Duke Energy has announced the acquisition of a majority interest in REC Solar, a provider of comprehensive commercial solar and energy solutions nationwide. In addition, over several years, Duke Energy will invest up to $225 million in commercial solar projects developed by REC Solar and supported by long-term power purchase agreements. REC Solar will deliver a simple sales and financing …
Solar Farm Commissioned In East Malaysia
One of East Malaysia’s first solar power plants has been commissioned. The 1 MW solar farm in located in the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo. The project was developed by Cahaya Metro Sdn. Bhd. (Cahaya Metro), a solar energy company in East Malaysia. “We are pleased to have selected Yingli as our panel supplier for Sabah’s first …
BioEnergy Bytes
VIASPACE Inc. has announced that the comprehensive, independent feasibility study conducted by Pelican SA of the 12 MW biomass power plant and co-located 834 hectare (2,060 acre) Giant King Grass plantation project in Nicaragua has been completed. The feasibility study addresses the technical and economic issues of both the plantation and power plant, including connection to the Nicaraguan power grid. …
DOE Announces $59M for Solar Support
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced more than $59 million in funding to support solar energy acceleration. DOE is allocating $45 million in funding to quickly move innovative solar manufacturing technologies to market, and is also awarding more than $14 million for 15 new projects to help communities develop multi-year solar deployment plans to install solar electricity in …
GreenLight Planet Lights Up Developing World
Greenlight Planet has raised $10 million in financing with the aid of Fidelity Growth Partners India and with the money the company has been able to provide solar energy products for off-grid homes in the developing world, in particular Sub-Saharan Africa and India. The company sells rooftop solar lighting and phone charging devices. GreenLight Planet says the devices will generate …
REAP Funds Still Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting funds for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP). The funding notice releases mandatory funding for both FY2014 and FY2015, as well as discretionary funding recently made available in the “Cromnibus.” The program provides grants and loan guarantees to rural small businesses, farmers and others in the ag community. However, some new …
BioEnergy Bytes
ScottMadden, Inc. is set to release its Winter 2015 edition of the Energy Industry Update. This semi-annual publication offers our inside view of major events and emerging trends in the energy industry. Themed “Changes: Turn and Face the Strange,” this issue includes: A view of how utilities are looking with interest at electric vehicles; customer and vehicle characteristics; some generic …
CH2M Hill Involved In Seawater Bioenergy Facility
A pilot-scale bioenergy facility that will use seawater irrigated desert land to produce both bioenergy and food in the water is under development in Masdar City. The Integrated Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (ISEAS) involves a complete seawater agricultural system that will serve as a research and development facility for Masdar Institute (MI) of Science and Technology and the Sustainable …
Electric Cars Gain Ground in Vehicle Rankings
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released its 18th annual vehicle environmental ratings on greencars.org. The top rated vehicles for the year were Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Convertible/Coupe with the highest score ever, Chevrolet Spark EV, Fiat 500E, Toyota Prius C and the Nissan Leaf. Six out of 12 places in this year’s Greenest List were …
BioEnergy Bytes
PlanET Biogas UK Ltd. has contributed a donation towards a newly set up forage aid for rural farmers and will support the fundraising tractor and trailer run through the counties of Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. With approximately 12 stops planned en route the run will start from Sedgemoor and end in Telford on February 11, the opening day …