Solar Success: Detroit-Based GreenLancer Doubles Team, Adds New CEO
Downtown Detroit-based technology company GreenLancer is quickly scaling up to meet the growing demand in the residential solar market across the nation. In the last month, GreenLancer has more than doubled its team and has realigned executive leadership in this initiative. Zac MacVoy has joined GreenLancer as the new Chief Executive Officer to position the company for the future. MacVoy has a strong background in manufacturing and the lighting industry. After graduating college he joined United Lighting Standards, working his way up to outside sales.
First Solar and SunPower Plan to Form Joint-Venture Yieldco
First Solar Inc. and SunPower Corp., the two largest U.S. solar-panel manufacturers, are planning a joint venture that will own and operate some of their projects. The companies expect to register for an initial public offering for the new venture, according to a statement Monday. They didn’t say when that may occur or how much they would seek to raise through the IPO. The shares surged in after-hours trading.
“Solarize Tybee” Awarded to Hannah Solar, LLC
The City of Tybee Island and Chatham County announced Atlanta-based Hannah Solar, LLC as the winning bidder to develop the community solar program, Solarize Tybee. Solarize Tybee, the first Solarize project in Georgia, allows residents and business owners to purchase solar at a lower cost through the power of bulk purchasing, which is estimated to bring the total cost down by 15-30%. The program was originally intended for just Tybee Island, but after an outpour of positive responses from citizens in the region, it has now spread throughout all of Chatham County.
Vivint Solar Recruits Transitioning Military Members For Solar Industry
Vivint Solar says it has extended job offers to all of the graduates of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) "Reach for the Sun" pilot program at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, just north of San Diego. "Reach for the Sun" is an intensive workforce training program designed to help place military personnel who are transitioning out of active duty into jobs within the solar industry.
RGS Energy Partners With Centrosolar America To Expand Solar Installation Capacity
RGS Energy, a Real Goods Solar company, has signed a partnership agreement with Centrosolar America, a provider of premium roof-based PV systems, components and turnkey projects. The partnership will expand RGS Energy's capacity for solar installations on the East Coast by approximately 1 MW - 2 MW per month, starting in the second quarter.
San Antonio Takes Different Tack on Solar Energy
San Antonio is one of the leading cities for solar energy in the United States, with photovoltaic systems on nearly 2,500 roofs and a solar farm in the works that will power the equivalent of 70,000 homes. Leading the effort is Doyle Beneby, the CEO of the city-owned utility, CPS Energy, which not only instituted a rooftop solar program that provides rebates for homeowners installing PV systems, but also negotiated deals with companies such as OCI Solar Power, the developer of the 400 megawatt solar farm.
Hanergy Holding To Build Solar-Powered Cars
Chinese billionaire Li Hejun, chairman of solar-equipment manufacturer Hanergy Holding, is expanding his business into the auto sector. Hanergy will launch five models of solar-powered cars in October, according to a post on the company’s website. The models can run up to 100 km after four hours of charging, according to the statement. “Hanergy is working with three foreign partners and two domestic firms to develop solar-powered vehicles,” the firm says in the statement.
Vivint CEO to appear on CBS’s “Undercover Boss” season finale
Vivint, a leading provider of smart home technology, today announced that CEO Todd Pedersen will be featured on the season finale of CBS’s award-winning series “Undercover Boss,” Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m. EST.
The California Desert Is Now Home to the World’s Largest Solar-Power Plant
The Southern California desert is now home to the world's largest solar power plant. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell joined state officials on Monday to open the 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight solar project in the town of Desert Center, Calif., near Joshua Tree National Park. Built by First Solar, the project generates enough electricity to power 160,000 average California homes.
NRG Energy to Sell Solar Directly to Consumers in Colorado
NRG Energy Inc. will sell solar power directly to consumers in Colorado as part of a push into renewable energy.NRG, the nation’s largest independent power producer, will join with SunShare LLC to build five so-called community solar projects in Denver and Colorado Springs, the companies said Wednesday. Under this model, anyone can get power from the sun even if they don’t have a good roof for panels.