Thursday, January 29, 2015

FPL keeps all the marbles for itself

28.01.2015: Electric utility Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) plans to more than triple its solar generating capacity by the end of 2016. Over the next 2 years, FPL will install three new PV power plants with a capacity of about 74 MW each, and it will add a few megawatts of PV capacity through a new community-based pilot program for commercial-scale PV. Overall, FPL expects to add more than 225 MW of new solar capacity within the next 2 years. The utility’s solar generating capacity currently stands at about 110 MW. The three PV power plants will be located at already identified sites in DeSoto County, Charlotte County and Manatee County. The Citrus Solar Energy Center in DeSoto County will be built near Florida's first large-scale solar park, which FPL commissioned in 2009. The Manatee Solar Energy Center will be built adjacent to an existing natural-gas power plant operated by FPL. FPL notes that solar is not generally cost effective in its service territory. However, the three power plants will be built at »uniquely advantaged« sites that enable the cost-effective development of large-scale solar. FPL notes that once PV prices decline further later in the decade, the utility will add additional solar generation capacity. For now, the company will continue to rely heavily on natural gas and nuclear energy. FPL is currently building new natural gas and nuclear power units. © PHOTON

http://www.fpl.com

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fpl-announces-plans-to-install
-more-than-1-million-solar-panels-at-three-additional-solar-power-plan
ts-as-part-of-continued-strategy-of-advancing-affordable-clean-energy-
in-florida-300025619.html

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Prefac fees in the new MX regulatory regime

This article implies that there will be no fees or security deposits to file under the new regime. If that is so, then being in the queue under the old regime will be more valuable as the pile-on continues behind.

 

Markets

Mexican solar sector criticizes new regulation for interconnection of power plants

28.01.2015: Mexico’s National Control Center (Centro Nacional de Control de Energía – CENACE), which manages the country’s electrical system, has issued a new regulation for the interconnection of new power plants, according to local newspaper La Razón. Under the new regulation, interconnection licenses will be granted only after CENACE will have completed a feasibility study of submitted projects, in order to evaluate if the grid will be able to accept the capacity that developers aim to install. CENACE will conduct the feasibility studies on a first-come-first-served basis. Local solar association AMEEF criticized the first-come-first-served principle claiming that it would lead to the saturation of CENACE’s capacity and, consequently, to a slow down in the development of solar power plants, if project proposals are submitted without a guarantee. AMEEF suggests that a guarantee of 300,000 MXN ($20,054) per MW should be mandatory for all project proposals. This guarantee could be recovered by developers only if they decide to cancel the projects six months after the feasibility study was started, the association said. © PHOTON

http://www.larazonsanluis.com

http://www.larazonsanluis.com/index.php/agencia-reforma/nacional/item/
64278-dan-reglas-para-centrales-electricas

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Fwd: (BN) Record Green Bond Issuance Bolsters Chicago Sewers: Muni Cr



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Sallette (ZACHAR, GEORGE) <masallette@bloomberg.net>
Date: Sunday, January 25, 2015
Subject: (BN) Record Green Bond Issuance Bolsters Chicago Sewers: Muni Cr
To:


(BN) Record Green Bond Issuance Bolsters Chicago Sewers: Muni Cr
edit

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Record Green Bond Issuance Bolsters Chicago Sewers: Muni Credit
2015-01-26 01:00:00.0 GMT


     (For more credit-market news, click on TOP CM. For
Municipal Credit Markets column alerts, see SALT MUNCREDIT.)

By Elizabeth Campbell
     (Bloomberg) -- U.S. municipalities are selling a record
amount of debt earmarked for environmental projects as a growing
appetite for the bonds pulls in issuers from the nation's
capital to Chicago's water district.
     States and localities issued $2.5 billion of obligations in
2014 that they tagged with the green label, up from $100 million
the year before, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Globally,
issuers such as governments, banks and companies offered about
$39 billion of the securities last year, an all-time high,
according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.
     A $350 million tax-free sale by Massachusetts in September
to restore waterways and save energy in public buildings shows
how borrowings for environmental needs are attracting money to
the $3.6 trillion municipal market. The issue drew five first-
time institutional buyers of the state's debt, and about a third
of the orders from individuals came from people who don't
typically buy munis, according to Morgan Stanley, the
underwriter.
     "We're hearing more and more that folks want to invest in
environmentally friendly projects," said Colin MacNaught, the
Massachusetts assistant treasurer.

                           2014 Batch

     There's no universal standard for a green bond. Issuers use
the label in offering documents to help market a deal. Having an
independent second opinion evaluating a bond's environmental
credentials gives investors more confidence, Tess Olsen-Rong, a
market analyst in London at Climate Bonds Initiative.
     Seventeen muni issuers assigned the green tag to sales last
year, after Massachusetts was the sole entry in 2013, Bloomberg
data show. The label designates a project as having an
environmental benefit, from clean water to energy efficiency.
     The European Investment bank issued debt for climate
improvement in 2007, and the World Bank followed with a labeled
green bond in 2008, according to Climate Bonds Initiative, a
nonprofit promoting low-carbon investment.
     Massachusetts sold $100 million of bonds with the green
label in June 2013 in what it called a first for a U.S. state.
Proceeds went toward projects such as flood control and land
acquisition, according to offering documents.
     Last year's sale will help pay for the New Bedford Marine
Commerce Terminal, which will support offshore wind projects.
The District of Columbia sold $350 million of green obligations
last year to build tunnels about 10 stories deep as part of a
project to reduce overflow into rivers and neighborhoods.
     Raul Pomares, founder of San-Francisco-based Sonen Capital,
said he advises clients, including tax-exempt foundations that
typically don't buy munis, that this segment of local-government
debt has a role to play.

                           Local Hero

     "They are an attractive contributor from a total financial
return perspective, and deliver this clear, meaningful,
measurable social, environmental impact," he said.
     Ellen Friedman, executive director of the Compton
Foundation, a Sonen client, said that the muni tax exemption
isn't a priority for the San Francisco-based based organization,
started after World War II to promote peace. The securities are,
however, because they help communities, she said.
     Green-bond sales by municipalities will keep climbing, said
Olsen-Rong. Environmentally conscious investors often want to
know where proceeds are going, and municipal offering documents
provide transparency, she said.
     The first-time buyers of Massachusetts bonds show that
investment advisers have clients asking for the debt, said Brian
Wynne, managing director and co-head of Morgan Stanley's public-
finance group in New York.
     "If you had an increase in green-bond issuance that would
bring in more investors to the market," Wynne said. "And that
would provide the potential for green bonds to price at a
premium versus non-green bonds."

                          Demand Check

     Demand hasn't reached that level, said Scott McGough,
director of fixed income in Philadelphia at Glenmede Trust Co.,
which manages about $2.7 billion of munis.
     John Flahive, Boston-based director of fixed income at BNY
Mellon Wealth Management, which oversees about $20 billion in
munis, said that while he has more clients who want holdings
with a socially responsible slant, he probably would've bought
the Massachusetts debt anyway because of its credit quality. The
state has an Aa1 grade from Moody's Investors Service and AA+
from Standard & Poor's, one step below the top.
     Issuers say the green tag brings attention. The
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago sold
about $225 million of the securities in December, its first such
issue, said Mary Ann Boyle, the district's treasurer.
     The label helped distinguish the agency's first muni issue
in three years, Boyle said.
     The district, which oversees wastewater plants, is using
proceeds for work including more sewer tunnels and reservoirs to
curb overflow. Some money will go toward a system to convert
waste into environmentally friendly fertilizer.
     "We had much more excitement and much more investor
interest related to the green bonds than we've seen in the
past," Boyle said.

For Related News and Information:
D.C. Water Bonds Ride Best Long-Debt Gain Since '12: Muni Credit
Massachusetts Emulating World Bank With Green Bonds: Muni Credit
Munis Face 2015 Headwind as Record Market Contraction Set to End
Top muni-bond news: TOPM <GO>

--With assistance from Sowjana Sivaloganathan in Princeton.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Elizabeth Campbell in Chicago at +1-312-443-5941 or
ecampbell14@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Stephen Merelman at +1-212-617-3762 or
smerelman@bloomberg.net
Mark Tannenbaum



--
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
+1 646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Saturday, January 24, 2015

BBC News: Brazil in 'worst water crisis'

Extreme after extreme.

Brazil in 'worst water crisis'

Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira says the country's most populous states are experiencing their worst water crisis since 1930.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30962813


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


Sent from my mobile.

BBC News: Brazil in 'worst water crisis'

Extreme after extreme.

Brazil in 'worst water crisis'

Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira says the country's most populous states are experiencing their worst water crisis since 1930.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30962813


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


Sent from my mobile.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Bloomberg: Oil Rigs in U.S. at 2-Year Low as Bakken Drillers Bail

From Bloomberg, Jan 23, 2015, 7:17:21 PM
Jan. 23 -- Daniel Yergin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning oil historian and vice chairman of IHS Inc., talks about global oil markets and the death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He speaks with Tom Keene from the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Bloomberg Television's "Surveillance."

Rigs targeting U.S. oil slid to the fewest in two years as explorers retreated from North Dakota's Bakken formation at the fastest pace since the nation's shale boom took off.

To read the entire article, go to http://bloom.bg/1upDz4d

Sent from the Bloomberg iPad application. Download the free application at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloomberg-for-ipad/id364304764?mt=8



Sent from a mobile device.

Bloomberg: BMO’s Porter Says Rate Cut May Create Grotesque Canada Debt Skew

From Bloomberg, Jan 23, 2015, 4:46:29 PM

The Bank of Canada's surprise cut to borrowing costs this week threatens to tilt an already lopsided economy into one that is grotesquely skewed toward housing and consumer spending, said Bank of Montreal's Doug Porter.

To read the entire article, go to http://bloom.bg/1upXEY6

Sent from the Bloomberg iPad application. Download the free application at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloomberg-for-ipad/id364304764?mt=8



Sent from a mobile device.

BBC News: Scientists slow the speed of light

Scientists slow the speed of light

A team of Scottish scientists make light travel slower than the speed of light by changing the shape of photons.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-30944584


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


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First Nation ratifies Constitution

Our most recent First Nation client working to get out from under the thumb of whitey.

http://www.northbaynipissing.com/news-story/4353951-first-nation-ratifies/

Sun News : Nipissing First Nation settles land claim for $123.9 million

Honduras: the Failings of Economic Policies - HONDURAS.com

Gauge Of U.S. Economy Increases 0.5% In December

http://app.manufacturing.net/news/2015/01/gauge-of-us-economy-increases-05-in-december?et_cid=4379344&et_rid=45614407&type=cta

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
+1.646.402.5076

Senate Republicans Changing Their Stance On Global Warming? Not Quite.

Morons and vested interests still rule the party.

http://app.manufacturing.net/videos/2015/01/senate-republicans-changing-their-stance-on-global-warming-not-quite?et_cid=4379344&et_rid=45614407&location=top

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
+1.646.402.5076

Landfill Could Be One Of The Last To Tap Methane For Power

Except if you convert their surface area to solar.

http://app.manufacturing.net/news/2015/01/landfill-could-be-one-of-the-last-to-tap-methane-for-power?et_cid=4379344&et_rid=45614407&location=top

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
+1.646.402.5076

Thursday, January 22, 2015

BBC News: Massive boost for eurozone unveiled

Central Bankers all stepping on the pedal right behind US stepping off.

Massive boost for eurozone unveiled

The European Central Bank will inject at least €1.1 trillion into the eurozone economy through a huge bond-buying programme sending the euro to an 11-year low.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30933515


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


Sent from my mobile.

Fwd: I: Webinar: Impact of the oil price decline on solar energy stocks & market

Free webinar by some of the most well-known pundits in the industry below.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <enrico.desiata@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 22, 2015 at 1:53 PM
Subject: I: Webinar: Impact of the oil price decline on solar energy stocks & market
To: Monty Bannerman <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>


Enviado desde mi BlackBerry de Claro Panamá

From: Solarplaza <no-reply@solarplaza.com>
Sender: "Solarplaza" <no-reply=solarplaza.com@mail148.atl121.mcsv.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:29:05 +0000
ReplyTo: Solarplaza <no-reply@solarplaza.com>
Subject: Webinar: Impact of the oil price decline on solar energy stocks & market

Oil & Solar webinar

WEBINAR
Impact of the oil price decline on solar energy stocks & market

Monday 2 February, 3.00 pm CET


After years of relative stability, oil prices have dramatically fallen in the last six months and have now collapsed below 50 $ a barrel. Despite the fact that crude oil and solar energy are not direct substitutes, solar stocks have been underperforming drastically as a result.

Why is the solar industry so dependent on the oil price? Is it possible to decouple oil price and solar development? What is to be expected for the coming future?  

Three solar industry & financial experts will join this complimentary Solarplaza webinar to try to answer these and many other questions:

  • Jigar Shah - CEO, Jigar Shah Consulting - author of Creating Climate Wealth
  • Jeremy Leggett - Founder & Board Member, Solarcentury - author of The Energy of Nations & Half Gone
  • Vishal Shah - Managing Director & Senior Analyst Clean Tech, Deutsche Bank
  • Chairman: Edwin Koot - Founder & CEO, Solarplaza

Free registration at http://solarplaza.com/webinars/oil-price-declines-and-solar

Speakers

Jigar Shah

Jigar Shah 
CEO, Jigar Shah Consulting
Founder, SunEdison
Author, Creating Climate Wealth

Jeremy Leggett

Jeremy Leggett
Founder & Board Member, Solarcentury
Author, The Energy of Nations

Vishal Shah

Vishal Shah
Managing Director & Senior Analyst Clean Tech, Deutsche Bank

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR (free of charge)

Discover more

UPCOMING SOLARPLAZA EVENTS:
THE BUSINESS CASE: solar-diesel hybrid systems for African intensive energy users

Many mining operations in remote locations are not connected to the grid and rely on electricity from diesel gensets. A research conducted by TH Energy, board member of Solar Diesel Africa (3-5 March 2015, Johannesburg), revealed that the vast majority of solar plants at mining locations are still extremely profitable. Even with today's oil prices, costs from PV are regularly 50-60% lower than diesel electricity at remote locations.
Read the whole article
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Bank of Canada shocks markets

Big preventive measure against double whammy of drop in oil export revenues and cuts in employment in the fossil sector. Currency exchange going to probably worsen.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bank-of-canada-shocks-markets-with-cut-in-key-interest-rate-1.2921370


Bill would expand renewable-power systems | RenewablesBiz

Two top Sonoma Clean Power officials leaving to join consulting firm | EnergyBiz

2014 Another Record Setting Year for Wind Energy in Canada | RenewablesBiz

Could Cape Wind have put up a bigger fight? | Wind Energy Update

Some very useful information about the state and rates of the tax equity market in the US. This bell weather offshore wind project has had everybody from the Kennedy’s to those bastardly Koch brothers against it since day 1.

http://social.windenergyupdate.com/offshore-wind/could-cape-wind-have-put-bigger-fight?utm_campaign=WIN%2021JAN15%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=eshot&utm_campaign=WEU&elq=d14383a6a9184611a00fb9df3c1c899b&elqCampaignId=744

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Solar's relentless cost decline caclulated and predicted to continue

Solar module prices dropped 75% since 2009, IRENA

20.01.2015: PV module prices fell 75% between 2009 and 2014, according to the report »Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2014,« published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The sharp drop in module prices was the main factor driving the overall drop in the cost of renewable energy technologies over the last 5 years. The cost of a residential PV system has fallen by 70% since 2008, while the cost for electricity from large-scale PV plants has declined by 50% since 2010. Furthermore, solar markets like China, South America and North America are now seeing PV projects selling their output for as little $0.08 per kWh without incentives, a price »within the range of fossil fuel-fired electricity.« IRENA notes that for large-scale PV plants especially, prices could fall further as financing costs drop. © PHOTON

http://www.irena.org

http://www.irena.org/News/Description.aspx?NType=A&mnu=cat&PriMenuID=1
6&CatID=84&News_ID=386

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Panama - ETESA still sorting through bids

Panama still evaluating bids for 66 MW solar auction

20.01.2015: Panama’s grid operator Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica SA (ETESA) is still evaluating the 31 project proposals submitted during the country’s first solar energy auction, which was held on Nov. 25, 2014, a month later than originally scheduled. ETESA previously said it would release the results of the auction in mid-to-late December. According to local newspaper La Estrella, ETESA still needs to find the best price combination for the projects. La Estrella previously reported that the lowest bid was submitted by FRV Solar Panamá S. de RL, which offered a price of $0.09 per kWh, while the most expensive project was submitted by Panama Solar Energy Providers Inc., which offered a price of $0.14 per kWh. PV projects selected through the auction will have to begin delivering electricity to the grid by Jan. 1, 2017. Local energy providers Gas Natural Fenosa (Eléctrica Chiriquí y Eléctrica Metro Oeste) and ENSA (Elektra Noreste) will buy the electricity output from the PV plants under 20-year PPAs. © PHOTON

http://www.etesa.com.pa

http://laestrella.com.pa/economia/adjudicacion-contrato-energia-solar-
retrasa/23836672

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Friday, January 16, 2015

Coalition rolls out its solar energy constitutional amendment initiative | RenewablesBiz

Fundamental elements of strategy to dislodge an ugly monopoly: Political action, legal action and public pressure. First signs of a coherent offensive in the state of Florida.

 

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/15/01/coalition-rolls-out-its-solar-energy-constitutional-amendment-initiative?utm_source=2015_01_16&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=RB_DAILY&utm_term=D&utm_content=349719

Solar Industry Creating Jobs Nearly 20 Times Faster than Overall U.S. Economy | RenewablesBiz

CNN Breaking News: 2014 was Earth's warmest year on record

 

From: CNN Breaking News [mailto:BreakingNews@mail.cnn.com]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 11:09 AM
To: textbreakingnews@ema3lsv06.turner.com
Subject: CNN Breaking News

 

2014 was Earth's warmest year on record, a U.S. weather agency announced today, with average temperatures 0.07 degrees Fahrenheit above the previous high.

The National Climatic Data Center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, noted the average temperatures over land and oceans were higher in 2014 than any year since 1880, when record-keeping began.

This past December also had the third-highest average global land temperature -- out of any December in the past 135 years -- at 2.45 degrees Fahrenheit above average, according to the same agency.

Get complete coverage of breaking news on CNN TV, CNN.com and CNN Mobile.

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Watch CNN live or On Demand from your computer or mobile device.
Watch live CNN news coverage now at http://cnn.it/go
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Thursday, January 15, 2015

BBC News: US loosens Cuba travel restrictions

Its time to qualify in country partners



US loosens Cuba travel restrictions

New US trade and travel rules covering Cuba will take effect on Friday, allowing the use of credit cards and ending a ban on Cuban cigars.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30836679


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


Sent from my mobile.

All those "friends and family" PPAs in Honduras failing

15.01.2015: Honduran state-owned electrical power company Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE) could cancel PPAs for 198 delayed renewable energy projects, reports local newspaper El Heraldo, which cites a statement from a senior ENEE official. ENEE claims that delays to the 198 projects has damaged ENEE financially and that the PPAs for these projects could be cancelled if construction on the projects does not begin shortly. Details about the 198 projects were not disclosed, and it is not clear how many of these projects will rely on solar technology. ENEE said it would not change PPAs signed before July 2014. ENEE awarded 23 service contracts for PV projects totaling 609.2 MW before July 2014. These projects are to be developed at a per megawatt cost ranging from $2.7 million to $3.0 million, which means that the total investment for these projects would surpass $1.64 billion. In May, the head of Honduras’s Chamber of Commerce, Salomón Ordóñez, said that Honduras could have 300 MW of cumulative installed PV capacity by August 2015 thanks to a planned investment of $450 million to $500 million. The investments will be concentrated on projects in the southern departments of Valle and Choluteca, where PV power plants would be able to sell electricity to the local grid at a price of $0.18 per kWh. Thermal power plants in these departments are currently selling their output to the ENEE at a price of $0.20 to $0.22 per kWh. © PHOTON

http://www.enee.hn

http://www.elheraldo.hn/economia/785216-216/enee-descarta-rescindir-co
ntratos-con-renovables

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Chile projects ramping

15.01.2015: Chile had more than 400 MW of cumulative installed PV capacity at the end of December 2014, according to the latest report from Chilean renewable energy research institute Centro para la Innovación y Fomento de las Energías Sustentables (CIFES). The country added 40 MW in December, when Italian renewable energy company Enel Green Power connected the 40 MW Chañares solar power plant to the grid. Chile had just 4 MW of installed PV power at the end of 2013, which means that the country added nearly 400 MW in full year 2014. The amount of PV capacity under development in Chile stood at 873 MW as of the end of December, while the country’s pipeline of approved PV projects totaled 8.06 GW. On top of this, local environmental authorities are still evaluating proposals for an additional 3.47 GW of PV projects. © PHOTON

http://www.cifes.gob.cl

http://www.cifes.gob.cl/reporte/2015/REPORTE_Enero2015%20V2.pdf

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

BBC News: Rate of sea-level rise 'steeper'

Rate of sea-level rise 'steeper'

The rate at which the global oceans have risen in the past two decades is more significant than previously recognised, say US-based scientists.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30816143


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.


Sent from a mobile device.

'Ghost Guns' Manufactured On Steps Of TX Capitol

If you are a Texas moron, fanatic, criminal, survivalist or just plain paranoid, dont forget to put a holster on your gift wish list.

http://www.manufacturing.net/articles/2015/01/ghost-guns-manufactured-on-steps-of-tx-capitol?et_cid=4364239&et_rid=45614407&type=cta


Sent from a mobile device.

French oil giant makes another big investment in distributed energy

Total and Exelon invest $27 million in US energy storage system provider Stem Inc.

14.01.2015: US energy storage system provider Stem Inc. raised $27 million through its latest equity financing round. Investments in the round were led by Constellation Technology Ventures, the venture capital arm of US energy company Exelon Corp., and Total Energy Ventures, the venture capital arm of French energy company Total SA. Constellation Energy Ventures will help Stem expand nationwide, while Total Energy Ventures will help Stem expand its reach with channel partners and with several international opportunities. Stem technology combines advanced energy storage and real-time data analytics to help businesses more effectively manage energy costs, with no impact to operations. The rapid-response system automatically draws on stored energy to shave peak loads before they can impact customers’ electricity bills in the form of costly demand charges. In aggregate, Stem’s customer portfolio mitigates utilities’ need to draw on peaker plants by serving as dispatchable assets during periods of grid need. Previous investors in Stem include Inversiones Financieras Perseo S.L., a subsidiary of Spanish private utility and wind project developer Iberdrola, and GE Ventures, an investment unit of US-based General Electric Co. © PHOTON

http://www.stem.com

http://www.stem.com/archives/12113

 

US can triple renewables' share of energy mix by 2030, IRENA

14.01.2015: The US can increase the use of renewable energy in its energy mix from 7.5% in 2010 to 27% by 2030, according to a new report prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The report, entitled »Renewable Energy Prospects: United States of America,« also states that the US can increase its use of renewable energy in power generation from 14% to almost 50% by 2030, making it the world’s second largest renewable energy user after China. The US must make substantial changes to its energy policy to achieve these goals, however. With current policies in place, the share of renewable energy in the US energy mix will only reach 10% by 2030. IRENA’s renewable energy roadmap, REmap 2030, which provides a plan to double the share of renewable energy in the world’s energy mix by 2030, estimates that an annual investment of $86 billion between now and 2030 is required to reach the 27% renewables mark – an increase of 38 billion annually beyond a business-as-usual scenario. But, the higher renewable share will result in an annual savings of $30 billion to 140 billion by 2030 when accounting for factors like human health and reduced emissions. »REmap 2030 shows that the US could install significantly higher amounts of renewables – and that it can do so affordably,« said Adnan Amin, director-general of IRENA. »Even in a country with cheap shale gas like the US, renewable energy is still cost competitive and reduces air pollution, enhances energy security, benefits the economy, and plays a leading role in fighting climate change.« © PHOTON

 

 

 

Supporting our own findings, Moody's states that energy storage solutions still don't cost-justify

They are looking at it somewhat incorrectly. Although most customers don’t have a driving desire to actually abandon the grid entirely, paying extra for storage for backup power  and getting the additional benefit of peak shaving is an increasingly attractive proposition which will lop the most expensive power off of utility bills every time it is installed.

MB

 

14.01.2015: The continuing drop in the cost of solar energy storage poses little risk that residential customers will defect from US utilities, claims Moody's Investors Service in a new report entitled »Batteries are coming but utilities are not going away.«Despite the ongoing reduction in prices, battery storage is still far from cost-effective for most US consumers, says Moody's, which means that the risk of utility customers exiting the electric system en masse in the foreseeable future is negligible. »We believe the cost of batteries in a solar-battery system is still an order of magnitude too expensive to substitute for grid power,« says Toby Shea, a Moody's vice president and senior analyst. »The capital cost of batteries today is closer to $500 to $600 per kWh. Thus, when we say that battery costs need to be lower by an order of magnitude, we effectively mean costs in the range of $10 to 30 per kWh.« Moreover, based on analysis of actual consumer usage, Moody's finds that the size of the battery necessary to leave the grid is much larger than is commonly believed. Most other studies on battery size do not adequately consider the extremely volatile nature of electrical usage, Moody’s claims. And in addition to batteries, a PV system is needed to leave the grid, and although growing rapidly, the number of households with rooftop solar is still quite small, and the vast majority of existing systems rely on net energy metering economics, which requires a grid connection. Moreover, Moody’s says, the lifestyle adjustments required to defect from the grid would be unacceptable to most people as they are too accustomed to the convenience and reliability of grid-supplied electricity and would not likely accept the constant need to be mindful of the battery charge levels, and then to conserve electricity as necessary. © PHOTO

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Monday, January 12, 2015

Coronal Group (Panasonic Affiliate) acquires 35 MW solar park in Arizona

12.01.2015: US-based solar company Coronal Group LLC has acquired a 35 MW solar park located near Tucson, Arizona from US solar developer Clenera Renewable Energy for an undisclosed sum. The 225-acre Avalon Solar Project, which began producing power in December 2014, was built by general contractor Swinerton Renewable Energy under the direction of Clenera and Panasonic Eco Solutions, a unit of Panasonic Corp. of North America. Panasonic Eco Solutions will provide ongoing O&M services for the plant as part of a long-term partnership with Coronal. The Avalon Solar Project includes 114,720 solar panels and supplies power to local utility Tucson Electric Power under a long-term contract. Panasonic and Coronal have partnered on other solar projects including a 26 MW PV power plant they are currently developing in Kern County, California. That plant is due to come online in May 2015 and has a 20-year PPA with utility Southern California Edison. © PHOTON

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Blue Earth sells 4.7 MW PV project in Indiana to NRG Solar

12.01.2015: US renewable energy project developer Blue Earth Inc. has sold the rights to a 4.7 MW (DC) rooftop and carport PV project located in Indianapolis, Indiana to NRG Solar DG LLC for an undisclosed sum. NRG Solar is a subsidiary of US wholesale power generation company NRG Energy Inc. Blue Earth Solar Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Earth, will provide EPC services for the project, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015. © PHOTON

http://www.blueearthinc.com

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/blue-earth-sells-its-4732-mwd
c-indiana-solar-project-to-nrg-solar-dg-llc-nasdaq-bblu-1981492.htm

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

 

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Fwd: The Three Biggest Solar Charts of 2014

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Rebecca Van Nichols" <rvan@tnag.net>
Date: Jan 11, 2015 12:47 AM
Subject: The Three Biggest Solar Charts of 2014
To: <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>
Cc:


The Three Biggest Solar Charts of 2014

John Farrell 
January 07, 2015  |  3 Comments

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The rise of solar power allows a furtherdemocratizing of the electricity system, and these charts illustrate how 2014 was a banner year for solar, but particularly distributed solar power.

First, the following chart shows that 2014 opened on the heels of an impressive year of solar growth. In 2013, over 20 percent of new power plant capacity was from solar power, and a further 6 percent from residential solar alone! This is up from just 12 percent in 2012.

residential solar and power plant capacity 2013.002

The year 2014 opened with a solar spark, with nearly two-thirds of new electricity generation coming from solar in the 1st quarter of 2014! Over the first three-quarters of last year, solar provided 36 percent of new capacity, with an astounding 17 percent from projects 1 megawatt and smaller on residential and commercial property. Yes, nearly 20 percent of new power plants were located at U.S. homes and businesses, not on power company property!

us power plant capacity additions 2014 thru Q3 ILSR v2

The growth of solar was driven in part by continued falling costs. The installed cost of solar fell 8-9 percent through the first half of 2014.
us solar power installed costs 1998-2014 ILSR

The solar wave that continued building in 2014 isn't likely to recede any time soon, as ever-better economics let more customers seek a solar alternative to their utility. In fact, customer-owned solar has become a flashpoint in state policy battles between electric companies and their customers, even over the future business model of the electricity system. Along with energy efficiency, it represents a $48 billion opportunity for electric customers to reclaim money they currently send to their electric provider.

Does the solar success in 2014 mean 2015 will be another banner year for solar power? It's hard to see why not.

This article originally posted at ilsr.org. For timely updates, follow John Farrell on Twitter or get theDemocratic Energy weekly update.

The information and views expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of RenewableEnergyWorld.com or the companies that advertise on this Web site and other publications. This blog was posted directly by the author and was not reviewed for accuracy, spelling or grammar.
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