Sun Powers “The Rock”

Posted on July 9, 2014 by QuestPoint

Though the prison closed in 1963, 1.4 million visitors now tour Alcatraz each year. “The Rock” has been powered for 75 years by diesel fuel ferried across the bay. In 2012, a 280 kW solar photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of the island’s main cell house and provides roughly 66% of the island’s electricity needs. The solar array operates in combination with an extensive battery-based energy storage system to maximize solar electricity generation and use.

Alcatraz solar project competing for 2014 Intersolar Award

Sun Still Shining On Solar Investments

Posted on October 11, 2013 by QuestPoint

Mercom Capital Group, llc, a clean energy communications and consulting firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the solar sector during the second quarter of 2013. Solar venture capital : (VC) investments increased to $189 million (M) in 19 deals in Q2 2013 compared to $126M in 26 deals in Q1 2013. Solar downstream : companies received most of the funding with $128M. Total corporate funding in the solar sector including, VC funding :, debt financing and other types of funding raised by public companies through sale of shares totaled $915M.

“With solar technology companies struggling, investments have been going to downstream companies,” commented Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. “That said, investments into solar technology companies haven’t completely dried up. Small venture rounds are still going to several niche technology companies instead of the larger deals that were typical for thin film:, CSP: and CPV:companies.” The largest VC deals in Q2 2013 included the ~$69M raised by Chinese developer Hefei Golden Sun Energy Technology. Clean Power Finance raised $42M from Edison International, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Google Ventures, Claremont Creek Ventures, Clean Pacific Ventures, Sand Hill Angels, Hennessey Capital, Duke Energy, and others. Solexel raised $14.8M, followed by Tigo Energy which raised $13M from Alon Ventures. Scifiniti raised $10M from Alloy Ventures, Firelake Capital Management, I2BF Global Ventures and Peninsula Ventures.

Solar lease companies raised $1.33 billion (B) in disclosed residential and commercial solar project funds this quarter Solar M&A : activity in Q2 2013 amounted to $1.27B in 18 transactions. Themes emerging out of this quarter’s M&A activity included: consolidation in the inverter market, strategic acquisitions, and acquisitions of distressed assets/companies. The largest disclosed M&A transaction by dollar amount in Q2 2013 was ABB’s acquisition of inverter company, Power-One, for approximately $1B. Announced large-scale project funding in Q2 2013 came in at $2.94B. Solar Star Funding, the wholly owned subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy, completed a $1B bond offering this quarter, the largest solar bond financing deal to date. There were more than 670 MW of disclosed projects that changed hands in Q2 2013. Loans, credit facilities and other types of debt agreements from Chinese banks now stand at about $53B.

Solar Power International Offering Free Solar Training

Posted on August 25, 2012 by QuestPoint

A Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Training program consisting of 11 in-depth sessions is being offered on the exhibit floor in booth 1008 during Solar Power International 2012 (SPI ‘12). The training sessions are the newest addition to the SPI conference program and have been developed in partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) and the North American oBoard of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The sessions are included in both full conference and exhibits-only passes and are included with other industry participants on a variety of topics including certification programs, solar site analysis and battery-safety and maintenance.

Taking place September 10th through 13th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, SPI ’12 is North America’s premier business-to-business event for professionals in solar energy. The show is presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). This international event is expected to attract attendees from more than 100 countries to learn about new markets for solar, new products, and the issues and strategies that will guide the industry’s growing emergence as an energy solution.

“We’ve introduced these technical training sessions as an added value to companies who want to enhance their technical skills and knowledge of their staff,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO, SEIA. “Our industry is fast-evolving and this new program helps people working in the field keep up with the latest developments and procedures. This is critical for expanding the solar business.” “We are thrilled to partner with Solar Energy International and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, two prestigious organizations who can share their knowledge with SPI attendees,” said Julia Hamm, SEPA president and CEO. “The program consists of a wide range of topics addressing the interests of professionals at all levels, from beginner to advanced, enhancing an already comprehensive conference program.”

STOP… Solar Time!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by quest

Consistently raising the bar within the timepiece industry, Casio America, Inc. has introduced the newest model to its Pro Trek series, the PRG550-1A1. Built with Casio’s easy-to-use, one-touch triple sensor technology, the PRG550-1A1 includes a digital compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer making it the ultimate tool for rugged, outdoor adventures.”The PRG550-1A1′s enhanced features are designed to make outdoor activities seamless and enjoyable,” said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “The simplicity of this watch is what makes it fashionable and functional and the enhanced styling makes it easy to go from the mountains to the boardroom.”

Casio’s Pro Trek series of watches feature the most cutting edge sensor technology; the new PRG-550 is a 3 hand analog model with an LCD window. The triple sensors measure compass bearing, altitude/atmospheric pressure and temperature. The multi-purpose second hand points towards magnetic north and can indicate the latest change in atmospheric pressure or show a change in altitude from a pre-selected location, depending on the function selected. While the LCD displays numerical sensor information such as compass direction angle value, altitude, atmospheric pressure, and temperature, the PRG550-1A1′s full auto LED light activates with just a flick of the wrist and operates by Casio’s Tough Solar Power technology, allowing readings to be accomplished with ease. Casio’s Tough Solar Power technology adds to the PRG550-1A1′s efficiency by allowing the timepiece to power down when not exposed to light for a certain period of time, thus conserving energy.

In addition to other features, the PRG550-1A1 is powered by Casio’s Solar Power 100M, is water resistant and is can manage low temperature (-10 degrees C/14 degrees F). With a black, resin band, the PRG550-1A1 is lightweight and provides durability and comfort on every excursion. The PRG550-1A1 will be available in June 2012 at select department stores and sporting goods stores.

Solar Power Set For 20 Square Miles Atop LA Rooftops

Labor Department Awards Aid to SolarWorld

Posted on April 30, 2012 by quest

The U.S. Department of Labor has determined that all manufacturing employees laid off from SolarWorld Industries America Inc. as a result of the company’s shutdown of its 35-year-old solar-panel production plant in Camarillo, Calif., in September are eligible for federal trade-adjustment assistance, including grants for education to retrain them for new work.“How many more U.S. manufacturing jobs must the United States lose in this most promising renewable-energy industry, which Americans pioneered, before adequate remedies are put in place to offset the illegal practices of Big China Solar,? said company president Gordon Brinser.

The determination that Chinese imports helped cause the shutdown resulted from an investigation earlier this year by the department’s Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance, which announced the decision Friday in the Federal Register. The decision means that many of the 186 laid-off SolarWorld employees can tap federal assistance with job placement; expenses for job searches, relocation and retraining; income support during full-time retraining; and a tax credit on health-insurance premiums.

According to U.S. law, the Labor Department may certify workers for trade-adjustment assistance only if it finds that an increase in competing imports “contributed importantly” to the decline in sales or production of a firm and to the cause for worker layoffs. Though SolarWorld invested tens of millions of dollars automating the Camarillo plant after purchasing it in 2006, the company determined it needed to consolidate its U.S. manufacturing in Hillsboro, Ore., where it operates the Western Hemisphere’s largest solar plant. Consolidation was required, according to SolarWorld, to contend with the illegally subsidized and dumped solar products of China’s government-backed export drive. U.S. Department of Energy researchers have concluded that without state sponsorship, Chinese manufacturers would face a 5 percent cost disadvantage in producing and delivering solar products into the U.S. market. Read the full article: U.S. Labor Department Awards Aid to SolarWorld Workers Laid off Because of Chinese Solar Imports

EPA Awards For Innovative Environmental Solutions

Solar Fresh Alberta Ferretti Fashions Hits Macy’s

Posted on April 16, 2012 by quest

Beginning tomorrow, style seekers nationwide can line-up to purchase Alberta Ferretti’s exclusive, limited-time collection for Macy’s, the next designer capsule launching in the retailer’s “Impulse” department. An effortlessly chic spring assortment, the capsule is composed of feminine silhouettes and delicate fabrications, acting as an allusion to the designer’s main line collection. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to give a solar, fresh and joyful Italian dream to the customers of Macy’s and I believe that these items will become staple dresses in their wardrobe.”

“This collection for Macy’s captures the essence of the Italian summer lifestyle and is at the same time true to my style,” said Alberta Ferretti. “I imagine a sensual woman that was joyfully elegant and unequivocally Italian. I am happy that Maria Carla’s unique style, Ellen Von Unwerth’s modern eye, and the fairy-tale atmosphere of Positano made my imagination become real.”

The “Alberta Ferretti for Impulse only at Macy’s” collection exudes effortless style and elegance, heavily influenced by Ferretti’s Italian heritage and the relaxed lifestyle of the Amalfi coast. Reflecting the designer’s signature aesthetic, the capsule is a balance of delicate fabrications, feminine silhouettes and romantic prints. With bohemian and garden party styling taking center stage, the collection offers looks to satisfy a variety of personal tastes ranging from playful maxi dresses to sophisticated cropped pants. The Alberta Ferretti presence continues to strengthen worldwide with boutique openings in every fashion capital from New York to Los Angeles, Milan to Paris, Moscow to Tokyo, and London to Dubai. A first for the Italian-based designer, this new capsule collection will be sold while supplies last in 185 Macy’s stores nationwide and on macys.com beginning April 17.