Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
First Solar begins building 250MW Vietnam factory - Photovoltaics World
Hanoi gets with the program. First Solar is the hands-down world leader in top quality/lowest cost thin film. Note their plan to double capacity by next year.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
CSI Survey: Americans want to hit the brakes on more nuclear power
While a drop in public support for nuclear power would be expected after an incident like the Fukushima reactor crisis, the nuclear disaster in Japan has triggered a much stronger response among Americans, a majority of whom would freeze new nuclear power construction, stop additional federal loan guarantees for reactors, shift away from nuclear power to wind and solar power, and eliminate the indemnification of the nuclear power industry from most post-disaster clean up costs, according to a major new survey conducted by ORC International for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI).
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The UK Feed-in Tariff Review: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It | Renewable Energy World Magazine Article
The Uk government austerity program takes a bite out of the solar biz.
latest carbon emission data
ACCORDING TO THE ENERGY INFORMATION AGENCY, annual global energy-related CO2 emissions have reached 31 billion metric tons. This increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas is considered by many scientists to be a contributing factor in global climate change. Last year, the United States emitted about 5,800 million metric tons of CO2, and if left uncontrolled, it is estimated the United States will emit about 6,930 million metric tons of CO2 in 2035.
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
Monday, March 21, 2011
2010 World solar growth numbers reported. Up 139% Year over Year
Solarbuzz Reports World Solar Photovoltaic Market Grew to 18.2 Gigawatts in 2010, Up 139% Y/Y
Worldwide solar photovoltaic (PV) market installations reached a record high of 18.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2010. This represents growth of 139% over the previous year, according to the annual PV market report, Marketbuzz® 2011, issued today by Solarbuzz, a California-based solar energy consultancy, and a part of The NPD Group.
The PV industry generated $82 billion in global revenues in 2010, up 105% Y/Y from $40 billion in 2009. Companies throughout the PV chain successfully raised more than $10 billion in equity and debt over the last 12 months.
In 2010, the top five countries by PV market size were Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Japan, and the United States—representing over 80% of global demand. European countries represented 14.7 GW, or 81% of world demand in 2010. The top three countries in Europe were Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic, which collectively totaled 12.9 GW. In 2010, the Japanese and US markets grew by 101% and 96%, respectively. In all, over 100 countries made some contribution to soaring global PV demand last year.
Worldwide solar cell production reached 20.5 GW in 2010, up from 9.86 GW a year earlier, with thin film production accounting for 13.5% of total production. Producers in China and Taiwan continued to build share, and now account for 59% of global cell production, up from 49% last year. The top two cell manufacturers in 2010 were Suntech Power and JA Solar, who tied for the first position, followed closely by First Solar.
The Top 8 polysilicon manufacturers had 145,200 tonnes per annum of capacity in 2010, while the Top 8 wafer manufacturers accounted for 45% of global wafer supply. The excess of production over market demand caused crystalline silicon factory gate module prices to drop 14% in 2010, significantly less than the 38% reduction of the previous year.
After addressing 2010 outcomes, the Marketbuzz 2011 report sets out three scenarios for supply, demand, and prices over the next five years. By 2015, Solarbuzz projects the European market share to fall to between 45-54% as North America and several Asian markets grow rapidly. The US will be the fastest growing major country market over this period. Over the next five years, factory gate module prices are projected to drop between 37% and 50% from 2010 levels.
In the short term, assumptions about the immediate policy environment remain critical to outcomes over the next 24 months.
“The industry has now entered a phase of tightening incentive terms across important European markets. Cuts in unit tariffs will be far more rapid than the industry’s pace of cost reduction,” said Craig Stevens, President of Solarbuzz. “While some key markets will decline in size as a result over the next two years, the US, Canada, China, and Japan are some of the major countries that still offer growth potential. In addition, the rush to beat mid-year tariff reductions will ensure strong first half 2011 demand performance in Italy and Germany.”
Stevens added, “Planned manufacturing capacity expansions will ensure the industry has adequate cell supplies over 2011 and 2012. However, the potential for excess supply taken together with already planned subsidy cuts will make both years challenging for the industry.”
The new Marketbuzz 2011 report sets out 2010 industry outcomes and provides a forecast for the 2011–2015 period, including a preview of market developments, policies, supply requirements versus manufacturer plans, factory-gate prices, manufacturing costs, and gross margins. All of the essential data is included for companies to navigate the abrupt changes in Y/Y growth rates over the next five years.
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
Friday, March 18, 2011
FW: Large-scale utility solar: Solar Frontier discusses the sector and unique requirements - Photovoltaics World
429/articles/Photovoltaics-World/industry-news/2011/3/large-scale-utility.ht
ml?cmpid=ENLPVTimesMarch172011
Large-scale utility solar: Solar Frontier discusses the sector and unique
requirements By Debra Vogler, senior technical editorMarch 17, 2011 -- In
an interview at the Renewable Energy World/Photovoltaics World Conference &
Expo (3/8-3/10, Tampa, FL), Charles Pimentel, sales director, utility
business, at Solar Frontier, discussed the challenges facing large-scale
utility projects. In particular, he noted that long-term reliability and
durability of panels used in these projects has been a concern of the
finance community. Along with this concern are factors such as price,
quality, and the ability to predict the power that gets generated by the
panels, along with the reliability of the supply chain itself. "In the
utility arena, efficiency of process is key, and one stumbling block in the
process of building out these large-scale utility projects can just destroy
what little margin they do have," said Pimentel. "That's what we're finding
is at the top of everyone's mind right now, and that's where we believe we
will be able to bring Solar Frontier into the top players in this industry,
because we bring predictability to all of these factors." Listen to
Pimentel's talk: Download (iPod/iPhone) or Play Now The finance community is
also imposing more stringent requirements on utility-scale projects. In
addition to strong companies with good balance sheets and a track record,
they must have product in the field and be able to show a record of power
generation and quality, explained Pimentel. Also, back-stop insurance and
any number of technical requirements are being mandated by the finance
community; these requirements are being developed in concert with
third-party engineers. "We work very closely with the finance community and
the independent engineering community to develop strategies to make sure
that these projects get financed when they are bundled up and brought to a
bank," said Pimentel.Subscribe to Photovoltaics WorldFollow Photovoltaics
World on Twitter.com via editors Pete Singer, twitter.com/PetesTweetsPW and
Debra Vogler, twitter.com/dvogler_PV_semi.Or join our Facebook group
Photovoltaics World Article Categories: Photovoltaics Test and Reliability
Silicon Photovoltaics BOS Components Thin Film Solar Cells Wire News CPV
PV World Magazine Current Issue Equipment and Materials PV World Archives
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
FW: GSA - Obama's New "Business Breakthrough" GSA Initiative
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
From: Bob Steger [mailto:bsteger@advancegsa.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:37 AM
To: mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com
Subject: GSA - Obama's New "Business Breakthrough" Initiative
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FW: Nuclear: Market Headlines
From: Bloomberg New Energy Finance [mailto:info@push.bnef.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 2:04 AM
To: Monty Bannerman
Subject: Nuclear: Market Headlines
This Nuclear Market Headlines was sentto Monty Bannerman on17 Mar 2011 The Obama administration will press ahead with efforts to expand loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors while investigating the failure of Japan's power plants after an earthquake, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. Source: Bloomberg
RWE AG, Germany's second-biggest utility, halted its 1,167-megawatt Biblis A nuclear reactor today at 3 p.m., according to generation data from the company on Bloomberg. Source: Bloomberg
E.ON AG, Germany's largest utility, was the first nuclear power plant operator to start the halt of a facility in the country after Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered safety checks at the country's seven oldest reactors. Source: Bloomberg
Estonia's ruling coalition will continue feasibility studies on building a nuclear power plant, Postimees reported, citing Economy Minister Juhan Parts. Source: Bloomberg
Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez said late on Tuesday, on a nationwide mandatory radio and TV broadcast, that Venezuela suspended the development of a nuclear power program undertaken by his government last year. Source: El Universal
The Chinese government on Wednesday suspended the approval process for all new nuclear power plants until safety standards were "revised". Source: The Hindu
General Electric Co.'s goal of broadening its $1 billion nuclear service-and-parts business with sales of new reactors risks stalling as world leaders reconsider the future of atomic energy. Source: Bloomberg
Electricite de France SA Chief Executive Officer Henri Proglio said explosions at Japanese nuclear reactors have put the atomic industry in a "difficult situation." Source: Bloomberg
Electricite de France SA and French nuclear engineering firm Areva SA have sent nuclear assistance equipment to Japan to help in the nuclear crisis there. Source: Automated Trader |
Copyright 2008 - 2011 © Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Nuclear Headlines is a free service provided as a courtesy by Bloomberg New Energy Finance for the personal use of those interested in tracking developments in the world's nuclear markets. Bloomberg New Energy Finance selects articles from publicly available sources it believes to have reasonable editorial standards, but takes no responsibility for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of any articles. Articles to which the headlines refer are not written by, nor do they represent the views of Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Bloomberg New Energy Finance is not a registered investment adviser, and is not regulated under the UK Financial Services Act. Under no circumstances shall any of the information provided herein be construed as a buy or sell recommendation, or investment advice of any kind. Bloomberg New Energy Finance Nuclear Headlines is a service mark of Bloomberg New Energy Finance. |
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Bill to Allow Solar On Landfills in New Jersey Passes State Legislature
Bill to Allow Solar On Landfills in
New Jersey Passes State Legislature
A bill passed by the New Jersey State Legislature allowing wind and solar facilities to be built on closed landfills and quarries is awaiting Governor Christie's signature. This legislation continues the trend towards larger solar arrays. In the end this will better enable solar developers in the State to achieve the amount of solar installs to satisfy renewable portfolio standard RPS requirements. The amount of solar installed in NJ has consistently not been enough to generate enough Solar Renewable Energy Certificates SRECs needed by electricity producers in New Jersey.
The following is a copy of the bill:
[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 2126
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 24, 2010
Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Senator PHILIP E. HAINES
District 8 (Burlington)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman RUBEN J. RAMOS, JR.
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Beach, Madden, Greenstein, Assemblywoman Casagrande, Assemblymen Rudder and Delany
SYNOPSIS
Permits development of solar and wind facilities and structures on landfills and resource extraction operations under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee on December 13, 2010, with amendments.
AN ACT concerning solar energy and wind energy and supplementing P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.) and P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.).
BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. 1a.1 2[The] Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this act, the2 Pinelands Commission 2[, in reviewing any application for] shall adopt rules and regulations providing for the approval of2 the development of a solar or photovoltaic energy facility or structure 2in the pinelands area2 on the site of a 2[closed]2 landfill or 2[quarry, or an existing or]2 closed resource extraction operation 2[, within the pinelands area, shall determine] which operated pursuant to a resource extraction permit on or after December 31, 1985, provided2 that the development is 2[in conformance with the applicable standards of]consistent with2 the comprehensive management plan, adopted pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-8), 1[and] 2[provided that1] and2:
1[a.]1 (1) if located on a 2closed2 resource extraction site, the facility or structure shall be on previously disturbed lands that have not subsequently been restored 2, become reforested, or become habitat critical to the survival of a threatened or endangered species of animal or plant,2 and which are not subject to any restoration obligation pursuant to the comprehensive management plan;
(2) if located on a closed landfill, the facility or structure shall be on previously disturbed lands 2[or] , and may be on2 adjacent lands 2[,] thereto but only2 if required to ensure the viability of the proposed facility or structure 2and as necessary solely for access to the facility or structure and transmission ingress and egress2 ; or
(3) if located on a landfill that has not been closed in accordance with a plan approved by the Pinelands Commission in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the development of the facility or structure shall facilitate closure of the landfill in accordance with such a plan. The landfill shall be closed in accordance with a plan approved by the commission, in consultation with the department, under the requirements of the comprehensive management plan prior to, or concurrent with, the installation of the solar or photovoltaic energy facility or structure1[;] .1
b. 1[Development] In addition to the conditions set forth in subsection a. of this section, development1 of the facility or structure shall not permanently or adversely impact: (1) any existing engineering devices or other environmental controls located on a site, except as may be approved by the Pinelands Commission in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection; and (2) ecologically sensitive areas located on, adjacent to, or within the same sub-watershed as the site proposed for development, except as may be approved by the commission in consultation with the department.
c. Within one year after the termination of use of the solar or photovoltaic energy facility or structure, the facility, and all structures associated therewith, shall be removed and restoration of the site shall be completed in accordance with the comprehensive management plan, or within another time period as approved by the Pinelands Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and under the requirements of the comprehensive management plan.
2. 1a.1 Notwithstanding any law, ordinance, rule or regulation to the contrary, a solar or photovoltaic energy facility or structure constructed and operated on the site of any 2[closed]2 landfill 2[or quarry, or a legally existing]2 or closed resource extraction operation, shall be a permitted use within every municipality.
1b. Notwithstanding any law, ordinance, rule or regulation to the contrary, a wind energy generation facility or structure constructed and operated on the site of any 2[closed]2 landfill 2[or quarry, or a legally existing]2 or closed resource extraction operation, shall be a permitted use within every municipality outside the pinelands area as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-3).1
2The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subsection.2
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
FL Legislative progress: Stacked game shaping up
From: FARE - Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy [mailto:farenergy@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:09 AM
To: mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com
Subject: Legislative progress
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here |
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Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy | 10990 NE 107th Terrace | Archer | FL | 32618 |
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Fracking May Burn Natural Gas' Bridge | EnergyBiz
The chemicals they are injecting and waste-water from the process are definitely going to create environmental, permitting and NIMBY issues, adding to time and cost risks. But solar/natural gas hybrids are the only combo that can be located near demand centers, so it’s going to be drill baby drill in the end.
http://www.energybiz.com/article/11/03/fracking-may-burn-natural-gas-bridge
Bloomberg: Nuclear Market Headlines
From: Bloomberg New Energy Finance [mailto:info@push.bnef.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 2:06 AM
To: Monty Bannerman
Subject: Nuclear: Market Headlines
This Nuclear Market Headlines was sentto Monty Bannerman on15 Mar 2011 The European Union called a meeting of the bloc's energy ministers, power companies and regulators for tomorrow to discuss nuclear safety as Japan struggles with reactors damaged by an earthquake. Source: Bloomberg
Pressure at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Dai-Ichi No. 3 reactor fell, Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the situation at the station remains a concern. Source: Bloomberg
An Iowa lawmaker says a bill making it easier for energy companies to build new nuclear power plants in the state is dead this session due to increased safety concerns after the earthquake in Japan and the rising threat of a nuclear meltdown. Source: The Republic
Energy Minister Doris Leuthard has decided to suspend all current requests to build new replacement nuclear power stations in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Info
Chancellor Angela Merkel put government plans to prolong the lifespan of Germany's nuclear power plants on hold for three months pending the outcome of an inquiry into reactor safety following the disaster in Japan. Source: Bloomberg
In the debates about the prospects for a U.S. nuclear power rebirth, there was one thing advocates, foes and regulators seemed to agree on: The industry could not afford another Three Mile Island accident. Source: The New York Times
As the Japanese race the clock to avert a nuclear meltdown at a power plant, House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio), told CNBC Monday that the US needs to assess both the Japanese situation and its own relationship with nuclear energy. Source: CNBC
A large contingent of House Republicans is trying to revive Yucca Mountain as the main site for the nation's nuclear waste as part of a broader plan that calls for building 200 new nuclear plants by 2030. Source: The Bellingham Herald
Malaysia says it will not rush into building its first nuclear power plant after an earthquake and tsunami left Japan struggling to prevent a potential meltdown, the New Straits Times reported. Source: Bloomberg
German stocks fell for a fourth day, led by utilities, after explosions at an atomic power plant in Japan that followed the country's biggest earthquake on record prompted a review of nuclear-energy safety. Source: Bloomberg
Electricite de France SA and E.ON AG (EOAN) led declines among nuclear utilities on concern that explosions at two Japanese reactors may spur governments to backtrack on plans to expand atomic energy. Source: Bloomberg
A Chinese nuclear expert said Monday that nuclear leakage in Japan caused by Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami would not affect China. Source: Xinhua
Experts have warned of higher UK energy prices after Japan's nuclear crisis sent natural gas costs racing to their highest level for more than two years. Source: The Press Association
Tokyo Electric Power Co., Toshiba Corp., East Japan Railway Co. and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. are among companies that may be most hurt by the strongest earthquake on record to hit Japan, analysts and investors said. Source: Bloomberg |
Copyright 2008 - 2011 © Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Nuclear Headlines is a free service provided as a courtesy by Bloomberg New Energy Finance for the personal use of those interested in tracking developments in the world's nuclear markets. Bloomberg New Energy Finance selects articles from publicly available sources it believes to have reasonable editorial standards, but takes no responsibility for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of any articles. Articles to which the headlines refer are not written by, nor do they represent the views of Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Bloomberg New Energy Finance is not a registered investment adviser, and is not regulated under the UK Financial Services Act. Under no circumstances shall any of the information provided herein be construed as a buy or sell recommendation, or investment advice of any kind. Bloomberg New Energy Finance Nuclear Headlines is a service mark of Bloomberg New Energy Finance. |
