Think Tucson for Hands-on PV Training in February

Market report "Russian Renewable Energy 2009"

AEnergy.ru announces a report Russian Renewable Energy 2009. Renewable energy sector in Russia will boost in the upcoming years. This analytical report by AEnergy.ru is the first research revealing the market development of renewable energy in Russia.

Prospects Fading for U.S. Climate Legislation in 2010

Last summer, clean energy advocates were confident that the U.S. Congress would pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill by the time the Copenhagen conference rolled around. Now, as energy issues slip further down the policy priority list in the wake of that failed meeting, advocates are left wondering if the U.S. will see any significant piece of clean energy legislation in 2010.

India Approves Solar Implementation Plan

The first part of a three-phase programme that could see 220 GW of new solar capacity installed in India has been approved, according to a statement from Gauri Singh, joint secretary to the government of India.

Asia Pacific Wind & Solar Markets Hot in 2010 Frost Says

Renewable energy development in the Asia Pacific region holds considerable potential for growth in 2010 as initiatives taken by governments in 2009 are likely to stimulate not only the massive adoption of green energy technologies, but also R&D investments and manufacturing capacity.

Navigant Consulting Acquires Summit Blue

Navigant Consulting Inc. has acquired Summit Blue Consulting, an energy industry consulting firm specializing in energy efficiency, demand-side management, Smart Grid, and renewable energy. Additional transaction details were not disclosed.

eSolar To Build 2 GW of CSP in China

eSolar and Penglai Electric, a privately-owned Chinese electrical power equipment manufacturer have reached a master licensing agreement to build at least 2 gigawatts (GW) of solar thermal power plants in China over the next 10 years.

New Renewable Energy Performance & Financial Analysis Software Released

EnergyPeriscope.com is a robust, professional-level performance estimating and financial analysis engine. Use it to create financial performance reports for single- or multiple-technology energy solutions. Accommodates retrofit applications, new construction buildings, and "Energy Farms" for selling solar PV or wind generated electricity. Models solar electric (PV), solar water heating, solar pool/spa heating, solar hydronic radiant floor systems, wind turbines and energy efficiency projects.

Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards Finalists Unveiled

The editors of RenewableEnergyWorld.com, the World's #1 Renewable Energy News Source, Renewable Energy World magazine and Renewable Energy World North America magazine have announced the finalists for the 2009 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Now readers have the chance to pick their favorite nominee for the Reader's Choice Award.

CLEAN ENERGY PATENT GROWTH INDEX - Shine-On Solar Edition

Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. is pleased to announce the Shine-On Solar edition of the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) by the firm's Cleantech Group. The CEPGI tracks the granting of patents in the Clean Energy sector and monitors important technological breakthroughs in this field. Victor Cardona, Co-chair of the firm's Cleantech Group stated, "We have drilled down into our solar patent data and have found some interesting results. Solar photovoltaic patents lead those of solar thermal by a wide margin. Within solar thermal, indirect technologies, such as those directed to generating electricity, are the leaders with Boeing having the most patents in this sector. Solar PV is dominated by first generation PV technologies and led by Canon."

Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards Finalists Unveiled

RenewableEnergyWorld.com, the World's #1 Renewable Energy News Source, has announced the finalists for the 2009 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Now readers have the chance to pick their favorite nominee for the Reader's Choice Award.

The Decade of Climate Change and Peak Oil

Wow. Another decade has passed. In the years ruled by the iPod, the death and rebirth of hope (you know who I'm talking about), Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer, reality TV, Coldplay and Britney, flat-screen TVs and ShamWow!, climate change and energy may seem a relatively small blip on the cultural big screen.

Insights into the Voluntary Renewable Energy Market

A new day for renewable energy in the United States has arrived. Renewable energy is no longer only used by environmentalists and off-grid homesteaders. Now renewable energy is on the minds of everyday consumers and is being discussed in the strategy room of leaders in corporate sustainability.

Importing Solar Power with Biomass

Every six hours the sun bathes the lands of the earth in as much energy as the world consumes in a year. If we could just find a way to collect and distribute that energy our energy problems would be solved. Unfortunately, most of our energy consumption is in the places with the least sunshine (see insolation map, below.)

Logo Creation Tips for Renewable Energy Companies

Lots of companies are jumping in to the clean energy space, and all of them will need logos that tell their story and set them apart from the competition. If you're with one of these companies, you're no doubt thinking, "Is there really a difference between making a logo for a clean energy company and other types of companies?" The answer is a resounding YES. Here are 5 tips every clean energy start-up should know.

Senate Bill Could Block Solar & Wind Projects in California

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) last week introduced a bill that she says will improve the federal permitting process to advance large-scale wind and solar development on suitable lands. But opponents argue that it will simply block renewable energy development on some federal lands in California.

SolarReserve & NV Energy Sign 100-MW CSP Deal

SolarReserve this week signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with NV Energy for the sale of electricity from SolarReserve's Crescent Dunes concentrating solar power (CSP) project. Developed and owned by SolarReserve's subsidiary, Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC, the 100-megawatt project will supply approximately 480,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com's Most-read Stories of 2009

As 2009 comes to a close, RenewableEnergyWorld.com is reflecting on the year gone by. We're revisiting our most-read stories and highlighting some of our most important accomplishments over the last 12 months.

Lightspeed's 2010 Cleantech Predictions

Lightspeed has invested across several cleantech areas, including solar (Stion), biofuels (LS9, Solazyme), clean coal (Coaltek), LED lighting (Exclara), and energy storage (Leyden Energy, f/k/a Mobius Power). Here are some of our cleantech predictions for 2010:

This Year in Clean Energy - What a Ride

The year 2009 started off with a bang for the clean energy industries -- encompassing energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean distributed generation -- for manufacturers, project developers, installers -- the whole family of industries. President Obama assumed office in January '09 and by February the Stimulus Bill (ARRA) was signed into law, extending the portfolio of clean energy tax credits, but also setting in motion billions of dollars of loan guarantees and grants.

HENRY T. PEREA and BERNADETTE DEL CHIARO: Fresno must lead the way in solar power

(Updated Thursday, June 1, 2006, 9:35 AM)

It is not a question of if, but when solar power becomes a mainstream and competitive energy resource in California. By adopting the right policies today, we can have a great deal of control over how rapidly solar power becomes a commonplace, cost-effective and common-sense solution to many of the threats facing the central San Joaquin Valley including air pollution, global warming and rising energy costs.

To help realize the great promise of solar power, this summer we will ask the City Council to adopt the "Fresno Renewable Energy Rebate Initiative," which would provide up to $2,000 in direct rebates and savings for homeowners who use solar energy.

The goal of this initiative is to make solar energy more affordable while reducing harmful emissions caused by traditional sources of energy. We believe it is essential to promote the next generation of clean energy technologies by providing incentives to those who can benefit the most, homeowners.

Experience over the past 10 years, both in California and worldwide, shows that if we invest now in creating the demand, the solar industry will meet it, and in doing so, will manufacture and install solar systems more cheaply. Since 1998, the cost of solar power in California has dropped 25%. As the solar industry learns how to build more cheaply, demand will increase, creating a "virtuous cycle" that will give solar power a tremendous boost in becoming a major source of clean, homegrown power in the Valley.

In addition to lowering the cost of solar power, incentives to encourage renewable energy will bring other benefits, such as jobs, cleaner air and lowered energy costs. According to the Electric Research Institute, building solar panels instead of fossil fuel power plants will create four to seven times more jobs. Further, for every solar roof, air pollution is reduced by at least one ton every year. Finally, with energy prices on the rise, everything we do to reduce our demand on limited fossil fuels helps lower prices for everyone.

Today, federal and state rebates lower the cost of a typical residential solar system to $10,000. The system pays for itself via lower electric bills in around seven years. Yet much more can be done to make sure that everyone can afford to go solar. Also, more needs to be done to ensure Fresno not only benefits, but becomes a solar leader. Fresno, with its high energy costs, numerous sunny days and stubborn air pollution is a perfect location for solar power.

This is especially true considering the region's unprecedented growth. Every year, more than 4,000 new homes are built in Fresno County. One of the most cost-effective ways to build solar power is to incorporate it into the roof during construction. Many manufacturers today make solar panels that look and act just like shingles, saving material costs and creating a neat, seamless look to the roof.

From a homeowner's perspective, incorporating solar energy panels saves money. According to Environment California Research & Policy Center, an average Valley homeowner using solar energy can expect to net more than $120 a year. Savings can be even higher for homeowners who also invest in energy-efficiency measures like efficient appliances and lights.

The bottom line is that solar power is no longer just for the stereotypical green technology enthusiast. Rather, solar power is ready for everyday California homeowners looking for some relief from rising energy and housing costs and who recognize that independence, especially energy independence, is priceless.

It is for these reasons and many more that the City Council should embrace the Fresno Renewable Energy Rebate Initiative. Imagine if Fresno were the first city in the state to achieve Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's goal of building half of all new homes with solar power. Over the next 10 years, that would mean more than 15,000 solar roofs in Fresno, several hundred new jobs, cleaner air, and more money back in the budgets of Fresno families.

Ultimately, it would mean Fresno can become the nation's premier solar city, "farming" the sky for clean, reliable and pollution-free energy. After all, Fresno was built upon its abundant sunshine and long sunny days. Let's start putting that sun to use, not just on the farm but in growing our city, as well. Let's make Fresno the state's solar power leader.