Stage coach money from Wells going to solar

Posted on November 9, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based Wells Fargo is moving ahead to fund $100 million in the development of solar photovoltaic power projects throughout the U.S. with GCL Solar Energy Inc. GCL Solar Energy, also based in San Francisco, California, builds, owns, and operates solar photovoltaic power plants without the world. “Wells Fargo is proud to expand its commitment to growing the U.S. solar market by working with a respected industry player like GCL-Poly,” said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo’s Environmental Finance Group. “The solar projects developed by GCL Solar will create new jobs in the U.S. and help businesses and public entities better control their electricity costs.”

Wells Fargo has provided more than $2 billion in tax equity financing for renewable energy projects since 2006. That includes funding for 30 wind projects, more than 190 commercial-scale solar projects and 1 utility-scale solar thermal project. Financing provided by Wells Fargo will enable GCL Solar to cost-effectively provide a clean and reliable source of electricity to its customers, including schools, municipalities, corporations, and utilities. GCL Solar will build and operate solar power plants, and its customers will purchase the electricity under long-term power purchase agreements at rates equal to or lower than traditional utility rates.

Speaking for GCL Solar Hunter Jiang, Executive President said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Wells Fargo. With our continued commitment to bring green power to life and this provision of new capital, we stand ready to invest in the solar business and create more job opportunities in the U.S.” GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (3800.HK) is China’s largest polysilicon producer, one of the world’s leading wafer suppliers, and a top green energy enterprise in China.

A NEW TREND ECOTOURISM

Obama selects Suniva for US-India Innovation Roundtable

Posted on November 8, 2010 by quest

Metro-Atlanta based solar maker Suniva was part of President Obama’s U.S. – India Innovation Roundtable. The roundtable, held in Mumbai, was part of the President’s first official visit to India. Suniva was the only solar company invited to participate in the roundtable discussion. “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the premier examples of collaboration between India and U.S. business, as well as to have the opportunity to discuss with the President recommendations for continuing to develop business relationships with India,” said Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer for Suniva. “Exports are key to the growth of the U.S. economy. Strengthening the economic and innovation bonds with India will result in greater export opportunities for businesses, which in turn will create new jobs in both countries.” New York-based Curtis Instruments was also invited to the conference. Through its partnership, with India based Mahindra Reva; Curtis provides key technology used in advancing the commercialization and adoption of ‘clean’ electric vehicles in India and across the globe.

In a speech at the US-India Business Council summit after the panel, President Obama heralded Suniva as an example of U.S. businesses that are deepening trade relations through its work with Indian customers. Suniva’s high-efficiency solar cells and modules have been used in some of the most pioneering projects in India. The company recently announced that its solar cells power a 3 MW solar farm in Karnataka, one of the largest grid-connected solar fields in India. Suniva solar cells are also used in the first 1 MW rooftop solar array in India, built on the roof of the new Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. In addition, multi-megawatts of cellular phone towers in India are now Powered by Suniva and leading Indian solar module manufacturers use Suniva’s high efficiency cells to make their panels more efficient and competitive in other world markets, including Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

ECOTOURISM

PlanetSolar on world tour heading for Miami

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

After a four days stopover, the largest solar powered boat, PlanetSolar left Las Palmas. After its stay on the Canary Islands the solar catamaran continues its transatlantic crossing, setting course for Miami. The boat is expected in Miami by end of November / beginning of December. For the 1st solar boat expedition has commenced and the longest leg since the start in Monaco at the end of September. The goal of the PlanetSolar is to circumnavigate the globe driven exclusively by solar energy.

The current routing around the globe (subject to suitable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and returning to Monaco. The project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and
renewable energies. PlanetSolar has already made technological developments possible in many fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, and also the production and storage of solar energy (or electricity). Each stage in the project and each day that PlanetSolar sails will enable science to progress. At the heart of this project is the conservation of our planet by the promotion of solar energy, energy efficiency and eco-mobility. This is a great occasion to advance knowledge and to inform and make the general public aware of the importance of renewable energy

Planet Solar has an impressive group of supporters such as IMMOSOLAR, Candino Swiss Watch, SunPower and Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne who writes, ” In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an “extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds,” I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.”

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight. The MS
TÛRANOR PlanetSolar was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes and his company LOMOcean (New Zealand). It has been built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany). The boat is navigating under Swiss flag.

PLANETSOLAR ON WORLD TOUR

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Solar innovations just keep on coming

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

The solar innovations just keep on coming. This year saw the introduction of solar powered mobile phones into India and on the African continent. There’s even been talk about a solar powered iPhone. Now from some very forward thinking consumer electronic companies comes a solar powered laptop and a solar HD camcorder. From AU Optronics LCD panel maker has introduced a 14-inch solar-powered touch keyboard solution for notebook computers. The solar module is built within the notebook’s cover and keyboard panel to absorb both sunlight and electric light, and lowered the use of electric power by 20%. The specially designed transparent touch keyboard enables users to readily move about their fingers and control the images for the enjoyment of trendy technology, the company said. This solar-powered touch keyboard notebook solution will be showcased on November 10 at the upcoming FPD (Flat Panel Display) International 2010 during November 10-12 in Chiba, Japan.

Another company Shezen Jetyo Technology has released a solar powered camcorder, Jetyo Solar Camcorder. You flip up a special panel, it collects solar energy from the opposite side of the screen using one panel on the flip-up lid and another on the back of the display housing. The solar panels charge four rechargeable AA batteries. The only problem is that recharging the batteries can take a long time. No word on Veranda Solar which was working on designing solar-power systems, made up of small (about 24-inch and 60- to 70-watt) panels with rounded corners, that consumers could install themselves.

UPDATE A NEW GREEN RENAISSANCE

Solar power sustains winemaking operations

Posted on November 5, 2010 by quest

The Sonoma Wine Company and Cogenra Solar have entered into an energy power agreement to purchase the heat and electricity generated from the installation of a new 272-kilowatt (kW) installation, now supplying renewable heat and electricity to support the company’s winery operations. Under the company’s Heat and Power Purchase Agreement (HPPA) Cogenra will maintain ownership of the solar cogeneration modules, and Sonoma Wine Company will hedge against rising and volatile electric and gas prices throughout the 15-year contract.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures were among honored guests at a ceremony yesterday afternoon to flip the switch on the new solar power plant. Khosla Ventures is the lead investor in Cogenra and former British Prime Minister Blair was appointed as a senior environmental advisor to Khosla Ventures in May of this year. In his remarks Tony Blair said, “It’s up to companies that are both visionary and savvy, like Cogenra, to set us on the right path to decrease our use of fossil fuels and build a more sustainable future.”

The historic commissioning represents the first commercial-scale installation of its kind, combining proven photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in one solar array in an important move toward more affordable and efficient utilization of solar energy.“In vetting renewable energy solutions for Graton, we found Cogenra was the perfect match — high impact without high cost,” stated Derek Benham, founder and owner of Sonoma Wine Company. “Their solar cogeneration offering serves our energy requirements for hot water and electricity, and Cogenra’s innovative financing solution provides all the benefits and savings of on-site generation without the capital costs.”

“This is a very significant milestone for Cogenra as we bring our first project online in California’s wine country and toast to a bright future with solar cogeneration,” Cogenra CEO Dr. Gilad Almogy said in his welcoming remarks. “Cogenra’s technology merges the best photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to meet two valuable industrial needs, low cost heat and electricity. Our solution produces five times more energy and three times the greenhouse gas reductions over traditional solar offerings.”The solar cogeneration installation employs 15 individual Cogenra SunBase™ modules to displace approximately 64,000 kilowatt-hours and 12,500 therms of natural gas annually. The solar thermal element will heat water to 165°F to sustainably fuel Sonoma Wine Company’s wine tank wash and wine barrel washing system. Implementing the system will eliminate more than 120 metric tons per year of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of removing nearly 25 passenger cars from the road annually.

ECO FRIENDS SHOP

Recurrent Energy & Sharp Solar now one

Posted on November 5, 2010 by quest

SanFrancisco based Recurrent Energy and Sharp Corporation announced today that Sharp has completed the acquisition of Recurrent Energy, a leading solar project developer and generating company. Sharp paid $305 million in cash to purchase a 100 percent stake in Recurrent Energy, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Sharp.

Arno Harris continues as CEO of Recurrent Energy and reports to Toshishige Hamano, Sharp’s Executive Vice President responsible for overseas business. Recurrent Energy’s executive team and employees will also continue with the company.“Our Recurrent Energy subsidiary is the primary solar power generation platform for Sharp and expands our photovoltaic business into the key area of project development. Recurrent Energy’s expertise and relationships will help Sharp become a total solutions company in the photovoltaic field, extending from developing and producing solar cells and modules to developing and marketing solar power generation plants.”

Recurrent Energy currently has a development pipeline of about 2 GW, with over 330 MW of contracted distributed-scale solar power projects primarily in North America, in addition to projects and joint development agreements in Europe and the Middle East.
“Sharp’s scale and resources will help us to accelerate our growth and further cement Recurrent Energy’s position as the leading global solar generating company,” said Arno Harris, CEO, Recurrent Energy. “We will continue to work with a variety of vendors to ensure we have the most appropriate equipment for our projects based on price and quality.”