Solar Power

Solar power growth has depended on a variety of incentives to get the ball rolling in the consumer and utility scale markets. Subsidies, rebates, leasing, and so on have been needed to get funding for projects and R&D in this growing energy field. This item shows how a consortium set up to promote solar power is further stimulating the market …

Low income families across the country probably don’t give much thought to adding solar power to their homes since they might be tight for cash flow as it is in their life. But now thanks to some non profit solar installers in So Cal low income residents can now get help adding solar to their homes. This is the type …

Notice how they installed the solar panels on the side of the roof? Winter snows dont cover them up and they can still provide energy to heat the airport building. Chosen as a project because of its public use and higher profile, the solar thermal heat now part of the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is hoped to be a model …

Solar News Roundup (via Clean Technica)   Some more solar energy news from around the net to wrap up the week: SolarCity & Clean Currents have teamed up to offer fixed-price Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for solar power with as little as $0 down and long-term electricity discounts/savings. The largest city-sponsored solar financing…

U.S. Sets Preliminary Anti-dumping Duties on solar cells, Taiwanese Makers to See Improved Spot Market Prices Next Week On May 17, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary decision regarding anti-dumping charges against China’s solar cell and module makers. Anti-dumping duties imposed on China’s major solar cell manufacturers average 31.18%, with Suntech and Trina Solar receiving 31.22% and 31.14%, …

Wind, Solar…Coconuts: Small Island Developing States Commit to Renewable, Sustainable Energy for All (via Global Warming is Real) Typically heavily reliant on the cost of high and volatile diesel and fossil fuel imports, small island developing states are also on the front line when it comes to having to cope with climate change. Now they’re realizing there’s a lot in …

What will the instabilities in the Europe economy have on solar installs this year? Will subsidies being reduced have a major impact on the solar market? These are questions on many minds as prices for solar panels remain low, while European economies struggle to find a footing. Subsidies had a massive impact in Europe last year and meant that solar …

According to EnergyTrend, the green energy research division of TrendForce, the announcement of Italy’s solar subsidy cut scheduled to take effect by late July has driven the installed solar capacity to surge, and most Chinese solar companies are packed to capacity in order to supply the climbing demand. Taiwanese solar companies’ shipments remain stable due to the OEM orders from …

Here is an interesting story about churches working with solar installers to put solar power on church properties to save energy and money for the faithful. Seems like a nice partnership arrangment. Energy Star helps faithful witness energy stewardship, save money by Charles Morris Solar stewardship: In 2001, St. Elizabeth parish, in Wyandotte, Mich., won the Energy Star for Congregations …

Recent elections in Europe ushered in uncertainty for the solar market, and the subsidy policies to take effect in 2012 also rendered players conservative. According to EnergyTrend, the solar research division of TrendForce, orders for solar modules will continue to pour in till mid-May, while orders for solar cells will persist till early June. When asked about the orders in …

Solar Energy World Brings Sustainability to Soccer Maryland-based solar energy systems provider helps reduce Soccer Dome’s energy footprint In recent years, sports arenas and stadiums have become champions of sustainability for both social and financial reasons. The STAPLES Center, home to the Los Angeles Lakers, has 5% of its total power provided by solar panels, while the Portland Trail Blazers’ …

Solar Thermal Combined Systems Create New Renewable Opportunities Solar thermal hot water and space heating systems are an attractive option for commercial enterprises who want to incorporate renewable energy into their operations. These systems harness the free power of the sun to directly heat the water and air that circulates in their processes, buildings and offices. While solar thermal is …

May Reach US$20/kg in 2012 According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, polysilicon spot price is closing in on major vendors’ manufacturing cost – this week’s spot price has already fallen below the US$23/kg mark, but vendors indicate polysilicon price is gradually stabilizing. TrendForce believes polysilicon price may hit US$20/kg this year, but as first-tier makers are standing firm …

Top 10 Utilities Reported Adding More Than 1,000 MW of Solar Capacity Today, SEPA released the findings of 2011 Top 10 Utility Solar Rankings survey. According to the findings, utilities interconnected more than 62,000 PV systems of all sizes in 2011. These new systems resulted in almost 1,500 megawatts of new utility solar capacity, more than twice as much as …

Solar thermal startup BrightSource Energy has shelved its year-long plans for an initial public offering amid a turbulent stock market, a challenging year for solar energy companies and tepid interest from investors. The Oakland, Calif.-based company issued a news release late Wednesday saying it had decided not to pursue its IPO due to “adverse market conditions” and intends to withdraw …

Lesson Learned, Solar Manufacturers No Longer Slashing Price to Bring In Orders According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, slowed demand on the German market, the uncertainty towards the future market in Italy, and unclear demand in other regions has resulted in fewer deals on the spot market. However, the situation is an improvement over last year – as …

An energy-hungry Earth is in need of transformational and sustainable energy solutions, experts say. For decades, researchers have been appraising the use of power-beaming solar-power satellites. But the projected cost, complexity and energy economics of the notion seemingly short-circuited the idea. Now, a unique new approach has entered the scene, dubbed SPS-ALPHA, short for Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large …

EAGLE LAKE — For decades, Daryl Guentzel has used the sun to produce his harvest. Soon he’ll be harvesting the sun itself. “I don’t have a lot of great intelligence,” the Eagle Lake farmer says, “but I can add.” And by his arithmetic, converting his operation to be exclusively powered by Old Sol is a no-brainer. He says at first …

According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, solar PV market demand has plummeted recently due to the passing of Germany’s new subsidy policy, in addition to news of the Italian government’s plans to shrink solar subsidies also. Furthermore, as the anti-dumping duties imposed on China by the U.S. are lower than generally expected, it is said that Taiwanese module …

Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, The Cliff House Resort & Spa has installed one of Maine’s largest solar thermal systems. The installation uses 2,100 tubes on 70 collectors. That’s 10 times the size of an average solar project. The solar installation will save an estimated 11,000 gallons of propane annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than …