New Ventures

Bringing The Light Of Learning To The Lighting Sector

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The world’s first major light bulb maker is building on its nearly century-old mission to teach industrial and commercial users of lighting how the accelerating technology advances of the past decade can save them money, make them safer and accent their appeal.

With the US customer still largely in the dark about the details of the upcoming lighting standards set to go into effect at the start of 2012, GE Lighting is teaching students at its Cleveland, Ohio GE Lighting Institute that although the savings are compelling on their own, the advantages of new LED lighting technology go far beyond mere efficiency advances. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 23, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Regular Returns From ‘Downstream’ Solar Attract Google, KKR

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It is the best of times and the worst of times for the solar energy business.

Using the language of the oil patch, Recurrent Energy CEO Arno Harris says that while the “upstream” part of solar – manufacturing solar panels – is suffering amid the cost compression and reduced appetite for technology risk represented by the failure of Solyndra and other solar firms in 2011; at the same time, the “downstream” part of solar – installations to generate power – are thriving. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM

USGS: Solar’s Desert Impact Needs Study

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In the excitement of saving the environment with clean energy, we seem to have forgotten the wildlife that also have a stake in a thriving habitat. Scientists at the US Geological Survey (USGS) reviewed existing scientific papers and found that there is a lack of study on the effects of large-scale solar energy developments and operations on wildlife.

USGS scientist Jeffrey Lovich and Maryville College (Tenn.) scientist Joshua Ennen did find a large amount of information in environmental compliance documents and other unpublished, non-peer-reviewed literature, but concluded that more peer-reviewed studies are necessary, particularly on desert habitat where much of the large-scale solar development is unfolding. Peer-reviewed studies are reviewed by experts in the same field of study and then published, making them a more reliable source of in-depth information. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 20, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Pennsylvania Wind Farm Will Rise Thanks To Unlikely Partnership

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A private-equity firm, a wind energy developer, a state funding program, an agricultural community leader and a group of university administrators have all been part of the story behind a 30 MW utility-scale wind farm going up in three townships in rural Pennsylvania.

Patton Wind Farm plans to sell power into the merchant market, Brooklyn-based developer OwnEnergy said in announcing today the sale of the project to European private equity firm Terra Firma’s EverPower Wind Holding subsidiary. The project already has an interconnection with local electricity market operator PJM Interconnection. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 20, 2011 at 9:45 AM

Recurrent Diversifies From US Markets With Mizuho Financing For Canadian Solar Projects

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With TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline under scrutiny and Canada announcing its exit from the Kyoto Protocol, the fossil-fuel-rich country often surprises observers with its commitment to renewable energy investments as well.

On Monday, California-based Recurrent Energy announced that it has secured $250 million in financing for twenty utility-scale solar developments–producing a total of 200 MW of power–in the Canadian province of Ontario. The funds, from Mizuho Corporate Bank, are being transferred as a four-year construction revolver credit facility, one of the largest of its kind in North America. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 20, 2011 at 6:00 AM

AEP Bolsters Transmission Business With Leadership Shakeup

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Power utilities are beginning to focus more attention on transmission as the aging system tries to keep up with increasing renewable energy generation as well forecasts for increased overall demand for electricity.

Giant power company American Electric Power announced last week that it was restructuring some of its executive leadership to reflect a renewed commitment to transmission projects both within and outside its power generation region. Among the changes, AEP’s SVP of Transmission, Michael Heyeck, will also become president of Electric Transmission America, a joint venture of AEP and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, effective January 1, 2012. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 19, 2011 at 3:30 PM

Gehrlicher Solar Enters US Market With Two Projects

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The US solar market has become so hot its attracting foreign developers hoping to win a piece of the pie.

German solar photovoltaic (PV) company Gehrlicher Solar announced on December 15 that it has successfully entered the US market with two solar installations completed and six more under construction. Gehrlicher Solar America, based in Springfield, New Jersey, was officially formed in late 2010. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 19, 2011 at 9:30 AM

Biogas Supported By DOE In Pilot-Scale Plant

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As the United States continues attempting to wean itself off of foreign oil, the Department of Energy has been increasingly supporting alternative technologies.

Among the efforts has been the DOE’s support of ClearFuels-Rentech’s pilot-scale biorefinery in Commerce City, Colorado. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 16, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Venture Capital Survey Shows Clean Tech Realism

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The venture capital industry is dialing back expectations for 2012 to reflect sustained instability in both political outlooks and across markets dealing with continued financial turmoil.

Venture capitalists have been central to launching many of the technologies that form the basis of the ongoing smart grid and clean energy revolutions in the business, but diminishing investor interest in initial public offerings and a flight to safety by worried investors protecting dinged portfolios are weighing on the sector. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 15, 2011 at 9:30 AM

Opportunities And Challenges For Solar Energy And Solar Securitization

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Over the last few months we’ve had investors and other participants in the renewable sector and specifically the solar sector inquire about the prospects for the sector and securitization.

This article attempts to address some of the key issues and challenges for the sector that investors have inquired addressed. Keep reading →

 /  Published December 15, 2011 at 6:00 AM
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