Policy, investment and markets News for October 2011

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

London taxis, scooter fleet powered by UK’s first hydrogen station network

A new project in London will see an additional hydrogen fueling station to support 15 fuel cell powered black cabs (taxis) and five fuel cell Suzuki Bergmann scooters carrying passengers around the city, in time for the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Industry backs UK Secretary's emphatic defence of renewable energy

RenewableUK welcomed the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne's vigorous defence of the renewables industry in his keynote speech at RenewableUK's annual conference in Manchester last week.

3TIER has helped solar developers secure US$4.1bn

3TIER has helped utility-scale solar energy developers secure over US$4.1 billion in public and private project financing and loan guarantees by reducing investment risk.

Solar PV equipment suppliers must adjust strategies after US$6bn overspend Solar PV equipment suppliers must adjust strategies after US$6bn overspend

Global solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment spending, including c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film panel, is now projected to fall by more than 45% in 2012, down from the historic peak of US$13.1 billion this year, according to Solarbuzz.

Nigeria looks to renewable energy

Nigeria is looking to increase its share of renewable energy towards 2020, according to Renewable Energy Nigeria.

Sungevity and Rabobank establish US residential solar fund

Sungevity Inc and Rabobank have established a residential solar fund that could support over US$50 million of new US residential solar lease projects.

Continued renewable energy support in Ontario following election

The continuation of the feed-in tariff programme in Ontario, Canada, seems to be secured with the election victory of the Liberal Party earlier this month.

US solar firms accuses China of dumping solar modules in the US

SolarWorld Industries America Inc, along with six other solar manufacturers, have filed cases with the US Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission accusing Chinese solar cell and module manufacturers of illegal dumping in the US market.

REA says UK renewable energy support degression “makes sense”

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) says it is a relief that the UK renewables obligation document has been published and that it makes sense with a degression as costs decrease.

Revised UK support levels for large-scale renewable energy from 2013

The UK Government has published a consultation proposing new support levels for large-scale renewable electricity from 2013-17, and 2014-17 for offshore wind, under the Renewables Obligation (RO).

American Superconductor becomes AMSC

American Superconductor Corporation will be doing business as AMSC as it introduces a new corporate identity “to foster strong, sustainable growth”, reflecting its international wind and grid activities.

Solar employment soars as US economy lags

Employment figures for the US solar industry is soaring despite a lagging economy, according to the Solar Foundation's National Solar Job Census 2011: A Review of the US Solar Workforce.

Solar PV component profits down 70% in Q4’11 Solar PV component profits down 70% in Q4’11

Solar photovoltaic (PV) component profits are set to fall by 70% year-on-year in Q4’11 according to IMS Research.

Suntech celebrates 10 years and 5 GW milestone

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd is celebrating its 10th anniversary and 5 GW of Suntech solar panels installed by customers and partners worldwide.

South Korea provides loan for solar PV in Mozambique

South Korea will provide two loans totalling US$60 million to Mozambique for the construction of three solar photovoltaic (PV) power stations and to finance an emergency information management system.

City of Austin goes 100% renewable

The City of Austin, Texas, USA, has switched to 100% renewable energy with all facilities from neighbourhood libraries and recreation centres to police and fire stations subscribing to Austin Energy’s GreenChoice® renewable energy.

Stable Federal policy needed to establish US offshore wind

Original equipment and wind turbine manufacturers say stable Federal policies are needed to establish a US offshore wind industry at the Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition in Baltimore, MD, USA, this week.

Indian research institute opens European office in the Netherlands

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India, which focuses on sustainable development and energy, has opened its European head office in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

37,000 US jobs predicted from Treasury 1603 extension

An extension of the 1603 Treasury Program could result in more than 37,000 jobs in the USA next year driven by solar market growth, according to an EuPD Research.

Australian clean and renewable energy legislation passed

The Australian Clean Energy legislative package, which put a price on carbon emissions and promotes renewable energy, has been passed by the House of Representatives.

ITM Power to cooperate with Dutch Fuel Cell Consortium on hydrogen energy projects

ITM Power has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dutch Fuel Cell Consortium (DFC), to cooperate on developing hydrogen energy system projects for clean fuel and energy storage applications in the Benelux region.

Grid, storage, and electric vehicle M&As hit new highs in H1

Grid, storage and electric vehicle mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the first half (H1) of 2011 have reached double of full year 2010's activity as cash-starved companies head for the auction block, Lux Research says.

Heliocentris wins energy lab order in Qatar, expands Middle East presence

Heliocentris Energy Solutions has won an order from Qatar University, to supply a complete teaching laboratory for energy generation, storage, and management. The German-based company is also opening an office in Dubai, to boost its presence in the Middle East.

REC closes down Norwegian solar wafer production

Norway's Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) is assessing a permanent closedown of 45% of its solar wafer production capacity in Norway due to weak market conditions – 700 jobs could go.

Action for Renewables set up in the UK

Action for Renewables (A4R) has been set up as an alliance of NGOs, trade unions, grassroots activists and industry bodes to campaign for the expansion of renewable energy in the UK.

European officials to drive Hyundai ix35 fuel cell vehicle European officials to drive Hyundai ix35 fuel cell vehicle

The European Commission-supported Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking has selected a Hyundai ix35 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) as a demonstration vehicle for European Parliament members and policymakers.

Stirling Energy caves in against PV's falling costs

Stirling Energy Systems has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as the stirling dish technology could not compete against the falling costs of solar photovoltaics (PV), according to media reports.

New WEBINAR recording available

Renewable Energy Focus' latest webinar on the development of solar electric technologies is now available online...