SunWind Power Systems

Nord/LB announced that it closed financing on 9 megawatts (MW) of a combined 19 MW of solar power projects being developed via a joint venture between SunEdison and SkyPower Corp. The 19 MW of solar projects are set to be complelted by the end of 2009.

Since the beginning of this year, Sputnik Engineering has been selling the new string inverter series SolarMax S. In order to meet what the company said has been great demand, Sputnik will open a new production facility in Biel, Switzerland next year.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship.

The French Minister for Energy and the Environment announced last Monday that the government was launching an aggressive new program to propel the country to the forefront of solar energy development.

Opel International Inc., a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs) and industrial solar systems, today announced it has installed and activated a 9.5kW grid tied solar installation at The Sports Zone in Trumbull, CT.

Building on his commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the state's renewable energy capacity, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-14-08 (EO) to streamline California's renewable energy project approval process and increase the state's Renewable Energy Standard to 33 percent renewable power by 2020.

The 2009 U.S. federal renewable fuel standard (RFS) will be increased to 10.21 percent ensuring that at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels will be blended into transportation gasoline. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual overall renewable fuel volume targets, reaching a level of 36 billion gallons in 2022.

ProLogis, an owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, announced that it will install its first solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Japan.

SunRun, a distributed residential solar electricity provider, announced it has received a tax equity commitment from an affiliate of U.S. Bancorp to purchase up to approximately 2,000 residential solar facilities for a total consideration of US $105 million.

This country needs a good debate on energy policy. While there are many divergent views on what that policy should be, I thought it would be useful to begin my thoughts by identifying a set of "facts" on which most people can agree. So here goes.

SolCool One, LLC has joined Sun King Solar, Inc., EnviroBoard, Inc. and LED Lights, Inc. to promote and participate in the building of sustainable, low cost housing throughout the world. Alliance members are committed to providing the public and private sectors with long term housing solutions that are utility bill free, toxin free and have superior survivability during natural catastrophic events.

The North Face, a supplier of outdoor apparel, has completed construction of a 1-megawatt (MW) solar electricity system at its West Coast distribution center located in Visalia, California.

BP Solar will stop producing solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels at its manufacturing plant in Sydney Olympic park at the end of March 2009. The company said that is looking to focus its operations at larger scale plants in lowest cost manufacturing countries, in order to drive down the cost of solar power for consumers.

Louisville, CO 2008 – Bella Energy's 10 kilowatt solar electric system on the Colorado State Capitol is part of the Governor's Energy Office's "Greening Government" project, which encourages state employees to be leaders in Gov. Ritter's New Energy Economy. Energy conservation and efficiency measures will reduce the environmental impact of state operations with the goal to reduce energy use 20% by 2012.

Xantrex Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, supplied 10 three-phase 225 kilowatt (kW) inverters for the new solar installation at Denver International Airport (DIA) in Colorado.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA – November 18, 2008 – ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR.OB, FRANKFURT: K1U.F), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary solar panels and products, today announced that Leroy Merlin, one of Europe's largest retailers of home improvement merchandise, will stock Sunsei® solar chargers and related products in 2009. It is estimated that Leroy Merlin, which carries items ranging from decorations and accessories to construction materials, will purchase approximately $0.4 million of ICP Solar's chargers next year.

Solyndra Inc. a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) systems designed for commercial rooftops, announced it has signed a long-term sales contract worth up to US $320 million with Carlisle Energy Services. The multi-year deal adds to Solyndra's previously announced order backlog. The solar panels for these contracts will be manufactured at Solyndra's facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, California.

ICP Solar Technologies Inc. a developer of solar panels and products, announced that it will begin shipping its new Sunsei GreenMeter this month. The initial customer, an education products company, will be installing the GreenMeter in 30 high schools across North America as part of scientific training stations for labs within a curriculum that focuses on renewable energy.

Recent changes to the federal residential solar investment tax credit (ITC) will have significant implications for state and local solar photovoltaic (PV) programs according to a new report. The US $2,000 ITC cap has been removed as part of the eight-year extension. In response, state and local programs are currently trying to decide whether or by how much to reduce their incentive levels in response to this additional value provided by the federal government.