Solar

AOL Energy Week In Review

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The end of the summer brings with it the sense, if not always the reality, of the western world returning to work.

For a lot of people in the US today, there simply is no work, as unemployment numbers and straggling economic growth continue to make clear. President Obama gathered Congress together to announce his own plan for the war on unemployment, and his suggestions met with mixed response from the energy industry. In previous speeches, Obama has singled out the energy business as a major provider of jobs; in this one, with the exception of a passing reference to an Infrastructure Bank, he largely avoided the subject. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 9, 2011 at 4:00 PM

Residential Solar Business Gets A Rooftop Boost

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Can’t afford the upfront costs of rooftop solar panels, but really want them anyway? No problem, especially if you live in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio or Pennsylvania and get your power from Constellation Energy.

The electric company announced on Wednesday a new residential solar leasing program to customers in those states with a choice of a low down payment or a 20-year prepaid lease. Customers will also be able to choose the solar module that best fits their needs and budget. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 9, 2011 at 11:45 AM

Finance Advice From A Renewables Guru

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Despite three recent bankruptcies, the US solar manufacturing industry is doing just fine, according to Mark Riedy, founder and general counsel to American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and a partner at the Mintz Levin law firm.

“I’m not worried about it and I’ve been in the renewables space since 1975, year in and year out,” Riedy said. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 8, 2011 at 2:30 PM

News: SolarCity Unveils Plan to Double the Total Number of Residential Solar Installations in the U.S. Through Insta… http://ow.ly/1eAOSL

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News: SolarCity Unveils Plan to Double the Total Number of Residential Solar Installations in the U.S. Through Insta… http://ow.ly/1eAOSL @solarcity

 /  Published September 8, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Solyndra Firings Underway, Lobbyist ‘Grateful’ For Experience

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As Solyndra Inc. made its bankruptcy filing official on Tuesday afternoon, Victoria Sanville, a prominent lobbyist who helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars in government money for the California solar company, is on the market for a job. Once touted as a model of green energy, Solyndra received a $535 million federal loan guarantee from the U.S. government in 2009. The company has since laid off 1,100 workers and is now filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Solyndra is currently $783.8 million in debt and says failing any new interest from buyers, it will be forced to shut down and sell off assets within the month.

 /  Published September 8, 2011 at 10:45 AM

Hope Shines Through Bankruptcy Clouds For US Solar Sector

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A spate of bankruptcies in US solar manufacturers is not a sign of imminent industry collapse, but the inevitable result of competition in a new and evolving market, according to industry representatives.

Solar manufacturer Solyndra announced its intention to file for bankruptcy on the final day of August, following bankruptcy filings by Evergreen Solar on August 15 and SpectraWatt on August 19. The three firms’ failures prompted a flurry of commentary about the challenges facing US solar manufacturing, and prospects for the sector’s survival. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM

The Makings Of A Solar Panel

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While it may seem like a simple process to churn out solar cells, this video outlines every step in the complex process.

Of note is the various steps Suntech Power takes to reduce reflectivity of the panels and keep solar power from bouncing off the cells. Texturing disturbs the smoothness of the cells and a silicon-nitrite anti-reflective coating further reduces reflectivity. Together, these processes reduces overall surface reflectivity to less than 1%, according to the video. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 6, 2011 at 6:00 AM

AOL Energy Week In Review

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The US East Coast was still reeling from Hurricane Irene this week as power was gradually restored to millions who were disconnected during the storm.

According to Con Edison, the hurricane caused more power outages in its service area than any other storm in history. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM

Germany Warms To Solar Power With Expansion

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Following its controversial decision after the Fukushima crisis in Japan to shut down all of its nuclear power generation, Germany has been busy bolstering its renewables portfolio.

General contractor hybridsolar AG will add 60.2 MW of capacity to the 24.3 MW FinowTower solar plant, located at the former Eberswalde/Finowfurt military airport in the district of Schorfheide, northeast of Berlin, bringing the plant’s total capacity to 84.5 MW and making it the largest solar power plant in Europe. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 1, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Another One Bites The Dust

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Solar companies are dropping like flies.

A California based cylindrical solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing company with offices around the world, Solyndra, is shutting down operations today and will file for bankruptcy, the company said in a statement. Roughly 1,100 employees are being laid off today as well. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 31, 2011 at 1:00 PM
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