Recently in Solar Technologies Category
"This is the breakout growth sector of the next generation," said the author of Next 10's report, "Energy Efficiency, Innovation, and Job Creation in California".
Next 10's report calculates that energy innovation required by AB 32 will create 403,000 green-collar jobs over the next 12 years as companies spend big on renewables and energy efficiency. Roland-Holst said that would increase household income in California by as much as $48 billion by 2020 and boost the state domestic product by $76 billion.
David Roland-Holst, a professor of agriculture and resource economics at UC Berkeley. "We cannot afford to miss this market opportunity."
California's per-capita electricity use is about 40% less than the national average, Roland-Holst said, largely because of government-mandated energy efficiency standards for utilities, buildings and appliances put into effect over the last four decades.
Roland-Holst found that the lower use has enabled Californians to save $56 billion on energy since 1972. That money was spent in the local economy, he said, instead of on imported oil, out-of-state electricity or building new power plants. The result: 1.5 million additional California jobs with a total payroll exceeding $45 billion.
Programs like AB 32 will have a multiplier effect
California's Environmental Innovation Advantage
Some of California's leading companies agree with Roland-Holst's assessment that environmental innovation could become a pillar of the California economy.Read more about the report: Energy Efficiency, Innovation, and Job Creation in California (by David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley, Oct. 2008)
Solar Energy
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.
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.
Government incentive programs are getting spotty for solar and wind energy. With the changing of the guard during election seasons, old programs are ended so that new administrations can write and endorse their own versions of funding programs. And, I assume you know that taxes and incentives are structured to control behaviors of the populace, right?
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.... :-)
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.... :-)
Power Purchase Agreement
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
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Purchase_Agreement
Pacific Power Management
The Time is Right For Going Solar Full Service Commercial Integrator
www.pacpower.biz
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
Federal incentives for solar, wind, geothermal, and other sustainable technologies are set to expire this December.
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
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
Technology is a hungry beast -- especially hot sectors like energy. The more money involved -- the faster the innovation cycle. Life cycles are short and companies must continually re-engineer themselves to leapfrog over their own solutions before the competition beats them to it.
A coming glut in solar modules will turn out the lights at some of today's solar players, altering the industry landscape by 2010, says Lux Research.
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
