2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining
So what’s the real forecast for wind and solar power?
That’s dependent—as it always is with the power sector, whether it’s renewable or fossil fuels—on policy. For the wind industry in the U.S., continuation of the tax credit would be vital. It pays wind-farm owners 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity they produce over 10 years. If Congress fails to renew the tax credit, Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts installations could fall by 88% next year to just 1.5 GW, at the cost of nearly 40,000 jobs according a study sponsored by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
A quick check at the headlines will show how unlikely renewal is in the current political atmosphere. It’s so bad that the AWEA, in an effort to get fiscal conservatives on their side, this month proposed a six-year phaseout of the credit. But while a bill to renew the credit was passed by the Senate Finance Committee in August and is sponsored by a Republican—Senator Chuck Grassley of wind-rich Iowa—little has happened since, and producers are getting ready for the fallout. Already turbines makers have announced hundreds of layoffs.
As for the solar industry, the low costs for modules that have driven installation are a double-edged sword for manufacturers, who increasingly can’t make money off their products at current prices. That’s also led to something of a trade war—the U.S and Europe have charged Chinese solar manufacturers, with ample help from Beijing, of selling solar modules at below cost. The European Union opened up an anti-dumping investigation in September, and the U.S. slapped tariffs on Chinese solar panels. That might be good for domestic manufacturers, but a trade war would likely hold back global growth of solar power.
Stanton Homes Now Offers ecoHOME Verified Energy Savings in Every Custom Home
North Carolina builder is the latest to join Southern Energy Management's ecoHOME program.
Clenergy Earns China Cleantech Top 20 Award
Deloitte and leading clean-technology venture capital firm Tsing Capital officially gave the award to China's Cleantech industry honorees in a ceremony in Shanghai on December 6. Clenergy has continued to build a history of strong performance over the past three years, as measure by revenue growth and by positive environmental impact. The company is proud of its achievements and contributions in the new energy field and looks forward to bolstering its well-deserved reputation through future development.
Clenergy's industrial PV roof mounting system accredited by TüV InterCert
Clenergy's PV-ezRack Trapezoidal mounting system had recently accredited by TüVInterCert (Germany). The simple and cost-effective product is the company's new high-quality universal mounting system for PV-systems on trapezoidal sheet roofs.
High School gets 4 wind turbines
Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead installs 4 URBAN GREEN ENERGY wind turbines. vertical-axis turbines to supply power and research data
China Tries to Fix Solar Panel Problems with Mergers, Reduced Gov. Support
In response to troubles with its solar panel manufacturing , China is trying to get producers to merge.
Beijing, in particular, is facing problems with its solar panel industry and plans to fix it by reducing government support for the industry, encouraging mergers and blocking local leaders from supporting domestic producers.
Beijing's solar problems stem from rapid expansion over the past decade. It offered grants and low-cost loans, which led to many producers crowding the market. The end result was too many producers that flooded the market with supplies and were forced to lower prices in order to compete. The industry is now about $17.5 billion in debt.
Further complicating Beijing's solar issues is conflict with both the U.S. and Europe. Last month, a U.S. trade panel supported tariffs as high as 250 percent on imports of sola panels from China. This occurred after it was discovered that Beijing was subsidizing imports in an inappropriate way and affecting jobs abroad.
Plasco to build Waste Conversion Facility in Ottawa
GLOBE-Net - Plasco Energy Group has concluded an agreement with the City of Ottawa to build a 150,000 tonnes per year Waste Conversion Facility. The Facility will be built to the Plasco Conversion System (PCS™) design and will incorporate three proprietary Integrated Converting and Refining System.
Vocational Course in PV Solar Power Plant Technology
Career Opportunities: Trained students can get job as an engineer/site-engineer of PV system, Service Engineer, Area Manager, BDM of PV System.
Vocational Course in Basic of Solar Energy
Career Opportunities: Trained students can get job as an installer of PV system, can setup own solar business.
SimpleRay Partners with Helios Solar Works to Offer the Company's Advanced Solar Power Products at Competitive Prices
With a commitment to competitive pricing on the solar industry's hottest and most advanced products, SimpleRay recently completed a partnership with Helios Solar Works to offer the company's advanced solar panels at competitive rates for its customers.
Solar CEOs on the future of the US solar industry: The First and Liveliest Debate of 2013 brought to you by Green Power Conferences takes place on Janaury 15-16.
SolarCity, Brightsource Energy, Solar Frontier & Blue Oak Energy speak candidly at the 5th Annual Solar Power Generation USA congress about how they see the US solar market playing out in 2013 and what their company strategies are to ensure success.
Minnesota Power Adds 210 Megawatts of Clean, Low-Cost Wind Energy Generation to Serve Its Customers
Since 2005, Minnesota Power has been rebalancing its energy supply mix in ways that are smart, sensible and sustainable for its customers and the environment.
Alstom Haliade 150 Offshore Wind Turbine – Part of US DOE's1 Advanced Technology Demonstration Programme
The Haliade 150 offshore wind turbine is built on Alstom Pure Torque technology, which significantly reduces stress on its power generating components.
Upsolar Partners with RSEnergy on 2 MW Project in Greece
Upsolar Greece gains momentum in emerging PV market
The Alamosa Solar Generating Project Powered by Amonix Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems Named a Top Renewable Energy Project of the Year
More Industry Recognition for CPV Technology at Utility Scale
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Solar Power - Featured Product
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