Policy, investment and markets News for May 2009

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

RPS measure diluted in US House Bill

Renewable energy advocates in the USA were disappointed with the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) included in legislation passed by a key House committee on 21 May.

42% look to invest in US renewable energy this year - report

KPMG’s annual report into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in renewable energy, The Winds of Change, has uncovered ‘hot spots’ for future deal activity and the implications of the recession on the renewables market.

Ontario revises proposed renewable energy feed-in tariffs

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has revised its proposed feed-in tariffs for renewable energy in Ontario, Canada.

UK and China set up £10m low carbon JV UK and China set up £10m low carbon JV

The UK Carbon Trust and the China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC) have signed an agreement to develop and deploy low carbon technologies in China – a deal that could help British export of low carbon technologies into China.

Solar cell manufacturer Q-Cells’ Q1 EBIT plummets 75%

Solar cell manufacturer Q-Cells saw a 75% fall in first quarter (Q1) operating profit (EBIT) to €14.7 million as uncertainty over the financing of solar photovoltaic (PV) system hit.

Solar water heating programme in Ottawa

A solar water heating programme has been launched in Ottawa, Canada, by Canadian renewable energy electricity provider, Bullfrog Power, together with Enbridge Gas Distribution, EnerWorks, and the Government of Canada.

Australia could spend A$20bn to kick start green investment

The Australian approval of the federal government’s renewable energy target (RET) brings Australia to the brink of unleashing more than A$20 billion of new clean energy investment, according to the Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC).

UK homes could have smart meters by 2020 UK homes could have smart meters by 2020

All homes in Britain could have smart meters installed by 2020, according to plans published by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

US makes heavy cuts in fuel cells, hydrogen budget

President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget request for the Department of Energy has cut $100 million from the Fuel Cell Technologies program (formerly Hydrogen Technology), reducing it by nearly 60% compared with the FY 2009 appropriation. The National Hydrogen Association and US Fuel Cell Council were quick to criticize the program cuts, saying in a joint statement that the cuts ‘threaten to disrupt commercialization of a family of technologies that are showing exceptional promise, and beginning to gain market traction.’

AWEA honours 3TIER for commercial achievement

3TIER has received an American Wind Energy Association 2009 Award for developing FirstLook - a free Web-based wind and solar energy prospecting tool.

First Solar's net income soars 253% in Q1 – seeks new CEO

First Solar reports first quarter (Q1) net income of US$164.6 million, soaring 253% from the same period in 2008. At the same time, the solar company has initiated the search for a new chief executive officer.

“Enormous potential” for solar energy in India - report

Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical country like India where around 45% of households, mainly rural, do not have access to electricity, according to Research and Markets’ report Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012.

EU passes €5bn Economic Recovery Plan – includes renewables and energy infrastructure

The European Parliament passed the €5 billion European Union (EU) Economic Recovery Plan on 6 May 2009, which will see investment in energy projects, broadband internet infrastructure and rural development.

Oerlikon Q1 results hit by global recession but Oerlikon Solar brings hope

The Oerlikon Group was hit by the global recession in the first quarter (Q1) of 2009 with orders down 46% to CHF599 million, but Oerlikon Solar is set to recover by the second half of the year.