Solar energy is one of the most abundant and visible renewable resources on Earth. Many national, state, and local governments are engaged in programs to expand programs that enable homes, businesses, and large-scale project developers to make use of this clean energy resource.
Solar power technologies convert radiant light energy to into more usable forms of energy such as electricity or hot water. Photovoltaic cells made from silicon are the most well know, and can leverage mature silicon electronics manufacturing technology to lower their manufacturing cost in order to expand their market reach. Other solar technologies concentrate the sunlight into a small area to heat a working fluid such as water to generate electric power or provide useful hot water for space conditioning.
Ardour Global Alternative Energy Indexes provide investment fund information.
What's unusual in today's political world is the EXTENT of corporate level incentives. Not long ago incentives were extended to consumers who were in need of assistance. Today, with the escalating speed and technological prowess of startup technologies, more and more sectors such as alternative energy and alternative transportation are being subsidized at the venture funding stage...and the commercialization stage to encourage rapid payback for the venture capital firms.
The question is why are companies with record levels of income having to ask for government handouts? I'm just saying.... :-) It seems we as taxpayer citizens without a corporate lobby behind us, pay at least twice: taxes and than again when we pay higher prices for new technology.
I'm just saying.... :-)
A Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA, is a long-term agreement to buy power from a company that produces electricity.
Solar Power Partners
Solar Power Partners (SPP™) is one provider of PPAs, who use their own source of funds to build a solar energy facility on our customer's site and maintains and operates the facility for 15 years or longer.
This facility generates reliable, long-term clean energy for use by customers. Under the terms of a PPA, SPP™ assumes the risks and responsibilities of ownership when it purchases, operates, and maintains the turn-key facility. They clean the solar panels regularly, provide preventative maintenance services, repair any faults, monitor the energy production and the system's health and well-being. Customers just run their businesses as usual, without any of the headaches of owning a power plant.
At the end of the PPA term, the facility can be purchased by customers at fair maket value or the PPA can be renewed on favorable terms. The PPA enables customers to benefit from the use of "green" energy, while still receiving some of the benefits of ownership (lower and/or "hedged" electricity costs, positive public image, etc. ) and allows them to spend their capital budget on their core businesses.
Additional Resources about PPAs:
Power Purchase Agreements from Renewable Energy Technologies
The industry's leading website address (domain name) for Power Purchase Agreements - www.PowerPurchaseAgreements.com - may now be available for lease under ...www.cogeneration.net/Power_Purchase_Agreements.htm
Power Purchase Agreement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a legal contract between an electricity generator and a purchaser of energy or capacity (power or ancillary services). ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Purchase_Agreement
Pacific Power Management
The Time is Right For Going Solar Full Service Commercial Integrator
www.pacpower.biz
Enough solar to power 162,000 homes.
In the initial phase of the program, SoCal Edison will lease 607,000 square feet of roof space at ProLogis’ Kaiser Distribution Park in Fontana, California. The area will be used to install and maintain solar panels with the potential to generate enough electricity to power 1,426 households for one year.
At the conclusion of the start-up phase, which will include five to 10 additional installations and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, the utility will launch its full renewable energy project, aiming to complete 50 megawatts of solar panel installations each year for a total of 250 MW. Each individual installation is expected to comprise one to two megawatts.
“I urge others to follow in their footsteps,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “If commercial buildings statewide partnered with utilities to put this solar technology on their rooftops, it would set off a huge wave of renewable energy growth.”
SCE hopes to have the first solar rooftops in service by August. The company says it will install at the rate of one megawatt a week.
The program would give a big boost to California’s Million Solar Roofs program and help SCE meet a state requirement to get 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2010.
Financing Solar Installations
Environmental Leader reported that solar companies are becoming financial intermediaries, leading companies to install solar power that wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it.
Using a “power-purchase agreement” model, many solar power companies take on the cost of installing solar panels on customers’ roofs. In return, customers pay the solar power company for the panels’ output, generally at a lower rate than they would otherwise pay.
The power purchase model is also attracting bankers - Morgan Stanley, G.E. Energy Financial Services, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and MMA Renewable Ventures have all arranged financing for recent solar energy projects.
Besides the financing, state incentives and a federal investment tax credit (worth up to 30 cents on the dollar) are also driving adoption.
That means these sustainable energy sectors, some of the most promising and strategically important industries in America, are at risk of losing Federal support - unless we act now.
The facts are clear. Solar energy, wind, geothermal, energy efficiency, and other sustainable energy technologies are key components in powering green-collar jobs, promoting energy independence, and tackling climate change. At a time when fossil fuel costs continue to rise, the costs for renewable energy continue to fall.
But legislation to extend these sustainable energy tax incentives (H.R. 5351) is currently stalled in the Senate and time is running out.
That's why we urgently need your help.
The best way to break this stalemate is for grassroots supporters of solar, wind, geothermal, and others to stand together and take action.
Here's how you can help:
1) Contact your Senators to urge them to extend the renewable energy and energy conservation tax incentives to help generate green collar jobs, promote energy independence, and strengthen national security.
Click here to find the contact information for your Senators via Vote-Smart.org (simply enter your zip code on the left side and click 'go').
While the vote of each Senator is important, for your convenience, the list below represents key Senators who could provide the swing votes needed to break the stalemate. If you live in one of the states listed below, click the Senator's name to find the phone numbers of the District Senate office(s) near you so you can call them and add your voice.
Alaska: Senator Murkowski & Senator Stevens
Arizona: Senator Kyl & Senator McCain
Colorado: Senator Allard
Florida: Senator Martinez
Idaho: Senator Craig & Senator Crapo
Indiana: Senator Lugar
Kansas: Senator Brownback & Senator Roberts
Kentucky: Senator Bunning & Senator McConnell
Nevada: Senator Ensign
New Mexico: Senator Domenici
New Hampshire: Senator Gregg & Senator Sununu
North Carolina: Senator Burr & Senator Dole
Pennsylvania: Senator Specter
Tennessee: Senator Alexander & Senator Corker
Utah: Senator Bennett & Senator Hatch
Virginia: Senator Warner
2) Submit a brief letter to the editor of your local newspaper to encourage others to urge their Senators to extend the renewable energy and energy efficiency tax incentives. One key point to highlight: failure to promptly extend renewable energy tax incentives puts 116,000 solar & wind industry jobs and $19 billion in energy investment at risk.
3) Encourage your friends to get involved with the steps listed above to help end the stalemate in the Senate.
This is a critical time for supporters of solar energy. And your help is needed now more than ever. We can create a sustainable energy economy, but only if we work together.
Thank you for getting involved and adding your voice to the large and growing numbers of citizens in support of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable energy technologies.
Best regards,
Neal Lurie
Director of Marketing & Communications
American Solar Energy Society
303.443.3130 x105
www.ases.org
Photovoltaic solar is now the technology undergoing that re-engineering phase. From crystalline solar modules that relay on large quantities of silicon to thin-film solar that reduces reliance on that natural material in short supply...and being replaced by quicker, easier, more economical use of labor and raw materials.
The study, titled “Solar State of the Market Q1 2008: The End of the Beginning,” says solar industry revenue will continue its brisk advance from $21.2 billion in 2007 to $70.9 billion in 2012. But that advance will mask dislocations within the industry as companies unable to make the transition from crystalline solar modules to newer thin-film technologies see their market evaporate.
SOURCE: redherring.com
More than 150 of the world's leading experts on solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable energy technologies will be in San Diego, May 3-8, 2008.
I invite you to join them at SOLAR 2008 (and be sure to register by March 16 to get the best rates).
With the energy industry changing at an unprecedented pace, SOLAR 2008 helps you understand the changes and uncover the opportunities.
It examines the topics you need to know, including:
What's new with thin film photovoltaics
Best practices for solar installers
Renewable electricity 24/7
Improving PV performance
Emerging architecture and daylighting design
Designing high performance homes
Selling and marketing strategies that work
The new era of concentrating solar power
Emerging transportation and solar's new role
The new boom in green collar jobs
Launch and grow your solar business
Women in solar, changing an industry
How to install solar hot water systems
A hot way to cool climate change
New approaches in solar policy
Investing in renewable energy
PV payback and financial analysis
And dozens of other powerful topics...
These sessions are taught by some of the world's leading experts - to give you the edge.
This industry-leading conference series, now in its 37th year, offers you the emerging trends, technological breakthroughs, industry insight, and connections you need to stay ahead.
See the full lineup of presenters and topics at www.solar2008.org.
Energy Efficient Solar Lighting and Heating for Homes
Solar cells are great solutions to high petroleum prices for natural gas and electricity powered by coal generating plants. You can now use cogeneration to supplement or replace your grid power and electric bill. Prices for solar PV are coming down, and we will help you locate effective solutions for your solar dreams - be they solar thermal, solar hot water tanks, solar arrays, solar lights for landscaping or earning money from solar power cogeneration.Energy Efficient Solar Power and Light for Offices
Business buildings often have large flat roofs that can be great locations for solar arrays to generate PV electric power for lights, HVAC, ventilation, safety lighting, hot water for bathrooms, and even to sell extra cogenerated power back to the utility company.We will help you find quality solar products and services to take advantage of the solar generating possibilities that are available in most locations in our country. Solar power uses the best renewable resource -- sunlight that radiates from the sun.
Energy Efficient Solar Product Categories
- Home Solar Powered Lighting
- Office Solar Lighting
- Solar Systems ROI for Cogeneraton
- Outdoor Solar Lighting
- Thermal Solar
- Don't Forget Passive Solar Savings
