Solar Incentives Powering Growth In Arizona

Posted on July 10, 2011 by quest

Fueled by aggressive, new business incentives, Arizona is quickly becoming the premier location for renewable energy companies. The Arizona Commerce Authority will feature those new incentives and business opportunities available to companies at Intersolar North America, the leading annual solar industry exhibition and conference in San Francisco, July 12-14. Arizona is home to more than 100 significant solar energy businesses, including the world’s two largest solar companies, First Solar and Suntech.

“Arizona has been an ideal location for First Solar to grow its business, including our new factory under construction in Mesa that will add 600 associates to our local workforce,” said Maja Wessels, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for Tempe-based First Solar. “Arizona offers an attractive business climate, a talented workforce and boundless potential for clean solar energy.”In recent months, Arizona has experienced significant growth in the renewable energy marketplace. Companies are taking advantage of tax incentives, a pro-business climate, a specialized workforce and more sunny days than any other state in the country.

“Arizona’s aggressive new focus on solar and renewable energy following the passage of the Arizona Competitiveness Package will significantly enhance economic development opportunities and encourage business relocation for companies that are leading the way in this fast-paced, innovative industry,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “The ACA is spreading the word that Arizona is the place to be for cutting-edge solar technology.”Incentives for renewable energy companies in Arizona include: Up to 10% of capital investments as a refundable income tax credit, Arizona Competes deal closing fund, Income tax credits up to $9,000 for each quality new job, Up to $1.5 million in reimbursable grants to train employees, Up to 34% R&D tax credit, and Significant business tax reductions including lowering the state income tax from 6.97% to 4.9%.

“The U.S. solar industry has the opportunity to double in the coming year. Arizona and the ACA are committed to being a part of that growth,” said Don Cardon, president and CEO of the ACA. “Arizona is armed with business opportunities and tax incentives which make us the leading contender in the renewable energy.”

QUESTPOINT IS: MOBILE

LA To Hold Solar Power Workshops

Posted on July 9, 2011 by quest

Due to public demand, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power canceled a single public meeting about its solar energy programs and replaced it with four workshops, the utility announced today. Thursday’s 2 p.m. meeting at DWP headquarters downtown was canceled and expanded into two, and two more will be held Friday.

All four will be at the DWP headquarters, 111 N. Hope St., in the A-level auditorium. Each workshop will focus on the DWP’s incentive program for installing solar panels and a proposed “feed-in tariff” program meant to spur the use of renewable energy. Attendance will be limited to 125 people per meeting, and reservations will be required. Anyone who reserved a spot for the original meeting will need to RSVP again via the DWP’s web site.

The first meeting is set for 9 a.m. Thursday July 14, 2011 and expected to wrap up about noon. The second meeting starts at 2 p.m Thursday July 14, 2011. On Friday July 15, 2011, the first meeting will be held at 9 a.m., and the final workshop will start at 2 p.m.

Taiwan activates a whole new green solar future

Huge solar business opportunities await in Taiwan with its position as the world’s 2nd largest solar cell maker. Great prospects blossom on July 13 with the Taiwan-organized seminar The Taiwan Solar Energy Industry Outlook & Renewable Energy Business Alliance Seminar at the show venue of InterSolar North America at the Moscone Convention…

EcoPlusHome Solar Powered Emission Free

Posted on July 8, 2011 by quest

Can a family of six live their everyday life without dependence on fossil fuels for an entire year? By integrating its leading efficient geothermal, solar and home appliance technologies, Bosch helped Canada’s EcoPlusHome demonstrate that today’s modern family can live a net zero existence without compromising comfort or cost. Through the use of both passive and active eco-friendly efforts, the 285-square-meter (3,067-square-foot) home in Bathurst, New Brunswick provided comfortable and affordable living year-round. In order to prove that an average consumer’s home can achieve net zero status at a reasonable price of about $275,000 USD, Bosch designed the EcoPlusHome in partnership with Tight Lines Productions, Maple Leaf Homes and local partners in New Brunswick, Canada. Between December 2009 and December 2010, a family of six – while living in the EcoPlusHome consumed approximately 14,000 kilowatt hours (kwh). At the same time, the home generated roughly 15,000 kwh – more electricity than it consumed. Reducing reliance on fossil fuel, EcoPlusHome emitted few emissions and helped promote a healthier living space and cleaner air.

“By providing a highly efficient geothermal heat pump, solar thermal system, photovoltaic panels and home appliances for the EcoPlusHome, we have demonstrated that climate protection pays off and that net zero living can be achieved comfortably and affordably,” said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the Bosch Board of Management. “As a leading technology company, Bosch is committed to supplying innovative solutions that help conserve resources and protect the environment.”To generate the needed electricity to run home appliances, to power lights and other plug-in units, Bosch Solar Energy supplied 52 mono-crystalline photovoltaic solar modules for the EcoPlusHome, providing high yields even when the intensity of solar radiation is minimal. Bosch offers high-grade photovoltaic products to generate electricity from sunlight, which protects the environment and combat climate change. In addition, Bosch Siemens Home Appliances supplied the home with its ENERGY STAR Home Appliances, including a washer and dryer, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and even a coffee maker, which are all highly efficient and reduce water and energy consumption significantly. Known for raising standards in appliance efficiency and quietness, Bosch is the only U.S. appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration.

Earlier this month, EcoPlusHome was presented with Scotiabank’s EcoLiving 2011 Innovation Award. Supported by Green Living Enterprises, the awards program recognizes businesses, innovators and students across Canada for excellence in the development of home energy efficiency products, services and solutions. The EcoLiving Awards are Canada’s premier prize for home energy innovation.

San Francisco leads the U.S. in environmental sustainability

Green Builder & Antelope Valley Launch First Solar Standard Community

Posted on July 7, 2011 by quest

The City of Lancaster and KB Home today announced the grand opening of an affordably priced new solar home community in Lancaster, California. KB Home’s Arroyo community is the first in the Antelope Valley to offer solar power systems as a standard feature on all new homes. During the grand opening event held today, the two partners unveiled this unique community that represents a giant step forward in the advancement of affordable solar technology for homeowners.

For its part, the City of Lancaster has long recognized the important role government can play in helping the environment. The advancement and research of solar and other similar technologies continues to be a priority for the City, as it works with companies like KB Home to drive innovation and enhance the lives of those who live in the community. In support of these goals, the City of Lancaster agreed to waive certain municipal development fees for the project and fast-tracked it through the approval process.”We are continuing to develop innovative solutions with KB Home. This private-public partnership is an example of what local governments throughout the nation should be doing in order to resuscitate their housing markets. We know we simply cannot sit back and wait for others to ‘fix’ the economy,” said City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.The opening of Arroyo is part of KB Home’s recently announced initiative to provide solar power systems as a standard feature for new homes in 11 of its Southern California communities.

“We believe that our continued partnership with the City of Lancaster has been extremely beneficial in advancing the use of emerging solar technology,” said Steve Ruffner, president of KB Home’s Southern California division. “The abundance of clear sunny days makes Lancaster the perfect place to own one of KB Home’s new solar homes. In addition to lessening a homeowner’s impact on the environment, the standard solar system may cut a homeowner’s energy costs by more than half.” The gorgeous ranch style homes, situated on ½ acre homesites, provide great room living and include up to five bedrooms, three bathrooms and three-car garages. Homebuyers have their choice of six single story floorplans ranging in size from 1,837 to 3,037 square feet. Pricing begin from the low $200,000s.

Solar satellites key to green energy

Intersolar North America 2011 Showcases Solar Technology Evolution

Posted on July 6, 2011 by quest

Intersolar North America, the premier solar industry exhibition and conference in North America for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business opportunities in the U.S. solar market, is featuring next-generation solar products and cutting edge technologies from around 800 exhibitors. With registered visitors representing 62 countries and exhibiting companies from 30 countries, Intersolar North America provides a true global perspective of the solar industry, while focusing on the momentum and challenges facing the North American market. The solar industry has long focused on developing new solar technologies that promise to deliver greater efficiency, higher performance and an increased energy harvest, in turn boosting ROI for system owners and encouraging solar adoption—and Intersolar North America is the place to see them first. Intersolar North America has a multi-year tradition of showcasing game changing solar technology on the exhibition floor and highlighting technology trends in conference tracks and exhibitions.

“Intersolar North America provides the most comprehensive conference and exhibition experience for solar industry executives,” said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International GmbH, one of the exhibition and conference’s organizers. “We’ve designed our program to educate attendees on how best to move their companies forward, and intensify innovative product development, policies and financing models that will continue to grow the North American solar market. In tandem with educational conference sessions, discussions on the floor of the exhibit hall will lay the foundation for the next major industry deal.”

Many of the major players in the solar industry will make announcements at the show to introduce new products and technology upgrades. Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar Inc. said, “As a first-time exhibitor at Intersolar, we look forward to participating in the conference and exhibition as it provides an opportunity for Kyocera to showcase its high-quality and innovative solar products to a world audience.” Intersolar takes place July 12-14, 2011 Moscone Center in San Francisco.

THE SOLAR WALL

SolarWorld In Global Growth Mode

Posted on July 4, 2011 by quest

This week’s profitable sale of SolarWorld’s shares in a joint-venture solar-panel factory in South Korea highlights the company’s increasing commitment to production within its major sales markets in the West, including the fast-growing U.S. market. SolarWorld is dramatically increasing production at its hub of factory sites in and near Freiberg, Germany. In the United States, where the company has been the largest solar technology producer for more than 35 years, SolarWorld has exceeded the 1,250-employee mark that it reached upon completing its expansion and modernization programs for its sites in Hillsboro, Ore., and Camarillo, Calif., in December. This month, combined employment has exceeded 1,300. By the end of the year, combined module production across SolarWorld’s U.S. and European sites will ramp up to a total annual production capacity of more than one gigawatt.

SolarWorld manufactures its premium solar panels in locations with the highest quality, environmental and labor standards. “We are consistently continuing our strategy of making our premium product at premium locations,” said Frank Asbeck, chairman and CEO of SolarWorld. “A solar power system is an investment for generations. We guarantee 25 years of reliable output. But the life of our solar power systems is far longer. That cannot be guaranteed if you rely on a low-cost location.”

SolarWorld expects its largest sales growth this year in the United States. “Our steadily rising production output, coupled with streamlined in-market logistics, is enabling us to keep pace with the long-promised rise of the U.S. solar market,” said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc. By this month, company sales in the U.S. market have matched total annual sales of 2010 – and they are on track to more than triple last year’s results. SolarWorld solar panels have been installed this year in a variety of U.S. landmark projects, including trailblazing installations at Pearl Harbor, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and commercial and residential sites. At the same time, the group is expecting growth in European markets in light of current legislation to fund renewable energy in Germany and other European countries.