Wednesday, May 4 for the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) 2011 Geothermal Energy Technology and International Development Forum which will be held at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Global Renewable Energy Community gears up for Ontario Feed-in Tariff Forum

With just two weeks to go, time is now running out to secure a spot at the upcoming Ontario Feed-in Tariff Supply Chain Forum, taking place April 19-20 in Toronto (www.ontariofitsupplychain.com). This industry critical event is bringing together global wind and solar industry players to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the FIT program and the future of renewable energy in Ontario.

NLP Solar Sales Training: April Special

The NLP Solar Sales Training Course provides you with all the information and tools necessary to close a residential solar sale.

The Magma/Plutonic Merger

As a shareholder of Magma Energy Corp. (MGMXF.PK), I'm reading through the joint information circular [PDF] on the proposed merger of Plutonic Power Corp (PUOPF.PK) and Magma to form "Alterra Power Corp." I'm not thrilled with the merger, although I plan to vote for it, now that it's arranged.

Unirac Partners with Wise Power Systems on Breakthrough Solar Installation

Unirac, Inc., North America's leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, announced today that it has teamed with Wise Power Systems in a landmark 1.1MW solar installation featuring the Unirac ISYS Ground Mount (IGM) in a northern U.S. locale. In spite of the onslaught of five major snowstorms, Wise Power Systems was able to complete —in just 40 days— the cumulative 1.1MW ground solar installation for two adjacent sites in Vineland, New Jersey. The sites, featuring 4,080 modules, are co-owned by RFC Container Co. Inc. and Russo Farms.

Spire Announces PV Module Testing Service for Solar Systems Installers

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced today that it is making its world class simulation facilities and expertise available to PV system installers on a customer service basis. Spire is the world leader in providing solar simulation test facilities to the PV industry through more than 30 test facilities and hundreds of manufacturers.

Spire to Announce New Solar Services at PV America 2011's Booth 740

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turn-key production lines to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules; and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) integration services for solar systems, announced today that its senior management team will unveil a new line of PV module testing services for Solar Systems Installers at Spire's booth 740, when they exhibit at PV America 2011 from April 3rd through 5th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Solar Contractors Gain Extraordinary Scalability with the New SolarNexus Partner Network

SolarNexus, the leader in web-based solar business management software, has launched a new partner network that enables solar contractors to more efficiently access and collaborate with industry-leading service companies through the SolarNexus platform. The initial partners on the network are Burnham Energy, GetSolar.com, Next Phase Solar, and Solar Energy Group. The services these companies offer address critical parts of the project lifecycle that are both complex and critical to project success.

DOE Loan Guarantee Program At Risk As US Falls to 3rd in Cleantech Investment; Obama Responds

In Washington, 34 cleantech CEOs, are trying to make sure the DOE doesn't drop its loan guarantee program despite threats of budget cuts from Congress. Signatories to the letter include Abengoa Bioenergy EVP Christopher G. Standlee, Frontier Renewable Resources CEO Steve Hicks, Rentech CEO Hunt Ramsbottom, KiOR CEO Fred Cannon, Fulcrum Bioenergy CEO Jim Macias, and POET CEO Jeff Broin.

Competitive market amendment offers reasonable balance for all types of renewable energy production in Florida.

Today in the Communication, Energy & Public Utilities Committee of the Florida Senate, Senator Thad Altman will be introducing a competitive market amendment allowing independently built renewable energy systems to compete to sell electricity to the grid. The amendment will be heard in relation to Senate Bill 2078, which allows utility companies to raise their rates by 2% and then use those funds to self-build, own and operate renewable energy facilities. The amendment would allow the utilities to self-build 80% of the total project development and require that 20% of the total development to come from electricity that is purchased from distributed generation systems, including wind, solar and biomass, through a competitive market.

DynGlobal Sends Water Purification Units to Japan

DynGlobal, a Southern California company specializing in renewable energy and advanced technology solutions, has completed an initial shipment of its solar powered water purification units to Japan. DynGlobal's units are capable of purifying water to remove bacteria, cysts, viruses, pathogens, heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, and most importantly, radioactive contaminants such as uranium and iodine 131, to high potable drinking standards which exceed WHO suggested levels.

The 7th South East European Congress and Exhibition on EE & RES starts on Wednesday 13th April

The South East European Congress and Exhibition on EE & RES is an unique business event for the Region of the Balkans, which acts as a platform for new contacts and latest information in the sector. Becoming part of it, you'll be able to find new supplier and expand your business. Over 200 exhibitors from 24 countries will present innovative technologies and services. Read about everything interesting that will happen during the three days in Sofia, Bulgaria. Via Expo team expects you!

Swiss Alpiq Boosts Capacity of Wind Farm in Bulgaria

More info about the South East European Renewable energy market you can find if you register to attend the 7th EE & RES Congress or to visit the EE & RES Exhibition - 13-15 April

UK company to assemble electric cars in Bulgaria

NABCEP Announces Company Accreditation Program

Clifton Park, NY - The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) announced today that it has progressed sufficiently far with its Company Accreditation program to share basic details of this long awaited program. Ezra Auerbach, NABCEP's executive director says, "An ever growing number of companies are contacting us and asking how they can become accredited to a NABCEP standard of excellence. We are very pleased to be able to say that companies which focus on PV installation will be the first type of business which NABCEP will offer accreditation to." He continues, "We could not have gotten this far in the process without the support of our tireless volunteers."

Wind Becomes Spain's Biggest Energy Source

Spain saw wind power become its main source of electricity generation last month, underscoring the country's progress in becoming one of Europe's greenest nations.

Fronius USA Offering 10-Year Warranty Extension

Fronius USA is now offering a 10-Year Warranty Extension on IG and IG Plus / IG Plus V series inverters. Customers can upgrade from Fronius' standard 10-Year Warranty to 20 years by purchasing the 10-Year Warranty Extension for a nominal investment. The 20-Year Warranty shows Fronius' long-term commitment to our customers. We build high quality products designed to last.

Are Genetically Modified Algae a Threat?

A number of companies are working on genetically modifying algae to speed growth, increase lipid content and favorably change the economics of fuel production. But some critics fear that gains in algae productivity could come at the expense of ecological health.

Statement of NHA Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci on Revised FERC-Army Corps MOU

"The National Hydropower Association applauds the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their agreement to enhance cooperation on the hydropower permitting process.

Salt River Project's Renewable Plans Fall Short of Arizona Standards

Salt River Project, a utility that is not regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission, has launched a public process to revise its voluntary 'Sustainable Portfolio Principles.'

Spire's Spi-Sun Solar Simulator(TM) to Go to the European Joint Research Center at ISPRA

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced today that it will provide the Spi-Sun Simulator(TM) 4600SLP to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy (JRC ISPRA). Spi-Sun Simulators are now used in more than thirty testing laboratories around the world to qualify PV modules.

Nordex To Double US Revenues in 2011

German wind power manufacturer Nordex expects to double its U.S. revenues by selling at least 100 MW of additional wind-turbine capacity this year, a company spokesman has revealed.

U.S. Geothermal Industry Expands with New Capital, Government Support

Geothermal energy production could triple over the next few years, expanding its reach from nine to 15 states, according to a report released this week by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA).

Report analyses technologies and methods used to build profitable Offshore Wind Farm

Whilst offshore wind is booming in many countries, offshore wind farms require additional capital investment due to more expensive marine foundations, integration in to the electrical network, and installation procedures in addition to limited access for O&M during operation.

Ten Clean Energy Stocks for 2011: Buying Opportunities

Every year since 2007 I've been publishing a list of ten renewable energy and energy efficiency stocks that I think will do well over the coming year. For 2008-10, my list outperformed my clean energy benchmark. This year so far looks like it is going to break my streak, but there is a very bright silver lining: I now think four of my picks are screaming buys.

Dutch Company to Invest in Bulgarian Solar Power Park

http://www.amcham.bg

SolarCraft Once Again Earns Top Honor as a Marin Solar Installer

SolarCraft has once again been awarded the Best of Marin by the Pacific Sun's annual reader's poll to identify the best businesses in the Marin County. A Novato business since 1984, SolarCraft was voted the best solar installer in Marin County for the second, consecutive year.

Growth Energy Chairman Says American Ethanol Well Positioned to Lower Gas Prices Today and in the Future

Pointing out that gas prices are up nearly 80 cents over the last year because of Middle East instability and growing demand for oil from China, Growth Energy Chairman Jeff Broin told the Senate Agriculture Committee today that American ethanol can reduce fuel prices for consumers both today and over the long term.

Schiller Awarded Thin Film Fab Automation Contracts

Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG, a world leading provider of production solutions to the solar industry, announced today that it has been awarded contracts for a new factory automation facility. Based on the Schiller design already in use in 8 operating thin film factories, the new contract expands the company's growing base of business in China.

Ethanol lowers gas prices, Broin tells Senate committee

POET wants to help alleviate high gas prices by drastically increasing ethanol supplies in large part through expansion in cellulosic ethanol, but the industry needs market access to make that happen, POET CEO Jeff Broin told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today.

Reductions in O&M costs offer a large scope for CSP cost reductions Finds CSP Report

The capital cost of Parabolic Trough plants is one of the most restrictive characteristics of Parabolic Trough technology, accounting for 40-45% of the total lifetime cost. This is one of the findings of the new report "Concentrated Solar Power Parabolic Trough: Cost & Performance" by CSP Today

Consolidated Solar Technology Chooses Unirac to Support 1.1MW Albuquerque Academy Project

Unirac, Inc., North America's leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, was selected by Consolidated Solar Technologies, Inc. (CST) to supply an ISYS Ground Mount (IGM) mounting solution for a 1.1MW solar installation spanning a five-acre site at Albuquerque Academy. The solar array is the maximum-sized facility allowed under New Mexico utility regulations and was fully funded by companies outside the school. Albuquerque Academy is now the largest solar-powered secondary school in North America.

MOTECH Features USA Specific PV Products at PV America 2011

Motech Industries, Inc. and its Delaware based solar panel operations, Motech Americas, is pleased to be showcasing products designed for the growing U.S. market at PV America 2011 which will be held on April 3-5, 2011 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA.

SolarNexus Introduction and Startup Webinar: LIVE FROM PV AMERICA

Raising the Bar and Then Raising it Again

Last week, it was announced that China's National Energy Administration is renewing and even upping its push for increased renewable energy in the country, as was put in place in the 12th Five Year Plan, the government's quinquennial roadmap for development from 2011 to 2115.

Our Energy Bubble

Bubbles are a social phenomenon at least as much as they are a financial phenomenon.

UK Microgeneration: A Matter of Priorities

The traditional stop-start development of the UK renewables industry continues. Just shy of one year after the feed-in tariff for small-scale electricity generation was introduced, it has had its first major cut proposed. Although the anger from industry and other advocates is understandable, the moves from government are understandable too.

SMA Inverters Chosen for 475kW Demonstration System at Senior Housing Community

Due to its success since coming online last summer, the nearly 500kW photovoltaic system at the Vintage Oaks senior affordable housing community in Citrus Heights, Calif., has become a demonstration system for other properties by developer USA Properties Fund, Inc. Based on their quality and reliability, 98 Sunny Boy inverters from SMA America were chosen to convert the direct current (DC) collected by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for use throughout the neighborhood.

Petaluma School District Installs Solar Power System At Multiple School Locations Utilizing Panels From Sharp

The Petaluma School District recently flipped the switch on a 4,508-panel 1 Megawatt Solar Power System. The system, using Sharp's NUU235F1 235 watt solar modules, was designed and installed by Cupertino Electric, Inc. (www.cei.com) and is comprised of two arrays mounted on canopies at the Casa Grande High School and Petaluma High School campuses. The system is projected to reduce the district's annual energy costs and supply the school district with enough solar energy over a 20-year period to offset the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 4,302 passenger vehicles.

Sharp Solar Panels Power Array At Washington DC Sheridan School

The Sheridan School in Washington, D.C., recently flipped the switch on a 3,800 square foot roof-mounted solar power array. This solar installation, comprised of 252 224 watt panels from Sharp Solar, is one of the largest in the District, and it will provide 56 kilowatts of energy. Working with Rockville, Maryland-based Clean Currents Solar, Sheridan was able to tap Washington, DC's $2 million-a-year Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) to help fund the project. The school is expecting a complete payback of their investment in the solar array within ten years. Sheridan students are particularly excited by plans to install a digital readout in the lobby of the school and on the school's Web site that will allow real-time monitoring of the output from each of the 252 solar panels. This capability is made possible by the separate micro inverters installed on each of the 15-square-foot panels, a first for a commercial-scale system in the area.

2010 Clean Energy Patents at NEW High- Clean Energy Patent Growth Index

Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. is pleased to announce the 2010 year end, and 4th quarter, results for the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) by the firm's Cleantech Group.

Juhl Wind Secures Financing and Continues Construction on $21.7 Million Valley View Wind Farm

Juhl Wind Secures Financing and Continues Construction on $21.7 Million Valley View Wind Farm

Does the UN have the answers to promote solar in North Africa and Middle East?

The UNESCO Regional Cairo Bureau has been an active player promoting the adoption of alternative energy in the MENA region. Dr Nazar Hassan, Deputy Director of the UNESCO Regional Cairo Bureau has been working on a strategy that benefits both the nations within MENA, and the industry heavyweights that can serve the energy demand and contribute to the local economy.

Top 11 Algae Biofuel and Biochemical Trends From 2011-2020

The following article is an excerpt from a technology, investment, and market study titled Algae 2020, Vol 2 (2011 update) from market research firm Emerging Markets Online. The excerpt provides a summary of findings and highlights 11 key trends for the algae industry from 2011 to the year 2020.

Germans Push for More Renewable Energy; Offshore Wind To Benefit

Germany's federal government has hatched a plan to accelerate the expansion of the country's energy grid to transport more renewable energy, particularly from offshore wind farms, after Japan's nuclear disaster alerted voters in the Europe's largest electricity market of the pressing need for non-nuclear power.

Briefing to Preview Rise of Solar Water Heating for Commercial Applications

AltaTerra online briefing to preview sample findings from new report on the rise of the U.S. commercial and institutional solar water heating market on Wednesday, March 30 at 11:00 am PDT.

Neither blowing snow or ice gets in the way of another successful clean energy workforce education conference

Despite blowing snow, ice and rain, and some delayed flights into Albany, hundreds of participants from across the U.S. and Canada packed plenary and breakout sessions at the fourth Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference, March 8-10 in Saratoga Springs.

POET CEO to join panel at Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit

POET CEO Jeff Broin will discuss advancements in ethanol production and the industry's future at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit 2011 next month in New York.

Top 5 themes in offshore wind power infrastructure addressed..

Hear from Alastair Dutton from The Crown Estate at the 3rd annual Offshore Wind Power Infrastructure Summit and be at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. Hear from 30+ forward-thinking CEOs and directors from the leading offshore wind companies and discover the key challenges they face and solutions that will facilitate project delivery to 2015 and beyond.

Boreal Renewable Energy Development measures Manhattan breezes with Second Wind technology

Second Wind, a leader in wind measurement systems, announced that Boreal Renewable Energy Development is using its Nomad 2 Wind Resource Data Loggers to help bring wind power to New Yorkers this year. The site is being considered for a rooftop turbine installation that will contribute to New York's energy needs and add a powerful symbol to the city skyline.

OPEL Solar, Inc. Enhances Solar Project for Aquarion Water Company

OPEL Solar International Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OPL) ("OPEL" or "the Company"), a leading global developer and supplier of ground-based and rooftop photovoltaic tracker systems, and high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels, announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement to install a tracker-based solar system at the Aquarion Water Company's ("Aquarion") D.W. Loiselle Water Treatment Plant at Trap Falls Reservoir in Shelton, Connecticut. This Aquarion solar facility advances OPEL's and Aquarion's commitment to environmental stewardship. The project will showcase OPEL Solar's superior solar tracker products. This solar facility will use both the TF-800 single-axis tracker and the SF-45 dual-axis tracker. OPEL's trackers follow the path of the sun during the day to produce more energy from any brand of solar panel than could be expected from the same panel in a "fixed" or non-tracking installation.

Virtual Power Plants Aren't Just Virtual -- They're Real

As Japan starts rebuilding after this month's devastating earthquake and tsunami, it must do so with a significant shortfall of electricity. With almost four percent of the country's baseload capacity offline due to the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and problems at other generation facilities, rolling blackouts are common around Tokyo, hampering the country's manufacturing sector.

Peak Oil Risk in Muni Bonds

Meredith Whitney predicts a wave of defaults in municipal (muni) bonds, followed by indiscriminate selling and potential buying opportunities for some. She's been widely criticized for the prediction of defaults, but I'm a lot more interested in the prediction of the market's reaction.

Priority List: DOI Considers Nearly 500 MW of Geothermal Projects in 2011

In Washington, D.C., five geothermal projects are on a list of 19 that the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) consider as priority projects for developing renewable energy within the National System of Public Lands in 2011.

Advent of Ultracapacitors Signals Change in Wind Turbine Capabilities

The pitch of a wind turbine's three rotor blades can be adjusted to respond to current conditions and create electricity. Pitch adjustments allow wind turbines to maximize the amount of clean energy they can generate. In order to adjust the blades, turbines need power. To date, wind turbine manufacturers have relied on battery-driven energy storage systems for that power.

HyperSolar Technology Well-Positioned to Capture Silicon Panel Market as New Study Predicts CPV Sector Growth

HyperSolar, Inc. (OTCBB: HYSR), the developer of a breakthrough technology that magnifies the power of the sun to significantly increase the power output of solar cells, today announced that following a new industry report predicting elevated growth of the CPV sector, the company expects its technology to redefine and expand the boundaries of conventional CPV with a product that captures the silicon solar panel market

Granholm joins Pew as energy adviser

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm will lead a campaign for a national clean energy policy that promotes and funds research and manufacturing for wind, solar and advanced battery industries in the U.S

Spire to Deliver 20MW Solar PV Module Line to Brazil

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules announced today it is providing a 20 megawatt (MW) solar PV module line to Tecnometal Equipamentos (Tecnometal) of San Paulo, Brazil.

Germany set to abandon nuclear power for good

BERLIN - Germany is determined to show the world how abandoning nuclear energy can be done.

US DOE Using its PV Incubator to Push for Solar Innovation

The stale and the satisfied need not apply for the $1 million to $4 million subcontracts awarded through an aggressive photovoltaics (PV) incubator program prodding entrepreneurs to help the United States reach the DOE's SunShot Initiative goal of lowering the cost of utility-scale installations by about 75 percent to roughly $1 per watt by 2017.

Ontario's Solar PV Installations May Surpass California in 2011

If ClearSky Advisors' forecast is correct, Ontario may become the leading market for solar PV in North America in 2011.

Cleantech Venture Demonstrates Collaboration Between US and China

OnGreen, the world's largest cleantech marketplace announced today the launch of its website, OnGreen.com, out of a successful beta. The website is a comprehensive destination for cleantech professionals, connecting cleantech businesses and entrepreneurs with investors, expertise and resources.

Speakers Announced for GW Solar Symposium

Is Cap-and-Trade Kaput?

What's in a name? Everything when it comes to a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade programme in the US. Energy industry prognosticators saw US adoption as almost inevitable just two years ago following the election of President Obama. Then opponents dubbed the initiative 'cap-and-tax', a moniker that became a death knell in a political climate wary of raising taxes. Cap-and-trade legislation died with neither a bang nor a whimper; but with a slammed door. Meaningful political debate stopped on the federal level, and the words 'greenhouse gases' apparently ceased to be used in Washington, DC.

Standard Solar's Jack Copus One of First in the Country to Achieve National Photovoltaic Technical Sales Certification

Standard Solar, Inc, a leader in the full-service development, installation and financing of solar electric systems for commercial, government and residential customers, today announced that Jack Copus, commercial channel manager, is one of the first in the country to earn the new Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Sales certification through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP's new certification has been developed to ensure quality assurance throughout the entire sales process. This accomplishment affirms Standard Solar's commitment to staying at the forefront of its industry and achieving measurable advantages for its customers.

Virginia Transformer Utilizes Cost-Optimization to Enhance Viability of Alternative Energy

The primary obstacle for renewable energy to overcome is cost. At present, the vast majority of renewable energy projects are simply not competitive in price with traditional energy sources. Without subsidies or tax credits, renewable energy is not generally a cost-efficient means of providing power, and even with them it struggles to compete on price. Therefore, the viability of renewable sources depends on the industry successfully finding ways to reduce costs and create more efficient operations.

Schneider Electric inverters at heart of first micro-grid, distributed energy resource community in California

Schneider Electric solar inverters play an integral part in the Sunverge Solar Integration System at the 2500 R Street project in Sacramento, California. The 34-single family home LEED™ Platinum housing project will be the first simple, cost-effective energy management system in California that intelligently distributes generation and storage of renewable energy

Thermal Storage Innovations are instrumental in increasing performance and reducing CSP costs

Thermal storage will affect the Levelized Energy Cost (LCOE) of Parabolic Troughs. This is one of the findings of a new report from CSP Today "Concentrated Solar Power Parabolic Trough: Cost & Performance". According to the report, when adding storage capacity, the capital cost rises with the increased solar field size, while the capacity factor – and therefore the annual energy yield – increases, (for example, <3700 hours at DNI 2000 for the reference plant with 7.5 hours of storage).

Nominations open for the CSP Today US Awards 2011

Japan's Quake to Shake the Solar Market?

As Japan grapples with the likelihood of a nuclear power disaster as a result of the huge earthquake and tsunami, investors are betting on solar as a more benign form of alternative energy. While solar stocks are going up and up, the impact of Japan's crisis may not be so sunny for the solar market in the coming year.

The Brew Barons: Masters of Advanced Fermentation, Driving the Redefinition of Biofuels: Pt 2

They are the new Brew Barons. In an earlier age, they might have been content to make White Lightning, or craft brews. Today their targets are jet fuel, renewable gasoline, renewable diesel, ethanol, a boatload of renewable chemicals, plus feed grains, food oils, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and more.

Spire Corporation Reports Results for Fourth-Quarter and Year-End 2010

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules and providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) integration services for solar systems today reported record revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 of $79.8 million, a 14.3% increase from $69.9 million in 2009. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $0.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for the same period of 2009. These results include a gain on the sale of the assets of its Medical Device business to Bard Access Systems, Inc. of $1.6 million, net of a tax provision of $1.0 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for 2010 and a gain of $5.5 million, net of a tax provision of $2.2 million, or $0.66 per diluted share for 2009. In addition, the Company recorded gains of $1.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, on terminations of contracts for 2010 and 2009.

POET opens its 27th ethanol plant

POET today opened its 27th ethanol plant and fourth plant in Indiana, POET Biorefining -- Cloverdale, in a grand opening event that included ethanol industry and government leaders, area farmers, new team members and residents of Cloverdale, Ind. The event represents an important milestone: The new ethanol capacity helps Indiana's total ethanol production top 1 billion gallons, an important development goal set by state leaders.

Improved Wind Station Profits Through Excellent O&M

On March 10 at the Renewable Energy World conference in Tampa, Florida NAES Project Manager Bill Manganaro presented a paper entitled "Improved Wind Station Profits Through Excellent O&M" in the Supporting Wind Growth - Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Workforce Development session.

SMA America Unveils New Sunny PRO Club Service Center

SMA America has relocated its Sunny PRO Club Service Center to the company's new U.S. headquarters in Rocklin. As part of its expansion, the Sunny PRO Club—a membership-based professional partnership program for solar installers—has broadened its services to improve upon its award-winning model.

RLS Logistics Taking NJ Headquarters Solar With HelioSage

RLS Logistics, one of the region's leading temperature-controlled logistics providers, and HelioSage, a Mid-Atlantic solar project developer, have announced plans to retrofit the RLS headquarters with solar electricity. The roof-mounted solar array, with a capacity of approximately 1.5 megawatts, will be capable of producing nearly two million kilowatt-hours of clean power each year and is expected to generate significant energy cost savings for RLS over the life of the system.

CSP TODAY WORLD MAP 2011 Release

CSP Today has released the third edition of the CSP TODAY WORLD MAP 2011 coinciding with the 5th edition of CSP TODAY USA annual event.

Geothermal Capacity Could More than Double by 2020

Increasing global investment in geothermal power could result in a 134% increase in total geothermal capacity between 2010 and 2020, according to a report released on March 7 by Pike Research.

Nova Scotia Joins Surge on Tidal Power

To date much of the focus on tidal power has been on the Eastern side of the Atlantic with demonstration projects in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Over on the Western side however, the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia looks set to give the old country a firm run for its money.

Leadership Roundtable: Getting from Here to There

In 2010, the clean energy and carbon markets saw $243 billion in investment -- a 30 percent increase over 2009. Lead by stunning growth in the Chinese market and a substantial increase in solar PV investments, it appears the industry is starting to shake off the hangover caused by the 2008 financial crisis and resulting global economic slump.

KACO to give away blueplanet 02xi residential inverter at the PV America show in Philadelphia , April 3-5th, booth #1041

KACO new energy, one of the world's largest inverter manufacturers - with nearly 3 GW of PV inverters in the field to date – will give away one of the first US made blueplanet 02xi inverters at the PV America trade show.

KYOCERA Supplies Solar Modules for United States Marine Corps' Largest PV Installation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — March 14, 2011 — Kyocera Solar, Inc. and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest today announced the completion of a 1.4 megawatt (MW) solar electric system on the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, just north of San Diego, Calif. NAVFAC Southwest celebrated the completion of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on February 3.

The Only Biogas Specific Waste-to-Energy Conference in the US with more than 10 Utilities and Developers

Join us in Chicago this June as we leverage the huge potential of landfill gas in the East coast and growing farm/co-digestion AD projects in the neighboring states. This key event will bring together leaders of the US biogas industry to examine how to develop commercially successful biogas projects and address the latest technological advances in production. For more information visit our website at www.greenpowerconferences.com/biogasUSAEast

Why not think about operational plant optimization before financial closure?

Many Indian project developers are very busy these days carrying out site assessments, solar resource analysis, negotiating with EPC/EPCM contractors and with financial institutes. Therefore, it is quite normal that at this point in time nobody really thinks a lot about operational optimization of CSP plants that will start operation in two years from now.

Spire Corporation to Provide MAGE SOLAR with a 50MW PV Module Assembly Line

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced today it will provide the Ravensburg (Germany) company, MAGE SOLAR (MAGE) with a PV module assembly line to be established in Dublin, Georgia. This automated line will assemble laminates into completed modules at the rate of 50MW per year.

Solar Energy International Bundled Solar Training in Salt Lake City

This spring, Solar Energy International hosts PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) and PV202: Grid-Direct Design and the NEC in Salt Lake City.

Over 400 wind, solar and biogas industry players expected at Ontario Feed-in Tariff Supply Chain Forum

Over 400 developers, manufacturers, service providers and scheme administrators are expected at the second Ontario Feed-in Tariff Supply Chain Forum on April 19-20 in Toronto. This industry critical conference is a proven must attend event for renewable energy experts. Last year's event sold-out a week in advance and the April Forum is on track to do the same.

AEG Power Solutions Acquires OpciónDos, Spanish Solar Engineering Company

AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS), wholly-owned by 3W Power Holdings S.A. (Euronext Amsterdam 3WP, Frankfurt 3W9, ISIN GG00B39QCR01, WKN A0Q5SX) strengthens its position in the engineering of photovoltaic solutions with the acquisition of OpciónDos.

BTEC Webinar to Tackle Biomass Air Emissions, Boiler MACT, and Control Technologies

Engage three diverse perspectives on biomass air quality issues that impact your organization, business, or community. Register now and attend, "Biomass Air Quality: Measuring, Controlling, and Regulating Emissions," a free webinar on Thursday, March 17 at 2PM ET, by the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC).

PPL completes sale of generating assets, including hydro plant shares

PPL Corporation has completed the previously announced sale of its interests in certain non-core generating stations to an affiliate of LS Power Equity Advisors for approximately $381 million in cash, PPL reported.

Feed-in Tariffs or Bidding: How Best to Assign Renewable Contracts

In his conclusion to a recent speech at the London School of Economics, Lord Turner, Chair of the Financial Services Authority in the UK, introduced an important distinction in reference to the financial crisis: he explained that "Stability matters a lot; minor gains in allocative efficiency matter little."

It's All in the Count: The Vexing but Critical Challenge of Green Jobs Accounting

Getting an accurate accounting of clean-tech jobs in the U.S. is nearly impossible but it's not for a lack of trying. There have been dozens of projects at the national, state, and metro level designed to track and quantify clean-tech jobs, and to some extent, these attempts have done a decent job.

2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards – Leadership

No great industry achievements happen unless dynamic visionaries step up and spearhead efforts to bring about the change they envision. Whether it is pioneering the development of wind power technology, creating a financial vehicle that aids consumers in adopting solar energy, or keeping the pressure on politicians to ensure that an industry receives the research and development funding that it deserves, these leaders know that it takes years of hard work to move an industry forward.

ME-RTR

MP Series

U.S. Solar Market Blooms, Challenges Remain

Federal lawmakers are fight over budget and programs that would hamper the U.S. solar market, so any numbers to show the solar industry's contribution to the economy will help. So here comes a report released Thursday by the Solar Energy Industries Association that showed the U.S. solar market grew 67 percent to reach $6 billion in 2010 from $3.6 billion in 2009.

EnPower Systems, Inc. Acquires Sierra Solar Systems & Plan It Solar

EnPower Systems, Inc is pleased to announce their acquisition of Plan It Solar, Inc, a leading solar systems provider based in Penn Valley, CA.

EPA Chief Jackson's Comments Couldn't Come at a Better Time

Growth Energy welcomed the testimony of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson today that laid out a timeframe of "the next few months" for introduction of new rules for labeling pumps that will carry E15, following EPA approval of Growth Energy's Green Jobs Waiver.

Second Wind expands sales, staff and partnerships in European wind energy market

New sales, strategic partnerships, and membership in the European Union's wind energy association signal a growing presence for Second Wind in Europe's wind energy market.

2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards -- Innovation

In any emerging industry innovation plays a key role in bringing about the mainstream adoption of technology. Within the field of renewable energy, researchers are constantly seeking ways to increase the efficiency and lower the costs associated with generating power from renewable sources.

Ontario PV Market to Grow 270% To Reach 455 MW in 2011

Despite ongoing political and regulatory uncertainty, Ontario's PV market will continue it's growth in 2011 and in total we expect there to be 455MW of new installations in 2011, up from 169MW in 2010. Our forecast shows that Ontario's Photovoltaic (PV) market is expected to reach cumulative installations of 2,650 MW by 2015. This includes demand from the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, and non-FIT program sources such as the RESOP and the Korean Consortium agreement.

Camden County Municipal Utility Authority Selects HelioSage for Solar Project

The Camden County Municipal Utility Authority (CCMUA) announced that it has selected HelioSage as its partner for a solar powered future. Following a public Request For Proposal, the Authority chose HelioSage, a developer of solar projects in the mid-Atlantic, to finance, build, operate and maintain a large scale PV array at the Camden County Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the state of New Jersey.

POET cuts water use by more than 400 million gallons

POET plants have reduced water use by a total of 411 million gallons of water per year compared to 2009 levels thanks to widespread installation of the company's Total Water Recovery technology. That savings means POET plants on average now use 2.77 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol.

Free Government Access to Solutions for Sustainable Cities Online Briefing Series

Spire Corporation to Present at the 2011 Solar Summit

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced today that its Executive Vice President & General Manager of Spire Solar, Mr. Stephen J. Hogan, will present at the Greentech Media's Solar Summit 2011 on March 14, 2011 in Palm Springs, California.

Ormazabal participation and poster presentation at the European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition in Brussels.

NAES Power Contractors is Newest NWHA Board Member

John Stender, Director of Maintenance for NAES Power Contractors based in the Hillsboro, Oregon office, has been elected to serve a three year term on the Northwest Hydroelectric Association (NWHA) Board of Directors.

SolarNexus Solar Business Management Software Adds Professional Edition and Rebate Incentive Submission Features

Southwest Windpower's Andy Kruse to Speak at South By Southwest's Interactive "Green Movement" Panel

Andy Kruse, co-founder and senior vice president of marketing at Southwest Windpower, the world's leading supplier of distributed wind generators, has been selected to speak on the panel, "Three Undiscovered Companies Leading the Green Movement" on Monday, March 14 at South By Southwest's (SXSW®) Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. The panel will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Austin Convention Center, room 6AB.

Hunterdon Central Regional High School Commissions Solar Array With HelioSage

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, one of the largest high schools in New Jersey, and HelioSage, a developer of solar energy projects in the mid-Atlantic, have commissioned a 55 kilowatt solar array on the roof of the school's junior-senior science wing. The solar array, which will be owned, operated and maintained by HelioSage, furthers Hunterdon Central's track record of innovative, cost-effective facility management, and positions the school as a leader in sustainable operations.

The U.S. PV Market: A Tale of David vs. Goliath?

Despite recent headlines that might suggest otherwise, leading installation and manufacturing players are losing market share. We believe this is a healthy indication of both market growth and increasing acceptance of solar as "mainstream" in the eyes of both contractors and homeowners.

NREL Looks To Expand Biofuels Partnerships

The scenario for your business dream plays out like this. You have an idea to make a fuel from biomass using a biochemical conversion processes. You and your investors have completed bench-scale tests of your process, but now it is time to take it to the next level and process up to one ton of dry biomass a day. However, in a tough economy you don't want to build your own demonstration facility, but still need somewhere to test it. It turns out that "somewhere" is located at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Natural Power Complex Flow paper gains recognition in top industry journal

Independent renewable energy consultancy Natural Power has published a paper on time-dependant computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis which has been accepted by the peer-reviewed Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. The journal reports on all aspects of wind engineering and the activities of the International Association for Wind Engineering.

Solar as a Social Network?

Patrick Crane knows a thing or two about building networks. As the Former VP of Marketing for the popular business networking website LinkedIn from 2007 to 2010, Crane helped dramatically expand the site's reach and influence at a time when Facebook was beating down competitors like Friendster and Myspace.

Final Conference Program Set for 2011 Clean Energy Workforce Conference

Over 80 speakers, 24 sessions, 10 workshops, and the opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds of workforce renewable energy and energy efficiency experts, instructors and educators from around the country are all part of the March 8-10, 2011 Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference. "This year's conference is truly an impressive lineup covering all aspects of training the clean energy workforce," says Jane Weissman, IREC's Executive Director.

Big Challenges Remain for U.S. Offshore Wind

The U.S. could see as many as 10 GW of offshore wind capacity installed by 2020. But it won't be easy, say industry experts.

Europe's Policymakers Sign up for a New Offshore Transmission Grid

If Europe is to achieve its carbon reduction commitments, a third of Europe's electricity will need to come from renewables by 2020, with wind power accounting for as much as 20% of the total supply. By 2030, wind power alone could provide a third of Europe's electricity – and half by 2050.

NABCEP Announces Results of First PV Technical Sales Exam

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is pleased to congratulate the 97 individuals who achieved a passing score on the recently administered PV Technical Sales Examination. The group of inaugural certificants has demonstrated extensive knowledge of the complex range of activities that make up a successful photovoltaic sales process. The job task analysis (JTA) that the exam is based on covers eight main topic areas: qualifying the customer; site analysis; conceptual design; financial costs, incentives, and savings; financial benefit analysis and financing; non-financial benefit analysis; performance analysis; and proposal preparation.

Will Distributed Solar Drive Utilities into Bankruptcy?

Speaking at the Economist's Intelligent Infrastructure Conference, Brad Tirpak, Managing Partner at the private investment fund Locke Partners made the case that electric utilities are as woefully unprepared for the coming disruption of cheap, distributed solar power as newspapers were unprepared for the disruption of the Internet in 2000.

Oil Prices Accelerating; NE Biomass Advocates Rally for Renewable Energy

According to estimates from the Energy Information Administration, prices for U.S. home heating oil rose 24 percent in February 2011, compared to February 2010. With prices expected to continue to rise, members of the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group (NEBTWG) are urging homeowners, business owners and policy makers to take action making the utilization of renewable heating options, like biomass, a reality for more residents of the Northeastern United States. According to the group, steadily rising fossil fuel costs are, once again, causing the region to refocus efforts in support of renewable alternatives.

Award-winning renewable energy consultancy Dulas to offer Triton Sonic Wind Profiler systems for rental in the UK

A world renowned renewable energy service provider today announced a rental program to provide its clients with leading-edge remote sensing technology for wind measurement. Industry veteran Dulas will partner with Second Wind to offer Triton Sonic Wind Profiler systems for rental in the UK. This system complements the trusted Dulas wind development services already being utilized by UK wind developers.

DNI satellite data truth? - How to handle the difference in values derived from different satellite data providers?

Technical Top Tip courtesy of Suntrace. When it comes to CSP project evaluation, one of the biggest uncertainty factors for the performance is the available Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) at the site.

Why Community Solar Makes Sense for New Jersey

While a bill that would enable a community, church or neighborhood group to form a local renewable energy collaborative (LREC) for the purpose of hosting a community-owned solar system is bogged down in the legislature, the residents of several New Jersey developments have taken it upon themselves to create their own solar communities.

Transmission Infrastructure and Collaboration

The most important renewable energy development in Nevada at this time has nothing to do with generating power. There is no underground steam or sunshine involved. No wind to harness. It's just 235 miles of cable stretching down the eastern third of our great state.

Renewable Energy World North America Applies For BPA Worldwide Business Publication Membership

Renewable Energy World North America has applied for business publication membership in BPA Worldwide. The magazine is published by Pennwell Corporation (Tulsa, OK).

Clean Solar Electricity to Power Environmental Clean-Up and Groundwater Decontamination Project

National solar integrator, groSolar, is helping Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., utilize solar powered electricity for its United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State of New Jersey approved pump and treat system to decontaminate groundwater at an ongoing environmental clean-up project it has been conducting in New Jersey.

Schneider Electric presents solar solutions at the Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo

Schneider Electric Renewable Energies Business is showcasing solar solutions at the Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America from March 8-10 in Tampa, Florida at Booth 901.

IKEA Invests in Wind Power Project

Sweden's IKEA, famous for its easy-to-assemble furniture products, now plans to build its own dedicated wind power facility.

Who Will Replace Hydropower's Aging Work Force?

Many of the men and women running America’s hydropower plants are nearing retirement. Every sector of the energy industry is expected to lose a large share of its work force as millions of experienced professionals, baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964, become eligible for retirement over the next several years.    Is the hydropower industry prepared to compete with other industries for a new generation of skilled workers? What’s more, does the industry have a plan for training and knowledge sharing? A panel of hydropower professionals discussed these worrisome issues this week at the Northwest Hydroelectric Association’s annual conference in Portland, Ore. There are about 78 million baby boomers in the U.S. They represent 28 percent of the U.S. population and 68 percent of the existing work force. Bruce Meaker, senior manager of Regulatory Affairs for Snohomish County Public Utility District, put those numbers in perspective. “If you do the numbers over a 25-year period, you get 8,500 boomers going out every day,” Meaker said. “That means one every 10 seconds. That’s a lot of retirement parties.” About 40 percent of the work force at America’s electric and natural gas utilities will be eligible for retirement in the next five years, Meaker said. “Who’s going to replace them?” he asked.    Meaker said his company sought to replace an engineer who is retiring in April. Thirty people applied for the position, but only three candidates were qualified for the job. Recruiting qualified workers may be difficult for several reasons, he said. Some high-profile celebrities strongly oppose the use of hydropower because of its impact on the environment. Such social stigma could make it difficult to attract new talent. In addition, training opportunities specific to hydropower are sparse. But the industry is beginning to form partnerships with universities and other organizations that are designed to tap the nation’s pool of talented younger workers. Barbara Hins-Turner, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy at Centralia College, works with Washington State’s 20 community colleges to find hydropower jobs for graduating students. The program has an 85-percent success rate in placing students in jobs at hydropower facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Hins-Turner said.  “These are real students placed into real jobs,” she said. The Hydro Research Foundation’s Hydro Fellowship Program is another new effort designed to steer students toward a career in the hydropower industry. The fellowships are funded by a $3 million, four-year grant from the Department of Energy’s Wind and Waterpower Technologies Program. Nine fellowships were awarded last year. Another 18 fellowships will be awarded in April, said Deborah Linke, director of the fellowship program. “We’re investing approximately $55,000 a year in each student,” Linke said. “So it’s important, if at all possible, to keep them within the hydropower family.” Each student is paired with a mentor from the industry. “The next step is to develop career opportunities for these students as they graduate,” Linke said. A career in hydropower shouldn’t be difficult to sell to the next generation of workers, Linke said. “Hydro is green again and maybe a little sexy,” she said. “I think most students coming into hydropower really see it as a green industry. They see its role in supporting other renewables and they’re excited about being a part of that.”    Born in 1979, Katie Clarkson is a member of Generation X who found her career in the hydropower industry through an internship at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She is now a civil engineer and a project review officer for FERC’s Division of Dam Safety. “I never envisioned a career in the hydropower industry,” Clarkson said. “It wasn’t even on my radar.” She applied for an internship at FERC and was accepted. “After four months, I learned that it was a very interesting industry and I enjoyed my experience in working for a regulatory agency,” Clarkson said. “Never underestimate the power of an old-fashion internship. It’s a great way for prospective employees to evaluate your organization and it’s a great way for companies to evaluate prospective employees.”   Russell Ray is senior editor of Hydro Review magazine. Russell has 11 years experience as an energy journalist, covering the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma and the growth of solar and nuclear power in Florida. He served eight years as the energy reporter for the Tulsa World. He held the same position at the Tampa Tribune for two and a half years before joining Hydro Review in 2009.

US Plans for Green Exports

When it comes to exporting green energy, talk tends to centre on whether or not the US can compete with China. But that has little bearing on the international business activity of California-based Greenhouse Holdings, which builds eco-friendly infrastructure.

Forests into Fuel: Promise and Limits of Biomass in the Northeast

Forest biomass could replace as much as one quarter of the liquid fossil fuel now being used for industrial and commercial heating in the Northeastern United States. That's according to a new report released last week by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.

Virtual Net Metering

Historically, if someone wanted to install a grid-tied solar system but lacked a suitable site, they were left with few, if any, options. Electric customers such as apartment building tenants or homeowners with shaded roofs were not eligible or apt for net metering tariffs, which otherwise would have allowed them to offset their normal electricity usage with the output of a solar system.

Wisconsin's First Solar Module Manufacturer Opens Its Doors

Helios USA, LLC, a solar manufacturer located in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley, announces the opening of its new manufacturing facility at 1207 West Canal Street. To mark the occasion, the company will host a ribbon-cutting event on February 28 at 3:30 p.m. to showcase its focus on renewable energy and the creation of green jobs in Milwaukee.

Ethanol the Answer to $5 Gallon Gasoline

With dire news reports out of Libya sending skittish oil markets higher and higher, and predictions that Americans will face $5 a gallon gasoline, representatives of the U.S. ethanol industry warned that Congressional maneuvers to block already-approved levels of ethanol from reaching the market would only worsen the impact of high fuel prices.

Investors Need to Account for Resource Scarcity

The 2008 financial crisis stemmed from the false assumption that housing prices would always go up. It took a simple look at the underlying shoddy mortgages to realize how delusional that assumption was. But only a handful of investors saw the scope of the problem before it got too big to fix.

Spire Announces the Spi-EL(TM) Electroluminescence Solar Module Tester

ire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turn-key manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules announced today the introduction of a new advanced metrology product, the Spi-EL(TM) Electroluminescence Solar Module Tester, at the SNEC 5th (2011) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Exhibition in Shanghai, China.

Looking for Wind Industry Leadership in Reducing Noise Impacts

The wind industry is at an important fork in the road regarding community noise standards. Although developers have successfully used setbacks of 1200 feet and less in farm and ranch country for many years, they are now facing growing numbers of wind farm neighbors in other regions struggling with turbine noise. This has, in turn, spawned widespread resistance to traditional siting standards around the country.

North America demands policy that provides solutions to wind turbine supply chain surplus

While dropping turbine prices may be have manufacturers scrambling, project developers will be scrambling to take advantage of the improved cost-competitiveness of wind energy compared with gas and coal.

Major progress in resolving the climate change issue is still possible

Leading environmental economist sets out steps to accelerate clean energy transition, overcome obstacles to adaptation, and strengthen international cooperation on climate stabilization

Taiwan Initiates Energy Transition

Taiwan is set to blaze a trail in renewables development with its major policy initiatives that are designed to at last exploit the country's extensive renewable resources.

Finding the Key to CIGS PV Reliability

This past week there was a photovoltaic (PV) workshop that probably wasn't on your radar. It was held at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and is called the PV Module Reliability Workshop (PVMRW). This is where the nerds of the PV industry get together to discuss the factors that influence how long a PV module will last and other factors which might influence the long-term performance of a PV system. It wasn't on your radar because it is not something that influences big business. Or is it?

Magma Power for Geothermal Energy?

When a team of scientists drilling near an Icelandic volcano hit magma in 2009, they had to abandon their planned experiments on geothermal energy. But the mishap could point the way to an alternative source of geothermal power.

Todd Lindstrom Joins Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group as Vice President of Sales

Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) today announced that Todd Lindstrom has joined the company's Solar Energy Solutions Group (SESG) as vice president of Sales. SESG is a division of SEC and the U.S. solar arm of Sharp Corporation. In this position, Mr. Lindstrom is responsible for developing and directing the sales operations of the group. He reports to Eric Hafter, senior vice president of SESG.

The Green Machine: Algae Clean Wastewater, Convert to Biodiesel

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology are developing biodiesel from microalgae grown in wastewater. The project is doubly "green" because algae consume nitrates and phosphates and reduce bacteria and toxins in the water. The end result: clean wastewater and stock for a promising biofuel.

Compact and Powerful – IM54 is the Latest Module from Motech

Wind potential measuring

Wind potential measuring can be done in several ways:

By satellite studies based on measurements of the past 30 years * consulting the measurements performed by NIMH - National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology * by installing a temporary radar like device, called LIDAR, * or by permanent installation of a mast to measure wind intensity.

Wind Valves

Wind valves are instruments specially designed to indicate the prevailing wind direction. A pole can have up to five valves, depending on the height for which the measurement is desired. It is important to be Measnet calibrated and to have a calibration certificate attached.

Anemometers

Anemometers are devices used to record the intensity of wind. Major manufacturers are Thies and NRG both having a great experience in their testing and calibration. Anemometers’ calibration must be done according to Measnet. Each anemometer has a calibration certificate attached, which proves that it works within parameters range. We advise you to ask for these calibration certificates when buying measurement poles.

Wind intensity measurement

Wind intensity measurement can be done without the installation of measurement masts. By using a device called LIDAR, wind parameters can be monitored temporarily, for 2-3 months, or even less. This device is shaped like a small container and it works on the principle of radar. It is additionally used in inaccessible places or where an investment in a permanent mast is not appropriate.

Wind measurement masts

Thanks to our team of specialists, we can install wind measurement masts in the toughest weather conditions.

In this way we fully observe the time allocated by each customer for such operations.

Wind measurements

This week we launch the official website of the company of consulting and wind studies implementation Wind Measurements. We thank all our partners for their support over time to ensure best quality wind measurement services.