NY-Sun Initiative Features New Solar Project

Joanna Schroeder

The largest solar project to date has gone online under the New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative. Owens Corning, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Constellation have completed a 2.7 megawatt solar project at Owens Corning’s thermal and acoustical insulation plant. The solar installation was designed to supply approximately 6 percent of the …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar

Pennsylvania Says No to Renewable Energy as Climate Solution

Joanna Schroeder

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it would not recommend the state’s Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) debate or vote on a plan that considers increasing the state’s renewable energy law, the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). The DEP also said that it would not be including information in Pennsylvania’s next Climate Action Plan …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar, Wind

Abengo’s Solana Solar Plant Acheives Milestone

Joanna Schroeder

World-wide renewable energy company Abengoa has announced that Solana, the world’s largest parabolic trough plant with a total installed capacity of 280 gross megawatts (MW) and also the first solar plant in the United States with thermal energy storage, has successfully passed commercial operation tests. Abengoa says this milestone marks a major accomplishment for the company and the Concentrating Solar …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy Storage, Solar

Chicago Midway Airport Flies with Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The Solar Power International 2013 tradeshow is kicking off October 21-24, 2013 and as solar companies gear up to showcase their technologies, Kyocera Solar is showcasing their latest solar project at the Chicago Midway Airport. Twenty-five kilowatts (kW) of Kyocera photovoltaic modules now help power Chicago’s Midway Airport’s new environmentally friendly consolidated rental car facility. Installed by Green Power Solutions, …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar, Wind

NREL Calculates Emissions, Cost of Wind & Solar

Joanna Schroeder

According to new research from the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), found that carbon emissions induced by more frequent cycling are negligible (<0.2%) when compared with the carbon reductions achieved through wind and solar power generation. Cycling occurs when a utility, to accommodate higher amounts of wind and solar power on the electric grid, must ramp down and …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Research, Solar, Wind

Consumer Funding Opportunity for Military Solar Project

Joanna Schroeder

Mosaic is offering an opportunity for consumers to invest in a U.S. military solar project. Accredited Investors throughout the country, along with non-accredited investors in California, can put their dollars to work by investing in the addition of solar panels on military housing. Mosaic is offering investments in a 12.3 Megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) energy installation across 547 homes at …

Alternative energy, Electricity, military, Solar

Flex-Plant Opens In California

Joanna Schroeder

NRG Energy and Siemens Energy recently dedicated the country’s second Flex-Plant, the El Segundo Energy Center located near Los Angeles, California. The first Flex-Plant is located in Lodi and went into commercial operation last year. Siemens Energy supplied and commissioned the two Flex-Plant 10 combined cycle power islands. In total they have an installed capacity of 550 megawatts (MW) – …

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Smart Grid

European Wind Industry Unites for Growth

Joanna Schroeder

CEOs of 13 national wind energy associations from across Europe recently met in Spain to put out a united call for a binding 2030 renewable energy target. Binding EU targets for renewables have driven the wind energy sector to become a mainstream energy technology. “By giving investors certainty, a compulsory 2030 renewables target will allow the wind energy sector to …

Alternative energy, Electricity, International, Wind

Natural Power Expands Operations

Joanna Schroeder

Rt Hon Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, recently opened Natural Power’s newly expanded ControlCentre at their global headquarters, The Green House, located in the foothills of Rhinns of Kells in rural Dumfries and Galloway. The company’s NP/ControlCentre (previously known as WindCentre) is a 24/7/365 operational control room, providing site management services round the clock for …

Alternative energy, biomass, Electricity, offshore wind, Solar, Wind

California Stays Strong on Solar

Joanna Schroeder

California is staying strong on solar with the passage of Assembly Bill 327, authored by Assembly Member Henry Perea (D-Fresno). The legislation helps ensure that the rooftop solar industry can continue to grow and create jobs across California. In addition, AB 327 addresses several important residential electricity rate design issues. According to The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC), AB 327 …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar