Glasstech Forms New Solar Division

PERRYSBURG, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glasstech, Inc., the world leader in the development of glass bending and tempering equipment, has formed a new business unit to formalize its ongoing activities to meet the solar energy industry’s burgeoning demand for flat and bent glass substrates. The announcement was made by Mark D. Christman, Glasstech’s President and CEO.

Leading the unit will be Michael Ondrus, who has been appointed Director of Glasstech Solar Energy Systems. Ondrus will market the firm’s systems as the ideal technologies for the fabrication of bent glass substrates for concentrated solar power products (CSP) and extremely flat panels for photovoltaics (PV).

“The demand for glass by the solar industry is and will continue to become more significant over the next five years and could, at some point, rival auto industry usage,” Christman said. “And, just like in the automotive industry, the glass substrates used in solar energy will be sophisticated and will require repeatability, tight specifications, innovation and cost effectiveness.”

Ondrus said Glasstech is well suited to meet the demands of the solar energy industry.

“Glasstech has the technology the solar energy industry needs. Attention to extreme detail in the automotive industry has led to the development of highly specialized offerings for the solar industry,” Ondrus said. “Further, who knows glass bending and tempering as well as producing to tight specifications better than Glasstech? The company has been the leading innovator of glass processing systems for more than 35 years.

“And, Glasstech’s personnel have the depth of glass-processing knowledge clients need, whether they are a solar products manufacturer, glass fabricator, solar equipment supplier or turnkey system provider,” Ondrus said.

Glasstech systems produce glass in varying degrees of surface strength – low-stress panels for lamination as well as heat-strengthened or fully tempered glass for single-thickness uses.

“Heat strengthened and fully tempered glass parts can potentially reduce failures in the field, which can mean increased cost effectiveness and reduced operating costs,” Ondrus said.

He said solar-energy versions of several Glasstech systems are ideally suited for use in the expanding sustainable-energy market.

“This is a high-technology industry that is on the cutting edge. It requires high-tech equipment,” said Jay Molter, Glasstech’s Vice President of Marketing & Sales. “Glasstech is the company with the rugged, production-proven equipment, the track record that will help drive down the cost per kilowatt hour of energy produced and bring repeatable processes and tight tolerances to this market.

“Additionally, Glasstech, being a global company, has a worldwide system of support to assist owners when an infrequent problem arises. This is a comfort to clients who know the longer their systems run without interruptions the more efficient and cost effective they will be.”

Suntech Wins Bid For Belgian Town Hall Solar Project

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced Suntech's participation in a solar-energy system constructed for the roof of the town
hall in Genk, Belgium. The project was engineered by Netherlands-based Oskomera Solar Power Solutions (OSPS) in collaboration with Belgium-based ENECO Energie. The system consists of approximately 1,260 Suntech solar modules with a capacity of 239kW. Project engineering, delivery and installation was executed within a short, three- month time frame.

OSPS is a supplier of complete solar power systems for building integrated solutions in The Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. ENECO Energie is one of the largest energy suppliers to both companies and consumers in the Netherlands. As joint venture partners, OSPS and ENECO Energie have worked together in collaboration on high quality solar energy systems for over five years.

"OSPS and ENECO Energie have been working in the Belgian and Dutch solar markets for over five years, and we are pleased to collaborate with them in this high profile project," said Jerry Stokes, President of Suntech Europe. "Solar energy investment in Flanders is growing rapidly due to healthy solar incentives and as Suntech continues to drive down the cost of
solar products over the coming years we expect investment to accelerate in this budding market." Flanders, Belgium offers a range of incentives for the development of solar projects including a feed in tariff of euro 0.45/kWh.

Dennis Gieselaar, Managing Director of OSPS, said, "The Genk roof mounted installation is the pilot of many more projects to be realized in the coming months using Suntech's solar module technology. Based on our close cooperation with the Suntech Europe team, OSPS was able to realize this project efficiently and with a very satisfied client."

Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO, commented, "We hope to expand our relationship with both of these fine partners on additional European projects. Belgium and The Netherlands are attractive emerging solar markets and our participation in this region exemplifies Suntech's name recognition and strong brand equity internationally."

SunPower Sees 227% Year Over Year Revenue Growth

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter 2007, which ended December 30, 2007. This press release contains both GAAP and non- GAAP financial information. Non-GAAP figures are reconciled to the closest GAAP equivalent figures on the final page of this press release.

Revenue for the 2007 fourth quarter was $224.3 million, down 4.3 percent from prior-quarter revenue of $234.3 million and up 201.1 percent from year- ago fourth-quarter revenue of $74.5 million. The Components segment accounted for $100.4 million of fourth-quarter revenue, a 31.1
percent increase from prior-quarter revenue of $76.6 million. The Systems segment accounted for $123.9 million of fourth-quarter revenue, a 21.4 percent decrease from prior- quarter revenue of $157.7 million. Third-quarter 2007 revenue was significantly influenced by large scheduled project installations, particularly the Nellis Air Force Base project. 2007 fourth-quarter revenue growth, compared to the fourth quarter of 2006, was primarily driven by continued strong demand for SunPower products and systems across market segments and channels. For reporting purposes, the Systems segment generally represents products and services sold directly to the system owner, while the Components segment represents primarily
products sold to installers and resellers. Additionally, both SunPower and third-party solar panels sold through the Systems segment channels are recorded as Systems segment revenue.

Ontario Offers High Premium For Solar Power

Ontario is on its way to becoming a major centre for solar power, and will soon see thousands of solar panels spread out over acres of land, feeding clean power into the power grid.

Year-end numbers show an explosion of interest in building solar generating systems, from individuals who want to put a few panels on their roof, to businesses investing in huge solar farms.

In 2007 the Ontario Power Authority signed 145 contracts for the future construction of more than 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power systems, far more than the agency initially projected. Each megawatt can power about 350 homes.

If all those who have promised to install panels follow through with their plans, Ontario will have some of the biggest solar farms on the planet, and an important "green" industry will be kick-started in the province.

Still, the solar-power generation business is essentially starting from scratch. At year-end only an infinitesimal 0.3 MW of sun-generated energy was being sold to Ontario's power grid. The biggest completed project so far is a series of panels on the roof of the horse barn at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

Even if all the current projects come to completion there will be far less solar power generated in the province than wind power. And Ontario won't even come close to the world's biggest solar player - Germany - which has more than 3,000 MW of solar power projects already in place.

The spate of solar contracts in Ontario is a result of efforts to boost the industry by paying a steep premium for power generated by the sun...read more

Qiangsheng Photovoltaic Plans $250 mil IPO

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese solar equipment maker Qiangsheng Photovoltaic Technology (QS Solar)plans to raise about $250 million in a Nasdaq stock market listing to fund its breakneck pace of expansion, the latest debut there by a Chinese renewable energy firm.

The fledgling firm, one of the first to make cells and panels using emerging thin-film technology, aims to boost capacity to 500 megawatts by 2010, even though its first production line will come onstream only this month with a capacity of 25 megawatts, Chairman Sha Xiaolin told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Qiangsheng, one of a coterie of private solar technology firms seeking cash as they try to capitalize on the central government's campaign to expand renewable energy use, wants to tap markets at a time of global turmoil, as investor fears of a U.S. recession wallop bourses.

Israeli Region of Eliot Hopes For Solar Powered Future

The Eilot region, at the southeastern edge of Israel, is likely to become the first part of the country, along with the city of Eilat, that is not dependent on polluting energy resources. Instead of oil- or coal-fired power plants, the region's electricity will be produced from clean, renewable sources - first and foremost, the sun.

"The sun's rays here are among the strongest in the world and there is no shortage of land on which to build installations that can exploit solar energy," says Eilot Regional Council chair Udi Gat. "There is already research infrastructure from the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Kibbutz Ketura and Ben Gurion University, and this [infrastructure] can be expanded."

Gat will be attending the two-day Business and Environment conference at Kfar Maccabiah (yesterday and today), and will present his plans to make the Eilot region energy self-sufficient.

The Eilot Regional Council and Eilat Municipality recently began establishing a "sustainable energy administration." The administration will focus on assisting developers and companies to use the broad expanses of the southern Arava for the research and development of solar and wind energy technologies. Some of the resulting electricity could also be sold to the Israel Electric Corporation...read more

Hoku Scientific Releases Q3 Financial Results

Hoku Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOKU), a materials science company focused on clean energy technologies, today announced its financial results for its third quarter ended December 31, 2007 and provided a general update on its business.

Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $1.3 million compared to $1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. Revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $2.6 million compared to $4.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 was primarily due to the completion of the Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. contracts in 2006 and no similar contracts in 2007. The decrease was offset by the recognition of revenue from photovoltaic, or PV, systems installations during the three months ended December 31, 2007. Deferred revenue of $355,000 at December 31, 2007 was attributable to contracts related to PV systems installations while deferred revenue of $990,000 at March 31, 2007 was attributable to contracts with the U.S. Navy, which were completed in August 2007.

Net loss, computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $538,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2006. Net loss, computed in accordance with GAAP, for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $2.2 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $635,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006.

Non-GAAP net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $274,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to $1.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2006. The non-GAAP net losses for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 exclude non-cash stock-based compensation of $264,000 and $212,000, respectively. Non-GAAP net loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0, or $0.00 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006. Non-GAAP net loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2006 exclude non-cash stock-based compensation of $876,000 and $635,000, respectively. The accompanying schedules provide a reconciliation of net loss and net loss per share computed on a GAAP basis to net loss and net loss per share computed on a non-GAAP basis.

Dustin Shindo, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hoku Scientific, said, "We continue to make steady progress in our Hoku Solar and Hoku Materials businesses. To begin with, we signed a new polysilicon sales contract with Solarfun for approximately $306 million in polysilicon product shipments. We now have contracted future revenue with four leading solar companies from the sale of up to $1.5 billion of polysilicon over a seven to ten year period.

"Primarily due to the new contract with Solarfun, we have decided to increase the annual capacity of Phase I of our planned polysilicon facility from the previously announced 2,500 metric tons per year to 3,500 metric tons per year. Once our plant is operating at full capacity, we will be able to meet the annual delivery requirements in our four existing polysilicon sales contracts, and we will have some additional polysilicon available for sale. Although we have increased the size of the first phase of our polysilicon facility, we still plan to have a Phase II expansion. We believe we have sufficient space to expand our polysilicon production to up to 8,000 metric tons per year on our existing 67-acre property; however the expansion size will primarily be determined based on new polysilicon sales contracts that we may sign.

"We estimate the cost of our planned 3,500 metric tons per year facility to be approximately $400 million. We intend to use the $240 million in advance payment commitments from our polysilicon customer agreements to contribute to the financing of the construction and we have signed a non-binding letter of intent with Merrill Lynch to help finance the remaining construction costs. We intend to borrow approximately $185 million from Merrill Lynch, subject to our satisfying certain conditions, including the completion by Merrill Lynch of its due diligence and our ability to provide approximately $35 million for use in the construction of the planned polysilicon plant.

"Although we have increased the size our polysilicon facility, we expect to deliver polysilicon in the first half of calendar year 2009. However, due to our additional contract with Solarfun, we now believe our annualized revenue based on our existing supply agreements and polysilicon that is available for sale when we are running at our full 3,500 metric ton capacity will be in the range of $180 million to $200 million per year. Our gross margins are still expected to be in the range of 45% to 55%.

"Significant steps have also been made in our Hoku Solar business. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, we completed residential and commercial PV system installations, including two installations for Paradise Beverages, the Hawaii distributor for Coors, Heineken, Corona, and Miller products, and one installation for Bank of Hawaii. In addition, Hawaiian Electric Company has submitted our contract to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for approval of the sale by us to Hawaiian Electric Company of electricity generated by a PV system that we would install, own and operate. If approved, we will install a 167 kilowatt PV system and sell the power generated by that system over a 20-year period to Hawaiian Electric Company. We also entered into a non-binding agreement with The James Campbell Company to plan the Kapolei Sustainable Energy Park, which includes a PV installation that would be capable of generating approximately 1.5 megawatts of photovoltaic power, which would be the largest PV facility on Oahu.

"In summary, this was another great quarter for Hoku Scientific. We were able to sign a new polysilicon sales agreement and are working with Merrill Lynch to secure financing. We also continue to make progress in the engineering and construction of our polysilicon production plant, which has allowed us to expand the expected size of the first phase of our planned polysilicon facility to 3,500 metric tons per year. Our solar installation business is continuing to grow and the potential of this business is becoming evident."

United Solar Announces Supply Agreement With AirTec

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Solar Ovonic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) (ECD), announced today that it has entered into an agreement with South Korea's AirTec System Co., Ltd. (AirTec) for 25MW of UNI-SOLAR(R) brand thin-film laminates for integration into large-scale power projects. Under the terms of the agreement, AirTec will take delivery of the UNI-SOLAR laminates during calendar years 2008 and 2009 primarily for medium- to large- scale ground-mounted solar power plants and large-scale rooftop and building- integrated applications in a number of recently awarded projects in South Korea. The agreement with AirTec is structured on a "take-or-pay" basis.

"We continue to increase our presence in the South Korean solar market, one of the fastest growing photovoltaic markets in the world," commented Mark Morelli, ECD's president and CEO. "The Korean market clearly endorses the unique value proposition offered by our UNI-SOLAR products for rooftop systems where our product features a cost-effective solution."

UNI-SOLAR laminates offer superior cost-effective solutions for roofing applications because they are lightweight, durable, flexible, can be integrated directly with building materials, and generate more energy in real- world conditions. They are, for example, three to five times lighter than conventional solar modules (which use glass), offering an ideal solution for low-load bearing roof applications. UNI-SOLAR laminates can be installed without any structural changes or penetrations to the roof, and provide superior wind and seismic load performance compared with conventional solar modules. UNI-SOLAR laminates do not require polysilicon, a key raw material for conventional PV products.

Quantum Technologies Aquires Stake in ASOLA

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 25% equity stake in ASOLA Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH ("ASOLA"), a leading German solar energy technology company that develops and manufactures high quality and high-efficiency photovoltaic modules for a number of innovative applications, including commercial, residential and automotive.

Based on existing orders and capacity, ASOLA anticipates 2008 revenues in excess of 50 million Euros while generating positive net profits. Currently, ASOLA's order backlog extends for several years, building on the long-term solar cell supply agreement that ASOLA and Quantum entered into with prominent German solar cell manufacturer Ersol. ASOLA continues to expand production capacity at its German facilities to support the high growth the company is experiencing.

As previously announced, ASOLA has signed a long-term supply contract with Ersol Solar Energy AG for the procurement of 155 MW of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic solar cells, starting in 2008. This agreement guarantees a supply of solar cells to Quantum and ASOLA, thereby avoiding any potential future disruptions due to polysilicon shortages, as have been
recently experienced by the solar cell industry. Resulting sales from the supply agreement with Ersol are anticipated to generate US $500 million for ASOLA and Quantum. Quantum and ASOLA intend to jointly utilize the Ersol cells for the manufacture of high quality solar modules for commercial, residential, and automotive applications in both Europe and the United
States. This guaranteed supply will enable the expansion of Quantum and ASOLA solar modules into Germany, Spain, Italy, and France as well as into the United States, beginning in California.

Solar energy demand has consistently grown in excess of 25 percent per year in Europe during the past 15 years, and is poised for a period of accelerated growth, especially in California. German solar energy companies have gained significant experience over the past decade in meeting the demand in Germany that consumes over 50 percent of the global solar photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity.

"We are pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of a 25 percent stake in ASOLA. We believe ASOLA will add positive earnings to our bottom line and move Quantum closer to profitability. ASOLA, which has over 20 years of solar industry experience, has and will continue to provide us access to European alliances and relationships in the rapidly expanding European renewable energy market," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "Demand for ASOLA's high-quality solar modules continues to grow in the expanding renewable energy markets in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. Our goal is to produce and make these high-quality solar modules available in the United States as well."

"As a California-based company, we believe that Quantum, together with ASOLA, is well positioned to capitalize on the multi-billion dollar California Solar Initiative, which provides incentives for solar installations over the next decade for residential homes and commercial,
industrial, and agricultural properties," added Mr. Niedzwiecki.

About Quantum:

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum's portfolio of technologies includes
advanced lithium-ion battery systems, electronic controls, hybrid electric drive systems, hydrogen storage and metering systems, and alternative fuel technologies that enable fuel efficient, low emission hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum's powertrain engineering, system integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provide fast-to-market solutions to support the production of hybrid and plug-in hybrid, hydrogen-powered hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations. Quantum's customer base includes automotive OEMs, fleets, aerospace industry, military and other government entities, and other strategic alliance partners.

Quantum has also formed a new company with Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, which is called Fisker Automotive, Inc. Fisker Automotive will offer a range of environmentally friendly premium cars, incorporating Quantum's proprietary high-performance plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle architecture, known as "Q-Drive," into a unique chassis that will enable optimizing the performance and vehicle dynamics.

Hoku Solar To Build Hawaii's Largest Solar Farm

What would be the state's largest stand-alone solar energy production farm is to be built by a subsidiary of Hoku Scientific Inc. on 12 acres of James Campbell Co. land next to Campbell Industrial Park.

An announcement was expected to be made today.

The production system at the Kapolei Sustainable Energy Park would be capable of generating approximately 1.5 megawatts of photovoltaic power. Officials at Hoku Solar Inc. estimate that over the 25-year life of the system, it would produce enough electricity for approximately 6,700 homes for one year.

The park would be in Campbell's planned Kapolei Harborside Industrial Park, a 345-acre light industrial and business park bordered by Campbell Industrial Park, Kapolei Business Park and Kalaeloa Harbor.

At an unrelated press conference on Friday, Office of Hawaiian Affairs officials said they are also eyeing producing solar energy in the Kapolei-Kalaeloa region. The 110-acre former Campbell feed lot in Kalaeloa is among three parcels that would be handed over to OHA by the state as part of a $200 million ceded lands revenue settlement, a plan that still must be approved by the Legislature.

As for the Campbell-Hoku Solar venture, a nonbinding agreement that is subject to conditions and government approvals has been signed.

The site includes an area that is a capped, former hazardous waste pile and clearance must be obtained by the state Health Department before the project can begin. Campbell has cleaned up the site, which was used as a waste disposal area for the now-defunct Hawaiian Western Steel, and the Health Department has proclaimed that "no further action" is necessary.

Hoku Solar would be responsible for designing, engineering, financing, procuring, installing and operating the solar facility. The company would lease the property from Campbell, which has also promised to help market the energy.

Hoku Solar provides turnkey photovoltaic system installations in Hawai'i for commercial and residential applications. This would be the company's first development of a photovoltaic energy farm and it would rank among the largest in the country. Hoku Solar officials believe only one such photovoltaic farm exists in Hawai'i a 1.75-kilowatt system at Waimea's Parker Ranch on the Big Island that was installed in 2001...read more

Oil Revenues To Fund First Sustainable City

In an expanse of grey rock and dust in one of the harshest environments on earth, the United Arab Emirates is about to build what is being described as the world's first sustainable city, designed by British architect Lord Foster.

The site is far from promising. Miles from a polluted sea, a fierce sun raises temperatures to 50C (120F) in the summer, and there is no fresh water, no soil and no animals. But tens of billions of petro-dollars will be poured into these seven square kilometres of desert on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

Called Masdar - "the source" in Arabic - the walled city is intended to house 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses. It will have no cars and be self-sufficient in renewable energy, the majority of which will be solar energy.

The formal unveiling of the desert eco-city will be made today at a summit on future energy sources in Abu Dhabi, attended by the UK business secretary, John Hutton, and Prince Andrew.

"It's extremely ambitious," said Gerard Evenden, senior partner in Lord Foster's architecture practice in London, which has had a team working on the design for nine months. "We were invited to design a zero-carbon city. In this harsh place we needed to look back at history and see how ancient settlements had adapted to their environments." The buildings will huddle together as in a casbah, and will be cooled by wind towers which will collect the desert's breezes and flush out hot air. No building will be more than five storeys high; the city is to be oriented north-east to south-west to give the optimum balance of sunlight and shade.

It will feel closer to many cities built in the age of the cart and horse. Most roads will only be 3 metres (10ft) wide and just 70 metres long to develop a micro-climate and keep the air moving; roofs will allow in air and keep the sun out in the summer. No one will be more than 200 metres from public transport, and streets will give on to colonnaded squares and fountains.

"We are definitely not imposing a standard international architecture in Masdar. We are aiming to find a balance of light and heat," said Evenden. "It's only really hot for three months of the year, but at other times it's humid."

It is every architect's dream to build a new city and Foster's team say they started from scratch. The idea has been to reduce the amount of energy needed to build it and to live there, and then to let solar energy take over.

"We will start with a large solar power station which will provide the energy to construct the city. Some 80% of all the roof space will be used to generate solar power, and because we expect technology to improve as we are building it, we hope we will later be able to remove the power plant. We could 'borrow' energy from outside, but we are trying to prove it can all be generated in the confines of the site," said Evenden...read more

Jamaicans Getting Off the Grid

While most Jamaicans were ruing missed television programmes, the loss of unsaved computer data and wilting under uncomfortable heat on account of the recent island-wide blackout, there were a handful of persons who didn't notice there was no electricity.

It was only when Michael Drakulich and Patricia Isaacs-Green, both of whom live in St Ann, and Kingstonians Dr Willard Pinnock and Paul Beswick saw that their neighbours' houses were in darkness that they realised there was a power outage. And had they not installed alternative sources of power in their homes and business places years earlier, they would've been in darkness too.

"I didn't even know there was a power cut," said Drakulich. "The only time I knew there was no power was when I walked out of my house and saw everything in darkness and heard a generator making noise down the beach," he boasted.

"We don't know when there's a power cut," said Beswick, speaking on behalf his family. "We didn't know there was one on Wednesday (January 9) and the last one we had [in July 2007], we found out about it six hours into the power cut," he added.

In addition to having light even when the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), the national provider, is unable to supply, and the obvious environmental benefits, the solar enthusiasts are agreed that the advantage of saving thousands of dollars each month in electricity bills is invaluable... read more about Jamaicans using solar power

SunEdison Pushing Standards to Simplify Solar

BELTSVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, announced today a significant step in simplifying solar across North America by beginning integration of more than 3,300 electric utility-industry standards in the engineering, construction, deployment, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems.

With the IHS Standards Expert solution, a leading information management tool for utility industries, SunEdison engineering, construction and maintenance crews will have real-time access to utility industry standards. The new capabilities and easy-to-use interface of the IHS tool also support SunEdison’s mission to simplify solar. Implementation of broad solar standards will facilitate traditional utility interconnections and drive economies of scale for the solar industry.

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a global provider of critical technical information, decision-support tools and related strategic services for leading companies in the utility industry.

SunEdison will use the IHS standards management tool to fully integrate standards for the solar industry which are used by electricity providers and traditional utilities. More than 300 SunEdison team members globally will have access to IHS Standards Expert during the development, implementation and refinement of photovoltaic energy systems, tapping more than 3,300 utility-adopted standards and specifications from standards developing bodies, such as IEEE, NEMA, UL and IEC.

“Solar is complex. By driving standards, SunEdison is simplifying the solar industry,” said Thomas (Tom) Rainwater, CEO of SunEdison. “Industry standards are key to ensuring a common language, specifications and measurements for development, construction and maintenance of photovoltaic energy systems in order to extract the maximum value from their systems.”

“We are proud to be working with SunEdison, providing the critical standards information they need in their leadership role in the solar energy industry,” said Jeff Tarr, co-president and co-chief operating officer, IHS. “The utilities industry has complex standards and managing that is the key for any energy service provider. SunEdison is helping to establish the benchmark for the industry which will lead to economies of scale in solar.”

Safeway Goes Green In A Big Way

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY), one of the nation’s leading retailers embracing environmentally friendly initiatives throughout its business operations, announced today that it has converted its entire California and U.S. truck fleet to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel.

The biodiesel initiative makes Safeway one of the first major retailers in the United States to convert its entire fleet of more than 1,000 trucks to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel. The decision by Safeway will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75 million pounds annually, the equivalent of taking nearly 7,500 passenger vehicles off the road each year.

“Safeway is proud to lead by example to help protect the environment,” said Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd. “Using biodiesel to power our transportation fleet will prevent millions of pounds of carbon emissions from being released into the environment. Our biodiesel program is just one of many initiatives underway that will make a positive impact on the environment.”

In Northern California, Lt. Governor John Garamendi will join Mr. Burd for an unveiling of the company’s newest biodiesel fueled big rig at a 3 p.m. ceremony on Friday at the company’s Dublin, California store. The store is one of the company’s green store, and is powered by solar energy. The on-site Safeway fuel center is powered by wind energy.

“Safeway’s environmental leadership is a shining example of how businesses can adapt and become a major player in the fight against global warming,” said Lt. Governor Garamendi. Thinking green can no longer be a choice in the business world when looking toward the future. Smart businesses are looking over the horizon, and understand that the risks and opportunity associated with this critical issue must be part of their overall plan to grow and to be successful in the future.”

Safeway this week is making the announcement with environmental and community leaders in major cities throughout the country. In Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and U.S. Senator Ken Salazar helped fuel the first biodiesel truck at a Safeway distribution center. In Washington, D.C. members of Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representatives joined Safeway officials for a similar announcement at a local Safeway store. Mayor Richard Daley joined executives from Safeway’s Dominick’s division for an event in Chicago. In Pasadena, Mayor Bill Bogaard and Vons officials unveiled a biodiesel powered truck in front of city hall. In Portland, Oregon a range State Legislators joined Safeway for its local launch. To help educate the public about environmental awareness, every Safeway truck will have special decals indicating the vehicle is operated with cleaner-burning biodiesel.

Safeway’s biodiesel program is just part of Safeway’s extensive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative and the company’s overall effort to manage its carbon footprint, address climate change and reduce air pollution. The company has been recognized throughout the country for its dedication to using solar power, wind power, alternative fuels and construction strategies in conjunction with employee education and consumer outreach to reduce carbon emissions in the communities Safeway serves. In September 2007 the company was awarded the California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in the area of climate change.

In 2006 Safeway joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®), the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. The CCX membership commits Safeway to reduce its carbon footprint from the base year 2000 by 390,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The company also joined the California Climate Action Registry, California’s only official registry for greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects.

In addition, the company is participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transportation Partnership, which commits Safeway to establishing a baseline fuel efficiency of its fleet and implementing a plan to decrease carbon emissions. Those efficiencies, which include purchasing trailers with large capacity, have saved more than 6.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and decreased carbon emissions by 73,000 tons annually. Safeway also is part of the EPA’s Grow & Go Partners, which promotes the benefits of renewable fuels.

Other Safeway sustainability initiatives include:

* Being one of the largest retail purchasers of renewable wind energy in the U.S, purchasing 87,000 megawatts annually, enough to power its 300 fuel stations and over 50 stores.
* Launching a solar power program to convert two dozen California stores to solar energy, which will help remove 10.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the air, the equivalent of taking 1,000 cars off the road annually.
* Implementing unique energy-saving strategies in stores by installing new energy-efficient refrigeration technology and freezer systems and utilizing LED lighting to significantly reduce electricity usage.
* Operating an extensive recycling program in which nearly 500,000 tons of materials are recycled each year, including cardboard, plastics and compostable materials. This is the equivalent of filling six football fields stacked 35 feet high. The company also offers reusable canvas bags to customers and has plastic bag recycling programs at many stores.

LDK Solar Lands 10 Year Supply Deal With Neo Solar

XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK), a leading manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, announced today that it has signed a ten-year contract to supply multicrystalline solar wafers to rapidly growing Taiwan-based Neo Solar Power Corp. (NSP).

Under the terms of the agreement, LDK will receive a cash deposit from NSP and pricing will be fixed for the entire contract period. During this period, LDK Solar will deliver approximately 500 MW multicrystalline solar wafers to NSP with delivery commencing in 2009.

"We are very pleased to expand our partnership with NSP through this additional wafer supply contract," stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO. "As a key supplier to NSP, LDK Solar is proud to contribute to their manufacturing of high-quality solar cells."

"We are excited to further develop our working relationship with LDK," commented Dr. Quincy Lin, Vice Chairman and CEO of NSP. "As NSP continues to grow, establishing longer term silicon supply agreements is important to the company, and we are pleased to work with LDK Solar, an industry leader."

SunPower Teams With NorSun For Polysilicon Deal

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that it has signed two polysilicon agreements to be supplied by a new polysilicon plant located in Saudi Arabia. The two agreements will support in aggregate 2500 megawatts of solar cell production.

SunPower signed a polysilicon purchase agreement with NorSun AS and another with NorSun and its partners who are forming a joint venture company to construct a new polysilicon plant in Saudi Arabia. Each agreement anticipates polysilicon delivery to begin in 2010 and extend
through 2019.

"SunPower continues to develop new sources of polysilicon," said PM Pai, chief operations officer of SunPower Corp. "We are building a diverse portfolio of intermediate and long-term silicon supply contracts that support SunPower's cost reduction roadmap. Economies of scale in our supply chain, manufacturing and channel development will drive down installed solar system costs by 50 percent by 2012."

Clear Skies To Install $1.2 Million Solar Solution In Rancho Bernardo

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:CSKH), a leading developer of solar energy products and a full-service integration company specializing in the turnkey installation of commercial photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, today announced an agreement with Hawthorne Machinery to install a solar energy system at the company’s 25-acre headquarters in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

Under the agreement, Clear Skies will install a 159 kw solar photovoltaic (PV) system designed to offset the majority of buildings’ current energy usage charges. The contract price for the project is $1,281,800.

"This sale not only represents a major milestone for our company but also marks the beginning of a relationship with Hawthorne Machinery, a leader in providing heavy equipment to the construction industry,” said Ezra Green, chief executive officer and chairman of the Clear Skies Group. “As their company continues to grow, the Clear Skies Group will be able to provide cost-effective energy solutions that suit their changing needs.”

"Hawthorne Machinery will begin saving money the day the system is turned on,” added Green. “In addition, over the working life of the system, the costs will not increase beyond the initial purchase price. The skyrocketing costs of traditional energy sources, coupled with an abundance of available rebates, makes the benefits of going solar not only feasible, but a smart financial investment for companies.”

After federal tax credits and a performance-based incentive (PBI) from the California Solar Initiative (CSI), Hawthorne Machinery is expected to incur an effective purchase price of only 20% of the cost of the system.

Fraunhofer ISE Unveils Efficient PV Inverter

A maximum efficiency rating of 98.5 percent for photovoltaic inverters has been achieved by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in a test using prototype silicon carbide-based MOSFETs manufactured by CREE, Inc., USA. These are the highest efficiency results reported for photovoltaic inverters to date. Fraunhofer researchers succeeded in reducing the power dissipation of conventional inverters by 30 to 50 percent when compared with results obtained with traditional silicon-based transistors. They are the first researchers worldwide to test the new semiconductor material for this application.

Inverters transform direct current generated by photovoltaic systems into alternating current and feed it into the public grid. The higher the efficiency rating of the inverter, the greater is the energy yield of the entire photovoltaic system. To achieve the highest energy output over time, the efficiency rating should remain high over a wide range of power levels. During testing, the inverter with Cree SiC components also set a new performance precedent across a wide range of power output values.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this record level of efficiency. Silicon carbide components switch faster and have a smaller forward bias power loss than traditional silicon-based transistors,” says Dr. Bruno Burger, head of the Power Electronics Group at Fraunhofer ISE. Fraunhofer ISE is the first organization known to test silicon carbide MOSFETs in this application. “Our work involved characterizing the components and integrating them into existing inverters. If, in a further step, the inverter circuitry is optimized specifically for silicon carbide, then even greater efficiencies could certainly be achieved.”

Currently, the semiconductor silicon carbide SiC is mainly applied in white LEDs, which are presently revolutionizing the lighting technology. SiC diodes have been available for quite a while. However, the MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) which are necessary for the power stage in inverters have not been available until now.

The Fraunhofer team achieved the efficiency rating record with a single-phase inverter with their patent-pending HERIC® topology and a nominal power rating of 5 kilowatts. They also increased the efficiency rating of a three-phase inverter with a nominal power rating of 7 kilowatts from 95.1 to 97.5 percent.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is a leader in the development of photovoltaic inverters. ISE engineers presented the first transformerless inverter 25 years ago and have continued to advance transformerless technology. In the meantime, this technology has now become established in the field of solar power generation. Transformerless inverters are more efficient, cheaper and lighter than devices with transformers.

Delta Products Installs 30kw Solar PV System

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A 30 kw solar photovoltaic (PV) system was switched on at Delta Products’ office in Research Triangle Park (RTP) on January 7, 2008. Comprised of 160 solar panels, the array is the largest corporate-owned, roof-mounted solar PV system in the state. On average, it will produce about 36,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity each year — enough to power 3 to 4 typical NC homes and offset approximately 37 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

“This solar power system in RTP, NC is the largest one Delta has installed in the U.S. Delta’s mission is "To provide innovative energy-saving products for a better quality of life" which expresses our commitment to environmental protection. Being the world leader in supplying high efficiency power supplies, Delta continues to dedicate resources to raising the efficiency of power supplies to reduce the energy consumption of computers, data centers, communications, and consumer products. Delta’s leading technology in clean energy includes solar panels and solar inverters for solar power generation. The system in RTP, NC is one of ways Delta can help to slow global warming.”said M.S. Huang, VP and GM Delta Products Corporation.

Delta partnered with Triangle-based sustainable energy company Southern Energy Management to engineer, design and install the solar system. “We are thrilled we had the chance to work with Delta on this project, which we believe is just the first of many milestones to come for North Carolina’s burgeoning solar industry,” said Bob Kingery, co-owner of Southern Energy Management. “This project demonstrates that large-scale solar systems are feasible, and that solar power is a smart financial investment for companies.”

Delta has focused on environmental issues for the past several years. The company is actively pursuing research in clean, renewable energy technologies, and studying how to effectively use resources. While economic incentives make solar more attractive as a corporate investment, Delta has additional reasons to invest in solar power. Renewable power supplies, including solar inverters and solar cells, are a core part of Delta’s global product line, and switching power components are a primary focus of the company’s engineering R&D lab in RTP.

The electricity generated by Delta’s solar system flows directly into nearby utility power lines, adding to the supply of locally produced clean energy and earning Delta approximately 18 cents per kWh — about 4 cents per kWh from the utility, and an additional 14 cents per kWh from the NC Green Power program.

In addition to NC GreenPower and utility payments, Delta received generous tax incentives for its solar system, including state and federal tax credits, and accelerated depreciation. Altogether, these incentives cover more than 70% of the cost of the system, which will pay for itself in less than 12 years.

“One unique opportunity we had with this project was engineering the system around Delta’s own solar power inverters,“ said Shawn Fitzpatrick, P.E., lead solar engineer at Southern Energy Management. “We also ballast-mounted the solar panels, which means there are no penetrations made to the roof, so the system offers lower liability and requires less maintenance over time.”

Until now, the largest corporate solar PV systems in the state have been around 10 kW, about one-third the size of Delta’s new array. But larger corporate solar systems are already on the horizon.

“For the time being, Delta’s PV system has set a new standard in the trend toward large commercial solar systems in our state,” said Kingery. “In our minds, they definitely deserve some recognition for stepping up as leaders and helping pave the way for other business leaders to incorporate solar power into their sustainability programs.”

ATK Lands Lucrative Orion Deal

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a division of Lockheed Martin Corporation to design, develop and build UltraFlex solar arrays for NASA's next generation Orion crew exploration
vehicle. The value of the initial design and development contract is expected to exceed $50 million. Program management, design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, assembly and test work for the solar arrays will be conducted at ATK's facility in Goleta, CA. Because the flight solar array system is expendable for each Orion mission, ATK expects continuous production through 2020 and beyond.

Powered by ATK's solar arrays, Orion is being designed to carry astronauts to the moon. It also will transport crew and cargo to the International Space Station.

ATK's UltraFlex disk shaped solar arrays, each measuring greater than 5 meters in diameter, will track the sun and provide power for Orion during its mission. ATK's UltraFlex arrays offer superior performance characteristics and mission enabling features, including ultra-lightweight,
high strength, high stiffness, and compact stowage volume. The UltraFlex solar array configured for Orion will provide over twenty-five times the strength and ten times the stiffness of ATK's conventional rigid panel solar arrays, at less than one-fourth the weight.

"We are very excited to play such a key partner role on Lockheed Martin's team supporting NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle," said Mike Cerneck, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Space, headquartered in Beltsville, MD. "ATK is a leader in the development and supply of mission-enabling deployable space systems and we look forward to supporting
NASA's new era of space exploration."

ATK is an industry leader in solar array systems-engineering competencies. It offers a broad range of technologies, skills and products, and a proven production and test capability for solar array systems. To date the company has delivered over 70 solar array wing systems.

LDK Solar Aquires Minority Stake in Sinoma Crucible

XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK), a leading manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 33.5% of Jiangxi Sinoma New Material Co., Ltd.
(Sinoma), a Xinyu-based crucible manufacturer, from Xinyu Chengdong Investment and Construction Co., Ltd. for a consideration of approximately RMB 17 million.

Sinoma, founded in May, 2007, completed construction of its plant to manufacture crucibles in September, 2007. The company started test production in November 2007 and subsequently commenced shipping products to its customers. Its current capacity is 30,000 units per year, with a goal of reaching 80,000 units per year by the end of 2008. Sinoma integrated its
own manufacturing process, equipment development and new technology research.

"Sinoma's proximity to LDK's wafer factory will significantly reduce the logistical costs typically associated with the acquisition of crucibles from abroad," stated Jack Lai, CFO of LDK Solar. "Domestic-sourced procurement is part of our ongoing initiatives to reduce our manufacturing costs. We expect to be able to secure sufficient crucibles to satisfy our capacity expansion plan and reduce costs of this critical supplemental material in the long-term."

nCoat and BSR Solar Technologies Announce Agreement

WHITSETT, NC--(Marketwire - January 9, 2008) - nCoat, Inc. (OTCBB: NCOA) ("nCoat" or the "Company") has announced the signing of an agreement for business collaboration and commercial product development with Sunvention USA, Inc. ("SV-US": www.sunvention.us) and BSR Solar Technologies GmbH ("BSR": www.bsrsolar.com) using nCoat nanotechnology coatings in a Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) system to concentrate the solar radiation and create highly efficient heat absorption and retention in the heat collection element. nCoat coatings will also be used to protect solar "Green Energy" systems developed and built by SV-US and BSR.

"Thermal absorption and transfer coatings used in solar energy production is a new market segment for nCoat," said Paul Clayson, CEO of nCoat, Inc. "Combining our nanotechnology coatings products and experience with commercialization of solar energy systems positions nCoat to capture revenue at the leading edge of the projected exponential market expansion. Since our coatings are known world-wide as state-of-the-art in market ready nano materials, we are being sought by other technology players to commercialize products with them."

In collaboration with BSR technologies (located in Lörrach, Germany), SV-US is creating a working Solar Power Village on site at its Greencastle, Indiana facilities. The core patented technology of the village is an Envelope Power Greenhouse ("EPG") housing optical solar CSP systems mounted in the greenhouse roof which concentrates the energy of the sun 80 to 100 times into the solar collector system, generating electricity by converting solar radiation captured in a heat receptor into electrons. The heat generated then rapidly heats inert vegetable oil to 200°C and transports the oil to a tank outside the greenhouse. The hot oil transfers thermal energy to practical uses including heat for cooking and housing, heat energy to drive a proprietary Stirling (closed-cycle, heat driven) engine to operate water pumps, mill grain and to generate electric power.

The BSR/SV-US technologies can scale from a single residence or commercial site to large scale operations. Envelope Power Greenhouses can be constructed solely for power production or for joint applications to include plant growth.

Under the terms of the agreement, nCoat will provide thermal and corrosion management coatings for BSR/SV-US technologies and will collaborate on innovations to create more efficient thermal capture and transfer of the sun's radiant light to thermal energy production and distribution. nCoat will supply both low emissivity (thermal capture) and high emissivity (thermal transfer) coatings to help enable the solar Green Energy systems.

"After 4 years and nearly 15 million dollars in development, our technologies are now fully operational and moving to commercial development," said Dr. C. William Arrington, Co-Chairman of Sunvention USA. "nCoat coatings will play a significant role in the success of the thermal management process of our systems."

BSR Solar Technologies GmbH develops solar products for global application. The company, formerly part of the Bomin Solar Group, has been in the forefront of innovative solar technology developments over the last 30 years. The creative forces behind the company, Dr. Jürgen Kleinwächter, and until 1997 his father, the late Prof. Hans Kleinwächter, are both considered European pioneers in solar technologies.

SV-US is a four-year-old company founded by Dr. Arrington and is now collaborating with BSR and its principles to commercialize solar and thermal Green Energy systems. Dr. Arrington is building the operating Solar Power Village in Indiana at the Solar Center of Excellence to showcase the various solar technologies.

WaterFurnace Offer Heat/Cooling System Powered Solar/GeoThermal

FORT WAYNE, IN--(Marketwire - January 10, 2008) - For most homeowners, up to 70 percent of a home's total energy bill goes toward heating, cooling and hot water. Geothermal systems like the Envision series by WaterFurnace (TSX: WFI) capitalize on the solar energy stored year-round just below the earth's surface to provide free, geothermal energy that increases the efficiency of home heating, cooling and hot water systems and reduces energy bills.

-- Free geothermal energy is an unlimited, renewable resource.

-- The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize geothermal systems as the most environmentally friendly, cost-effective and energy efficient heating and cooling technology available.

-- A geothermal heat pump provides a positive cash flow for homeowners and helps utilities achieve significant reductions in their peak demand loads and carbon emissions.

-- Reducing the demand on electric utilities reduces the need for new power plants and the natural resources used to generate electricity.

-- A geothermal system in a 2,500 square-foot home saves the electric utility company more than nine tons of coal a year compared to an electric resistance heating system.

-- In terms of greenhouse gas reduction, installing 100,000 residential geothermal units is equivalent to planting 100,000 acres of trees or permanently removing 200,000 cars from the road.

-- Geothermal systems also help minimize the threats of acid rain, air pollution and global warming that are linked to the burning of fossil fuels.

-- Every 100,000 homes with geothermal heat pump systems reduce foreign oil consumption by 2.15 million barrels annually and reduce electricity consumption by 799 million kilowatt hours annually.

SunPower Lights Up Poughkeepsie Town Hall With Solar

RHINEBECK, N.Y, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hudson Valley Clean Energy and SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the completed rooftop installation of a 10-kilowatt solar electric power system at the Poughkeepsie Town Hall.

"Rich in culture and history, Poughkeepsie understands the responsibility we have to preserve our environment for future generations," said Pat Myers, supervisor, Town of Poughkeepsie. "Thanks to Hudson Valley Clean Energy and SunPower, we are now generating our own clean, renewable solar power at Town Hall, while lowering electricity costs."

For this project, Hudson Valley Clean Energy utilized high-efficiency SunPower solar panels and the non-penetrating SunPower(R) T10 Solar Roof Tile, which tilt at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. While SunPower T10 systems are installed on commercial and public facilities throughout California, this is the first installation of a T10 system in upstate New York. The T10 system is a low weight, self-ballasted solar mounting system that allows large solar arrays to be quickly mounted on flat roof commercial buildings with no penetrations to the roof. Such systems have become increasingly popular in California as commercial and public facilities strive to control and reduce their future energy costs.

"To maximize the efficiency of the system, we recommended SunPower panels and the SunPower T10 Solar Roof Tile system for this installation," said Jeff Irish of Hudson Valley Clean Energy, a SunPower Premier Dealer. "We actually offered the Town two alternative system designs, and are happy they went with the SunPower T10 solution because it is a lighter weight system and was significantly lower in cost for the Town. We are pleased to provide the T10 system to the Town of Poughkeepsie, and now to offer it to public and commercial customers throughout upstate New York."

Electron Solar Enters Wind Energy Market

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electron Solar Energy (OTC:ESRG), an international distributor of alternative energy systems, announced today that it entered into a sales and distribution arrangement with two major U.S. manufacturers of wind energy systems to bring their wind generators to the Latin American and Caribbean markets.

President and CEO of Electron Solar Energy, Christopher Quinn said, “Wind energy is a very exciting renewable and eco-friendly technology. This move represents an important complement to our suite of solar energy products. On cloudy days, wind power is ideal for use as a compliment or add-on to solar energy systems, and is a viable power generation option in itself, in lieu of solar panel arrays in other regions. Wind generator technology is being embraced by Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Costa Rica as a means to cost-effectively bring reliable power to remote locations as well as densely populated cities without using existing power lines.”

“Many of our existing distributors have requested wind generator systems, and we are now capable of dispatching industry-leading wind generator systems directly from our warehouse in Miami, Florida to anywhere in Latin America or the Caribbean with same-day delivery if needed. We have a knowledgeable staff and web portal capable of communicating in English, Spanish or French, which enables us to best serve hard-to-reach markets in need of renewable energy sources,” added Quinn.

SunPower To Build 8 MW Solar Plant in Spain

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that its Spanish subsidiary will engineer, procure equipment for and construct an
approximately 8 megawatt solar electric power plant in the Extremadura region of Spain.

A corporate affiliate of The Naturener Group, a Spanish-based company, will own the solar power plant, and SunPower expects the system will beginoperating in September 2008.

"Once again we are teaming with Naturener to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Spanish market," said Marco Antonio Northland, general manager of SunPower's European operations. "By using the industry-leading SunPower(R) Tracker technology, Naturener will maximize the solar plant's energy delivery, while optimizing land use and reducing related costs."

"SunPower's engineering, procurement and construction expertise will be key to meeting our budget and schedule targets," said Rafael Sanchez-Castillo, CEO of The Naturener Group. "We are pleased to continuethe solar power segment of our renewable energy portfolio in Spain."

Akeena To License Solar Panel Technology To Suntech

LOS GATOS, Calif. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDQ: AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, announced that its state-of-the-art solar panel technology, Andalay, will be distributed in Europe, Japan and Australia under a license agreement with Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules.

The terms of the Licensing Agreement authorize Suntech to distribute Andalay in Europe, Japan and Australia commencing in January 2008. This Licensing Agreement is in addition to Suntech’s previous agreement to manufacture Andalay solar panels.

Andalay solar-panel technology was envisioned by Akeena’s CEO, Barry Cinnamon, after years of rooftop solar installation experience and customer feedback. “Andalay improves on conventional solar panels by including built-in wiring, grounding and racking designed to provide maximum rooftop performance for consumers while minimizing installation costs for solar system installers. The result is a rooftop solar power system with superior built-in reliability with outstanding aesthetics in an all-black, streamlined appearance,” said Barry Cinnamon. “Moreover, an installed Andalay system uses 70 percent fewer parts and requires 25 percent fewer attachment points than traditional solar systems, meaning better long-term performance.”

Len May, Suntech’s Managing Director of BIPV Products, said: “Akeena’s new Andalay technology will be a valuable addition to our growing portfolio of solar products and will help keep Suntech on the leading edge of solar technology innovation. Andalay is a significant innovation that directly addresses the need to reduce the cost of solar systems, and we are confident that there will be significant demand for this attractive and high performance solar solution in markets outside of the U.S.” Suntech targets sales of over 10MW of the Andalay solar panels to the licensed regions in 2008.

“We welcome this expanded collaboration with Akeena Solar to introduce this lower installed cost solution to international markets,” said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO. “The innovative Andalay panel is the perfect complement to our product offering and a clear example of Suntech’s efforts to support and promote products that bring the industry closer to grid parity. This agreement will leverage Suntech’s product development expertise, flexible and low cost manufacturing base, and robust global sales and distribution channels to expand the availability of this important new solar innovation.”

“We are delighted Andalay will be available in select countries outside the United States through one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar cells and panels,” said Barry Cinnamon. “Suntech is the natural partner to license this technology given their role in co-developing and manufacturing the product, and their extensive international distribution channels that are among the strongest in the industry. Akeena Solar and Suntech also share a focus on quality and value. We are experiencing very strong demand for Andalay, and this licensing agreement with Suntech will allow us to meet our customer’s needs for Andalay outside of our direct channels in the U.S.”

Carmanah To Divest Solar Home Products as Part of New Focus

VICTORIA, BC--(Marketwire - January 2, 2008) - Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX: CMH) is pleased to announce that the Company and Mr. David Egles have signed a definitive agreement whereby Mr. Egles has purchased the inventories and other assets of Carmanah's solar home power business. This transaction follows Carmanah's announcement on November 22, 2007 declaring the Company's plan to narrow its focus. Mr. Egles has resigned as a member of the Carmanah Board of Directors in order to pursue this opportunity as a private business. The transaction was accepted and ratified by Carmanah's Board of Directors, with a closing date of December 28, 2007.

According to the agreement, David Egles, or an incorporated company controlled by him, will pay $1.5M to Carmanah Technologies Corporation with $1.15M attributed to Carmanah's solar home power inventory and $350k for equipment and fittings at the business's leased facility in Barrie, Ontario as well as access to marketing material, customer and vendor lists, and an amendment to his non-compete agreement that permits him to return only to the solar home power business.

The $1.5M deal includes cash payments of $500K and a common share buy-back by Carmanah of $1M of the Company's shares owned by Mr. Egles. A payment of $200K was paid by Mr. Egles in cash on December 28, 2007. A further $1M equivalent in common shares (calculated using a deemed per common share market price equal to the simple average of the closing price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for each of the last 20 business days) will be purchased by the company from Mr. Egles on January 9, 2008. A final cash payment of $300K will be paid by him on March 15, 2008. Following the transaction, Mr. Egles will maintain an equity position in Carmanah, representing approximately 1% of the total common shares outstanding.

According to Carmanah CEO Ted Lattimore, this arrangement offers an attractive outcome for all stakeholders. "As Carmanah's new strategic direction no longer includes the home power market, we're pleased to see this arrangement in place," said Lattimore. "It's a great opportunity for Dave to remain involved in a market in which he has played a large role over the past 20 years, and it's also an easy transition for home power customers looking for smaller scale solutions for their home or cottage. Lastly, by selling the assets and obligations of our home power division, we can efficiently and effectively recapture and redirect our capital to our core strategic markets," added Lattimore. "All of this helps in our commitment to deliver quality solar-powered technology, while continuing to grow revenue, margin and market share from a portfolio of more closely aligned offerings. This transaction does not restrict Carmanah from re-entering the solar home power market at any point in the future."

Solar Night Releases Solar Ready Solution

SAINT LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - January 2, 2008) - Solar Night Industries (PINKSHEETS: SLND), a renewable energy company formed to accelerate the adoption of Modern Energy Solutions, introduces the Solar Synapse™, a product, sales and marketing program designed to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for renewable energy alternatives among potential new homeowners. According to a recent Roper survey commissioned by Sharp Electronics Corporation, nearly 90 percent of Americans think that solar electricity should be an option for all new home construction. Three-quarters of survey respondents perceive solar power to be more important than ever, evidence that Americans recognize the value of solar as a modern, renewable form of energy.

The Solar Synapse Pre-Wire Kit is part of an overall program designed to empower homeowners to add energy efficiency in the future. The Kit, installed during construction, will prepare a new home for adding photovoltaic solar panels (electricity) at some future date. With new federal, state and local subsidies changing and the price of solar panels projected to halve in the next five years, the timing is perfect to make these new homes "solar ready" now. The program includes marketing materials to help the builder sell Pre-Wire Kits and provides a post-purchase activity for the new homeowner. After closing, new owners can go to the Solar Synapse ™ site to register their kit. They will receive a copy of a "The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy," plus they qualify to receive a Modern Energy Plan™ from SNI for their home. The revolutionary Modern Energy Plan™ is a customized plan that will tell them the cost to complete the total solar system, plus, educate the consumer regarding the incentives in their area.

"We feel the Solar Synapse™ is a unique solution for builders who seek to differentiate their business and attract the mainstreaming green market. Education is an important aspect of our business model and we believe this program teaches builders about the potential of using modern energy solutions as a best-practice, and educating the homeowner regarding their options," says Tim Corbet, CEO of Solar Night.

Solar Night is expanding the Solar Synapse™ product rollout via a network of Manufacturer's Representatives' from the building and renewable energy segments. For more information, go to www.SolarSynapse.com.

Photovolatics Sales Expected to Reach $32 Billion by 2012

WELLESLEY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a new technical market research report, PHOTOVOLTAICS: GLOBAL MARKETS & TECHNOLOGIES (EGY014F) from BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com), the global market for photovoltaics (PV) is expected to be worth $12.9 billion in 2007. This is expected to increase to over $32.3 billion by 2012, a compound average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%.

Global shipments of PV cells/modules reached 2,875.1 megawatts (MW) in 2007. They are projected to grow by 28.6% to reach 3,697.3 MW by 2007, and by a CAGR of 30% to reach 13,724.4 MW by 2013.

The rapid growth of PV will be driven by the global demand for energy of all kinds, the potential problems of climate change, the renewable features of solar energy and improvements in PV technology and materials. PV will increasingly be made part of industrial and living structures.

Silicon technology, which accounted for about 89% of the market in 2007, will continue to dominate through the end of our forecast period. Multicrystalline silicon will grow at a 285% rate through 2013. Recent improvements in this traditional technology and its reliability will keep it in the forefront, but silicon will represent only 79% of the market by 2013.

Thin films, while only 10% of the market, will grow at a 45% rate through 2013. Improvements in efficiencies and the use of these materials on flexible substrates will account for their rapid growth. Thin films will account for almost 19% of the PV market by the end of our forecast period.

New technologies, such as nanostructured thin films and silicon and dye-sensitized solar cells, accounted for just under 0.5% of the market in 2007 but will grow at a 34% rate to reach 19.2 MW in 2008 and then exhibit 50% annual growth to achieve 145.7 MW by 2013. Research and development efforts on these new materials have been constant and results are just now starting to appear.

Solar Enertech Releases 4th Quarter Finacials

Menlo Park, Ca., Dec. 28 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- - Solar EnerTech Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: SOEN) (the "Company") today announced results for the fourth quarter and the 2007 fiscal year.

For the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2007, Solar EnerTech reported total revenue of $4.1 million compared to no revenue in the same period in 2006. The Company incurred a negative gross profit of $368,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Total operating expense, which included a $3.0 million non-cash stock compensation charge related to the hiring and retention of key executives, was $4.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Excluding stock compensation expense, operating expense for the quarter was $1.1 million.

Net income for the fourth quarter, which included $10.4 million in non-cash gains associated with a change in fair market value of compound embedded derivative liability and change in fair market value of warrant liability, was $5.1 million. Both the compound embedded derivative and
warrant liabilities were recorded in conjunction with the convertible notes transaction entered into by the Company in March 2007. Excluding these non-cash gains, the Company had a net loss of $5.3 million, or $(0.07) per diluted share.

Mr. Leo Young, Chief Executive Officer of Solar EnerTech commented, ''Our results for the fourth quarter met our internal plan as we continued to take the appropriate steps to ramp up production and expand capacity. During our 2007 fiscal fourth quarter, we had one production line running, while we fine-tuned our manufacturing process and made progress towards
completing our second manufacturing facility. These initiatives have positioned us well for increased solar cell shipments in fiscal 2008.''

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, Solar EnerTech reported total revenue of $5.6 million, compared to no revenue in the 2006 fiscal year. During its initial production run, the Company incurred higher than average manufacturing costs which resulted in a negative gross profit of $361,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Total operating expense, which included a $9.3 million non-cash stock compensation charge, was $12.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. Excluding stock compensation expense, total operating expenses for the 2007 fiscal year were $2.7 million.

The Company recorded a net loss of $29.4 million, or ($0.38) per diluted share in fiscal 2007, which included $15.7 million in non-cash losses associated with the issuance of convertible notes, the change in fair market value of compound embedded derivative liability and change in
fair value of the warrant liability. Excluding these non-cash charges, the Company had a net loss of $13.7 million, or $(0.18) per diluted share.

Mr. Young continued, ''We are pleased with the progress we made in our business during the course of fiscal 2007 and are proud of our accomplishments. In addition to growing our revenues, we established a joint R&D venture with Shanghai University, completed our first 25 MW solar cell production line, signed a long-term material silicon supply agreement, obtained ISO 9001 and 14001 Certifications, received IEC Certification which has facilitated our entry into the European market, added an additional 21,000 square feet of manufacturing space which will increase future module production capacity, and improved our accounting and corporate governance functions.''

Order trends for Solar EnerTech's businesses continue to track internal expectations and the Company has positive, growth-driven momentum heading into fiscal 2008. The Company's revenue outlook for the fiscal 2008 first quarter, ending December 31, 2007 is $4.7 million to $5.0 million.

''As we look to the first quarter of 2008, our business continues to be on track and we have positive, growth-driven momentum for photovoltaic cell and module sales as customer demand remains very high in Europe and is increasing in other countries around the world. We were pleased to recently announce our largest sales contract win to date to ship solar modules to
one of the largest solar system integrators in Europe. We expect the majority of this $21.8 million contract to be fulfilled in our fiscal 2008 second quarter. We have completed our first production line and are currently working diligently to ensure that our second production line is
up and running in the second half of calendar year 2008. The growth of the renewable energy market remains strong and we are well positioned to increase our performance with our leading solar cell products and modules,'' concluded Young.

As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $3.9 million in cash, $900,000 of accounts receivables, $6.5 million of prepayment primarily for purchase of raw materials and $5.7 million of inventories on hand. Additionally, the Company had $9.6 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities. It also recorded $16.8 million of derivative and $17.4 million of warrant liabilities.

San Diego Master-Planned Community Wins Multiple Awards

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - December 20, 2007) - For one new Southern California master-planned community, going green brought home the gold. This year, Del Sur in northern San Diego captured a slew of coveted national and regional awards for smart-growth planning and environmental stewardship.

Raising the bar in the building industry, Del Sur's 2007 green building awards include:

-- Governor's Award for Environmental & Economic Leadership (GEELA) for Comprehensive Land Use Planning;

-- San Diego's first Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), for the Ranch House at Del Sur;

-- 2007 California Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) winner;

-- 2007 Recycler of the Year, presented by the city of San Diego;

-- 2007 Sustainable Communities Champion, presented by San Diego Gas & Electric;

-- Sustainable Community of the Year, presented by the Building Industry Association of Southern California;

-- 2007 President's Award, American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego chapter;

-- 2007 San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) Award, runner-up for Special Achievement by a Small Business, presented by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (formerly San Diego Regional Energy Office)

Capping the year was the November presentation of California's most important environmental award -- Governor Schwarzenegger's Environmental & Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Del Sur was honored in the category of comprehensive land use planning, which GEELA defines as a project demonstrating "social equity and adequate housing; cost-effective infrastructure and transportation; water and energy efficiencies; and open space conservation to protect forests, agriculture, watersheds and other ecosystem values."

In July 2007, the Ranch House at Del Sur, the community's information center, earned Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification for a newly-constructed building from the U.S. Green Building Council, which sets the national standard for smart-growth, eco-friendly design and building practices. The Platinum certification is LEED's highest designation for green design and construction. Earning 59 out of a total 69 points in its category, the Ranch House is currently the second-highest-rated green building of its kind in the United States, and one of fewer than 30 such buildings in the world. The Ranch House is open to the public as an environmental resource center and features many of the sustainable design and construction practices built into the homes of Del Sur.

Construction recycling is a key component of the Del Sur environment ethic, with nearly 92 percent of construction waste communitywide recycled as part of a builder-mandated program in 2006. For these efforts, Del Sur in 2007 was named a winner of the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP), presented by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The city of San Diego also named Del Sur a 2007 Recycler of the Year, following a 2006 award in the same category.

Prolific energy- and water-saving features -- from photovoltaic (solar) systems in at least 20% of homes community-wide, to weather-based irrigation, tankless water heaters and drought-resistant landscaping in nearly every home as well as common-area applications -- are a central component of the Del Sur sustainable design, construction and living philosophy. These conservation strategies were cited by San Diego Gas & Electric in naming Del Sur a 2007 Sustainable Communities Champion and by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (formerly the San Diego Regional Energy Office) in acknowledging Del Sur in the 2007 San Diego Excellence in Energy Award (SANDEE) program. The President's Award, the highest honor from the American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego Chapter, also was presented to Del Sur in 2007.

The developer of the 1,800-acre community of Del Sur is Black Mountain Ranch LLC. The community eventually will include 2,500 market-rate homes, 469 low-income homes, business and commercial space, a transit center, fire station, two schools and more than 2,000 acres of dedicated open space shared with sister community Santaluz. Del Sur opened in June 2006 and is approximately 20 percent complete.

In addition to the award-winning homes by some of the region's top builders, Del Sur provides a distinct lifestyle and abundance of amenities. Neighborhoods offer a wide variety of residential styles that borrow their grace from San Diego's architectural heritage. Tree-lined streets, a town center, expansive parks with swimming pools and 18 miles of trails shared with sister community Santaluz, all surrounded by acres of natural open space, are planned to create a rich living experience for beginning, growing and mature families. Del Sur is open for model home and community tours daily 10am to 5pm. Call 858-481-4200 or click onto http://www.DelSurLiving.com to learn more.