MORE NEWS, 7-1 (SUN MONEY OPENING UP; WITH APPROVAL, CAPE WIND IS ALMOST THERE; MICH UTILITIES WANT TO DECOUPLE)

SUN MONEY OPENING UP
SunPower, Wells Fargo funding solar projects
Nichola Groom (w/Carol Bishopric), June 29, 2009 (Reuters)

"Solar panel maker SunPower Corp and Wells Fargo… have teamed up to fund up to $100 million in solar projects for businesses and public buildings.

"The deal comes as financing for solar and other renewable power projects has thinned due to weak credit markets and global economy."

Sunpower supplied panels for the Nellis Air Force Base solar power plant recently inspected by a high-ranking civilian. (click to enlarge)

"Under the agreement, SunPower will build and maintain the solar systems, which Wells Fargo will finance and own. Commercial customers will then buy the electricity from SunPower at rates that are competitive with retail prices…"

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"The first projects financed under the program include a 1.1-megawatt system for the University of California, Merced, and a 1 MW system for the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority. Both are scheduled for completion by the end of 2009…

"Wells Fargo has provided more than $1.75 billion in financing for renewable energy projects since 2006…"


WITH APPROVAL, CAPE WIND IS ALMOST THERE
State grants permit to Cape Wind
June 30, 2009 (New England Business Bulletin)

"The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board has voted 7-0 to authorize a Certificate of Environmental Impact for the Cape Wind offshore wind energy project. The board effectively granted nine state and local permits required for the project to proceed.

"In doing so, the board overrode the 2007 decision by the Cape Cod Commission to deny a Development of Regional Impact permit for the electrical cable needed to connect the federal waters of Horseshoe Shoal, where the wind farm will be, with the mainland."

This photoshopping landscape shot shows how little Cape Wind will affect the view. Call Cape Wind the Jackie Robinson of U.S. offshore wind: The first and the most discriminated against. It fought the battles so others wouldn't have to. (click to enlarge)

"Barring a second appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which has already ruled on behalf of the Siting Board once, the project has completed its state and local permitting process."

It's hard to understand how Massachusetts has let this resource go to waste. (click to enlarge)

"It was an extensive process, taking seven years…Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said that the project is ready to proceed.

"Federal review processes are expected to conclude soon when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issues a Record of Decision on Cape Wind. The Minerals Management Services of the Interior Department has already issued a favorable Final Environmental Impact Statement…"


MICH UTILITIES WANT TO DECOUPLE
Mich. utilities offer energy efficiency rebates
David Eggert, June 30, 2009 (AP via Forbes)

"Michigan utility officials said that the new fees showing up on residents' utility bills will be offset by rebates and other incentives to encourage them to make their homes more energy efficient…The program comes under a new state law that requires utilities to help customers reduce their electricity consumption more than 5 percent and natural gas usage nearly 4 percent by 2015. Regulators allowed utilities to add surcharges of about $1 a month to fund the program and its publicity campaign.

"DTE Energy, the state's largest utility, will immediately start paying customers $50 to recycle old refrigerators, which will be picked up for free. Compact fluorescent light bulbs will cost 99 cents at major retail chains in DTE's service territory, cheaper than the usual price of about $3."

click to enlarge

"People can get rebates on washers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, holiday lights, furnaces and other appliances. In-home energy audits are $25, while online audits are free…Consumers Energy, the second-biggest utility, will offer similar incentives along with Michigan's 65 other utilities and cooperatives. Qualifying low-income residents would get additional help to weatherize their houses…

"Under 2008 law, utilities were required to restart efficiency programs that were abandoned a decade ago amid a booming economy and cheaper energy, and when global warming was not as pressing of an issue…"

click to enlarge

"Utilities, in the business of making money by providing energy, are pushing regulators for "de-coupling," which is breaking the link between profits and sales. Utilities would collect the same amount of revenue or more even though they sell less.

"The Public Service Commission has directed utilities to submit de-coupling proposals. Advocates say the potential savings from using less energy are enormous. For every $1 invested in more efficient lighting and appliances, up to $3 is saved down the road by avoiding or at least delaying the need to build new multibillion-dollar power plants…"