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Fidelis Energy Announces Final Tranche of $30 Million Financing From Empres …
Fidelis Energy Announces Final Tranche of Million Financing From Empres … Fidelis has designed and is developing solar photovoltaic (PV) cell technology products for manufacture and distribution worldwide. Fidelis owns a unique patent pending solar cell technology based on photovoltaic cells with integral light-transmitting … Read more on MarketWatch (press release) M&A Focus: Is First Solar a Takeover Target? JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (JASO, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of photovoltaic solar cells and solar products, which convert sunlight into electricity in the People's Republic of China. … Read more on Kapitall Blog (blog)
New Report from SEIA and GTM Research Shows U.S. Solar Energy Industry Sets Record for Installations, Achieves 140 Percent Annual Growth in Best Quarter Ever
Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 14, 2011 The U.S. solar energy industry achieved a new record for installations and growth in the third quarter of 2011 thanks to utility-scale project completions, a strong residential market, effective policies and the plummeting price of solar panels, according to a report released today by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Through the third quarter of 2011, the U.S. solar market has installed more than 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity on the year, already surpassing the 2010 annual total of 887 MW, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2011 report. This includes 449 MW installed in the third quarter alone a record for quarterly installations and more new solar electric capacity than was added in all of 2009. This also represents 140 percent growth over the same quarter last year. Much of this growth is due to the Department of Treasury’s 1603 program, which is set to expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress extends it. In the absence of an extension of the program, the report predicts that there will be a tax equity bottleneck for projects in 2012, leading to a possible slowdown in installations in late 2012 and into 2013. “The U.S. solar industry is on a roll, with unprecedented growth in 2011,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “Solar is now an economic force in dozens of states, creating jobs across America. But our industry needs stable policy on which to make business decisions, and unfortunately an underlying mechanism for financing solar projects is scheduled to expire on December 31. To keep the industry growing and creating jobs in the U.S. we need Congress to extend the 1603 program. The 1603 program has done more to expand the use of renewable energy than any other policy in U.S. history. Our country is not in a position to have Congress turn their back on American industries, and it is critical that Congress extend the 1603 program in the few days left before the end of the year.” The U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2011 report (http://www.greentechmedia.com/research/solarinsight) is the most detailed and timely research available on the continuing growth and opportunity in the U.S. The report includes analysis of PV, concentrating solar power (CSP) and concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) technologies, exposing the key metrics that will help solar decision-makers navigate the market’s current and forecasted trajectory. Highlights from the third quarter report include: -Grid-connected PV installations in Q3 2011 grew 39 percent over Q2 2011 and 140 percent over Q3 2010. -The utility PV market installed over 200 MW in Q3 2011, a greater than 400 percent increase in installations over Q2 2011. -The residential PV market grew 21 percent over Q2 2011 to reach nearly 75 MW. -California regained a substantial share of overall PV installation in Q3 2011 with 44 percent; the next six largest state markets combined comprised 45 percent of quarterly installations. While domestic solar markets are booming more than ever, the report also finds that U.S. solar is facing more uncertainty than at any point in recent history. On one hand, solar module prices are falling precipitously and system prices have never been lower; on the other hand, the market faces substantial risks in the form of legislative, financing, political, and market barriers. “U.S. solar is entering 2012 with a sense of cautious optimism,” said Shayle Kann, Managing Director of the solar practice at GTM Research. “There are three questions on the mind of everyone in the market: one, what would be the impact of the 1603 Treasury Program’s expiration; two, can emerging commercial markets like Massachusetts, Colorado, Ohio, Tennessee, and Hawaii ramp up as major markets like California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania trend downward; and finally, how will the trade petition against Chinese solar imports impact market dynamics, both in the immediate term and if duties are ultimately levied?” With the 1603 Treasury Program scheduled to expire at the end of this year, solar project developers will be scrambling to either complete, or safe harbor, projects in the fourth quarter of 2011 in order to qualify for the program’s grant. This will undoubtedly produce robust installation numbers through the end of 2011. However, the uncertainty surrounding the program’s extension threatens the market’s growth in 2012 and beyond. About GTM Research: Greentech Media delivers research and analysis in the business-to-business greentech market. Using an integrated platform, we produce high quality products, whether it is industry news, market research or networking events. GTM Research, the research arm of the company, produces in-depth market reports and is the publisher of PV News, a monthly solar market tracker. Greentech Media is headquartered in Boston, MA, with operations in New York, NY, San Francisco, CA and Munich. For more information, visit http://www.greentechmedia.com. About SEIA: Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,100 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. http://www.seia.org Background Resources: U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2011 Executive Summary: http://forms.greentechmedia.com/af2?LinkID=CH00095679eR00000030AD Info on purchasing the full U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2011 report: http://www.seia.org/cs/research/SolarInsight Background on the Department of Treasury 1603 Program: http://www.seia.org/cs/solar_policies/1603_treasury_program ### Related Residential Solar Press Releases
Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity (Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living) Reviews
Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity (Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living) Easy-to-understand, accurate, and comprehensive, this is the guide for anyone interested in installing a solar electric system. Power from the Sun provides a basic understanding of electricity, solar energy and the sun, and solar site assessment. It discusses the types of photovoltaics (PVs) and PV systems, advances in PVs, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and generators, as well as the installation and maintenance of a PV system. This book is written for the layperson and is designed t List Price: $ 26.95 Price:
Volunteers from San Jose Begin Careers in Solar
Robert and Jesse were volunteering with GRID Alternatives to install solar on the roof of a low income family in Richmond, CA. This candid little video clip was taken on the spot with a Flip camera. Video Rating: 0 / 5
Commercial Solar Systems Offer Federal Tax Credits from Solar Energy
Our Commercial Solar Systems offer clients large Federal Tax Credits from Solar Energy. Visit Innovative Solar Systems, LLC at innovativesolarsystemsllc.com for Solar Systems and Federal Tax Credits from Solar Energy.
Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy Sources Reviews
Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy Sources Studies have shown that the average North American family will spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on energy in a lifetime. What many other countries, including Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, China, Brazil, and even Iceland, have realized is that there is a better way to power our homes, businesses, and cars by using renewable energy sources. Recently, the United States has begun to understand the importance of reducing its reliance on coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and hydropowe List Price: $ 24.95 Price:
Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity
Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity Easy-to-understand, accurate, and comprehensive, this is the guide for anyone interested in installing a solar electric system. Power from the Sun provides a basic understanding of electricity, solar energy and the sun, and solar site assessment. It discusses the types of photovoltaics (PVs) and PV systems, advances in PVs, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and generators, as well as the installation and maintenance of a PV system. This book is written for the layperson and is designed t List Price: $ 26.95 Price:
Bioethanol the Green Fuel that Powers Green Cars from Saab and Koenigsegg
With fossil fuel stocks in rapid decline and scientist around the world arguing the case for global warming, caused by increased CO2 emissions, the race is on to find both a greener and cheaper alternative to petrol. Bioethanol fuel may be one such possible contender, which is why both the mainstream car manufacturer Saab and the super car producer Koenigsegg now offer vehicles that can run on bioethanol. Normal ethanol can be easily derived from petrol, however because bioethanol fuel is derived from plants it is viewed as a green fuel. The energy from the sun is used by the plants to make sugar, which in turn is converted into bioethanol. In addition during the growing process the plant is also absorbing high levels of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making the whole process greener than the refinement of conventional fossil fuels. The bioethanol is produced firstly by the action of enzymes and microorganisms on the crops to release the starch and sugars, and then by a process of distilling and dehydration to produce a product that can be used as fuel in the internal combustion car engine. The added benefit of bioethanol is that it has a higher octane rating than standard fuel, 104 as against 97, and so using bioethanol will offer increased performance. Sadly you cannot put bioethanol into a standard petrol combustion engine without first making some modifications. The engine management system needs to be upgraded, so that the engine can determine which fuel it is running on, and secondly the engine internal components need to be toughened up, because ethanol can react with certain materials to form corrosive acids. Despite the changes required Saab now offers one of its most popular turbo charged models with a duel fuel option. It can run on either petrol or bioethanol and costs only a fraction more than the standard model, and from its car headlight bulbs through to its alloy wheels you would be hard pressed to spot the difference. Meanwhile Koenigsegg offer their CCX super car with a bioethanol option that can produce over 100bhp more than the petrol version. Bioethanol does have its detractors, with environmentalists worried that as the demand for bioethanol grows, more land normally used for growing food stocks will be converted over to fuel production. One study has argued that to convert the whole of the US to bioethanol would take up three quarters of all of the world’s arable land. Whilst Bioethanol certainly has green credentials it is not viable as a fuel for the masses in its current state, due to the huge land resources required. However there are now second generation biofuels derived from waste stocks and third generation biofuels derived from algae. Algae biofuels produce 30 times more energy per acre than biofuel crops, and so could ultimately be part of the future of green energy production. Jo Alexander is an online, freelance journalist and keen windsurfer. Jo lives by the sea in Essex.
Where Does Green Mountain’s Energy Come From?
Here the resources of Green Mountain’s Energy come from : Landfill gas contaminated with dozens of toxic chemicalsGreen Mountain claims to be using landfill gas as its primary source of new renewables. In early 1999, Green Mountain claimed to be using 4 specific landfill gas burners in New Jersey and Michigan. It turns out that they lied about all of these. Green Mountain has not disclosed the true locations of the landfill gas burners in their mix. To learn more about landfill gas burning and why is isn’t “green,” please read the Primer on Landfill Gas as “Green” Energy. Waste Wood Incinerators Green Mountain has claimed to be using energy in its California products that comes from lumber industry wood waste incinerators in Oregon and Washington. However, when the two facilities in Oregon were contacted in preparation for a report by Public Citizen called Green Buyers Beware, it turned out that the facilities were not aware that their energy was being marketed by Green Mountain and apparently the money charged to customers was not passed along to them. In the Pennsylvania and New Jersey markets (Green Mountain only has markets in CA, PA & NJ so far), there are several wood waste incinerators whose energy could be sold as “green.” Proposed new construction/demolition wood waste incinerators have been kicked out of several communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware in the past few years. On April 24th, 2000, a law was passed in Delaware state banning the “green energy” wood waste incinerators that have been threatening Delaware communities.* Before being banned by Delaware’s new law, Philpower Corporation’s proposed wood waste incinerator has been kicked out of 5-6 Delaware communities, most of them targeted for poor, minority neighborhoods. Currently, there are still “green energy” marketers proposing to build new construction/demolition wood waste incinerators in New Jersey. If any of these wood waste incinerators are constructed, their power may be sold by Green Mountain as “new renewable” power. Green Mountain has indicated a willingness to market this sort of polluting energy. Information on the hazards of wood waste incineration can be found in the article titled, “The Burning Issues with Biomass.” * Delaware’s new law also bans the “green energy” chicken shit incinerators proposed by Fibrowatt and Allen’s Family Foods. These companies are now looking to eastern Maryland to build their waste burners. Hydroelectric Dams Hydroelectric dams currently qualify as “renewable” under the Green-e certification program if they are under 30 megawatts in capacity. In early 1999, Green Mountain claimed to be selling energy from a small hydro dam in New Jersey in their Pennsylvania energy products. It turned out that they were lying. At the same time, they claimed to be selling energy from a large (non-renewable) dam in West Virginia. From what we can tell, this is true. However, the money from the sale of this power would go to a company that is 99% coal-powered (Allegheny Power) and would do nothing to increase renewable energy or benefit the environment in any way. Natural Gas Green Mountain claims to have natural gas – a non-renewable fossil fuel – in their products. If they were telling the truth in early 1999 (when they lied about most of their other energy sources), they are buying some natural gas power from Conectiv Energy’s Hay Road natural gas plant in Delaware. While natural gas is cleaner than coal and nuclear power, it still releases global warming gases, acid rain precursors, and hazardous air pollutants, including lead, mercury, benzene and formaldehyde. For info on natural gas health hazards, visit www.green-energy.org/naturalgas/. Wind In California, Green Mountain is selling power from new wind turbines that they were billing customers for before they were even built. These wind turbines may not have been built if it weren’t for the California state ratepayers helping fund it through the state’s system benefits charge and through other state subsidies that provides money for such things. Green Mountain has been deceiving customers into thinking that they alone (through the “free market”) accomplished the building of these wind turbines. That’s simply not true. Regardless, it’s a wonderful thing that these wind turbines exist and Green Mountain should be encouraged to spend their own money to build lots more instead of providing so much of their power from air-polluting energy sources like biomass incineration and landfill gas. In Pennsylvania, Green Mountain has been advertising since January, 1999 as if they have wind turbines in their mix. For at least several months, Green Mountain wouldn’t even claim that they had wind power in their mix (they likely had none). At some point in 1999, they claimed to be reselling wind power from Searsburg, Vermont (a 6 megawatt wind farm that was built in part with federal tax dollars) to Pennsylvania customers. To the extend that this was true, they were simply taking wind power out of the mix that Vermont customers used to get to sell it to Pennsylvania customers. In other words, they were only moving existing supplies around (on paper) and were doing nothing to improve the environment. Not until recently, has Green Mountain had NEW wind power in their mix. A 10 megawatt wind farm in Somerset County in southwest Pennsylvania was built to supply Green Mountain’s mix and should be doing so starting around May 2000. This is very commendable that they have this new wind capacity being built. Green Mountain should build more wind power and should commit to not using polluting sources of power. Tiny amounts of solar Building solar power costs about 10 times more than building wind power. Although the solar project that Green Mountain installed near Philadelphia in 1999 was the largest solar project in the state, it’s still extremely tiny by electricity standards. It sits on the roof of a BJ’s warehouse and generates a mere 43 kilowatts – not even enough to power the building it sits on.Until solar prices come down a lot, don’t expect to see any significant amounts of solar power built for the green energy market. Marketers like Green Mountain are likely to continue to build only as much as they need for a good Earth Day press release. No one knows for sure because they don’t have to tell anyone No state or federal laws require that energy marketers tell you exactly what plants make your electricity. Some require mild disclosure that will give you a very vague idea (ex: 25% hydro, 25% biomass, 50% natural gas). However, you have no right to know what specific facilities provide your power. You also don’t get to know which corporations end up with the extra amount that you might pay for a green energy product. Even with the Green-e certification program for “green” electricity, you don’t get to know anything more than vague percentages ot types of power. If you’re concerned that energy from a specific incinerator or other power station in your community is being sold as green power, you’re out of luck. You have to rely on the good graces of companies and certifiers who lie to people if you want to find out the truth. welly http://www.solarpanelgreenenergy.com
Green Snow Holidays – From Bbc Green
Here?s our essential guide to skiing and snowboarding the green way Skiing and snowboarding are not the obvious choice for an eco-friendly traveller. After all, air flights, luxury spas and hacking your way through the pristine snow are a far cry from a tree-planting camp in Devon. But it doesn?t have to be like that – winter sport is about enjoying the great outdoors, so we?ve looked at some of the best ways to respect it too. Here?s our advice on how to get there, where to stay and what kit you should bring with you.