Silicon Supply to Sap Solar Growth?

By Christopher Scinta

Last Update: 3:09 PM ET May 30, 2006

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- It seems as if now would be the time to shine for solar panel makers, but a lack of a key raw material will cloud the picture for many over the next couple of years.

With concerns about high fossil fuel prices and greenhouse emissions driving demand for renewable, cleaner energy sources, solar stocks have been, well, hot. But while solar companies are sold out of current capacity, efforts to try to expand to meet rising demand are being thwarted by a shortage of silicon.

"The polysilicon supply to solar (photovoltaic) manufacturers has been tight for the better part of two years and is anticipated to be a growing issue as the PV industry pushes forward on its aggressive expansion plans," Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. analyst Brion Tanous said. Supply constraints have limited production by some manufacturers, and high prices are hurting profit margins.

Solar manufacturers must compete with computer-chip companies for highly pure silicon, which sells for $42 to $60 per kilogram via long-term contracts and which a tight supply has driven up to more than $150 per kg on short-term contracts...read more

Sundown on PG&E's Solar Subsidy?

By Aria Pearson Sentinel correspondent(Solar Energy News) California's landmark efforts to increase solar power, supported by environmentalists, state leaders and the governor, could be in peril.



In the next few months, PG&E, the largest utility company in the state, will reach the cap on how much solar energy it will buy back from customers. If the Legislature fails to pass a new bill raising that cap, new solar users in PG&E's territory won't be eligible for the benefits currents users enjoy, which some fear could bring the rise of solar energy in California to a grinding halt.



"It will destroy the industry," said Ken Adelman, a retired high-tech exec and resident of Corralitos who has the largest residential solar power system in the state.

The California Solar Initiative, a top environmental goal of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was approved in January by the California Public Utilities Commission as a way to bolster the growing solar industry. It allocates $2.8 billion in incentives for solar projects of all sizes over the next 11 years. The objective is to bring 3,000 megawatts of solar energy online, enough to power about 3 million homes.



Many experts say the goals are feasible under current law, which allows individuals and businesses with solar power systems, called photovoltaics, to connect to PG&E's grid and sell back any extra power they generate.



The process is called net metering. The solar power system is fitted with a meter that runs forward and backward. During the middle of the day, when the sun is shining, the solar panels often produce more energy than the customer can use, and the meter runs backward. Then, at night, when the panels are not generating any electricity, the customer takes energy from the grid and the meter runs forward.



At the end of the year, the customer gets one bill, with all the debits and credits tallied up. Though the law says the bill can never end up in the negative, with PG&E owing the customer money, it can equal zero, making solar panels cost effective over time.



But as a compromise to the utility companies, the law also has a cap. When enough photovoltaic systems have been installed that the total capacity reaches 0.5 percent of each utility company's peak demand, then the utilities no longer have to provide net metering to people or businesses who install new systems...read more

Hoku Scientific Sinks 250 mil Into Solar Power

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - 5:16 PM HAST Tuesday

Hoku Scientific says it will invest $250 million to enter the solar power market.
The move comes less than a week after the U.S. Navy agreed to use the first two of 10 Hoku-manufactured fuel cell power plants at Pearl Harbor Naval Station. That caused Hoku's stock price to increase 40 percent.
"Our plans to enter the solar power market represents the logical extension of our business as a provider of clean-energy technologies, and complements our core fuel cell business," said Dustin Shindo, chairman, president and CEO of Hoku Scientific (Nasdaq: HOKU).
Kapolei-based Hoku plans to manufacture the solar fuel cells in Singapore and will call the project "Hoku Solar." Hoku Solar hopes to have a manufacturing capacity of 30 megawatts per year by the second half of 2007.

Woodland Gets Grant to Go Solar

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to install 500 kilowatts of solar cells on the roof of the new Health and Mental Health building on Cottonwood Street.

The project is being done in connection with Pacific Gas & Electric and 1-Star Energy through a $442,560 Electric Self Generation Incentive Program grant from PG&E.

The agreement with 1-Star Energy is for installation of the solar cells at a cost of $1,073,050. The solar cells project will be partially funded by grant and tobacco funds. No general funds will be required.

The current space used by the departments of Health and Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services annually sees $180,000 in energy consumption. It is projected that the new building will have a utility cost of $158,000 and will produce $65,000 in energy at 2006 prices.

Closing all the spaces currently used by the departments of Health and Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services will reduce energy costs by $27,000 annually. The net reduction in utility costs, including the solar cell contribution will be approximately $70,000....read more

ATS to lay off 60 solar-power workers

May 26, 2006. 01:00 AM

RON DERUYTER

TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE

cambidge—ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. is laying off 60 workers at its pioneering solar-power subsidiary over problems commercializing the technology.The Cambridge, Ont.-based company also said yesterday it has written down the value of Spheral Solar Power by $65 million after tax, causing it to post a loss of $65.6 million in the fourth quarter ended March 31.The news, coming on top of ongoing challenges faced by ATS's largest business, its automation systems group, prompted investors to unload the company's stock. Its shares plunged more than 23 per cent yesterday, falling $3.50 to close at $11.50.Spheral's flexible, thin-film solar technology is regarded as a breakthrough because it can be integrated into roofing materials, vehicle roof-tops and other applications that aren't suitable for rigid solar panels.ATS, which has invested more than $120 million in Spheral over four years, has produced high-efficiency cells and modules that are currently being field tested. But, it said it will take at least 12 months of intensive engineering and development to solve technical problems preventing it from profitably making the product in large volumes. Shortcuts the company took to go quickly from development to full-scale production "were not the right ones," said Syl Ghirardi, president of ATS's solar group."Now what we are trying to do is take the time to do it right," he told analysts in a conference call on fourth-quarter results.Ron Jutras, ATS's chief executive officer, stressed that the writedown was required because of accounting rules and does not indicate a loss of confidence in the technology....read more

Utility Pays Customer 30k for Solar Use

(CBS4) DENVER Xcel Energy paid a Boulder man more than $30,000 on Wednesday for not having any electricity or gas bills.

It was the first rebate check under Xcel's Solar Rewards Program.

Eric Doub built his home to only use the sun for energy and even produces electricity for Xcel.

"We're feeding electricity back into the utility grid and getting paid a small amount for that but very significantly," Doub said. "That means we'll make more energy through out of the year than we consume."

Xcel customers can get rebates of as much as $45,000.

Renewable Energy Corp Up 137% in Q1

OSLO (AFX) - Renewable Energy Corp ASA said its first quarter sales rose 137 pct year-on-year to 872 mln nkr from 367 mln, lifted by acquisitions.

Last summer, the solar energy group acquired REC Advanced Silicon Materials LLC and REC SiTech AS.

It also increased its shareholding in REC Solar Grade Silicon LLC to 100 pct from 70 pct...read more

Asian Solar Demands Met by BP

SYDNEY BP, one of the largest makers of solar cells, expects Asian sales to accelerate as 1 billion people seek access to electricity and developed nations like Japan reduce fuel imports.

Sales in the Asian market could grow 50 percent a year by 2016, from a maximum of 30 percent now, driven by increased demand in China, South Korea and Japan, Mark Twidell, BP Solar's director for Asia, said. BP expects global solar manufacturing revenue to double by 2008 from almost $500 million in 2005.

Asia is poised to overtake Germany as the industry's main source of growth as rising prices for oil, natural gas and coal drive demand for renewable energy. The trend has prompted the emergence of specialized solar companies like the Chinese Suntech Power Holdings and the German Q-Cells and Conergy.

"Energy security, I think, is a huge driver" for solar energy demand, Twidell said recently. "There's a good school of thought that says just from a straight risk-portfolio perspective you need renewables in your portfolio in that they are not linked to the price of oil or the price of carbon."

BP in December formed a joint venture in China with China Xinjiang SunOasis, China's largest electrical transformer company, with the aim of tapping a market that is set to multiply 50-fold in the next 15 years.

China's solar market is currently about 20 megawatts a year, and the country is targeting growth of about 1,000 megawatts a year by 2020, about three-quarters of the global market today, Twidell said. South Korea is aiming for similar growth, he said.

Asian solar panel equipment sales could rise to $36.1 billion by 2010 from $8.3 billion in 2004, Photon magazine said in August. India, which has become one of the largest markets for wind power generation, also offers potential in solar energy as use is currently "very low," KPMG International said this month in a report... read more

Solar Sign Spurs Real Estate Sales

Gurnee, IL, May 03, 2006 --(PR.COM)-- Essential Solutions, Inc. (ESI) launches new innovative product - “Illumi-Sign” A Portable ‘Night Light’ for Residential Real Estate Yard Signs. With Solar Power and LED light Technology, the new ESI product lights up signs at dusk, increasing night-time marketing exposure by 100%.

Exposure is a key piece to Real Estate marketing - A sign in the yard is the biggest visual element for both the home buyer and home seller. Half of the time those signs sit unexposed at night time in the dark.

On their principles of 'Keeping It Simple', ESI developed a very simple, versatile and portable, solar powered lighting system that clamps on to or along side virtually any type of sign.

Whether needed for days or several months, simply set it and forget it. Charges by the sun all day, turns on/off automatically. Also, a built in optional timer preserves battery life, shutting the light off after 4 hours. The timer has proven to be a great addition, especially in areas prone to strings of cloudy days. Testing has proven continued operation for 3 days on a single charge.

A Home Buyer is quoted “Because of our busy work schedules, my wife and I were only able to search for homes at night. Driving through one neighborhood, a For Sale sign caught our attention because it had a really bright light on it, called the listing agent on the sign and we're able to get in to see the home immediately! "I'm sure we passed many other signs that were sitting there in the dark, this one really caught our attention.”

The Listing agent says “I picked up a buyer because my sign stood out in the night! It's amazing that this low cost lighting system actually attracted the buyer right to me, resulting in a healthy commission check. “My signs never sleep” She added.

Another agent says that her clients appreciate having the light - they know their listing stands out from all others and the chances of attracting buyers greatly increases.

She also uses the light as an advantage in competitive listing presentations. "It gives me the edge that I need in this market and has helped grow my number of listings and sign calls. It is so easy to use and fits on all different types of signs that we use - and very affordable too! Our signs are lit up like highway billboards!"

Not limited to just real estate signs, market research has also shown a need for lights on Contractor yard signs, Political signs, Garage/Yard sale signs, Church Functions, Community Fund Raisers, Festivals/Events, etc. “Any type sign that you want people to see after dusk” Says Mark Tesmer, VP Sales and Marketing for ESI.

Contact Mark Tesmer for more insights into this topic (513)484-6937.
Email:mark.tesmer@fuse.net
http://www.LightMySign.com

Israel Pledges 10% of Energy to be Solar by 2017

JERUSALEM, May 19 (UPI) -- Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres voiced support for solar energy in a meeting with a European delegation Thursday, his office said.

"Israel has made (it) a priority that energy should not only come from oil, coal, gas," Peres said, according to the statement.

"In this context, we are advancing the development of solar energy. It is perhaps preferable to depend upon the sun as a source of energy as the sun shines for all the nations of the world and will be around forever," he continued.

Peres plans to reiterate his support for solar energy at Sunday's World Economic Forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, along with ideas for regional economic development between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians, his office said.

Israel plans to convert 2 percent of its energy consumption to solar by 2007, and to 10 percent by 2017, according to the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures.

SunPower selected by Sunset for Celebration Idea House

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower
Corporation(Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer
of the world's highest efficiency, commercially available solar
cells and solar panels, today announced that its industry-leading
solar panels were chosen to power the Sunset Celebration 2006
Idea House. Sunset will welcome visitors to the Idea House for
five weekends, beginning with Sunset's Celebration weekend
on May 20, 2006.

Stellaris wins MIT competition

Solar startup Stellaris, which won first place in the MIT Enterprise Forum’s clean energy business plan competition this year, said Monday that it expects to launch its low-cost, high-efficiency solar modules next year.
The company has a concentrating solar technology that it said will cut the cost of solar modules by 40 percent and convert 20 percent more sunlight into electricity, compared with current solar energy systems.
Stellaris won first place in MIT’s Ignite Clean Energy Business Presentation Competition on Thursday, netting $15,000 in cash, office space worth $25,000, and legal services worth $7,500.

“Winning this competition will greatly increase our visibility with potential investors on both coasts, and for this we are grateful,” said Stellaris President Jim Paull. “It’s rewarding when a team of industry experts from energy technology companies, venture capital firms, and academic technology experts confirm that you are on the right track.”...Read More

Tax Savings Under The New Energy And Transportation Laws

By Mark E. Battersby

No, neither the price of gasoline nor its impact on your multi-unit, multi-brand franchise business will be reduced under of the recently passed energy and transportation bills. However, both the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005, and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005, could have a noticeable impact on the tax bills of every franchised business - as well as those of their owners and operators.

It is no secret that these bills were designed to boost conservation efforts, increase domestic energy production and fund improvements to the country's transportation infrastructure. Tucked away in the provisions of these new laws, however, are new tax incentives that have been added for the purchase and installation of so-called "solar energy property." What's more, those who use vehicles in their business operations may be able to take advantage of the revised credits available for either the purchase or lease of hybrid and other types of alternative fuel vehicles.

For those owners and operators involved in residential construction, an innovative new provision for builders of energy-efficient homes, including those producing manufactured houses, offers a $1,000 or $2,000 tax credit. Commercial building owners could benefit from provisions in the new law that will reward them for energy-efficient expenditures on their properties....read more

Open Energy Corporation Wins PCBC 2006 "Cool Product" Award

SOLANA BEACH, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/15/2006 -- Open Energy Corporation (OTC BB: OEGY), a renewable energy company focused on the development of solar energy technologies that deliver low-risk, cost-competitive electricity and fresh water, has received a 2006 "Cool Products" Competition award from PCBC (Pacific Coast Builders Conference) for its SolarSave™ Roofing Membrane series of products.

Open Energy's SolarSave™ membranes are building-integrated solar roofing systems for new construction and re-roofing and have the highest per-square-foot power output in the industry. The product encapsulates monocrystalline cells in high-performance composite materials laminated under vacuum pressure to create lightweight, waterproof, fire rated and aesthetically appealing solar roofing membranes for flat or low slope commercial and residential projects. The products are shipped to job sites in 4' x 8' modules that are applied directly on a building surface, then heat welded to form a smooth, waterproof, fire-rated, UL approved roof.

David Saltman, President and CEO of Open Energy Corporation, stated: "We are honored to be recognized by PCBC for our SolarSave™ roofing systems. We believe the renewable energy market, particularly solar energy solutions, are poised for tremendous growth and this award recognizes the appeal of this product to the residential and commercial markets."

Mr. Saltman added: "Until recently, the only option for customers interested in utilizing solar energy systems required attaching large photovoltaic panels to an unattractive metal frame bolted to the roof of the structure. The critical breakthrough in solar technology involves integrating the solar power generating technology into viable building materials. The SolarSave™ Roofing Membrane system, as well as our SolarSave™ Roofing Tile products for residential use, can be easily, reliably, and aesthetically incorporated into the design and construction or renovation of a building."

Open Energy Corporation, which recently changed its name from Barnabus Energy, will be formally recognized at PCBC 2006 (OEC booth is located at west hall, # 8209)at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 20-23.

About Open Energy Corporation

Open Energy Corp. focuses on the development and commercialization of renewable energy products and technologies for a wide range of applications including solar energy, power production, and water desalination. The Company pursues these objectives through acquisitions, strategic partnerships, technology transfer opportunities, and other business strategies. The Company's mission is to harness the power of sun to meet the growing resource demands of sustainable 21st Century development.

About PCBC

PCBC is an annual tradeshow and conference serving residential builders and their project teams. Held each summer in San Francisco's Moscone Center, PCBC draws over 29,000 homebuilders, developers, architects, product manufacturers, and consultants to the industry. Originally named the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, PCBC was launched in 1959 as a small educational conference at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Since then, the show has grown in size and quality to become homebuilding's premier event -- a place where the industry's most influential trendsetters gather to share ideas and information.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:

Except for statements of historical fact, the information presented herein constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop specific projects, the ability to fund operations and changes in consumer and business consumption habits and other factors over which Open Energy Corp. has little or no control.

Shanghai looks to Solar for a clean future

Shanghai Daily - Shanghai,China

Zhang Jun

2006-05-19

The city established its first clean energy research center yesterday to develop technologies to utilize five kinds of clean energy.

The immediate goal: to increase Shanghai's percentage of clean energies - mainly wind and solar power - from less than 1/1,000 now to 1/100 by 2010.

The center in Minhang District has five inter-related laboratories for wind power, fuel cells, solar power, clean coal power, and bio-power, involving methane gas and other substances.

The Shanghai Clean Energy Research and Industry Promotion Center "will gather together the city's research forces to speed up clean energy research," said Shou Ziqi, deputy director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

The center has more than 50 researchers from local universities and enterprises and has been equipped for scientific studies.

Solar power and wind-driven power are the major forms of clean energy for the city's sustainable development.

In a preliminary plan, the city expects to expand its wind-driven power plants to the Chongming Island and along the Donghai Bridge in the East China Sea by 2010.

It also plans to develop the country's biggest wind-generation equipment producing 2,000 kilowatts per hour - nearly three times more than the existing machines.

In solar power, the city will invest 100 million yuan (US$12.48 million) through 2007 to develop and expand production, including more rooftop panels and street lamps.

Researchers aim to develop technology to increase the power-conversion efficiency of solar reception equipments from 1 kw per hour to 10 kw per hour. That would give more solar power for residential uses.

One project will install solar-panels on 100,000 of the city's 6 million rooftops to relieve chronic power shortages by 2010.

WorldWater & Power Awarded $4.9 Million Contract to Build Solar Systems for Hightstown, New Jersey

PENNINGTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--WorldWater & Power Corp. (OTC BB:WWAT.OB), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today announced the signing of a contract with the Borough of Hightstown in Central New Jersey to build two solar power systems on water facilities, subject to financing. One installation will serve a water treatment plant and public works garage, while the other will power a wastewater treatment facility. Construction value of the complete project is $4.9 million.

On signing the contract, Mayor Robert Patten of Hightstown said, "We are proud to offer our community clean power that saves money - from the first day through at least 10 years - by working with WorldWater & Power Corp. Our water utilities can be powered by the WorldWater solar systems with no capital outlay and with reduced annual electricity costs guaranteed. I am confident that WorldWater & Power Corporation will be a long term partner in assisting Hightstown to become more prosperous and efficient." ...read more

New Jersey Organic Farmer Goes Solar

LOWER ALLOWAY CREEK TWP. -- A Salem County organic farm received a $64,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will help pay for the installation of a photovoltaic array or solar cell renewable energy system.

Neptune Farm LLC on Harmersville-Canton Road here where beef, lamb, asparagus and blueberries are grown, received this grant which is the first of its kind in the state of New Jersey.

The grant is under Title IX, Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act passed in 2002 (The Farm Bill).

The program currently funds grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for assistance with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements.

Torrey Reade, the owner of Neptune Farm, said she is very excited about the solar power grant that will pay 25 percent of the installation cost. Around 62 percent of the project is paid by the New Jersey Clean Energies Program administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Neptune Farms is covering the rest of the project..... read more

Solar Night Industry Adds a Commercial Division For Industrial Energy Independence Products

Tuesday, May 9, 4:00 PM ET--Solar Night Industries Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: SLND.PK) announced today that it is expanding into commercial and industrial grade solar energy equipment and products including distribution of solar panels. The company has created both a Solar Power Generation Division and an Industrial Energy Independence Division.

SNI President and CEO Jason Loyet stated: “This is a first step in SNI’s goal to provide superior solar products for a wide range of residential and industrial applications. We are adding new products every week, and we’re very demanding. We’ll only acquire the ‘best in class’ products for every category, thereby ensuring our emergence as an industry leader. We are also developing proprietary product lines of our own, engineered to these same high standards.”

SNI’s Solar Night Store began by carrying consumer products, but now has industrial products as well. An advertising campaign, aimed at driving builders and developers to the Solar Night Store, will enable SNI to build a “green” customer base. Added consultancy services will explain, on a case-by-case basis, how SNI’s products can enhance any project. The Solar Night Store now has two new sections: http://www.solarnightstore.com/industrial and http://www.solarnightstore/power.

Camp Goes Solar

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Solar Energy News) - A deal with a solar company means Second Harvest Food Bank will be able to offer more meals.

Nashville-based Silicon Ranch asked Second Harvest to install solar panels on its roof at no cost. Then the estimated 2600 kilowatt hours harvested each year from the 840 panels would be returned to the grid, and energy credits issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority would be split by Silicon Ranch and Second Harvest.

Second Harvest spokeswoman Tasha Kennard told The Nashville Ledger that money saved in the process will be used to distribute food (http://bit.ly/ydibeE ).

"Our leadership team had been looking at some cost-saving measures to reduce our operating and utility expenses, so it really dovetails nicely into some of the different things we were looking into with cost savings," Kennard said. "With this there were no installation fees, no maintenance fees. It was literally zero work from us other than a few meetings with them."

The site is scheduled to begin harvesting solar energy on March 3.

"Each year that we harness this energy we will be able to provide, at minimum, 480,000 meals into our 46-county service area as a result," Kennard said. She says around 15,000 meals each year are currently distributed: "Adding half a million to that is significant."

"For nonprofits, this is a very easy solution to help further your mission," she adds. "If you have a facility that can host a grid-type project, it is definitely worth looking into."

Meanwhile, Kennard says Second Harvest would like to find more partnerships that benefit its mission and the environment. She said 1 of their largest concerns is disposing of large amounts of food waste.

"Food banks across the United States deal with a lot of waste in terms of the packaging that we receive products in, and the food that we receive that can't be distributed because of its date," she says. "We have to discard that."... read more

Lennar Partners to Build Largest Solar Community

NASHVILLE, TN (Solar Energy News) - A deal with a solar company means Second Harvest Food Bank will be able to offer more meals.

Nashville-based Silicon Ranch asked Second Harvest to install solar panels on its roof at no cost. Then the estimated 2600 kilowatt hours harvested each year from the 840 panels would be returned to the grid, and energy credits issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority would be split by Silicon Ranch and Second Harvest.

Second Harvest spokeswoman Tasha Kennard told The Nashville Ledger that money saved in the process will be used to distribute food (http://bit.ly/ydibeE ).