BIG SUN FOR INDIA

A NewEnergyNews pop quiz –> Interpret the following statement by Ezra Green, Chairman/CEO, Clear Skies Solar: “Recognizing the role that solar power will play in the global search for cleaner and more abundant energy sources, Clear Skies Solar has built the infrastructure necessary to support this type of international expansion and to develop large-scale projects at an accelerated pace in order to support global power needs…While international projects pose special challenges for solar energy providers, such as identifying proper high voltage lines and the ownership of the property for the system to be installed…Our unique ability to overcome such challenges makes Clear Skies Solar the natural choice for clients with challenging power needs.””

Interpretation: Clear Skies Solar is a U.S. operation with offices on both coasts and the Midwest. Expansion into international markets is a natural move. And if the U.S. Congress will not provide the kind of incentives necessary to continue doing business domestically, bye bye baby.

The House of Representatives has passed three versions of legislation extending the solar energy industry’s vital investment tax credits (ITCs). A recalcitrant minority of fossil fool Senators mired in 1950s thinking used the arcane leverage of the filibuster to block passage in the Senate until an UNfunded version was put forward. Because the House is sure to reject the unfunded measure, the Senate passed it.

Now extension of vital New Energy incentives is lost in the limbo of Congressional procedurals and solar and wind energy producers are looking to more receptive markets.

For more on the legislation: NEW ENERGY INCENTIVES: SENATE OKS BUT WILL HOUSE?

From the Clear Skies Solar website. (click to enlarge)

Clear Skies Solar Signs LOA for $20 Million Solar Energy Deal in India; Five Megawatt Solar Facility Marks Company’s Entrance to International Market
Laura Finlayson, April 8, 2008 (Clear Skies Solar via Business Wire)

WHO
Clear Skies Solar, Inc. (CSS) (Ezra Green, Chairman/CEO); Power Cube (Mohan Kejriwal, Chairman)

The money was coming to the U.S. last year - when there were incentives. Without them, it will migrate. Surely in this economy Congress won't let that happen. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Clear Skies Solar will install a multimegawatt solar power system at a Power Cube steel mill in India.

WHEN
- The project is scheduled to begin construction in October 2008 and be operational in March 2009.
- CSS says it will be expanding internationally throughout 2008-09.
- CSS has been doing solar installations since 2005.

Japan and Germany would love to see raw materials consumption move away from the U.S. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
The CSS/Power Cube project will be in Utter Pradesh, India.

WHY
- CSS will be responsible for technology, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of the solar system for Power Cube.
- According to CSS, this is the first of “several” solar installations it will do in India.
- Power Cube is interested in easing the lode it puts on the local grid as well as reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

India has plenty of sun for Clear Skies and other companies to develop. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Mohan Kejriwal, Chairman, Power Cube: “We recognize that the continued use of fossil fuels negatively impacts both the economy and the environment…As such, Power Cube is determined to meet a portion of India’s energy requirements by developing several large solar photovoltaic projects (PV Projects) which will generate electricity from sunlight.”
- Ezra Green, Chairman/CEO, CSS: “India represents the first of many untapped markets that Clear Skies Solar plans to enter in 2008 and 2009…”