TEXAS WORRIES ABOUT ELECTRICITY

ERCOT Report Reinforces Future Electricity Adequacy Concerns29 May 2012 (Renew Grid) “The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) says it foresees potential electricity shortages within the coming decade as electricity use in Texas continues to hit new records…The newly revised Capacity, Demand and Reserves (CDR) report shows a reserve margin of 9.8% by 2014. That is well below ERCOT's 13.75% target for electric generation capacity that exceeds...

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NEW MONEY MODELS IN SUN

Solar Finance Re-Invented: How Today's Projects Lure New Market Players29 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “Financing of U.S. solar projects is in the midst of a transformation, with new business models, new investors and new financing vehicles gaining sway, according to new research [in Re-Imagining U.S. Solar Financing] by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (commissioned by Reznick Group). “U.S. solar projects have historically been bankrolled by some combination...

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CHINA SUN COUNTER ATTACKS

China Accuses U.S. Of Solar Trade Violations, SEIA Responds25 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “Incentive programs for solar and other forms of renewable energy in five U.S. states violate international free-trade rules and treaties, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. Bloomberg reports that the ministry has ruled…[they] break World Trade Organization rules…In addition, 14 China-based PV manufacturers have formed a new coalition in response to the...

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WIRES FOR WIND PAY FOR THEMSELVES

Story Of Wind-Related Transmission Is One That Needs To Be Told22 May 2012 (Renew Grid) “Installing a substantial amount of wind power, along with upgrading transmission in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) territory, could have positive consumer benefits at a lower cost than is assumed, according to a report sponsored by the Americans For A Clean Energy Grid (ACEG)…[The study of wind-related transmission investments for...

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BALD EAGLES SAFE IN WIND

American Wind Wildlife Institute releases eagle white paperCarl Levesque, May 25, 2012 (Wind Energy Weekly) “…[The American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI)-released white paper on eagles and wind power…Eagles and Wind Energy: Identifying Research Priorities…[from] leading conservation organizations, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and members of the wind industry…[is intended] to help resolve challenges relating to wind energy development...

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TOOLS OF THE FOSSIL FUELS

Conservative think tanks step up attacks against Obama's clean energy strategy; Confidential memo seen by Guardian calls for climate change sceptics to turn American public against solar and wind powerSuzanne Goldenberg, 8 May 2012 (UK Guardian) “A network of ultra-conservative groups is ramping up an offensive on multiple fronts to turn the American public against wind farms and Barack Obama's energy agenda…A number of rightwing organisations, including...

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CARBON RISING

Global carbon-dioxide emissions increase by 1.0 Gt in 2011 to record high24 May 2012 (International Energy Agency) “Global carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil-fuel combustion reached a record high of 31.6 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2011, according to preliminary estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA). This represents an increase of 1.0 Gt on 2010, or 3.2%. Coal accounted for 45% of total energy-related CO2 emissions in 2011, followed...

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THE GREENEST SUN

New Rankings Crown The 'Cleanest' Solar Firms, Defy StereotypesJessica Lillian, 25 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “…The trade-war discussion has also encompassed…the belief that Chinese factories - including solar fabs - create hazardous working conditions, flout pollution laws and generally act as poor corporate citizens…[but China-headquartered Trina Solar was recently crowned the cleanest PV manufacturer by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC)...

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ELEMENT POWER ADDS SUN TO WIND IN NM

New Mexico Wind Farm To Add Huge Solar Energy Installation22 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “…Element Power Americas says it will add a 50 MW solar power installation to the Macho Springs Wind Energy Facility, which is already operating in Luna County, N.M. The solar addition will comprise thin-film photovoltaic panels.”click to enlarge“The 50.4 MW Macho Springs wind project…features 28 Vestas V100-1.8 MW wind turbines, was completed in 2011…[Its...

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SO AFRICA TO BUILD A GIGAWATT OF WIND

South Africa approves 562MW of wind projectsJames Quilter, 21 May 2012 (Windpower Monthly) “South Africa has approved seven wind projects totalling 562MW as part of its second renewable energy tender…The government awarded 1.04GW out of a total of 1.23GW available. The projects include the 138MW Amakhala Emoyenia project in Eastern Cape province. “Wind also took the largest slice in terms of the maximum capacity available, with the government awarding...

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MEGAWATT TEST OF CIGS THIN FILM

Nanosolar Puts 1 MW Of CIGS PV Power Online In California21 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “Nanosolar Inc., a manufacturer of CIGS thin-film solar cells and panels, says it has completed a 1 MW ground-mounted installation at Camp Roberts in San Miguel, Calif. The installation is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's Energy Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).”click thru for more info“The installation uses 4,992 of Nanosolar's thin-film...

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LUCKY CORRIDOR FOR NEW MEXICO NEW ENERGY

Renewable Energy Transmission Line Planned For New Mexico18 May 2012 (Renew Grid) “Lucky Corridor LLC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Western Area Power Administration, a power marketing administration of the U.S. Department of Energy, to explore the potential joint development of a 93-mile, 230 kV transmission line project in northern New Mexico. “The proposed project and associated upgraded facilities would make it possible...

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INTERIOR APPROVES WIND ON INDIAN LAND

Ocotillo wind project advances despite tribal objectionsMorgan Lee, ay 12, 2012 (San Diego Union-Tribune) “…Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed off on [the construction of a large-scale wind energy project across 10,000 acres of public lands on the outskirts of the desert town of Ocotillo]…Environmental Impact Statement over the objection of Native American tribal officials who remain concerned about the aesthetic impact of the project on ancestral...

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BRAINTRUST GOES AFTER SOLAR PRICE

Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium announces $7.5 million in grants to lower the cost of large-scale solar power; The university-industry consortium led by Stanford and UC-Berkeley aims to make utility-scale solar energy cost-competitive by 2020.Mark Shwartz, May 17, 2012 (Stanford University News) “The Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium (BAPVC) – an industry-supported program led by Stanford University and the University of California-Berkeley – has...

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AN ‘UNPRECENDENTED’ MOVE TO NEW ENERGY

PJM Interconnection Putting More Solar Power On The Grid21 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “PJM Interconnection, the operator of the high-voltage electric power grid on much of the Atlantic coast and in parts of the Midwest, says it procured 56 MW of solar power during its most recent capacity auction - an increase of 22% over last year...The capacity auction also procured 796 MW of wind power (a 15% increase) and 14.8 GW of demand response resources…”click...

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EU WIND CAN LEAD ECONOMIC RECOVERY

EU Leaders: Wind Energy Is Part Of Solution To Europe's Economic Woes 21 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “European leaders…[believe] wind energy can help lead to more jobs and economic growth. “In 2010, the wind energy sector's growth rate was twice that of the European Union's (EU) gross domestic product. Furthermore, although the EU's overall unemployment rate rose between 2007 and 2010, over 50 new jobs were created in the European wind...

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APPLE TURNS TO SUN

Apple Planning Solar Installations To Power North Carolina Data Center 18 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “Responding to criticism that its operations relied heavily on fossil fuels, Apple plans to power its main data center entirely on renewable energy by year-end…The company will build two solar projects near its data center in North Carolina that will supply a total of 84 GWh of electricity annually…”“SunPower Corp. and Bloom Energy are reportedly supplying the equipment for the project, which will cover 250 acres…Apple also says it plans to convert...

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CHINA’S NEW GRID MAY ONLY MEET OLD NEEDS

China Is Developing a Grid Better for Coal Than Renewables; The new electricity grid will make it hard for China to meet its greenhouse gas and energy-intensity goalsLisa Friedman/ClimateWire, May 16, 2012 (Scientific American) “China will fail to meet its carbon and energy intensity targets unless it makes dramatic changes to its electricity grid, China Power: Benefits and Costs of the 'Strong, Smart Grid finds…While newer and in many ways more...

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A FIGHT FOR SUN IN TEXAS

Austin Solar Advocates Looking To Find Common Ground On Utility's PlansAngela Beniwal, 17 May 2012 (Solar Industry) “Texas formed the Sustainable Energy Development Council (SEDC) in the early '90s to figure out how to maximize the clean energy potential of the state. Texas is now a leader in renewable energy production, due largely to that initiative…[T]he City of Austin, Texas, is following in the footsteps of the SEDC by creating the Austin Local...

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WHAT WORRIES GRID OPERATORS MOST

What Is The Power Grid's Most Significant Reliability Issue?16 May 2012 (Renew Grid) “The reliability of the bulk power supply in the U.S. remains adequate, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s (NERC) 2012 State of Reliability report [on ongoing reliability trends]. However, protection-system misoperations remain a significant issue… “There were few changes to the reliability of the bulk power system between 2008 and 2011....

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NRG LAYOFFS HERALD FADING PTC HOPES

NRG Systems Reduces Headcount For The First Time18 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “Due to what it calls ‘ongoing uncertainty and volatility in the global wind energy industry,’ …wind energy assessment provider NRG Systems has laid off 18 workers - the first such layoffs in the company's 30-year history… “According to NRG, although the U.S. wind industry has always weathered the boom-and-bust cycle of inconsistent federal policy, the stakes today...

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BIG BUCKS IN MANAGING ENERGY AT HOME

Despite Slow Start, Home Energy Management Market Will Surpass $2 Billion in Annual Revenue by 2020May 16, 2012 (Pike Research) “…[T]he once hyped home energy management (HEM) market has struggled to gain traction. Numerous trials have led to only a few cases of industry deployments and to anemic rates of consumer adoption. Today that is starting to change, and over the remainder of the decade momentum will build in this nascent market… “…According...

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WHERE IN THE WORLD THE SUN WILL RISE

PV Revenue Growth in 2H’12 Stimulated by US and Asia Pacific Pipelines; Shift Towards Emerging PV Markets Outside Europe Highlights Importance of Diversified Downstream Strategies14 May 2012 (Solarbuzz) “Solar photovoltaic (PV) demand during 2H’12 will see increasing contributions from emerging markets in North America and Asia Pacific, with 60% of PV demand coming from these non-European regions according to new research…[from] NPD Solarbuzz…This...

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CAN CONGRESS DO NEW ENERGY

Does A Clean Energy Standard Have Any Chance In Congress?Laura DeMugno, 15 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “A new study predicts that an 80% by 2035 clean energy standard, similar to the one introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in March, could pass both chambers of Congress if it increases electricity rates by less than 5% on average. “The report, published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change, concluded that in order for the...

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CPV MAKER GETS $4.5MIL BACKING

Concentrator Optics raises €3.5 million 7 May 2012 (Concentrator Optics) “Concentrating photovoltaics is gaining momentum with an expected industry growth exceeding 400% for the current year. Following this trend, Concentrator Optics raised €3.5 million in equity, debt and grant financing… “…Capricorn Cleantech Fund, Leu-ven, Belgium, and the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) contributed to the equity raise…[which will] be used for installing...

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GOOGLE’S OFFSHORE WIND WIRES MOVE AHEAD

AWC offshore grid closer to realityDiane Bailey, 14 May 2012 (Windpower Monthly) “The Google-backed Atlantic Wind Connection (AWC) offshore wind transmission line cleared a regulatory hurdle Monday, with the US Department of the Interior announcing it has not received any overlapping interest in similar projects from competitors. “The finding of "no competitive interest" clears the way for the project to move forward with the environmental review...

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ABOUT SAN ONOFRE’S WOES

San Onofre’s Steam Generator Failures Could Have Been Prevented SummaryArnie Gunderdsen, May 14, 2012 (Fairewinds Associates) “Southern California Edison’s four replacement steam generators at their San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station failed in less than two years of operation, while the original equipment operated for 28 years. Fairewinds has been analyzing the data in order to determine how such an expensive investment could fail so quickly....

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NOT SO SMART TO BLOCK SMART METERS

Utilities Try to Tame the Backlash Against Smart MetersMark Chediak, May 10, 2012 (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) “…[S]ome consumers have started pushing back [against smart meter installations], saying the gadgets compromise privacy, raise costs rather than cut them, and threaten health with electromagnetic fields from the radios the meters use to transmit data. The backlash has slowed improvements to the nation’s power grid as some utilities hold off...

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CHINA NUKE CO GOES CSP-BIOMASS

China’s nuclear giant opts for CSP-biomass hybridPaul French, May 11, 2012 (CSP Today) “China’s leading nuclear power company…China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Corporation (CGNPC), the PRC’s largest single nuclear power company and reactor operator, started construction this month on an integrated biomass-solar power [rooftop] generation plant [for its offices] in the South East Asian island state of Singapore… “…[T]he project represents an...

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NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST FULLY WINDMADE EVENT

WINDPOWER 2012 first North American event to be labeled WindMade May 11, 2012 (American Wind Energy Association) “The American Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER 2012 Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta, June 3-6, will be the first North American event ever to earn WindMade’s designation as 100 percent powered by wind energy… “For an event to garner the WindMade label, it needs to procure 100 percent of its electricity footprint from wind...

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BIG WIND TEST CENTER

Clemson Facility To Test Drivetrains For Wind Turbines In 5 MW To 15 MW Range10 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “….Engineers with Choate Construction will pour 750 cubic yards of concrete into a channel to form the 7.5 MW test rig foundation [for the Clemson University Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility]… “The pour marks a milestone for the massive construction project…[that] involves completely redeveloping an 82,000 square-foot warehouse...

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THE WORLD’S BIGGEST SOLAR BUILDERS

Solar Integrator Rankings Show Increasing Presence Of China-Based Firms10 May (Solar Industry) “Germany-based Belectric maintained its position as the world's largest PV system integrator in 2011, with close to 400 MW of new PV capacity developed, according to a recently released report from IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS Inc.). “However, Chinese integrators - buoyed by the huge boom in domestic power plants - achieved the biggest gains,...

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MAKING THE BEST STORAGE CHOICE EASY

New Software Helps Renewable Energy Developers Choose Best Energy-Storage Option11 May 2012 (North American Windpower) “Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Energy…[p]artnering with DNV KEMA, a global testing and consulting firm…[are] releasing Energy Storage Select (ES-Select), software designed to make it easier to conduct a quick, high-level analysis of energy-storage options and determine the value of energy-storage technologies...

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OFFSHORE WIND TRIAL SHELVED UNTIL POLITICS SHIFT

Gamesa Shies Away From U.S. Offshore Wind Market, Shelves 5 MW PrototypeLaura DiMugno, 8 May 2012 (North American Windpower) "Citing an immature market and a difficult regulatory and political environment, Gamesa and its collaboration partner Newport News Shipbuilding have suspended the development of Gamesa's G11X-5.0 MW offshore wind prototype - a decision that is highly reflective of the uncertainties and challenges currently plaguing the U.S....

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SOLAR GETTING YET CLOSER

UT Report: Solar Growing as Viable US Energy SourceMay 1, 2012 (University of Tennessee) "Solar power is a viable energy source for the nation, and its use is rapidly growing in the U.S. as federal incentives—similar to those that helped other energy markets to develop—are put in place. "…[Assessment of Incentives and Employment Impacts of Solar Industry Deployment from the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, the University of Tennessee,...

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TOMORROW’S HOMES TODAY

Energy Efficient Homes; Building Envelope, Lighting, HVAC and Appliances, Water Heating, Energy Audits, and Soft Costs: Global Market Analysis and Forecasts2Q 2012 (Pike Research) "…Since the United States housing bubble burst in 2007, the residential construction and real estate markets have floundered in many OECD countries, and some have experienced a full stop in new construction…[but] the markets in China and India are experiencing unprecedented...

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10 REASONS TO INSTALL SOLAR

10 Ways to Leverage Solar Panels to Reduce Your Electric BillMay 6, 2012 (Compare Electricity Rates) “…The advantages and savings [of residential solar] ]can be significant and quickly offset the installation cost…[Federal incentives] help offset the cost of installation…[allowing] lower energy cost in a shorter time frame…[Panels can] provide electricity just for appliances or lighting, to reduce your dependency on the utility company…[and] lower your bill…Since your consumption will be lower, and your home is more energy efficient, you may qualify...

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