Carolyn: March 2008 Archives
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.
