The Rise & Shine is your daily source for all solar-industry news. Brought to you by Sweet Solar Home and the Experts at SunRun.

CALIFORNIA NEWS
Solar Students prepare for Bright Future
Certain jobs - particularly photovoltaic installers - are projected to grow by an average of 50 percent next year, adding 1,900 jobs in the Bay Area.

Green Vision Takes on an Artful Approach at San Jose’s Pearl Ave Branch Library
San Jose has became the first municipality in the United States to install permanent public art that combines photovoltaic cells and art glass in an architectural application.

Chevron Completes Solar Power Project at Milpitas Schools
Chevron Energy Solutions completed a districtwide solar energy system for the Milpitas Unified School District that is expected to supply 75 percent of the district’s annual electricity needs.

Bay Area Solar Installation Report
The NorCal Solar Energy Association has released its 2008 report summarizing solar installations in Northern California. This unique report gives some concise, quantitative insight into solar energy growth in the region and California as a whole.

Napa Valley Winery Loses 39 panels to Thieves
Honig Vineyard & Winery sent an alert to fellow members of the Rutherford Dust Society following the theft on Thanksgiving night of 39 photovoltaic panels from its 819-panel array.

NATIONAL NEWS
REC Provides Update on Polysilicon Expansion
REC advised that the company formally accepted and took control over the entire FBR-area and all related equipment at the new US based polysilicon plant under construction in Moses Lake, Washington in early December.

Family Might Get Burned by Solar Panels
The zoning official who told the homeowners they didn’t need a permit had one opinion. The code-enforcement officer who investigated the complaint had another. He thought the panels, 22 feet long by 38 inches high, constituted a structure.

Sunrise Solar Completes Successful Asian Mission
Sunrise Solar today announced the successful completion of its first Asian mission. The company?s CTO met with executives of solar partners and suppliers in Korea and China setting the foundation for the Company’s future growth.

Nine Firms Interested as Solar Project Starts Again
Mayor John Moak is going back to the drawing board this week after losing hope EyeOn Energy of Colorado will make good on its contractual promise to fund $3.5 million worth of solar panels for Nock Middle School.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Renting Rooftops for Solar Power
Some big utility companies are looking at projects using more renewable energy. Some are investing in solar on the rooftops of their customers’ homes.

FINANCIAL NEWS & MARKETS
Total Takes Equity Stake in Konarka
Konarka has signed bilateral R&D and cooperation agreements with Total, one of the largest publicly-traded integrated international oil and gas companies in the world. Konarka has secured $45 million in funding and Total will become the leading shareholder with its stake being slightly less than 20%.

Sector Snap: Solar Sector Falls on Price Declines
Shares of solar companies slipped on Monday as prices of solar products continued their downward plunge due to a continued over supply and macroeconomic headwinds.

MARKETS & MARKET RESEARCH
Solar Fraud Could Eliminate Spanish Market
A government investigation has uncovered many incomplete projects that were reported as finished by a September deadline. Those projects could qualify for the new 500MW cap for 2009, blocking new project applications.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Obama Names Green Team, Calls for New Energy Economy
As Obama announced the team, he also reiterated his belief that environmentally sound policies and solid economic ones do not contradict one another.

Hard Task for New Team on Energy and Climate
Mr. Obama vowed to press ahead despite the faltering economy and suggested that he would invest his political capital in trying to break logjams.

Momentum Builds for Energy Independence
Critics say Bush administration energy policy too heavily favored the oil industry and turned a blind eye to greenhouse gas emissions and the threat of global climate change.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
SOLON Completes Acquisition of Polysilicon Start Up, Estelux
SOLON SE, Berlin, Germany, has increased its equity investment in the Italian start-up company Estelux s.r.l. to 100 percent.

Conergy and GE Launch Asia-Pacific Green Trust
The Renewable Energy Trust Asia (RETA) is an investment vehicle focused on the US$7 billion annual renewable energy markets of India, the ASEAN countries and South Korea.

50 MW Park Planned in Lower Bavaria
Despite quickly growing competition from emerging market Italy, it looks like Germany will remain a prime location for large solar projects next year.

Taiwan Government to Support PV Materials Infrastructure Growth
According to Taiwan’s Industrial Development Bureau, the PV industry in Taiwan is growing rapidly and requires the financial support of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to boost the supply of key materials required in the production of photovolatics.

Are you in California and interested in solar for your home? Call us at 877.SUN.MOJO or visit our website to learn more.

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There is a reason behind all the buzz about green-collar jobs: they are competitive and high paying. Most green companies offer benefit packages as well. But we can’t all be scientists, engineers, or business owners. So what about the solar installer? The person up there on the roof tightening the nuts and bolts. The demand […]

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Solar companies are growing and the clean-tech industry is likely to key in any economic revitalization plan coming out of the new administration in Washington. Solar companies and the industry as a whole are more than aware that the key to competitiveness in such an environment is a knowledgeable and experienced base of employees. Hence […]

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Based on my experience during the Northeast Ice Storm of 2008, I thought I would do a comparison of a Photovoltaic system with battery back up vs. gas powered generators.  To be sure, a portable gas powered generator is the fastest least expensive way to get the power back on in an emergency.  They can […]

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One of the best places to have solar panels is in the desert because the sun really shines brightly there. However, that is not only the best places. There is also another one and yet it seems like not many people have thought of it. I am referring to the waterfront.
Yes. That is right. Anywhere that is near the sea is a good place for solar panels because the sun is also shining brightly in places like that. Plus, there are not much tall structures that could block the sun’s rays from hitting on them solar panels.

Anyhow, one company is planning on creating a marina that is going to be solar powered. This company is Ecocove and it is a company that is based in Treasure Coast. According to the company, they are looking at creating a marina with 20 slips and it will be located on the Fort Pierce Inlet.

Ivan Goenaga is the head for Ecocove and he says, “Everything we have planned is green, sustainable and renewable.” Green. Sustainable. Renewable. Indeed.

Source: SunSentinel.com
Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: Ecocove, Fort Pierce Inlet, Solar, solar Marina, solar project

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SolFocus today announced an agreement with Concept, a division of the Samaras Group, to jointly develop the first commercial installation of Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) solar technology in the country of Greece. As part of the deployment, SolFocus will expand its Madrid-based European operations to open a subsidiary in Greece.

Spanning multiple sites, the deployment will have the capacity to produce 1.6 megawatts (MW) of power using the SolFocus 1100S system. The newly-released 1100S achieves unprecedented panel efficiencies of 25 percent, offering the highest energy yield of PV systems available today. The installation will begin in the spring of 2009 with the first delivery of power expected in the summer.

“We view this groundbreaking project as the beginning of a promising collaboration with SolFocus,” said Dimitrios Samaras, president, Samaras Group. “As two pioneering companies, we will introduce the unrivaled efficiency of CPV solar technology to Greece and other regions in Southern Europe.”

In the first year of production, the system will have the capability to meet energy demands for a small town with approximately 2,500 residents while preventing the release of 2,800 tons of carbon dioxide.

“As a respected developer of renewable energy, the Samaras Group has high expectations for technical performance. The group’s selection of the new SolFocus system validates the real-world performance, efficiency and scalability of our technology,” said Mark Crowley, president, SolFocus.

“Our partnership will enable SolFocus to expand into the lucrative Greek market, which is boosted by favorable incentives and strong demand for electricity,” added Mr. Crowley. “We are extremely pleased to be taking this pioneering step with the Samaras Group who is well-known for advancing innovative technologies.”

The SolFocus CPV design employs a system of reflective optics to concentrate sunlight 500 times onto small, highly efficient solar cells. The SolFocus 1100S uses approximately 1/1,000th of the active, expensive solar cell material compared to traditional photovoltaic panels. In addition, the cells used in SolFocus CPV systems have over twice the efficiency of traditional silicon cells. In a solar-rich country like Greece, such efficiency can accelerate the trajectory for solar energy to reach cost parity with fossil fuels.

SolFocus integrates its CPV panels with its advanced tracking system that continuously aligns the solar array with direct sunlight throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. The tracking capability of the SolFocus 1100S results in energy generation ideally matched to peak demand periods.

The project follows the announcement of a SolFocus project with EMPE Solar, which will deploy the same solar technology in a 10 MW installation. The project is expected to be the largest deployment of CPV technology in Europe.

About SolFocus

The SolFocus mission is to enable solar energy generation at a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources. To achieve this goal, SolFocus has developed leading Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) technology which combines high-efficiency solar cells (approaching 40%) and advanced optics to provide solar energy solutions which are scalable, dependable and capable of delivering on the promise of clean, low-cost, renewable energy. SolFocus is headquartered in Mountain View, California with European operations headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and manufacturing in Mesa, Arizona as well as with manufacturing partners in India and China.

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LOWELL, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy, today announced the company has signed bilateral R&D and cooperation agreements with Total, one of the largest publicly-traded integrated international oil and gas companies in the world. Konarka has secured $45 million in funding and Total will become the leading shareholder with its stake being slightly less than 20%. Konarka will work on developing new components for their products with Total’s chemical subsidiaries – Atotech, Bostik, Hutchinson, Sartomer and Total Petrochemicals USA. Already present in solar energy through its interest in Photovoltech and Tenesol, Total intends to step up its crystalline silicon-based cell production. At the same time, it aims to grow in the thin film segment; which Konarka will help it to do.

“This is a very substantial and significant investment from a major global energy corporation,” commented Howard Berke, executive chairman and co-founder of Konarka. “This strategic alignment will give Konarka access to a new strength of resources, assets and operations from around the world. Through the agreements, Konarka will be very instrumental in helping Total to secure its future in solar energy by facilitating the growth of its solar thin film segment of the company’s renewable energy business.”

Following the transaction, Philippe Boisseau, president, Total Gas & Power, stated: “This investment positions Total strategically to secure the future of solar energy while expanding its technological portfolio.”

“We look forward to working with Total’s five chemical subsidiaries on technical collaboration, as well as efficient operational procedures,” commented Rick Hess, president and CEO at Konarka. “Active in the area of solar energy for the past 20 years, Total also brings extensive expertise in carbon chemistry. The collaboration between the two companies will advance the deployment of solar power for more cost-efficient, renewable energy around the globe.”

Total is one of the world’s major oil and gas groups with activities in more than 130 countries. Its 96,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry – exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, gas and power and trading. Total is working to keep the world supplied with energy, both today and tomorrow. The Group is also a first rank player in chemicals.

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Hemlock, Mich. and Clarksville, Tenn. (U.S.A.) — The Hemlock Semiconductor group, which includes two Dow Corning Corporation joint ventures, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC, will invest up to $3.0 billion to expand polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) production, a key raw material used to manufacture solar cells and semiconductor devices.

This expansion includes an initial investment of $1.2 billion to build a new site in Clarksville, Tennessee, and up to $1 billion to expand current operations in Hemlock, Mich. Combined, the new Clarksville facility and the expanded Hemlock operations may add up to 34,000 metric tons of polysilicon capacity and ultimately as much as $3.0 billion in investments to support the fast-growing solar industry. Construction of both the Michigan expansion and the new Tennessee site will begin immediately.

In total, the Hemlock Semiconductor group has announced investments of up to $4.5 billion in the past five years to increase polysilicon capacity to meet the growing needs of the solar industry. By 2015, the joint ventures will have increased polysilicon manufacturing capacity by up to 10 times over that 10-year span.

“This announcement offers solar industry leaders confidence that polysilicon supply will be available as the solar and electronics industries continue to grow and innovate,” said Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation. “The exact scale of this investment will be determined by market conditions. Making this investment in today’s volatile economic climate is a testament to both the long-term outlook of the solar industry, as well as Hemlock Semiconductor’s ability to add capacity to meet the needs of customers.”

To execute the Hemlock Semiconductor group investment, the company’s shareholders formed Hemlock Semiconductor LLC, a new joint venture that will manage the Tennessee site. Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation will continue to manage the company’s existing Michigan site.

This is the third major expansion announced at the Michigan site in the last five years. In total, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation has committed to invest as much as $2.5 billion at the site during this time frame. This latest expansion will add up to 13,000 metric tons of capacity to the site, while creating up to 300 permanent new jobs, as well as keeping more than 800 construction workers busy during the construction. The Michigan expansion is expected to begin supplying polysilicon in 2011.

“Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, as well as many key state legislators and local government officials worked hard to make Michigan an attractive location for another Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation expansion,” said Doornbos. “Hemlock, Michigan, has been our home since our inception more than 40 years ago. It reflects the commitment of our talented employees and the support of the region that we’re able to make another large investment at the site,” Doornbos said.

Hemlock Semiconductor LLC’s new production facility will be constructed at the Commerce Park site in Clarksville, Tennessee. Initially, this site will have the capacity to manufacture approximately 10,000 metric tons of polysilicon, with the ability to expand production up to 21,000 metric tons. Upon completion of the initial investment, the Clarksville site is expected to employ more than 500 people, and will employ up to 800 when expanded. Construction of the site will employ 1,000 construction workers during the next five to seven years.

“We’ve been searching for a location for a new polysilicon facility for some time, as a second site assures a stable, secure supply of polysilicon,” said Doornbos. “Governor Bredesen, working alongside a bipartisan team of state and local officials worked hard to assure that our business needs were met. Tennessee’s business climate coupled with a superb site in Clarksville, a strong, productive workforce and an excellent location in proximity to our supply chain made this the right decision.”

Most of the polysilicon produced by the new facilities will be consumed by firms in the solar industry; however, both sites will have the capability to manufacture ultra-pure silicon for the electronics industry as well as solar-grade material. In solar applications, polycrystalline silicon is the cornerstone material used to produce solar cells that harvest renewable energy from sunlight.

In June 2008, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation announced the start-up of 9,000 metric tons of capacity at its newest polysilicon facility located at the company’s Hemlock site. That expansion was part of a $500 million phased investment announced in 2005 and 2006. Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation’s annual capacity will be approximately 19,000 metric tons by the end of 2008, and the Hemlock Semiconductor group plans to bring up to 10,000 metric tons of capacity online each year until the completion of these announced expansions.

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC are joint ventures of Dow Corning Corporation and two Japan-based firms, Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.

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Treasure Coast company “Ecocove” is planning to build a 20 slip marina that will be completely green and solar powered. Based on San Diego’s “Sun Harbor Marina“, the project has an estimated cost of $10 million. After the project is built and operational Ecocove plans to add additional slips in the future.

They expect the project will get off the ground early next year and have investors lined up despite the economic slow down.

Ecocove also hopes the new marina based in a Fort Pierce inlet draws tourists from not only Florida but all over the world. The marina will have an event center that can be rented out for meetings, weddings, etc. Also will include and oyster bed.

It’s hoped at the same time they will be able to offer “green jobs” at the marina and give a little boost to the local economy as well.

More details about Ecocove’s solar powered marina plans at TCPalm.

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