Proinso announced that it will be supplying PV modules for a solar PV project totaling 35MW in Ravenna, Italy. The agreement follows the 40MW of modules for 186 PV projects in Italy through May. With this new announcement, the company projects around 100MW of sales in the Italian PV market.
SunPower has signed an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), completing contractual arrangements between the companies for the development of a 250MW solar photovoltaic power plant in San Luis Obispo County, CA.
Solar Power presents opportunities in the United States that cannot be overstated. It can be part of a renewable energy portfolio to achieve energy independence, it can demonstrate commitment to leadership on controlling climate change and it can be the foundation for thousands of green technology jobs around the country.
Key to continued progress on these goals will be federal leadership; smart, integrated policy prescriptions; and ideas, commitment and investment from private industry.
Dow Corning is deeply committed to advancing solar power, as well as other renewable energies and sustainability technologies. Over the past five years, we have announced investments of $5 billion in solar technology, which includes significant expansion of Hemlock Semiconductor – a joint venture in which we are majority shareholder and one of the world’s largest producers of polycrystalline silicon; groundbreaking for construction on a plant that will manufacture monosilane gas – a key material used to manufacture thin-film solar cells; and a solar panel installation and Solar Discovery Center at our corporate headquarters in Midland, Michigan.
The U.S. government has also demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy. President Obama indicated that his administration will invest $150 billion over 10 years to accelerate the development of a clean energy-based U.S. economy that will create five million new green collar jobs. And in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $500 million was dedicated to training workers to fill potentially more than 315,000 green-related jobs in construction, engineering, science and skilled trades. Of particular significance to Dow Corning, President Obama in January announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for clean energy manufacturing projects across the U.S.
Strong Federal Policy Key to U.S. Renewable Energy Advancement
The progress to-date has been encouraging, but we believe there is still more to be done. In 2009, Dow Corning announced a four point policy plan for 21st century solar leadership that we hope can serve as a useful roadmap for federal decision makers as they address the energy, environmental, security and economic challenges facing the United States through the adoption of public policy. By focusing on these four areas, we are confident that our nation can expand its energy capacity, create jobs and economic growth and move toward energy independence.
Goal #1: Establish a broad federal legislative and regulatory package, designed to encourage the rapid growth of a viable renewable energy industry and encourage consumer adoption. Energy legislation should include:
In addition, legislation addressing carbon reduction must take care not to inadvertently discourage or penalize growth in the manufacturing and production of renewable energy materials and equipment.
Goal #2: Increase investments in research and development to support innovation in solar energy technologies. Legislation should include:
Goal #3: Further invest in renewable energy-related education, training and job creation. To ensure the long-term sustainability of an economically vibrant renewable energy sector, the United States needs qualified professionals to fill the renewable energy jobs of the future.
At present, there are too few solar training opportunities available in the country to rapidly develop the tens of thousands of skilled workers needed to support the growing solar industry.
Goal #4: The federal government will “lead by example” in the implementation of clean technologies. From procurement of onsite generation, including solar energy systems, to retrofitting buildings for improved energy efficiency, to establishing new building standards and power purchase agreements, the federal government can lead the way to a new future for energy, focused on clean, sustainable technologies.
Investing in solar and other renewable energy technologies will help regenerate U.S. international competitiveness, while reinvigorating our economy by creating the green jobs needed today that will meet America’s needs tomorrow.
Dow Corning is prepared to do its part to encourage a climate of collaboration, creativity and commitment to realize this important goal. Our nation, our economy, our customers, our employees, and our citizens in the communities we serve deserve nothing less than our best effort.
Dr. Stephanie A. Burns is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Dow Corning Corporation, headquartered in Midland, Michigan.
The information and views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of RenewableEnergyWorld.com or the companies that advertise on its Web site and other publications.
EnergyUnited, the Statesville-based electric cooperative has begun work on its first solar farm, based in Alexander County. The company has invested US$6 million in the project to date, and is expected to begin operations in August 2010, reports the Charlotte Business Journal.
The solar farm, once complete, is expected to produce approximately 16 million kilowatt-hours of power per year, which the cooperative has agreed to buy from the facility's majority owner, SunEdison.
This past Earth Day was not only an anniversary of the celebrations 40th birthday, but also a step forward by the US Department of Energy for the advancement and expansion of solar power technology. US Energy Secretary Steven Chu (pictured) announced that the Department will invest over $200 million in five years for the expansion, development, commercialization and use of solar power technology throughout the US. There are three different solar initiatives that the Department will fund including: PV manufacturing, PV Supply chain development and a National Administrator of the Solar Instructor Training initiative.
"Expanding the U.S. clean-energy manufacturing base is an important part of the Administration’s goals to diversify electricity supply options, increase national security, and accelerate green jobs development,” said Secretary Chu. “These investments will help strengthen American competitiveness in renewable energy and transform the U.S. into a lasting manufacturing presence in the 21st century clean-energy economy."
The PV manufacturing initiative will receive up to $125 million over a five year period, which will see the Department investing in manufacturing focused research projects. The projects will have near and mid-term direct impact for the US solar industry. Funding will be available in both university focused and industry focused development, wherein both topics will consider collaborative research models to increase the manufacturing technologies.
Each organization is required to submit a concept paper along with standard application materials. Concept papers are due June 3, 2010 and full applications are due in early August.
The PV supply chain initiative will receive up to $40 million over three years to focus on identifying and enhancing products and processes for the PV manufacturing supply chain. Projects should help the Department achieve cost-competitive solar PV systems compared to the conventional forms of electricity and help to more widely implement solar technology in the US.
Projects should be concentrated on component and manufacturing technologies that will have a strong potential impact on the PV industry in the next two to five years. Examples of this include engineering lower cost coating materials, electrical components to improve performance, processes that minimize manufacturing waste or equipment that advances manufacturing or installation speed.
With $10 to $15 million annually available for these PV projects, the Department looks to choose both large and small companies that can develop new supply chain solutions. Applications are due July 2, 2010.
Finally, the national administrator of the solar training instructor network initiative will receive up to $4.5 million over five years to select a national administrator that will act as a central coordinating body for the training network. The network was created last year by the Department of Energy for the establishment of high quality, local and accessible training for persons involved in the sales, design, installation, commissioning and inspection of solar PV and solar heating and cooling systems.
The national administrator will be responsible for managing the partnership of the training network members by publicizing their products and conducting added outreach such as providing recommendations for the adoption of best practices. In addition, the organization will be a national point contact for the training network and working with stakeholders, define, prioritize and address issues that relate to solar training and workforce development. Applications will be due June 15, 2010.
For further information on the US Department of Energy’s funding, visit Solar Energy Technologies Program's Financial Opportunities.
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April 20, 2010
Californians applied to put more than 50 megawatts (MW) of panels on their homes and businesses in March, a monthly record for the state’s solar program.
Molly Sterkel, CSI project manager for the California Public Utilities Commission, says the 50MW is an indication of strong state wide demand for solar incentives “despite the slow pace of economic recovery in the building sector”.
Under the California Solar Initiative (CSI), customers of investor-owned utilities can apply to the state for a rebate of between $1.10 and $1.90 per watt of installed capacity, depending on location. The incentive levels decline as more solar is installed in each of the three big utilities’ territories.
Two of the three utilities are nearing a step-down in incentives, helping boost demand in March.
The 2,355 customers who “reserved” an incentive payout under the CSI in March have up to 18 months to install their systems.
California, the nation’s leading solar market, hopes to see nearly 2 gigawatts of solar installed under the CSI – which includes solar programmes for affordable housing in addition to the mainstream rebates – by 2017. Through the first quarter, 576MW had been installed.
