141 replies to this topic

[sunnysky]

OneRoof Energy And Hanwha Group Partner To Support Junior Giants Scholarship Fund

http://www.prnewswir...258037771.html?

 

While the program itself is for a great cause, the partnership should indirectly benefit HSOL.

[sunnysky]

White House to warn of worsening climate change risks

http://www.businessg...e-change-risks?

 

 

The White House is poised to unveil a stark new report today, showing how the US is already being adversely impacted by rising temperatures and climate change.

 

The National Climate Assessment is expected to show that rising temperatures, particularly in the past three decades, have already hit America's food crops and led to increased public health risks, impacted water supplies and increased the risk of severe weather events, such as superstorm Sandy.

 

 

"I need you to help craft the political arguments that will persuade leaders and policymakers in all areas of government that now is the time for bold action," he said. "Too many are sitting on the fence, waiting for others to lead.

 

"And I need you to build the new alliances that will move climate action from the marketplace of ideas to the commercial marketplace."

 

[sunnysky]

Oil And Gas-Related Earthquakes Push Oklahoma Into Damage Territory

http://cleantechnica...as-wastewater/?

 

 

While we’re waiting for the seismicity denialists to come out of the woodwork, the US Geological Survey and the Oklahoma Geological Survey have just jointly updated the state’s earthquake status to warn that a recent, rapid increase in the state’s earthquake rate means that “the likelihood of future, damaging earthquakes has increased for central and north-central Oklahoma..”

 

The joint Oklahoma earthquake warning traces the cause of the increase at least partly to the oil and gas industry, linking the surge to the practice of injecting wastewater from drilling operations underground.

 

[spiritcraft]

 

Oil And Gas-Related Earthquakes Push Oklahoma Into Damage Territory

http://cleantechnica...as-wastewater/?

 

 

 

It is obvious.  The denial of fact is amazing and not so long ago journalists would call out the denial and lies.   This wont stand and there will be lawsuits that make the tobacco lawsuits of the 90's look miniscule.

[pgo]

Climate change is harming the economy.
http://m.us.wsj.com/...6?mg=reno64-wsj

[JulyWebb]

It is obvious.  The denial of fact is amazing and not so long ago journalists would call out the denial and lies.   This wont stand and there will be lawsuits that make the tobacco lawsuits of the 90's look miniscule.

 

I agree Soon homeowners will be denied coverage on their homes or the premiums will be huge if they live near Oil and Gas Drilling Activities. I think Nationwide is not offering insurance on some of these properties. Banks will not lend mortgages on those properties that propose a risk and they are doing some of that now. The only recourse for the property owner is to file suit against the Oil and Gas Company. 

[spiritcraft]

I agree Soon homeowners will be denied coverage on their homes or the premiums will be huge if they live near Oil and Gas Drilling Activities. I think Nationwide is not offering insurance on some of these properties. Banks will not lend mortgages on those properties that propose a risk and they are doing some of that now. The only recourse for the property owner is to file suit against the Oil and Gas Company. 

Big commercial developments as well.  It could stop all community development and thus job growth as no one in their right mind would open themselves up to that risk,  I used to work with the largest lenders on big commercial real estate deals with regard to construction and take out loans and they didn't even care for things like being in close proximity to high power lines.  I imagine this will be a HUGE issue as it is all about risk.  Good thinking.

[spiritcraft]

Global Solar Equipment Manufacturer Relocates North American Headquarters To San Antonio

 

http://tpr.org/post/...ers-san-antonio

 

San Antonio seems to be turning into a little PV hub.  I am sure Mayor Castro is thrilled. 

[sunnysky]

Why a Vermont Utility CEO Is Embracing Solar and Net Metering

http://www.renewable...d-net-metering?

 

 

Powell responded that GMP was confident that it can both encourage distributed solar and maintain a healthy financially strong utility. “Those are both really important goals. The challenge is for customers—and so too for the developers and utilities—to find that appropriate healthy business relationship and the regulatory means to identify and understand value streams in a DG world.”

 

Powell emphasizes that if you build a really valuable customer model, then there will be a value steam that comes back in the form of revenues.

 

“Our investor and our board of directors really like the direction we’re going, and I think they really see this disruptive world and they see it coming, whether or not we embrace it or we don’t. So, we feel like we have a much better shot at creating new and different value streams that come back into the regulated utility infrastructure if we embrace solar. It’s not just a protectionist strategy versus a non-aggressor strategy, but an assertive strategy that’s trying to be a part of the solution.”

 

As for net metering, Powell says it definitely has a role in Vermont, but she adds…. “Does that mean that we see a future where that structure will always stay the way it is? Maybe, maybe not. But what we do see right now is that it’s an effective way to accelerate value in solar and accelerate the adoption, and we’re very fortunate that we’re working very closely with regulators on how we can do this in a way where you don’t just rapidly disrupt existing utility models. If you do that, then it can have unfortunate unintended consequences for customers, as well.”

 

Powell likens solar’s disruption to how cell phones disrupted traditional phone lines. The telecommunication companies that thrived were the ones that adapted and embraced cellphones, worked with regulators, and became the leading communication leaders rather than protecting their old business models.

[eysteinh]

http://www.pv-tech.o...e_inches_higher

Centrotherm said that it received €32.3 million (US$44.0 million) in new orders in the quarter, driven by large-scale system and technology packages purchased from Taiwanese and Chinese PV manufacturers.

 

I would assume most of this is diffusion equipment for cell manufacturers.

Seems like the quatar polysilicon plant is up and running finally:
 

The reduction in the order book position was attributable mainly to sales recognition in relation to the QSTec polysilicon plant, which is believed to have been completed or close to completion after a series of delays. The plant was initially scheduled for completion and initial ramp in the mid-2013 onwards.

 

 

[Xeloris]

http://www.cnn.com/2....html?hpt=hp_t2

 

Obama's week-long focus on climate change continues Wednesday, when the White House convenes a summit focused on green building tactics. Later in the week, Obama will announce new solar power initiatives, according to Podesta.

 

Maybe we might hear something about negotiated settlement with China?

[Jetmoney]

Let us hope for a good outcome.  We really need this.  CNs have been scraping bottom for a while now.  We need some air.  I think the market manipulators are getting tired of CNs.  There is no meat left on the bone for them to feed on anymore.  Let us hope that they go somewhere else to feed their hungry greed.  Good luck to all.

[Scsnospam]

EIA ups  natural gas price targets by almost 7% for 2014 and 2015. This should be extremely  positive for solar.

 

http://www.marketwat...asts-2014-05-06

[spiritcraft]

EIA ups  natural gas price targets by almost 7% for 2014 and 2015. This should be extremely  positive for solar.

 

http://www.marketwat...asts-2014-05-06

I can attest to a larger hike than that!  "Cheap Natural Gas", that is a line of crap.  And related to today's news, wait until the frackquakes get priced in.

[sunnysky]

Georgia Power planning solar projects at military bases

http://www.bizjourna...-military.html?

 

 

The U.S. Army and Georgia Power Co. are working on a plan to develop three solar energy projects on military bases on Georgia.

 

Maj. Gen. Al Aycock told members of the state Public Service Commission Tuesday the projects would be built under an order approved by the PSC in 2007 authorizing Georgia Power to develop up to three 30-megawatt solar projects. The three projects would fulfill 9 percent of the federal government's mandate to the military to move toward renewable energy, he said.

[sunnysky]

G7 calls for clean tech-focused "step change" in energy security

http://www.businessg...nergy-security?

 

Energy Ministers from across the G7 yesterday underlined their commitment to low carbon technologies as a means of both tackling climate change and enhancing energy security, in response to mounting fears that the security crisis in Ukraine could cause major disruption to the global energy market.

 

"We have agreed to do what's needed to achieve a systematic, enduring step change to improve energy security - not just for the nations in the G7, but for our friends and allies, with a particular focus on Ukraine and its Eastern European neighbours who are most at risk from the use of these tactics by Russia," he said in a statement. "The principles that will guide our work over the months and years ahead are diversified energy supplies, more homegrown energy, better infrastructure to link our markets, reducing our energy needs through energy efficiency, and the powerful role clean energy technologies have to play."

He added that there was recognition across the group that "our goals on energy security and climate security are strongly linked". "Investing in homegrown clean energy and energy efficiency across our economies is fundamental to greater energy security, just as it is to fighting climate change," he said.

[odyd]

There is a conversation on Linkedin on Changzhou City (Trina Solar's hometown) in Jiangsu Province, China is going to launch a smart city prototype industrial park project.
http://www.linkedin....=1DUP2PpSIZV6c1. People exchanging info on it.

[sunnysky]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[eysteinh]

Looks like its going to focus on energy storage. Interesting. 

[eysteinh]

Solarzoom: http://www.solarzoom...le-50292-1.html  ASP down to 0.584$/watt for c-si while mono incredible enough still stable at 0.717. This suggest to me two things: DG generated projects wants mono because of high effiency, and this must be a meltdown of weaker tier 2&3 players dumping prices because if not we would see mono fall as well in price. 

 

ASP for c-si is getting low enough to a point i am starting to slightly worry. If it goes under 0.56$/watt it would be enough to drag down my estimates as china is a majority markets for many including jks that I am estimating for. Thats why I look forward to the q1 report to shed some light on this and if my theory is correct.

 

pvinsight reports sligthly dropping prices including polysilicon. http://pvinsights.com/. Very minor (0.15%) drop in global asp for modules according to pvinsights.

 

Energytrend: Small increase poly and wafer and small drop module asp.

 

Sunsirs http://translate.goo...detail-463.html shows dropping prices last two days on polysilicon. Still high at 162,8 yuan per kg for trade offers.