Opening Land to Renewable Energy Could Make Az 'Solar Capital'
The royalties and the competitive leasing of federal land worried Arthur Haubenstock, chairman of SEIA’s utility-scale solar power division. He testified that large-scale solar is not mature enough for competitive bidding and payment of royalties, which could lead to a disincentive to innovate instead of the industry growth supporters envision.
PLANT OF THE YEAR: Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System Earns POWER’s Highest Honor
The era of Big Solar has arrived, and at the moment there are none bigger than Ivanpah. Now, Ivanpah records another milestone: The first renewable plant to receive POWER’s Plant of the Year Award. Comprising three self-contained units with a total capacity of 392 MW (377 MW net), Ivanpah is a joint effort between BrightSource Energy, NRG Energy (through its subsidiary NRG Renew, formerly NRG Solar), Google, and Bechtel.
General Motors: Why Companies Should Buy More Renewable Energy
GM’s director of sustainability asks how we can frame up the needs and challenges for NGOs and corporate buyers, to ultimately make renewables more affordable for all companies
Another Big Solar Project Gets Under Way in California
The 135-MW Quinto Solar Project, a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant under construction in California’s Central Valley, officially broke ground on July 29.San Jose–based SunPower Corp. is building the plant in Los Banos, and will sell power from the facility to Southern California Edison under a 20-year power purchase agreement. The project is due for completion in late 2015.
SolarCity Raises $201.5 Million in Bonds Backed by Panels
SolarCity Corp. (SCTY), the first U.S. company to offer bonds backed by rooftop solar panels, raised $201.5 million in its third debt offering in eight months.The senior notes were sold at an interest rate of 4.03 percent and were rated BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s, the third-lowest investment grade. The junior notes were sold at an interest rate of 5.45 percent and were rated BB, which is not investment grade. Both tranches mature in July 2022.
Solar Software Tools Slashing Soft Costs
It’s estimated installers spend up to $3,000 to acquire each new customer. This high price of customer acquisition is one of the many so called “soft costs” that increase the price of solar and reduce installer margins. Every step along the road to a signed contract has inefficiencies, which is spurring new software solutions to help installers increase their sales volume and close deals faster.
SunEdison acquires 156MW ‘natural gas-competitive’ PV plant in Colorado
PV energy provider, SunEdison, has acquired a 156MW solar power plant in the US state of Colorado.
Minnehaha readies for large-scale solar power project
Minnehaha County officials say they've been approached by a developer seeking to build a large-scale solar power project near Sioux Falls.
Taiwan Solar Stocks Fall After U.S. Expands Trade Penalties
Taiwanese solar stocks led by Motech Industries Inc. (6244) fell after the U.S. proposed expanded penalties on solar-energy imports in a victory for the U.S. unit of SolarWorld (SWVK) AG, which accused China of shifting production to Taiwan after it lost an earlier case.Motech, Taiwan’s biggest solar-cell producer, slumped 6.9 percent to close at NT$44.40, the biggest one-day drop since May 21, 2013. Gintech Energy Corp. (3514), E-Ton Solar Tech Co. (3452) and Neo Solar Power Corp. (3576) also tumbled.
Inside the Huge Solar Farm That Powers the iCloud
The skies are threatening to pour on the Apple solar farm but as the woman in charge of the company's environmental initiatives points out: the panels are still putting out some power. Apple is still greening its act. The company, which once drew fire from campaigners for working conditions in China and heavy reliance on fossil fuels, is now leading other technology companies in controlling its own power supply and expanding its use of renewable energy.