Recently in Solar Energy Category

Vanguard Energy Partners, a leader in the design and installation of large-scale solar electric systems, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Somerset County Improvement Authority (SCIA) to establish 7.6 megawatts (MW) of energy-producing solar power systems at 31 local and County government locations throughout Somerset County, N.J.  It is one of New Jersey's largest public solar energy generating projects.

The clean and silent solar photovoltaic systems will save taxpayers $18.35 million over the term of the 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and avoid an estimated 15,428,397 lbs of carbon emissions annually. This is equivalent to taking 1,338 passenger vehicles off the road or preserving 66.4 acres every year.  

"This project will save taxpayers more than $1 million per year in energy costs, significantly decrease carbon emissions and greatly contribute toward achieving our long-term sustainability goals," said Freeholder Director Jack M. Ciattarelli.  "Just as importantly, with this bold initiative, we continue to demonstrate environmental leadership and our commitment to keeping Somerset the 'greenest' county in New Jersey."

Under the terms of the PPA, there will be no capital outlay for any of the participating local governments. Vanguard will build, own, operate and maintain the solar systems for 15 years, selling the renewable electricity to the County at predictable, discounted rates. Citi, acting through its Municipal Securities Division, will be an equity investor in the project with Vanguard.

In addition, the projects will include an educational component that will track solar performance through a real-time, web-based monitoring system provided by Branchburg, N.J. - based Noveda Technologies.

"We are excited and pleased to support Somerset County's outstanding leadership and commitment to its citizens and the environment," said Vanguard CEO Jim LaFleur. "This private-public partnership in renewable energy is a win-win because it will save money for taxpayers, support the local economy, and benefit the environment."

Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC (www.vanguardenergypartners.com) designs and integrates large-scale solar electric systems for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and utilities. With operating offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, Vanguard excels at providing turnkey solar electric solutions for the private and public sectors. With extensive experience in construction, commercial roofing and electrical systems management, Vanguard has completed over 150 solar installations with more than 12 MW of DC rated capacity and another 7 MW under construction.

SOURCE Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC

Sunvalley Solar, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SSOL), a leading solar power technology and solar system integration company, announces a statewide partnership with GRID Alternatives to provide solar solutions to low income families in California.

Since 2001, GRID Alternatives has been working to bring the power of solar electricity and energy efficiency to low-income homeowners, and to provide community members with training and hands-on experience with renewable energy technologies. Recently GRID Alternatives became the Program Manager for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program, a California Solar Initiative program, which is funded by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). SASH is the country's first solar incentive specifically for low-income families. As a strategic partner of GRID Alternatives, Sunvalley Solar is providing variants of solar system solutions to GRID Alternatives to support the SASH program.

On June 12th, GRID Alternatives successfully hosted their first annual Greater Los Angeles Solarthon, installing eight solar electric systems for low-income homeowners in the wonderful neighborhood of Piru in Ventura County, helping the families save on their electricity bills for decades to come, and promoting renewable energy for a cleaner environment. As strategic partner of GRID Alternatives, Sunvalley Solar attended this great even as a sponsor, and also provided solar equipment for the homes.

"Many thanks to all of our corporate sponsors and partners including Sunvalley Solar, Inc. for this fabulous event," said Tim Sears, Program Director and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives. "Preferred providers like Sunvalley Solar are helping us to decrease costs on high quality solar equipment that we use to make our vision into a reality."

"GRID Alternatives' Solar Affordable Housing Program is a truly groundbreaking program," said James Zhang, CEO of Sunvalley Solar. "As GRID Alternatives' preferred solar solution provider, Sunvalley believes this partnership will ultimately enable many low-income homeowners to adopt cleaner power and save money on energy costs in the process."

Founded in 2001, GRID Alternatives is an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. GRID Alternatives' flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program trains and leads teams of community volunteers, corporate work-teams and low-income job trainees to install solar electric systems for low income

homeowners throughout California. To date, GRID Alternatives has installed over 500 systems for low income families throughout California, totaling over 1 megawatt of generating capacity, with the help of more than 5,000 volunteers and low-income job trainees. These systems reduce each family's electric bill by 75 percent, translating to more than $10 million worth of energy cost savings over the systems' projected life spans. To learn more, visit www.gridalternatives.org.

Sunvalley Solar, Inc. is a leading solar system solution provider that offers comprehensive solar energy technology, system design, installation, equipments, and technical support for electrical contractors, builders, homeowners, businesses/commercial buildings, and government entities that assist them in lowering or utility bills, reducing environmental impacts, and increasing energy reliability and independence through solar energy. Located in Los Angeles, California, Sunvalley Solar, Inc. is one committed to reducing the world's carbon foot print from traditional energy sources to make renewable sources such as solar the nation's mainstream source of power. To learn more, visit www.sunvalleysolarinc.com.

Governor Patrick Quinn Signs Law to Ramp Up Solar Energy in Illinois; $4 Million Grant Award Announcement for Up to 62 MW Solar Development; Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Wanxiang America Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant in Rockford, Illinois

Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn arrived at Wanxiang America Corporation's newly built solar panel manufacturing plant in Rockford, Illinois today to announce an over $4 million stimulus grant award for an up to 62 Megawatt (MW) Rockford Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar development in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States, and to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Wanxiang America Corporation's solar panel manufacturing plant.

"The state's investment will help ensure Illinois remains a leader in renewable energy development, while continuing to build on the state's energy independence goals," said Governor Quinn. "With partnerships with companies like Wanxiang and New Generation Power, we're creating hundreds of sustainable, green-collar jobs and providing an economic boost to the entire state."

Earlier in the day, Governor Quinn was in Chicago to sign House Bill 6202 into law, which establishes interim solar targets to help Illinois successfully scale up to reach the state's solar renewable portfolio standard of 6% by 2015. The new law marks a landmark achievement for solar energy in Illinois and will create over 5,000 solar panel installation, manufacturing, and maintenance jobs and significantly reduce Illinois' carbon footprint.

The up to 62 MW Rockford Solar Project will generate enough electricity to power over 10,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions at a rate of 113,000 tons annually, equivalent to the emissions from nearly 20,000 cars. The Project will significantly help electricity suppliers achieve the required 0.5% solar target by 2012.

"We thank Wanxiang for their investment in its North American solar panel manufacturing facility," said City of Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. "We are equally enthusiastic about New Generation Power's potential Solar Farm at Chicago Rockford International Airport. Investments in green technology such as these will help reinvent Rockford's economy."

The Project is the effort of Rockford Solar Partners, LLC, a joint venture between Wanxiang America, the U.S. subsidiary of one of the largest non-state owned companies in China with $8 billion in revenues worldwide, and Chicago-based renewable energy developer, New Generation Power to develop and operate an up to 62 MW photovoltaic solar generation facility in Rockford, Illinois.

"Thank you to Wanxiang and New Generation Power for its investment in our region. This is the perfect example of how the city and county came together to create jobs and promote the renewable energy industry. Currently we have locally made Wanxiang solar panels, purchased by Winnebago County, producing energy at Freedom Field," said Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen.

The Rockford Solar Project not only creates jobs in construction, installation and servicing but also countless additional jobs are generated in the sale and marketing of green power. The Project will also source PV solar panels locally from the Wanxiang solar panel plant.

"We are helping to establish Illinois as one of the largest producers of solar energy in the country and generating much-needed jobs for the Rockford area," said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, President of New Generation Power.

Production has already begun on Wanxiang's solar panels in the newly constructed flagship manufacturing facility located in the Rockford Global Trade Park adjacent to the Rockford International Airport. Rockford officials have indicated the facility is designed for expansion on the 10-acre Wanxiang campus.

"Solar energy is becoming more and more popular in America, and in the world as well. We believe the market is poised for rapid growth," said Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America. "We appreciate the State and City governments to support the solar business. Our goal is to expand the plant threefold to meet the demand of Illinois's new solar energy mandate."

In March 2010, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded a grant of $4,025,000 to Rockford Solar Partners, equivalent to 1.26 percent of the Project's total cost. 68 percent will be financed by nongovernmental sources. The federal funding was awarded pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Community Renewable Energy Program to create and retain jobs.

House Bill 6202, the Solar Ramp-Up Bill, passed the Illinois General Assembly on May 27, 2010 and established interim solar targets to help Illinois successfully scale up the solar portion of Illinois' Renewable Portfolio Standard: 0.5% in 2012, 1.5% in 2013, 3% in 2014 to reach 6% in 2015.

SRS Energy, a leading developer of integrated solar roofing products, has received a 2009 "Best of What's New" award from Popular Science in the Home Tech category for its Sole Power Tile(TM), the first curved building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for clay Mission-style roofing systems.

"We're proud that our Sole Power Tile system has been recognized by the editors of Popular Science magazine as a product that is moving solar technology forward," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy. "The Sole Power Tile system takes solar out of the glass box. We've fused this viable renewable technology with a desired product profile for the roofing environment. This is the first product to integrate with the Mission-style roof line of the West and Sunbelt regions. Homeowners and architects can now choose renewable energy without compromising on curb appeal."

"For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us -- those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what's possible in the future," said Mark Jannot, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science. "'The Best of What's New' award is the magazine's top honor, and the 100 winners -- chosen from among thousands of entrants -- represent the highest level of achievement in their fields."

Each year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and innovations and selects the top 100 winners across 11 categories for inclusion in an annual "Best of What's New" issue, which is on newsstands November 11. To be selected for the award, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile system blends seamlessly with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy without unsightly solar panels and preserving design flexibility. The partnership between US Tile and SRS Energy makes going solar easy by integrating the BIPV system into the purchase of a new roof or a replacement roof.

The Sole Power Tile employs cutting-edge thin film solar technology, valued for its ability to convert a greater spectrum of light into electricity as well as its relative insensitivity to heat when compared to other solar technologies. As a complete roofing system, the barrel tile profile allows for airflow beneath the tiles, reducing the overall cooling needs of the home.

SRS Energy and US Tile are currently launching the Sole Power Tile system in select West Coast markets and will begin a nationwide rollout of the product in 2010.

SOURCE SRS Energy

Dow Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids, a business of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), announced today that three additional solar power plants in Spain are now being supplied with DOWTHERM(TM) A Heat Transfer Fluid, enabling the facilities to collect heat and convert it into electrical energy.

In total, chemistry from Dow is now helping six Spanish solar power plants generate 300 megawatts of renewable and sustainable electricity. Taking advantage of a sunny climate and a strong government commitment, Spain is pioneering Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). Dow is strongly committed to the industry by providing high-quality materials, logistic excellence and top of the class technical support for heat transfer fluids.

"Dow is very proud to be the partner of the leading Spanish companies that are developing, building and operating these thermal solar plants that have a clear positive impact on today's energy challenges," said Renaud Jourdan, global marketing manager for Dow Heat Transfer Fluids.

How Concentrated Solar Power Works

CSP uses parabolic mirrors to reflect and magnify heat from the sun onto a pipe that contains DOWTHERM(TM) A heat transfer fluids to collect the heat energy and transport it to a power generating station. The heat transferred from the collectors to the station where the heat turns water to steam. The steam is used to drive turbines that make electricity.

Solar power and technology like CSP serves to help diversify the energy supply, produce power at peak demand, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve air quality and offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Innovations

Dow's commitment to solar innovation extends beyond heat transfer fluids:

• In October, Dow unveiled the DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle, revolutionary photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. The solar shingle systems are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011, putting the power of solar electricity generation directly and conveniently in the hands of homeowners.
• Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers is a leading global supplier of adhesives for photovoltaics, with exceptional performance in new backsheet substrates, as well as game-changing innovations in materials such as liquid encapsulants.
• Dow Electronic Materials recently introduced its new line of ENLIGHT(TM) photovoltaic products, which increase solar cell efficiency and yield.
• Dow Specialty Packaging & Films offers innovative polyolefin-based films used in the protective encapsulant layer and the structural backsheet of photovoltaic modules. The use of these films can improve productivity when the module is produced, and help increase its service life and reliability.
• Dow Corning, a joint venture equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated, is also participating in the solar photovoltaic sector, applying its expertise in silicon-based materials to improve the cost efficiency, durability and performance of solar modules and photovoltaic devices. Dow Corning recently began construction on a facility that will manufacture monosilane gas, a key material used to manufacture thin-film solar cells and liquid crystal displays. Via its Hemlock Semiconductor joint venture, Dow Corning is also a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, and solar cells and modules.
  

SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company

China-based ENN Group and Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) will jointly develop commercial solar power projects in the U.S.

Under an agreement signed today, ENN and Duke Energy will concentrate on two types of solar photovoltaic designs: large "utility-scale" solar farms and commercial distributed generation solar projects. Distributed generation systems produce electricity close to where the energy is used, rather than at large, central power plants.

This joint development agreement builds upon a memorandum of understanding announced Sept. 23 at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting at which time the companies pledged to work together to accelerate the development of low-carbon and clean energy technologies.

"China is investing heavily in clean energy and we can make greater progress in the U.S. by joining forces and working together," said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers. "Duke Energy and ENN seek to not only accelerate the development of solar power in the U.S., but help achieve economies of scale and drive down the cost of renewable energy."

"ENN and Duke Energy have very complementary strengths," said ENN Chairman Wang Yusuo. "We are both dedicated to the development and use of low-carbon, clean energy sources to combat the climate change crisis facing all humanity."

Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, will team with ENN to develop, own and operate the solar projects.

The joint development agreement will expand DEGS' existing investments in renewable energy - including wind and biopower - and commercial transmission. DEGS owns and operates more than 630 megawatts (MW) of wind power projects in the U.S. and plans to add another 350 MW by the end of 2010. In the biopower market, DEGS is developing wood-waste-to-electricity power plants in the U.S. through ADAGE, the company it formed in 2008 with French-based AREVA.

Keith Trent, president and group executive of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, and Wouter van Kempen, president of DEGS, joined ENN Chairman Wang Yusuo and Vice Chairman and Chief Scientist Gan Zhongxue in Langfang for the signing of the agreement.

Source: Duke Energy

A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy, and their support for solar has remained consistent over the last year. These and other findings were reported today in the 2009 SCHOTT Solar Barometer((TM)), a nationally representative survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

The survey found that 92 percent of Americans think it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar energy. This strong support for solar remains unchanged since Americans were asked the same questions in the June 2008 SCHOTT Solar Barometer (94%). (The difference is within the margin of error for both polls.)

This support for solar power is consistent across political party affiliation with 89 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 93 percent of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.

Furthermore, close to eight in 10 (77%) Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government, including the financial support needed. This sentiment also remains the same since June 2008 (77%).

"The SCHOTT Solar Barometer confirms our belief that Americans are ready for solar energy," said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. "We've invested over $100 million in Albuquerque, New Mexico and created hundreds of green jobs manufacturing innovative solar products."

"With controversial debates happening all over America, this isn't one of them," said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "Americans overwhelmingly want clean, reliable solar energy for their homes and businesses. It's now time for Congress to listen to the American public and prioritize the use of solar in upcoming energy legislation. By expanding the U.S. market for solar, Congress will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs in all 50 states."

The poll also showed that if they had to choose one energy source to financially support if they were President, 43 percent of Americans would opt for solar over other sources such as wind (17%), natural gas (12%) and nuclear (10%).

To view more key findings from the 2009 SCHOTT Solar Barometer, please visit

http://www.us.schott.com/english/news/ or http://www.seia.org/.

SOURCE Solar Energy Industries Association

Joint Venture Partners SunEdison Canada and SkyPower Corp., today announced the activation of Canada's first ground mount photovoltaic solar system. The 9.1-megawatt (MW) project named First Light, located in Stone Mills, Ontario covers 90 acres of land, about the size of 50 Canadian football fields.

SunEdison and SkyPower expect First Light to generate more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWhs), enough electricity to power almost 1,000 homes in its first year of operation.

Additional information about First Light:

      -  The system will remove almost 8,000 metric tons of CO(2) from the
         air in its first year of operation, the equivalent of carbon
         emissions from almost 1,800 cars.
      -  Over 20 years, the system will displace nearly 152 thousand metric
         tons of CO(2), the equivalent of removing almost 33,000 cars from
         the road.
      -  To displace the same amount of CO(2) that the system will offset
         over 20 years, Ontario would have to plant more than 6.7 million
         trees.

"This is truly a very proud moment for SkyPower and its joint venture partner SunEdison, together the pioneering architects of Canada's first and, so far, only operational solar park," said Kerry Adler, Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower. "This is a significant milestone for the people of Canada and will help generate a brighter future for generations to come. It is also a testament to the great things that can be achieved when private enterprise, the Ontario government and the local community work together through innovative public policy."

According to SunEdison COO Carlos Domenech, "As the largest system deployed under Ontario's RESOP, First Light Solar Park is a first step in our plan to develop more rooftop and ground mount solar systems. Our joint venture in this project with SkyPower is a success and in full operation, delivering the benefits of solar to Ontario. The province's recently announced Feed-in-Tariff program will continue to stimulate solar development. With the support of the provincial government, municipal leaders and communities, Ontario is an exciting market for solar, and we look forward to building on the foundation we have established with First Light." Commenting on the additional steps taken to protect the Shrike habitat, Domenech added, "Our efforts provide a clear example of how companies can work with government and community organizations to protect endangered species while generating clean renewable energy and delivering greater environmental benefits."

During construction of First Light, SunEdison and SkyPower worked closely with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources to successfully preserve habitat for the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike on the property.

According to Elaine Williams, Executive Director of Wildlife Preservation Canada, "Both SunEdison and SkyPower have shown all along their willingness to help the endangered Loggerhead Shrikes. We appreciate all of their help and see this as a great example of how cooperation can lead to good outcomes," she said.

The grand opening ceremony is planned for October 14, 2009 in Stone Mills, Ontario.

About SunEdison

SunEdison is North America's largest solar energy services provider. The company finances, installs and operates distributed power plants using proven photovoltaic technologies, delivering fully managed, predictably priced solar energy services for its commercial, government and utility customers. In 2008, SunEdison delivered more kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy than any other solar services provider in North America. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com

About SkyPower

SkyPower is the leading independent renewable energy developer in Canada, and possesses proven expertise in developing, building and managing both large-scale and micro-generation wind and solar power projects. SkyPower has developed a national footprint, with a substantial number of projects at various stages of development across Canada, select U.S. States, India and Panama representing thousands of megawatts (MW) of potential nameplate capacity. SkyPower continues to help many different jurisdictions meet their increasing demand for cleaner, non-emitting renewable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.skypower.com.

Source: SkyPower Corp.

Pace Global Energy Services, LLC ("Pace Global") and Standard Solar, Inc. have created a strategic alliance to quickly penetrate the growing solar energy markets in the commercial, academic, government, and residential sectors. This alliance builds on Standard Solar's existing success in the solar energy markets and will comprise a team with proven project origination and execution skills, global industrial experience, and supported by the necessary capital to expand quickly. Pace Global and Standard Solar are fully committed to bring added value to all of their customers and provide the differentiated energy solutions that solar power represents.

Pace Global and Standard Solar are currently developing a number of distributed power project opportunities in both the academic and the commercial marketplace. For these project hosts, the cost savings and dependence on renewable fuels will commence on day one of operation.

"The market environment for solar energy is strong and holds immediate opportunities for commercial and academic sites. The technology is now stable; the regulatory environment is extremely attractive; and demand for this cost effective renewable resource holds immense promise for our strategic alliance. Together we bring the development skills, the client portfolio, the capital and the regulatory experience to bring solar solutions to operational status immediately and we intend to do so," said Timothy F. Sutherland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pace Global.

Tony Clifford, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Solar, added, "We foresee an upward trend in electricity rates while the cost of implementing solar projects will fall. In addition, governments at both the Federal and the State level are providing attractive incentives for solar projects. This alliance has significant opportunities for successful growth and will allow us to provide real value to our current clients and as well as future customers."

Pace Financial Services, LLC - a wholly owned subsidiary of Pace Global - is serving as Financial Advisor to Standard Solar.

Source: Standard Solar Inc.

Petra Solar, Inc., the leading provider of innovative photovoltaic (PV) solutions for utilities, will be producing 200,000 smart solar systems for installation on PSE&G utility poles and street light poles in the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world, following the NJ Board of Public Utilities approval of a new PSE&G program today. Petra Solar will also be creating more than 100 green jobs in installation, research and development, operational and manufacturing of the pole-mounted, grid-connected solar PV system.

In a contract of about $200 million with PSE&G, Petra Solar will make units for 200,000 poles in New Jersey's six largest cities and 300 rural and suburban communities in PSE&G's service territory. Over the 3 1/2 year life of the contract, Petra will add the green jobs to its employee base of 40-plus employees, most of whom work in the company's South Plainfield headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Shihab Kuran, President and CEO of Petra Solar, said, "This contract is transformational for us. We are tripling in size and will start hiring immediately. We invite those interested in applying for positions to visit the company's website at www.petrasolar.com."

Kuran added, "We at Petra Solar are very pleased to enter a contract with PSE&G to provide 200,000 pole-mounted, grid-connected solar systems. This effort exemplifies the Obama and Corzine administration goals of transforming energy technology into energy employment opportunities while at the same time addressing global energy and climate change challenges."

"Our SunWave(TM) pole-mounted, grid-connected PV generation system delivers true technological innovation," Kuran said. "Our product will enable PSE&G to enhance the reliability of its delivery of electricity to customers."

Petra's SunWave system combines highly distributed, grid connected photovoltaic generation and smart grid communications capabilities. In addition it provides enhancement of electric distribution grid reliability through a host of functions such as voltage support.

Source: Petra Solar, Inc.

The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) is shedding light on Concentrating Solar Power systems (CSP) with DOWTHERM(TM) A heat transfer fluids which collect, transport and store solar generated heat.

CSP technology uses mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat. DOWTHERM(TM) A heat transfer fluids collect the heat energy and transport it to a power generating station. The transported heat converts water to steam, which in turn drives turbines to make electricity.

"We are committed to harnessing the vast potential of the sun to continue setting the standard for sustainability," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's vice president of sustainability. "In addition to innovations in sustainable chemistry that result in products like DOWTHERM(TM) A, we've also made significant advancements in photovoltaic technology through the development of a game-changing residential solar shingle by the Dow Solar Solutions business. Our 2015 sustainability goals are driving innovation that is good for business and good for the world."

Dow has supplied, or is in the process of supplying, enough DOWTHERM(TM) A globally to generate more than 500 megawatts of electricity from the sun - positioning its Performance Fluids Business as the leading supplier of heat transfer fluids in the world for parabolic trough based solar systems. Solar power producers in the United States, Middle East, Spain, Australia, India and other locations are tapping into Dow's technology and world-scale production and supply capabilities.

Recent projects in Spain will be using more than 5,000 metric tons of DOWTHERM(TM) A heat transfer fluids that will eventually generate enough electricity for about 120,000 households. These plants will also prevent the release of about 350,000 tons of carbon dioxide that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere had traditional fuels been used.

Dow has demonstrated its commitment and leadership in energy efficiency all around the world. Over the last 14 years, Dow's efforts to conserve power globally have resulted in saving more than 1,600 trillion BTUs of energy and prevented the release of about 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Source: The Dow Chemical Company

National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: NSM) today announced results of rigorous internal reliability testing for its SolarMagic(TM) power optimizers. The results of the tests demonstrate SolarMagic has an industry-leading mean time between failures (MTBF) of 455 years which, when coupled with its 20-year warranty, make National's SolarMagic power optimizer one of the most reliable electronic photovoltaic (PV) system components available. SolarMagic improves the output of solar arrays when affected by real-world conditions such as shade, debris and panel aging.

"National Semiconductor has long been known for quality and reliability, creating high-performance analog and power management products for extremely demanding applications in space, military and automotive areas. We are now applying that expertise in reliability to raise the performance bar for the PV industry," said Dr. Prasad Chaparala, director of National's Technology Reliability.

After decades of designing and manufacturing analog and power management integrated circuits (ICs), National has the proven ability to provide an exceptionally reliable product in SolarMagic. National currently produces billions of analog and mixed-signal ICs a year and has a very low defect rate of less than one defective part per million (DPPM).

National designed SolarMagic to have a very high reliability by incorporating proper component derating, extensive reliability Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), thermal analysis and pre-qualification reliability testing.

National's SolarMagic power optimizers have passed rigorous environmental qualification tests such as damp-heat exposure, humidity-freeze cycling and thermal cycling used for PV module qualifications. In addition, they have successfully undergone electronic-systems reliability qualification tests such as high temperature operating life tests, power temperature cycling and highly accelerated life tests (HALT). Data from more than two thousand hours of reliability stress testing of SolarMagic power optimizers demonstrated an MTBF of 455 years.

National manufactures critical analog IC components for SolarMagic power optimizers at its in-house wafer-fabrication plants and assembly facilities, where they are subjected to enhanced quality manufacturing flows. In addition, the power optimizers undergo stringent quality control during the system assembly process. Comprehensive tri-temperature testing and burn-in tests are performed on all production units, virtually eliminating any potential early life failures.

In addition to rigorous internal testing, Santa Clara, Calif.- based Ops a La Carte LLC provided reliability testing of National's SolarMagic power optimizer at its HALT and HASS Labs in Santa Clara. Ops a La Carte has had a long-term presence in the reliability field, conducting extensive reliability testing for the aerospace, automotive, medical, telecom, defense and energy (including fuel cell, oil and solar) industries.

Using distributed electronics throughout a solar installation, SolarMagic recoups up to 57 percent of energy lost due to real-world conditions. SolarMagic power optimizers will be available to customers in North America and Europe in late May 2009. For more information about SolarMagic, visit www.solarmagic.com.

SOURCE National Semiconductor Corp.

Power Output of Solar Projects is Expected to Equal the Consumption of 530,000 Average Homes

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that it has entered into a series of contracts with BrightSource Energy, Inc. for a record total of 1,310 megawatts (MW) of solar thermal power. These power purchase agreements, covering seven projects, supersede the agreements PG&E executed with BrightSource in April 2008 for up to 900 MW of solar thermal power.

The first of these solar power plants, sized at 110 MW and located in Ivanpah, Calif., is contracted to begin operation in 2012. BrightSource will build and place in commercial operation each of its plants as quickly as permitting and infrastructure allow. All seven projects are expected to produce 3,666 gigawatt-hours of power each year, equal to the annual consumption of about 530,000 average homes.

"The solar thermal projects announced today exemplify PG&E's commitment to increasing the amount of renewable energy we provide to our customers throughout northern and central California," said John Conway, senior vice president of energy supply for PG&E. "Through these agreements with BrightSource, we can harness the sun's energy to meet our customers' power requirements when they need it most - during hot summer days."

"Today's agreements reflect the technological milestones that the BrightSource Energy team has achieved over the past year," said John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy. "Our technology is setting the bar for efficient production of solar energy. We're thrilled by the opportunity to help PG&E and other leaders bring energy customers more clean and reliable solar energy."

Since 2002, PG&E has entered into contracts for more than 20 percent of its future electric power deliveries from renewable sources. On average, half of the electricity PG&E delivers to its customers comes from carbon-free generating sources, making the company's energy some of the cleanest in the nation.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced the commemoration and completion of the largest roof mounted solar array in the United States. Trina Solar's Director of Sales & Marketing for North America, Jim Day, joined project partners and invited guests as Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey and other officials dedicated the completion on March 5, 2009.

The Atlantic City Convention Center ("ACCC") project is North America's largest single roof-mounted solar array and consists of more than 13,400 modules. The project, which provides approximately 2.4 MW at peak capacity, was completed in December, 2008, and can power up to 280 homes and effectively curtail the release of 2,350 tons of carbon dioxide every year. The panels will produce about one-fourth of the building's energy and will provide the ACCC with energy savings of approximately $4.4 million over 20 years.

"We are very delighted by the completion of this significant project, which helps to bring clean, green solar energy solutions to Atlantic City," stated Jifan Gao, Trina Solar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud that Trina Solar's modules were selected for this landmark achievement. The success of this project demonstrates our capacity to deliver large scale commercial solar solutions to market as we continue to broaden our distribution networks and project partnership agreements in the U.S."

SOURCE Trina Solar Limited

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, in partnership with the City of Santa Barbara and Tioga Energy, a leading solar financing firm, today announced the activation of the City's first large-scale solar power system. The 384 kW DC system is the first large-scale solar deployment for the City of Santa Barbara as well as the largest solar power system in the City.

The ceremony and educational tour are to be held from 2:00 - 3:00 PM beginning in the David Gebhard Meeting Room, located at 630 Garden Street in Santa Barbara. The speaker program includes local Nobel Prize Laureate and sustainability advocate Walter Kohn and Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum, who will dedicate the City's Corporate Yard solar system.

"We are excited to produce clean, renewable power here in Santa Barbara while simultaneously reducing our energy costs," said Marty Blum, Mayor of the City of Santa Barbara. "Our climate is perfect for solar, we can apply the savings to other city programs, and we are helping the environment. This is a tremendous win for everyone."

The system, which is spread among the Corporate Yard's roofs, features Suntech modules designed to minimize aesthetic impact while providing maximum energy output. Suntech solar panels were chosen for their consistent high quality, reliable performance, and efficiency. Suntech Energy Solutions installed the system in Fall 2008 in less than three months.

"Working with the City of Santa Barbara and Tioga Energy has been a pleasure for Suntech," said Marco Garcia, Vice President of Project Development for Suntech Energy Solutions. "We look forward to helping cities and local governments follow Santa Barbara's lead in converting unused land and roof space into power generating assets."

The solar energy system was built without any large capital outlay on behalf of the City of Santa Barbara. Instead, the system is financed and operated by Tioga Energy, through its SurePath(TM) Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Through the SurePath PPA agreement, Tioga Energy sells the energy generated by the system to the city at a fixed, predictable price over the 20-year contract term. As a result, the city receives immediate energy savings and a hedge against future utility rate increases, without the hassle of owning the system outright.

"With its commitment to clean energy, the City is demonstrating that solar power is an affordable option for public agencies concerned with reducing carbon emissions," said Paul Detering, CEO of Tioga Energy. "Our collaborative effort with the City of Santa Barbara and Suntech provides the City with predictably-priced power and demonstrates how successful public-private partnerships can help municipalities meet their financial and sustainability objectives."

The system will produce 550,000 kWh of energy per year, effectively offsetting 421,466 lbs, or 191 metric tons, of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to removing 35 cars from the road, saving 21,328 gallons of gasoline, or powering over 100 Santa Barbara-area homes a year (based on a single family occupancy energy use of 5,000 kWh per year).

"This first system is a first step in reducing our energy costs and producing clean, renewable energy. We look forward to 'throwing the switch' on more projects in the years to come," said Mayor Marty Blum.

For more information about the City of Santa Barbara, visit http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ .

SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.

When Vice President Joe Biden brought his first Town Hall Meeting of the "Taskforce for the Middle Class and Working Families Green Meeting" to Philadelphia on February 27, our own Bruce Murray was there. In an interview with Dray Clark a reporter with CBS3 which was broadcast at noon, 5, and 11 PM, Murray explained that Aztec Solar Power is among the visionary local enterprises already involved in this transformation to a new Green economy. He went on to state that early adopters of solar technology are about to have a lot of company from mainstream home and business owners. The amount of the 2009 incentives and the reliability of the technology make this the year when every residence and business owner should learn how they can make a very wise investment by purchasing a solar system for their roof, parking lot or yard.

The Vice President announced that $500,000,000 is provided in the 2009 Recovery Bill to create an energy efficiency workforce. In Philadelphia, $1,300,000 has already been pledged and it will be used to train people from all walks of life with skills that will provide a future living wage in the Green economy. Aztec Solar Power has always felt the importance of education and as part of our business plan will recruit and put members of the community to work on our residential and commercial projects.

SOURCE Aztec Solar Power

In an interesting development in the battle against global warming, a graveyard in Spain now generates clean energy ever since members from the local population were convinced by the government that by placing solar panels above each of the mausoleums in the cemetery, they were benefitting the living without insulting the dead.
The town of Santa Coloma de Gramenet now produces 124,374KW of electricity from the 462 panels installed in the cemetery which is enough to provide electricity to 60 homes.
Since the price of plots of land in the city are exorbitant, Conste- Live Energy, a solar energy company came up with this idea and with the help of the local council, convinced citizens to start this project.
The panels cost 720,000 Euros to be installed but keep out 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.
Santa Coloma has four solar parks, but the cemetery is their biggest even though only 5 percent of the total area of the cemetery has been used so far.
To read the whole article click here.

On Wednesday, the Vatican activated a new solar energy system consisting of 2,400 photovoltaic panels on the massive roof of the 'Nervi Hall, where popes hold general audiences. The new system which will produce 300MW of energy is worth 1.2 million euro ($1.6 million) and was donated by German companies SolarWorld and SMA Solar Technology.
With this energy plan the 108 acre city- state has now cut down its carbon dioxide emissions by 225 tons and is saving the equivalent of 80 tons of oil every year.
After several weeks of testing, the system was finally, officially started on Wednesday during which time the pope addressed a general audience in the hall.
That's not all. The Vatican now proposes to set into motion an ambitious solar power project that will utilize 300 hectares (740 acres) of land that they own to the north of Rome, called Santa Maria di Galeria, which at present is used as a transmission center for Vatican Radio.
This plan will produce six times the amount of energy needed to power the transmission antennas thus the Vatican proposes to transfer the remaining energy to the Italian national grid.
The Vatican's famous skyline, especially St Peter's Basilica, will remain untouched.

Pic courtesy closelyobserved.com/ Christopher Walker from flickr.com

Spain is using Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology in a bid to cut down its carbon emissions. The new technology makes use of giant mirrors- roughly the size of half a tennis court- positioned in such away that they superheat water resulting in the creation of energy. These solar towers, as they are called, are seen by many to be a simpler, more efficient and cheaper method to harness the sun's energy than the use of photovoltaic panels. However, this method only works in regions with clear skies and strong sunshine.
The Andalusian deserts in southern Spain provide exactly the right conditions for such a project to work.
The EUR80 million plant, which is being built 30km outside Seville, will begin its operations in January next year and will produce 20 MW of power, enough to power 11,000 Spanish homes.
This project is the biggest of its kind in the world and is just the beginning for Spain which plans on building more than 50 solar projects all around the country. The government aims to produce 2GW of solar power from CSPs by 2015 which will exceed the country's national targets.  
To read the whole article click here.

Pic courtesy jacobo.portillo/ Jacobo from flickr.com

Spain is using Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology in a bid to cut down its carbon emissions. The new technology makes use of giant mirrors- roughly the size of half a tennis court- positioned in such away that they superheat water resulting in the creation of energy. These solar towers, as they are called, are seen by many to be a simpler, more efficient and cheaper method to harness the sun's energy than the use of photovoltaic panels. However, this method only works in regions with clear skies and strong sunshine.
The Andalusian deserts in southern Spain provide exactly the right conditions for such a project to work.
The EUR80 million plant which is being built 30km on the outskirts of Seville, will begin its operations in January next year and will produce 20 MW of power, enough to power 11,000 Spanish homes.
This project is the biggest of its kind in the world and is just the beginning for Spain which plans on building more than 50 solar projects all around the country. The government aims to produce 2GW of solar power from CSPs by 2015 which will exceed the country's national targets.  
To read the whole article click here.

Pic courtesy jacobo.portillo/ Jacobo from flickr.com

The Australian government is promoting a new scheme amongst citizens whereby it pays people for generating solar energy. According to a new report they have released, their new scheme which outlines a $17.9 billion investment in the industry, will generate thousands of jobs and reduce Australia's carbon emissions by 4.6 million tonnes a year.
The report by Access Economics for the Clean Energy Council comes after BP Solar, Australia's biggest solar panel manufacturer threatened to go overseas by next year, stating that they would be able make cheaper panels there.
To read the complete article on The Australian.com click here.

A new solar- cell system designed by engineer John Paul Morgan, could revolutionize the solar energy industry making solar energy as cheap as energy from fossil fuels. Morgan, who worked as an engineer for JDS Uniphase Corp after completing his degree from the University of Toronto, has created a new type of solar panel made from lower cost materials with a very simple design thus paving the way for solar energy to become very affordable. All that's left to be done is to prove that the whole design is reliable.
The Information for this post was gathered from an article by Tyler Hamilton for The Star website. Click here to read the inspiring story of John Paul Morgan's life.

At the G-8 summit in Russia, President Bush and Prseident Putin announced that they would cooperate in the rapid expansion of nuclear energy worldwide. The Bush government feels that the future energy security of the US depends on increasing reliance on nuclear energy and the agreement with Russia was the latest in a long line of initiatives to promote nuclear power.

A technology that brought about the horrific Chernobyl meltdown and the Three Mile island accident and that lay for years in scientific purgatory has been resurrected in today's high oil prices age by a well planned public relations campaign touting it as the energy of choice.
While PM Tony Blair, famed scientist Sir James Lovelock and even some environmentalists have jumped on the nuclear power bandwagon, a sober look at the consequences of re-nuclearizing the world needs to be taken.

The first consideration is the high cost of setting up nuclear power plants. With a minimum price tag of $2 billion each, the plants are 50 percent more expensive than coal-fired power plants up and far more expensive than new gas-fired power plants. The cost of doubling nuclear power's current 20 percent share of US electricity generation could well exceed half a trillion dollars.
With the country facing record consumer and government debt, the idea of nuclear power generation is well nigh unaffordable.

Secondly, the safe transport, disposal or storage of nuclear waste is still an unsolved matter for our scientists. A vault that cost the government $8 billion and 20 years to build is supposed to be an airtight, underground burial tomb dug deep to hold radioactive materials. It's supposed to be leak free for 10,000 years but the Environmental Protection Agency already suspects that the storage facility will leak.

Thirdly, an International Atomic Energy Agency study shows that uranium resources could fail to meet demand as early as 2026. Discovery of new deposits or technological breakthroughs that reduce uranium requirements are possibilities but as of now they are speculative.

Fourthly, nuclear power plants are the ultimate soft target for terrorist attacks. On the one hand, the US is worried that Iran might use enriched uranium from its nuclear power plants for a bomb. On the other hand it is advocating nuclear power all over the world. This would mean uranium and spent nuclear waste in transit everywhere and piling up in makeshift facilities, often close to populated urban areas.

In 2005, the Australian government foiled a terrorist attack on its single nuclear power plant. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission found that more than half of the nuclear power plants in this country failed to prevent a simulated attack on their facilities!

Finally, nuclear power seems old fashioned and obsolete in today's age when distributed technologies are undermining hierarchies, decentralizing power and giving rise to networks and open-source economic models. These technologies are also giving people the chance to become active participants while nuclear power will be controlled by a few.

An aggressive effort to bring the full range of decentralized renewable technologies online: solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass needs to be brought online. Hydrogen storage infrastructure is required to ensure a steady supply for electricity and transportation.

The future lies with the sun and not with uranium.

Read

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

The US Environmental Protection Agency has given a $10,000 grant to a team from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, as part of their People, Prosperity and the Planet competition.

Dr. Warren Ostergren and his student team will use the grant to develop a lower-cost heliostat with the idea of creating an alternative energy system that is less damaging to the environment.

The idea of EPA's P3 competition is to bring together people from varying disciplines like engineering, chemistry, industrial design, politics, economics and architecture to prevent pollution.
In 2008, the teams will be invited to bring their designs to Washington D.C. to compete for a $75,000 grant which will help them implement their projects in the field.

Read

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Shell Oil Co. President, John Hofmeister, touted the importance of a "culture of conservation" and investment in alternative fuels.

He said that with fuel prices at the current highs can be used by policy makers to force market changes. World oil prices as low as $10 a barrel in 1998 made investment in alternative fuels not ecenomical but under present circumstances, solar, wind and other alternative energy projects are doable.

Hofmeister said that conventional oil and gas resources are no longer enough for the country's energy security. Fuel derived from oil shales, gasified coal; ethanol and other biofuels; hydrogen fuel and wind and solar energy will play a major role in energy futures.

The US represents 8 percent of the world's population consuming 25 percent of the energy supply. "It's not a sustainable formula," he said, noting that the rest of the world wants its "fair share," too.

Conservation in the US needs to be stepped up. Different designs of homes, factories and vehicles are needed above and beyond adjusting thermostats and driving slower.

In June, Shell announced plans to build a wind farm worth $200 million on the island of Maui to help meet Hawaii's renewable energy goals and do away with the need for a coal-generating plant.
Shell and GM operate 5 hydrogen fuel cell passenger vans in Washington and Shell provides a refueling station near the Capitol.
The company is also investing in producing ethanol with various partners.

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Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Apparently the world's largest solar electric power plant with more than 1,400 movable solar modules has started up in the southern German state of Bavaria.

The solar modules can automatically tilt and rotate during the day to face the sun at all times and harness energy for around 3,500 households, according to operators at the plant.
This technology helps the firm to generate upto 35 percent more electricity than a fixed solar array. The area around the modules is open for sheep grazing to help prevent erosion.

The company has invested $90 million in the project and it is expected to yield an output of 12 megawatts when fully operational.

A neighboring solar park in Pocking held the previous record as the world's biggest, providing 10 megawatts of electricity to 3,300 homes.

Germans who are also forerunners in wind power energy invested 3.7 billion euros in solar energy last year.

Solar energy accounts for less than 1 per cent of the country's energy needs, but is expected to grow to more than five percent by 2020.

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Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com