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Solar in Brief
Latest brief news items:
September 3, 2010
Arizona utility seeks five solar power arrays
Arizona's largest utility has issued a request for proposals for solar installation companies to provide five solar arrays for "high profile" government and non-profit organizations. Arizona Public Service (APS) Co. is seeking solar companies to provide systems between 10 and 30 kilowatts in scale, submissions are due by September 27. The government or non-profit organizations would receive the power from the systems, with APS using the renewable energy credits to help meet state targets.
More information: http://aps.com/rfpSeptember 2, 2010
Arizona firm wins $37m in solar equipment orders
Solar manufacturing equipment provider Amtech Systems has won $37 million in new business with new and existing customers in Asia. The company based in Tempe, Arizona, will provide its diffusion processing systems used in the production of silicon-based solar cells. Amtech said its expanding customer base has seen $157 million in orders since October 2009. More information: http://www.amtechsystems.com/September 2, 2010
ESA to install 1MW solar array in North Carolina
Florida solar developer ESA Renewables has won a contract to install a one megawatt solar power system in Culberson, North Carolina. The company agreed a 10-year power purchase agreement to sell power to Tennessee Valley Authority. ESA will design, engineer, construct and commission a system with 4,166 solar panels on a 16-acre site for completion in November 2010. More information: http://www.esarenewables.comAugust 30, 2010
High Gain Solar system installed at Metcalf West HQ
California's Skyline Solar has completed a 22-kilowatt solar project at the Hawaiian headquarters of construction firm Metcalf West. The installation uses the Silicon Valley firm's patented High Gain Solar 1000 system, which uses a kind of concentrated solar photovoltaic technology. Skyline said the system delivers 10 times more energy per gram of silicon compared with conventional solar panels. More information: http://www.skyline-solar.comAugust 27, 2010
Reno city sites in 1.3MW solar power project
Reno City Council has awarded a contract to build 1.3 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems for city sites. Nevada Solar Works will build a 1MW ground-mounted system at the Reno-Stead water plant. Five other locations will gain 295kW of roof or ground-mounted arrays at no upfront cost to the city. More information: http://www.cleanpathrenewables.comAugust 27, 2010
3MW solar plan for Colorado schools
Colorado's third largest school district has signed a power purchase agreement to set up solar panels on 30 schools and an athletic stadium. Douglas County School District is working with California firm Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., and REgeneration Finance on the project. Premier will design, build and operate 3MW of solar systems, which will be financed and owned by REgeneration. More information: http://www.premierpower.comAugust 26, 2010
MiaSolé agrees 600MW supply deal with Germany’s Juwi Group
Californian solar thin-film manufacturer MiaSolé has put pen to paper on a 600MW framework agreement to supply German renewable energy developer Juwi Group. The Silicon Valley firm will start off the deal supplying 50MW of its Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels in 2010. The company, which is in the process of building a third factory, said the Juwi deal would support its plan of "rapid" growth. More information: http://www.miasole.comAugust 26, 2010
$1.1m solar donation for California food bank
Solar company SunPower Corp and technology firm Cypress Semiconductor Corp have donated $1.1 million to a food bank in California. The donation will support a new 322-kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar array at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. The project is expected to save the nonprofit organization nearly $3 million over the next 25 years. More information: http://www.sunpowercorp.comAugust 25, 2010
1.1MW solar array completed in New Mexico
One of New Mexico's largest solar arrays was unveiled yesterday on a parking structure at The Bell Group's headquarters in Albuquerque. The 1.1MW project was developed by SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc., VE Group LLC and Affordable Solar Group LLC, and comprises 5,000 locally-made SCHOTT solar modules across five acres. VE Group was the primary contractor, with Affordable Solar Group the developer on the project. More information: http://www.us.schott.comAugust 24, 2010
Kikkoman soy sauce turns green thanks to solar project
Kikkoman soy sauce is set to become a little greener this fall, as the manufacturer installs a new 106.6-kilowatt solar power system at its factory in Folsom, California. Using 576 Mitsubishi Electric solar panels, each 185 watt in output, the system will take the form of a fixed carport over the employee and visitor parking lot. The facility is expected to begin operating in late September, selling power back to the grid when the Folsom plant is not in operation. More information: http://www.mitsubishielectricsolar.comAugust 24, 2010
Austin Energy cleared to buy 8,500 solar modules
Texas utility Austin Energy has had its first solar supply agreement approved by Austin City Council. The company plans to buy up to two megawatts of American-made solar modules over the next three years for up to $3.7 million. Austin Energy, which serves around 388,000 customers, has the option to purchase up to 8,500 solar modules for use on municipal buildings and schools in its service area. More information: http://www.austinenergy.comAugust 23, 2010
California school to save money with 202kW solar project
An elementary school in Redding, California, will start the school year powered by the sun, thanks to its new 202.5 kilowatt solar array. The system at Grant Elementary School was installed and built at no capital cost to the school district, with Mill Valley company Solar Power Partners owning and operating the facility, selling power to the school. Under the power purchase agreement, the school is expected to save around $600,000 over the next two decades. More information: http://www.solarpowerpartners.comAugust 23, 2010
Solar firm funds San Francisco college training program
A new solar training program has been set up in San Francisco, as one of the first solar scholarship programs funded by a solar company. The City College of San Francisco and Young Community Developers are providing the program for residents of the Bayview/Hunter's Point community, with classes starting today. Funding, equipment and expenses will be met by the solar power company SolarCity, including donation of 10 solar panels, an inverter and mounting systems. More information: http://www.solarcity.comAugust 20, 2010
Plan to boost renewable energy grid access in Nevada
Plans for a high-voltage transmission project to open up access to renewable energy in northern and eastern Nevada have been announced. Las Vegas-based NV Energy and Great Basin Transmission, part of New York firm LS Power, are to jointly build a new 500kV power line, subject to regulatory approval. NV Energy will own 25% of the project, buying transmission capacity from Great Basin. More information: http://www.LSPower.comAugust 19, 2010
Finance in place for 255kW solar project at LA office complex
California firm ReGreen Corporation has secured $2 million financing for a 255-kilowatt solar photovoltaic project in Los Angeles. The carport-mounted facility is planned for the Metro Park Towers, a two-tower commercial office complex in downtown LA. It is expected to provide around 15% of the buildings' annual energy use. Around half the cost will be met by federal and local rebates from the LADWP. More information: http://www.regreencorp.comAugust 19, 2010
Reggae song released to raise funds for Haiti solar project
Nonprofit organizations Partners In Health and The Solar Electric Light Fund have teamed up with Grammy-winning reggae band Steel Pulse to raise money to provide solar electric systems for health clinics in Haiti. Funds are being raised through release of a song composed by lead singer David Hinds, with all proceeds going to the earthquake-affected Caribbean country. Mr Hinds said: “Because the initial media coverage has waned considerably, we want to revitalize the focus on Haiti's plight." More information: http://www.holdon4haiti.org/August 17, 2010
Florida firm to install 10 solar hot water systems in Jacksonville
Florida company Solar Energy Initiatives has started work on 10 new solar hot water systems in Jacksonville. The installations come as part of a weatherization program from the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency. The program will see 11 solar technician jobs provided to graduates of the Community Rehabilitation Center Institute. More information: http://www.solarenergy-us.com/August 13, 2010
New Mexico releases guide to clean energy incentives and permitting
Green businesses looking to move to New Mexico can now find information on clean energy incentives available in the state within a new guide. The New Mexico Environment Department released the guide on Wednesday, including information about all permitting requirements as well as incentives. The manual includes information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and green building projects. More information: http://bit.ly/amTisQAugust 12, 2010
Evolution in talks over one-acre solar farm in Texas
Emerging solar company Evolution Solar is in talks with the City of Brookshire, Texas, to potentially develop a one-acre solar farm. The company said the deal came on the back of its recently-completed Solar Demonstration Project, which is also located in Brookshire. The new solar farm could be developed as part of a shopping and hotel complex being planned for a 10-acre site. More information: http://www.evolutionsolar.comAugust 11, 2010
$100m investment fund set up for renewable energy
Investment firm New Energy Capital Partners has established a new fund with the potential to invest $100 million in clean energy and technology projects. The New Hampshire company has created the fund jointly with the CleanTech Alliance Fund, which is managed by Piper Jaffray Private Capital of Minneapolis, MN. The fund managers said it would look to capitalize on cost-effective commercial technologies along with incentives available for renewable energy projects. More information: http://www.newenergycapital.com/August 11, 2010
Solar power service launched for homeowners in Pennsylvania
Homeowners in Pennsylvania can now switch to solar power for as little as zero money upfront, under a new service from solar service provider SunRun. Homeowners pay a controlled rate for solar electricity generated on their roof, typically saving 5-15% on their power costs, while SunRun takes care of maintenance, monitoring, repairs and insurance. For the Pennsylvania program, SunRun is partnering with installers including Alteris Renewables, groSolar, Mercury Solar Systems, and Trinity Solar. More information: http://www.sunrunhome.com/August 10, 2010
First Solar President appointed to chair 2010 Manufacturing Council
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has appointed First Solar President Bruce Sohn to chair the 2010 Manufacturing Council. The Council is directed by the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, and was established in 2004 and recently re-chartered. Mr Sohn said: “I am pleased to chair this important committee and look forward to presenting the U.S. government with suggestions and direction to strengthen the American manufacturing sector.” More information: http://www.manufacturing.gov/council/index.asp?dName=councilAugust 9, 2010
Tennessee program cuts household power bills to $37 a month
Tennessee homes taking part in an energy efficiency pilot program have seen their monthly electricity bills slashed to as little as $37 per month. The project has tested out three similar houses in Knox County. An standard home saw monthly bills of $157.77, while a second home retrofitted with efficiency systems saw bills cut to $114.18 a month. The third building was fitted with advanced systems including solar panels, and saw its bill work out at $37.15 per month on the Tennessee Valley Authority program. More information: http://www.tva.com/campbellcreekresearchhomesAugust 6, 2010
NREL offers funds to incubate solar PV technologies
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is seeking letters of interest for its Photovoltaic Technology Incubator program. The program offers funding to help speed up commercialization of new "high impact" solar energy technologies. NREL will provide up to $1 million for pre-incubator projects and up to $4 million for incubator projects. Letters of interest deadline is September 16, 2010. More information: http://www.nrel.gov/business_opportunities/solicitations_rfps.htmlAugust 6, 2010
Deadline extended for DOE loan guarantee applications
Clean energy projects have six extra weeks to apply for the US Department of Energy loan guarantee program, as issued back in July 2009. The DOE has extended the application deadline for its energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies solicitation to October 5, 2010. It said extending the deadline could mean supporting more projects. The Part II deadline remains December 31, 2010. More information: http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/
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