During a speech Wednesday morning at Georgetown University, President Obama discussed how to create a more secure energy future for the U.S. He cited the crisis in the Middle East and the nuclear scare in Japan as examples of why finding alternative energy sources is of the utmost importance.
"We've known about the dangers of our oil dependence for decades," he said. "Presidents and politicians of every stripe have promised energy independence, but that promise has so far gone unmet. I've pledged to reduce America's dependence on oil, too, and I'm proud of the historic progress we've made over the last two years towards that goal. But we've also run into the same political gridlock and inertia that's held us back for decades."
Although the speech touched on a variety of energy resources that could wean the country off its dependence on foreign oil, it was short on specifics, especially regarding solar and wind development.
The president did not mention clean energy until the latter part of the speech, where he reiterated the call he made in his January State of the Union address for an 80% by 2035 clean energy standard (CES).
Obama said a CES will be critical to driving private investment but added that government funding is also necessary. While the U.S. was once the leader in renewable energy, it has fallen behind other countries.
"In the 1980s, America was home to more than 80 percent of the world's wind capacity and 90 percent of its solar capacity," he said. "We owned the clean energy economy. But today, China has the most wind capacity. Germany has the most solar. Both invest more than we do in clean energy. Other countries are exporting technology we pioneered and chasing the jobs that come with it because they know that the countries that lead the 21st century clean energy economy will be the countries that lead the 21st century global economy."
The president cited critical investments his administration has made in renewable energy over the past two years but offered no details about CES legislation. He did, however, warn Congress about cutting renewable energy spending.
"Unfortunately, some want to cut these critical investments in clean energy," he said. "They want to cut our research and development into new technologies. They're even shortchanging the resources necessary to promptly issue new permits for offshore drilling. These cuts would eliminate thousands of private-sector jobs, terminate scientists and engineers, and end fellowships for researchers, graduate students and other talent we desperately need for the 21st century."
The president extensively discussed the country's reliance on foreign oil and called for a one-third reduction in oil imports by 2025.
"Meeting this new goal of cutting our oil dependence depends largely on two things: finding and producing more oil at home, and reducing our dependence on oil with cleaner alternative fuels and greater efficiency," Obama said.
According to Obama, identifying underdeveloped resources of oil domestically and offering incentives for the expedited development and production of both oil and gas will help reduce reliance on foreign sources of oil. He added that implementing safety reforms will be an important step in continuing development of offshore oil and gas resources.
The president also announced plans for four next-generation biorefineries, each with a capacity of more than 20 million gallons per year. In addition, the president directed government agencies to purchase 100% alternative-fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles by 2015.
Views: Nice talk (seems likes he's more in favor or domestic oil exploration than investing in solar and electric cars) -- but where's the money? We should have elected Gore instead of Bush ... maybe we'd have a lot more people working in the Clean Tech industries than we do now. With more than 90% of American's in favor of solar energy - you'd think more politicians would listen. I guess the oil companies and big utilities contribute more to their campaign funds -- no surprise there.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Ex-IM Bank - America's Answer to Chinese Financing To Boost Export of US Made Solar Products
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has approved two transactions financing solar energy exports to India at the production facilities of Infinia Corp. in Kennewick, Wash., and First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg, Ohio. According to the bank, these transactions will support more than 100 U.S. jobs.
Specifically, Ex-Im Bank has authorized a $30 million direct loan to the project sponsor, Dalmia Solar Power Ltd., on a limited-recourse project-finance basis. The loan will finance the sale of PowerDish, a modular solar electricity system, by Washington-based Infinia Corp. for a 10 MW solar thermal project in Rajastha, India.
The repayment of the loan is based on the cashflows generated by the sale of PowerDish-generated electricity to NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN), the power trading subsidiary of the India's National Thermal Power Corp. The Indian government has provided special power price incentives to NVVN to promote the development of 20,000 MW of installed solar power by 2022.
Ex-Im Bank also authorized a $19 million loan guarantee to PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pa., for a long-term fixed-rate loan supporting sales of thin-film solar modules by First Solar Inc. to a 15 MW solar power plant in the state of Gujarat, India.
The loan will be made to the project sponsor, ACME Solar Technology (Gujarat) Pvt. Ltd., on a limited-recourse project-finance basis. The repayment of the loan is based on the cashflows generated by the sale of electricity to the government of Gujarat's power utility company, Gujarat Urja Vikras Nigam Ltd.
SOURCE: Export-Import Bank of The United States
Views: China has provided nearly $35 Billion in loan guarantees and loans to large Chinese solar manufacturers -- the US does it on a much smaller project by project scale. The US is at war -- and puts its money into armaments to protect its oil interests. The Chinese know that in the end economics will trump weapons because eventually wars end but business is forever - and invests in building its export businesses - seeing solar as the future. What's your opinion?
Specifically, Ex-Im Bank has authorized a $30 million direct loan to the project sponsor, Dalmia Solar Power Ltd., on a limited-recourse project-finance basis. The loan will finance the sale of PowerDish, a modular solar electricity system, by Washington-based Infinia Corp. for a 10 MW solar thermal project in Rajastha, India.
The repayment of the loan is based on the cashflows generated by the sale of PowerDish-generated electricity to NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN), the power trading subsidiary of the India's National Thermal Power Corp. The Indian government has provided special power price incentives to NVVN to promote the development of 20,000 MW of installed solar power by 2022.
Ex-Im Bank also authorized a $19 million loan guarantee to PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pa., for a long-term fixed-rate loan supporting sales of thin-film solar modules by First Solar Inc. to a 15 MW solar power plant in the state of Gujarat, India.
The loan will be made to the project sponsor, ACME Solar Technology (Gujarat) Pvt. Ltd., on a limited-recourse project-finance basis. The repayment of the loan is based on the cashflows generated by the sale of electricity to the government of Gujarat's power utility company, Gujarat Urja Vikras Nigam Ltd.
SOURCE: Export-Import Bank of The United States
Views: China has provided nearly $35 Billion in loan guarantees and loans to large Chinese solar manufacturers -- the US does it on a much smaller project by project scale. The US is at war -- and puts its money into armaments to protect its oil interests. The Chinese know that in the end economics will trump weapons because eventually wars end but business is forever - and invests in building its export businesses - seeing solar as the future. What's your opinion?
Vertical Integration Expanding to Solar Developers
LDK Solar Co. Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers and PV products, and Solar Power Inc. (SPI) have signed an agreement under which LDK Solar has finalized its acquisition of a 70% interest in SPI for approximately $33 million.
LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and has now announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million. According to SPI, the transaction adds significant financial strength to its balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems.
SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, is expected to provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
SOURCE: LDK Solar
Views - as the market continues to involve - this suggests there may be a move of large panel manufacturers to invest in solar developers to expand their reach into targeted markets
LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and has now announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million. According to SPI, the transaction adds significant financial strength to its balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems.
SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, is expected to provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
SOURCE: LDK Solar
Views - as the market continues to involve - this suggests there may be a move of large panel manufacturers to invest in solar developers to expand their reach into targeted markets
Friday, April 1, 2011
40 MW Solar Project to Be Built in Patan, India
PLG Power Ltd., the energy and power division of the PLG Group, has begun work on a 40 MW solar PV plant in Patan, near Ahmadabad, India.
PLG, which also manufactures crystalline PV modules, has signed a power purchase agreement for the project with the government of Gujarat. Equity participation of 20 MW is provided by Zamil of Saudi Arabia, and 20 MW is provided by U.K.-based Ashburg.
The company says the plant will be constructed in four phases of 10 MW each. All four phases are expected to be completed by the end of the next fiscal year.
SOURCE: PLG Power
PLG, which also manufactures crystalline PV modules, has signed a power purchase agreement for the project with the government of Gujarat. Equity participation of 20 MW is provided by Zamil of Saudi Arabia, and 20 MW is provided by U.K.-based Ashburg.
The company says the plant will be constructed in four phases of 10 MW each. All four phases are expected to be completed by the end of the next fiscal year.
SOURCE: PLG Power
Japan Raises Commercial Solar Feed-in-Tariff Rates, Cuts Residential Rates
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced an increase to the country's feed-in-tariff (FIT) rates: Starting April 1, utilities will pay 40 yen (approximately $0.48)/kWh for nonresidential PV installations.
However, the ministry will reduce the FIT rates for residential installations from 48 yen/kWh to 42 yen/kWh, due to lower installation costs, according to Bloomberg.
The decision to revise the rates predates Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the report adds. The proposal was originally made in February.
SOURCE: Bloomberg
However, the ministry will reduce the FIT rates for residential installations from 48 yen/kWh to 42 yen/kWh, due to lower installation costs, according to Bloomberg.
The decision to revise the rates predates Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the report adds. The proposal was originally made in February.
SOURCE: Bloomberg
Sanyo's (hybrid Momo & aSi) HIT Panels Installed in Long Beach
SANYO North America Corp. says that Long Beach City College in Long Beach, Calif., has opened a new parking structure on campus featuring approximately 400 kW of SANYO's HIT Power solar panels.
Excess power being generated by the SANYO panels will be used by adjacent buildings on campus. The solar system is expected to produce approximately 59 MWh per month, which should offset approximately 9% of adjacent buildings' overall electricity needs, according to SANYO.
SANYO North America Corp. has announced the availability of the HIT Power 225A solar module in the U.S. This is the most efficient HIT Power solar module launched to date in the U.S.
The 225A panel offers integrators and installers independently certified cell conversion efficiencies of 20.2% and module efficiencies of 17.8%, the company says. The new panels are available from SANYO-certified dealers starting immediately.
SOURCE: SANYO North America Corp.
Excess power being generated by the SANYO panels will be used by adjacent buildings on campus. The solar system is expected to produce approximately 59 MWh per month, which should offset approximately 9% of adjacent buildings' overall electricity needs, according to SANYO.
SANYO North America Corp. has announced the availability of the HIT Power 225A solar module in the U.S. This is the most efficient HIT Power solar module launched to date in the U.S.
The 225A panel offers integrators and installers independently certified cell conversion efficiencies of 20.2% and module efficiencies of 17.8%, the company says. The new panels are available from SANYO-certified dealers starting immediately.
SOURCE: SANYO North America Corp.
First There Was Solar Roofing Shingles - Now There Are Solar Walls
Odersun AG, a Germany-based manufacturer of customized solar modules, and Lithodecor, a producer of ventilated curtain wall systems, have signed a collaborative agreement to provide solar facade products.
Odersun will supply Lithodecor with custom-made copper indium disulfide solar modules for the company's Airtec system. In addition to classic materials - such as glass and natural stone - Airtec facades are now available with multifunctional facade components integrating photovoltaics.
Solutions already provided by Lithodecor can be individually combined with the new solar components, the companies note. Supplier Odersun manufactures system-compatible as well as project-specific solar modules for building integration.
SOURCE: Odersun
Odersun will supply Lithodecor with custom-made copper indium disulfide solar modules for the company's Airtec system. In addition to classic materials - such as glass and natural stone - Airtec facades are now available with multifunctional facade components integrating photovoltaics.
Solutions already provided by Lithodecor can be individually combined with the new solar components, the companies note. Supplier Odersun manufactures system-compatible as well as project-specific solar modules for building integration.
SOURCE: Odersun
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