SunWind Power Systems

China Sunergy Co. Ltd. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Solarwatt AG, to provide 22 megawatts (MW) of solar cells over the course of 2009.

Construction on the main stadium for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan will be complete by the end of this year. The new sports arena is also Taiwan's largest photovoltaic installation to date - fitted with solar modules manufactured by the Taiwanese company Lucky Power Technology Co. Ltd. using equipment provided by 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG.

To use an old cliche, it's been a banner year here at RenewableEnergyWorld.com. Despite the worldwide downturn of financial markets and the global credit crisis, many Renewable Energy companies continue to thrive and our publication is no exception.

Solar Works Inc. and SolarWrights Inc. announced the new name of their united enterprise: Alteris Renewables Inc. The name change is intended to better convey the company's expanded offering of renewable energy solutions that include solar electric, solar thermal and wind energy systems, the company said.

SunRun and OCR Solar & Roofing announced a new partnership that will expand solar service and bring roof-integrated solar electric systems to more homeowners throughout Northern California. OCR is SunRun's first partner to specialize in roof-integrated solar applications. Through this partnership, OCR will now offer its residential customers SunRun's full-service solutions in conjunction with its roof integrated solar panels.

A new program undertaken by the University of Michigan (U-M) and Franuhofer will award seed money grants of up to US $200,000 annually for two years to projects that explore alternative energy innovations for transportation.

This year was dominated by bad financial news — very bad financial news. Renewables have certainly had their fair share of troubles associated with the financial crisis; yet somehow they've seemed to fare better than most industries. It's still uncertain how a financial hangover will impact development in 2009, but most analysts agree that any global slowdown will be moderate, especially considering how drastic and far-reaching the credit crisis has been thus far.

What if buying a solar electric system would be as easy as buying a new light bulb? The process of purchasing and installing a solar electric system does not have to be like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle anymore. ReadySolar will now offer their "Solar in a Box"® turnkey solar appliance through GoGreenSolar.com

Milpitas Unified School District, Chevron Energy Solutions and Bank of America announced the completion of a 14-site, district-wide solar and energy efficiency project designed to supply 75 percent of the district's total annual electricity needs through solar energy.

China Sunergy Co. Ltd. announced that it has entered into a one-year agreement with Ajit Solar Pvt Ltd., a privately-owned module manufacturer based in Jaipur, India.

Policies that affect the renewable energy industry are as diverse as the nations, regions and communities that enact them. The year 2008 saw both progress and regression in some of these policies with the U.S putting in place an 8-year federal tax credit for solar energy and Spain reducing its feed-in tariff levels, leaving many developers scrambling to finish projects as quickly as possible.

AEE Solar, one of the renewable energy industry's oldest, largest and fastest-growing wholesale distributors, will hold its 2nd Annual AEE Solar Dealer Conference in Mesa, Arizona, February 18-21, 2009. Last year's inaugural conference drew more than 200 dealers to Mesa's beautiful Hilton Phoenix East – the site of this year's conference as well – for a hugely successful four days of training sessions, supplier exhibits, social gatherings and fun in the sun.

The solar industry has not been untouched by the current global economic crunch, but industry news continues to be stubbornly optimistic. Across the board, industry experts are predicting a major surge in all aspects of the solar industry. The cost for photovoltaic technologies is dropping, tax credits have been extended and President-elect Obama has committed to growing the nation's green economy. Now is quite clearly the time to launch a career in solar.

Seemingly in defiance of the nation's economic woes, the solar industry keeps churning out optimistic news. The most recent a projection from New Energy Finance saying that the cost for photovoltaics is set to drop more than 30% in the coming year. Lower costs coupled with the extension of the ITC and the election of a renewable energy-friendly president will surely translate into huge growth opportunities in the solar industry.

Panasonic Corporation and Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. announced that they have entered into the Capital and Business Alliance Agreement. Under the agreement, Panasonic will acquire the majority of the voting rights of Sanyo assuming by means of a public tender offer bid. Panasonic and Sanyo will form a close alliance in business with the prospect of organizational restructurings of both companies.

It's been another great year for renewable energy and the technology advances that have been made are astounding. As always, we at RenewableEnergyWorld.com tried to stay on top of all the new developments throughout the year and bring them to you, our readers, as quickly as possible.

The cost of photovoltaic electricity is due to plummet in 2009, according to a new analysis by New Energy Finance. Its latest "Silicon and Wafer Price Index" shows average silicon contract prices falling by more than 30% in 2009, compared with 2008.

Sopogy Inc. has entered into a solar power agreement with Spanish solar project developer Inypsa Informes y Proyectos S.A. and German solar project financer Omniwatt to develop a 50-megawatt (MW) MicroCSP solar power plant by December 1, 2010 in Toledo, Spain.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on December 18, 2008, the award of new Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to sixteen Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). These contracts could result in up to US $80 billion in energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects at federally-owned buildings and facilities.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement with El Dorado Energy LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sempra Generation, to purchase 10 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar energy from Sempra Generation's new El Dorado Energy Solar facility in Nevada.