MORE NEWS, 3-18 (FAT CATS ON CAPE STILL CAN’T STOP WIND; SOLAR BIZ GETS BOOSTS; ZOO ADDS WIND)

FAT CATS ON CAPE STILL CAN’T STOP WIND
Plan for huge wind farm moves forward
Jason Szep, March 16, 2009 (Reuters)

"A $1 billion proposal to build the first massive U.S. offshore wind-power farm has moved a step closer to overcoming permit requirements in Massachusetts, where it faces opposition from some influential residents.

"Cape Wind Associates LLC, a privately funded Boston-based energy company, has proposed constructing 130 wind turbines over 24 square miles (62 sq km) in Nantucket Sound, within view of the wealthy Cape Cod resort region of Massachusetts."

This photoshopped simulation shows what a devastation the wind installation would be to the view from the shore. (The tubines are the faint white lines at the water level on the horizon.) (click to enlarge)

"The project, designed to power about 400,000 homes, won tentative approval by Massachusetts authorities for a certificate that combines nine state and local permits needed to build the turbines…[Construction… could begin by early next year with production starting in 2011 or 2012]…

"Opponents -- including some politicians and business leaders [like the Kennedys] with homes on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket [as well as some environmental groups and local fishermen]-- say Cape Wind's turbines would kill migrating birds, threaten the region's lucrative tourist industry and disrupt commercial fishing…[S]upporters, including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and some green groups, say the project would save millions of dollars in energy costs and help the nation reduce reliance on [fossil fuels]…"

Location of Cape Wind. (click to enlarge)

"The Siting Board…expects [a] final vote within 60-days…If formally approved, the so-called composite certificate would conclude all state and local permitting and overturn a Cape Cod Commission procedural denial…Cape Wind won a favorable environmental review in January from the U.S. Interior Department's Minerals Management Service, which found there would be little negative impact from the project, which would produce an average 170 megawatts.

"The Obama administration will decide whether to grant final government approval…"


SOLAR BIZ GETS BOOST
How Will Solar PV Businesses Benefit From the New Incentives? Potential Impact on Solar Stocks First Solar, Sunpower, Evergreen Solar, Spire, SunTech and XsunX
March 13, 2009 (MarketWire via MSNBC)

"…[T]he Green Investor report Solar PV businesses may benefit from the new incentives [by Paulo J. Nery is] for investors following solar stocks…Solar stocks have taken a major beating in the past few months. The Claymore MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF, TAN, has fallen 78% in the past six months. Most listed solar companies have fallen from 50% to 87%…

"…[T]he newly passed economic stimulus bill…should start boosting demand…With the extension of the Federal 30% tax credit and the removal of the $2000 cap, home owners will see the price of solar PV get much more affordable…[F]or commercial developers of solar facilities the new bill has provisions that would allow them to take the 30% tax credit as a grant instead."

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"Some of the companies best positioned…are the big market leading companies with adequate cash in hand. US manufacturer First Solar is one of these companies…[T]heir stock price collapse is far less than any of the other solar companies. First Solar also benefits because its panels are made from cheaper cadmium telluride rather than silicon… First Solar said last week that it would begin reducing prices on some of its panels to keep its competitive edge…

"Other well positioned companies include SunPower Corp, because its highly-efficient modules command a price premium…[and] SunPower also installs the systems…Also look at Energy Conversion Devices, makers of Uni-Solar amorphous silicone panels. They were the innovators of lightweight flexible roll out modules that can be directly adhered to roof tops, also known as building integrated PV."

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"SunTech too has bought into the installation and finance business since its acquisition last October of El Solutions, and its joint venture with MMA Renewable Ventures called Gemini Solar Development. Gemini plans to finance, develop and operate solar power plants of 10 megawatts or more.

"XsunX…is another thin film innovator using amorphous silicon who, while at an earlier stage, shows promise….In a recent comparative study the company's module design was shown to deliver the lowest levelized cost of all solar photovoltaic cell technologies. They have so far gained sales contracts for 19 MW deliverable through 2010. And they recently announced a prudent decision to reduce the capacity of their planned manufacturing facility in Oregon [which]…saves the company roughly 25 million…"


ZOO ADDS WIND
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Has Its First Wind Turbine
Samantha Cordrey, March 2009 (Bristol Zoo and Aquarium News)

"The first of three planned wind turbines at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is to go up… 20th March…It is hoped that the 15 KW wind turbine, which will measure 15 meters high with 9 meter long blades, will initially meet a third of the entire zoo’s electricity consumption. The electricity will then either be used on site, or sold and exported to the national grid if surplus to requirements.

"This first Turbine…is part of the Zoo’s efforts to provide a prototype to the greater Bristol area and to help in taking positive action to tackle climate change…[T]he Wind Turbine allows the zoo to cut their carbon emissions…lower their overall carbon footprint…[and] heighten educational awareness of green energy and sustainable development amongst the expected 150,000+ visitors this year…"

The zoo trubine. (click to enlarge)

"A special feature of the turbine is that in high winds the patented flexible blades twist to control their own speed, therefore preventing the need for the turbine to cut out in extreme weather conditions.

"…Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm hopes to encourage people to take more care of the planet.
If the first Turbine proves successful, a further two are planned. The zoo ultimately aims to generate as much renewable energy as it uses…

"Notes: 1. Wind power is a clean, renewable source of energy and just one modern wind turbine will save over 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually…2. A modern wind turbine produces electricity 70-85% of the time…3. Modern wind turbines are remarkably quiet…Mechanical noise from turbines is now considered to be almost undetectable. The main sound is the swoosh of the blades turning…"