Solar Power Leading Cleantech Investments

Posted on January 6, 2012 by quest

Cleantech Group, a global research firm focused on cleantech innovation, today released preliminary 2011 results for clean technology venture and corporate investments around the globe, totaling $8.99 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2010. Cleantech mergers & acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, a robust 153 percent growth over 2010. Solar was the leading sector by amount invested ($1.81 billion), followed by energy efficiency ($1.46 billion) and transportation ($1.12 billion). Energy efficiency was the most popular sector measured by number of deals, with 150 funding rounds, ahead of solar (111 deals) and transportation (61 deals).

“Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”“While 2011 has been a difficult year for cleantech and venture capital, our 2011 numbers show surging interest in cleantech from global enterprises,” said Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”

Throughout 2011, investment totals grew while the number of deals declined by 7 percent compared to 2010, an indication that average round size is increasing. Of the 713 deals, 61 percent (438) were Series B or later rounds, accounting for 85 percent ($7.64 billion) of all money invested during the year.Investments in North America grew significantly from $5.20 billion in 2010 to $6.81 billion in 2011, or a 30 percent increase. On the other hand, Europe and Israel took a step back, with $1.30 billion invested in 2011 compared to $1.84 billion in 2010.In the public markets, China remained strong for cleantech IPOs. 28 of the 51 IPOs in 2011 came out of China, led by several massive offerings by large renewable energy corporations such as Sinohydro, Sinovel Wind Group and Huaneng Renewable Energy.

U.S. Solar Industry Reaches New Heights

New SunWater Solar Power In San Francisco Tenderloin

Posted on December 30, 2011 by quest

SunWater Solar and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) recently announced new solar thermal systems at two affordable housing buildings in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. The two systems, consisting of 40 solar collectors and 24 collectors, respectively, garnered a total of $85,867 in California Solar Initiative-Thermal (CSI-Thermal) rebates. One hundred percent of this rebate money was used to fund system components and installation. “Solar thermal systems can greatly reduce water-heating bills for large, low-income housing buildings,” said Justin Weil, President of SunWater Solar. “With CSI-Thermal rebates currently funding roughly 30% of system cost, it’s a sound business decision to invest now in the technology.” The solar power systems benefit low-income San Francisco residents, provide green jobs and help to reduce carbon emissions.

“It’s exciting to see non-profit organizations such as TNDC benefiting from the CSI-Thermal incentive program,” said Nick Stimmel, Senior Program Manager at Pacific Gas & Electric. “PG&E encourages other owners of affordable housing buildings to consider solar thermal for their own properties.” The solar water-heating systems are one element of TNDC’s Green Retrofit Initiative, an effort aimed at making TNDC buildings more energy efficient. Co-sponsored by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) and Enterprise Community Partners, the initiative also included boiler replacements, and the installation of energy-efficient lighting and low-flow showerheads and toilets. Fine Line Construction of San Francisco was the general contractor for the project.

“The San Francisco MOH and Enterprise Community Partners structured the financing in such a way that these solar water-heating installations are a highly cost-effective means of reaching Green Retrofit Initiative goals,” said Don Falk, TNDC Executive Director. “The technology makes sense from both a financial and an environmental perspective.” SunWater Solar is a solar thermal integrator that manages the design and installation of commercial solar thermal systems.

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California Focusing On 2020 Solar Vision

Posted on December 22, 2011 by quest

Governor Jerry Brown who just recently led the Climate Change Conference At The California Academy Of Science in San Francisco was also on hand for the dedication of Soitec’s new North American solar headquarters and manufacturing plant in San Diego at a ceremony held on Friday, December 16. The governor noted, “The expansion of clean energy businesses is a direct result of legislation mandating that one-third of California’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2020. That’s a goal and we’re going to meet it. In fact, we are going to do better.”The factory is located in San Diego to supply more than 300 megawatts (MW) in solar projects to provide electricity to SDG&E.

Also participating in the factory dedication were San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Jessie J. Knight, chairman and CEO of San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and California Public Utilities Commissioner (CPUC), Timothy Simon. They were joined by governmental officials and over 300 community and business leaders that attended the dedication event. “SDG&E has signed more contracts using CPV technology than any other utility in the world – a distinction we’re proud of,” said Jessie J. Knight, Jr., chairman and CEO of SDG&E. “At the time we began our talks with Soitec, we realized we had a unique opportunity to negotiate not only a good contract for solar energy at prices that competed head-to-head with other technologies, but also to solidify an agreement that would bear fruit for years to come in new local jobs and overall economic benefits. From a reliability and grid stability perspective, this technology is far superior to other typical ground-mounted arrays.”

“Soitec‘s new facility will create hundreds of well-paying jobs and build on San Diego’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading clean-technology clusters,” commented San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “We are so honored and proud to welcome Soitec to the San Diego community, and I know that San Diego’s collaborative business community will continue to work with Soitec to ensure the company’s success and prosperity.”

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U.S. Postmaster Makes Case For Going Green

Posted on December 11, 2011 by quest

Speaking at the COP 17 climate conference last week in Durban, South Africa, U.S. Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe heralded the U.S. Postal Service‘s sustainability successes, making the business case to go green.”Leaner, greener, faster and smarter is our sustainability call to action,” said Donahoe. “It’s environmentally responsible, as well as a very good business decision.”The Postal Service’s vision is to be a sustainability leader by creating a culture of conservation throughout the Postal Service and leading the adoption of sustainable business practices by employees, customers, suppliers, the mailing industry and U.S. federal government peers.

While the US Postal Service is facing some major budgetary challenges before Congress and is in the midst of the busy holiday season, Donahoe talked about the Postal Service’s 400 Lean Green Teams, comprised of cross-functional postal employees who collaborate to identify and implement low- and no-cost ways to conserve natural resources, purchase fewer consumable products and reduce costs.”Lean Green Teams have helped the Postal Service reduce energy, water and petroleum-fuel use, and solid waste to landfills, helping the Postal Service save more than $5 million in fiscal year 2010. Lean Green Teams also helped recycle more than 222,000 tons of material — an increase of nearly 8,000 tons over the prior year — which generated $13 million in revenue and saved more than $9 million in landfill fees,” said Donahoe. “This is a powerful story and makes the business case for sustainability.”Among other things the Postal Service works to achieve aggressive sustainability performance goals such as reducing facility and vehicle petroleum use.

With 32,000 retail locations the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.

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New York City Eco Friendly Yachts and Everything

Posted on December 9, 2011 by quest

To celebrate the debut of the Hornblower Hybrid, Hornblower Cruises & Events will cruise New York Harbor on New Year’s Eve 2012, departing at 10 p.m. from Pier 40 on the Westside. Set to the backdrop of Manhattan’s luminous skyline and epic midnight fireworks show, the three-and-a-half hour cruise features internationally-themed food stations, premium open bar, entertainment and a DJ. The celebration marks the cruise line’s maiden voyage in New York City, where it will launch four luxury vessels in 2012. New Year’s Eve cruise-goers will be the first passengers onboard the eco-friendly Hybrid, which is powered by multiple alternative energy sources. Guests can enjoy spectacular fireworks and scenic views from the vessel’s spacious upper deck and viewing atrium.

Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises & Events said, “We couldn’t think of a better time for the Hybrid’s inaugural cruise than on the evening that celebrates a renewed spirit and optimism for what’s to come in the new year. We invite locals and visitors to raise a toast and set sail aboard a yacht that represents the future of maritime luxury and sustainability.”The celebration marks the cruise line’s maiden voyage in New York City.

Hornblower Cruises & Events which operates cruises through out the United States is one of the largest charter yacht, dining cruise and eco-tour companies in the country. They operate America’s first hydrogen hybrid commercial vessel, the Hornblower Hybrid, and will launch a multi-yacht fleet in New York City in 2012.

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SunPower Shines On Solar Impulse

Posted on December 7, 2011 by quest

One has to wonder how the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart would feel to see solar power aviation begin to take flight. Today San Francisco Bay Area solar manufacturer SunPower announced it is providing solar cells to the Solar Impulse project. Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the first aircraft that can fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions. In July 2010 Solar Impulse was launched by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. The flight demonstrated the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and renewable forms of energy. The lessons learned from this first prototype are now being incorporated into the development of a second airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to fly round the world starting in 2014.The Solar Impulse team has produced a prototype (HB-SIA) solar airplane that, for the first time in aviation history, succeeded in flying for 26 consecutive hours powered only by solar energy. A second solar airplane (HB-SIB) is currently under construction with plans to circumnavigate the globe in 2014. Both planes are powered by SunPower’s high-efficiency solar cells. “We are pleased to partner with SunPower, a leader in designing and delivering high-efficiency solar technologies. SunPower’s solar cells are optimum for this project, as they offer the performance and low-weight that is needed for our revolutionary solar airplanes,” said Andre Borschberg, Solar Impulse co-founder and CEO.

PLANET SOLAR

SunPower is also a sponsor of Planet Solar to power the world’s largest solar catamaran that is currently on an around-the-world tour, arriving at most destinations ahead of schedule, weather permitting. Since 2005, SunPower has supported university students with high-efficiency SunPower solar systems for their solar home entries in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. And in 2009, the company also supported students with their entries in the first Solar Decathlon Europe.

Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO said, “SunPower is pleased to be involved with such an ambitious project as the Solar Impulse airplane as it prepares for its record-setting, around-the-world flight.” As a vertically integrated company, SunPower not only powers distinctive projects such as Solar Impulse, but our high-efficiency, high-reliability solar panels are chosen by residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers worldwide. We are confident that our experience in developing our industry-leading technology with guaranteed performance will help the Solar Impulse airplane to successfully achieve its goal to circumnavigate the globe.”