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It was a fairly quiet weekend in terms of solar energy news, unless you think a solar-powered Super Bowl is a big deal (which we do).
The U.S. solar energy market will double in size over the coming year, according to MIT Technology Review. All in, 2010 could see a gigawatt of solar power generation capacity installed.
Some Pennsylvania businesses are lining up against House Bill 80, which calls for greater use of wind and solar energy technologies, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. At issue: how to create cleantech jobs and promote the adoption of renewable power, while (1) retaining jobs in other energy sectors, like coal, and (2) keeping electricity rate increases in check.
The Denver Post in an Op-Ed today proposes an escape clause for Colorado’s House Bill 1001. To prevent runaway costs and/or reign in a potential renewable energy bonanza, the editors believe flexibility should be built into the state’s renewable energy standard: “the PUC [Public Utilities Commission] could decide to decrease the requirement that 3 percent of total retail electricity be derived from on-site renewable energy. It could leave the standard alone. Or, if development is humming along, the PUC could recommend the percentage be increased, which would have to be approved by state lawmakers.”
A massive explosion on Sunday rocked a natural-gas-fired power plant in Middletown, Conn., killing five and injuring 12, according to the Hartford Courant.
Petra Solar, a New Jersey-based company specializing in pole-mounted solar energy systems, today announced that Craton Equity Partners will invest $40 million to help fund expansion activities.
Areva, the French energy conglomerate known for its nuclear knowhow, will purchase Ausra, a solar-thermal startup that was launched from Silicon-Valley, reports Greentech Media.
Finally, via BusinessWeek, Arava Power Co., an Israeli solar energy company, said it signed agreements to invest $535 million to build 15 solar fields in Israel. Together the fields will produce 100 megawatts at peak performance.
Solar Power Rundown for Monday, February 8
