MORE NEWS, 1-29 (CALFORNIA SOLAR BOOM IN 2008; BIG $$$ TO BETTER PLACE EV PLAN; WORLD BANK TO PROP UP EMISSIONS TRADE; BIG SUN DEAL)

2008 CALFORNIA SOLAR BOOM
Solar panel installations in California through the roof in '08; Homeowners and businesses had a record 158 megawatts of photovoltaic panels put on despite the recession.
Marla Dickerson, January 28, 2009 (LA Times)

“Despite a credit freeze that's stunting renewable-energy projects throughout the country, 2008 was a hot year for solar power in California.

”Encouraged by state rebates, Golden State residents and businesses last year installed a record 158 megawatts of photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to turn the sun's rays into electricity, the California Public Utilities Commission said…That's more than double the 78 megawatts installed in 2007.

“Residential demand appears to be hanging tough in the face of the shaky economy.”

click to enlarge

“December saw the largest volume of homeowner rebate requests since the state launched the California Solar Initiative program two years ago…

”Funded by utility ratepayers, the program offers rebates...[of] 20% to 50% of a system's cost.

“Solar modules would seem a luxury in the current dismal economy. But experts said new federal tax breaks, on top of already generous state incentives, are encouraging some Californians to take the plunge. As of Jan. 1, homeowners are eligible for tax credits of up to 30% of the entire cost of their projects…

”Others have concluded that putting solar panels on their roofs and cutting their power bills is a safer bet than the stock market or real estate…”


BIG $$$ TO BETTER PLACE EV PLAN
Plan unveiled for electric car charging network in Denmark
January 27, 2009 (AFP)

“California-based Better Place and Denmark utility operator DONG Energy said Tuesday they will build a charging network so the nation's motorists can switch to electric cars.

"Dong and the Palo Alto-based startup said they have signed a deal aimed at cutting the amount of Earth-warming carbon gas emissions by giving Danes access to environmentally-friendly electric vehicles 'at attractive prices.'

“Better Place is to make available battery-powered electric vehicles offering "at least the same road-holding qualities as fuel-based cars" by the year 2011.

“Better Place has procured 135 million dollars in private funding for the Denmark project…”

Lots of places want to be a Better Place place. (click to enlarge)

“Better Place struck a partnership a year ago with France-based Renault for electric cars that are expected to be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery pack created by Nissan in a joint venture with NEC of Japan…

“Project Better Place and DONG are members of the Copenhagen Climate Council, a forum devoted to establishing a global agreement at the climate summit in Copenhagen and developing innovative solutions to climate challenges.

“Better Place is reportedly working on a similar project in Israel.”


WORLD BANK TO PROP UP EMISSIONS TRADE
World Bank Will Support Carbon, Former Official Says
Matthew Carr, January 22, 2009 (Bloomberg News)

“The World Bank and other development banks will support flagging carbon markets to prevent a slump in greenhouse-gas reduction projects and protect the climate…

“European Union carbon dioxide allowances have slumped 61 percent since a July 2 peak on concern a recession will lower production and drive emissions below a cap set by regulators in the five years through 2012. That drop in the biggest carbon market reduces the incentive to build solar parks in China and curb industrial gases in India, which get revenue from selling emission credits that can be used in Europe…”

World emissions markets, 1-28-2009 (click to enlarge)

“Development banks and governments will want to ensure that the recession does not slow a movement away from high-emitting fossil fuels to protect the climate from the greenhouse gases they generate…

“Spot EU carbon dioxide allowances…closed at a record low 11.08 euros on Jan. 20. United Nations certified emission reductions for December rose 2 cents from a record low to 10.05 euros a ton on the European Climate Exchange in London.

“UN credits can be used as a cheaper alternative in the EU program, which covers about 11,000 factories and power stations in the region.

“In July, the World Bank created two climate funds that will reach $5 billion for projects or programs in developing nations…”


BIG SUN DEAL
Suntech and Standard Solar Reach 5 Megawatt Solar Panel Supply Agreement; Agreement strengthens both companies' ability to respond to President Obama's call to 'harness the sun'
January 27, 2009 (PR Newswire)

“Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Standard Solar, Inc. are looking forward to powering cleaner energy solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. under a new agreement by which Suntech will supply up to 5 megawatts of photovoltaic solar panels to the Maryland-based solar developer and installer during 2009…”

1 megawatt solar facade, Suntech headquarters, Wuxi, China (click to enlarge)

“Standard Solar looks forward to deploying Suntech's high-quality panels in solar solutions that deliver cost-effective power. Recently, Standard Solar helped Kelly & Sons Electrical Construction source its electricity supply through a power purchase agreement with Washington Gas Energy Services…

“Suntech recently achieved 1 gigawatt of global solar panel production capacity. In doing so, it completed an 18,000 square meter, 1 megawatt solar facade -- the world's largest to date -- at its new world headquarters in Wuxi, China…”