MORE NEWS, 8-13 (SOLAR PANEL MAKERS BUSY, INSTALLERS NOT SO MUCH; MATE FUNGUS, MAKE BIOFUELS; BOOM IN EMISSIONS WATCHING TOOLS)

SOLAR PANEL MAKERS BUSY, INSTALLERS NOT SO MUCH
Solar cell production seen growing 56 percent in 2009
Laura Isensee (w/Robert MacMillan), August 11, 2009 (Reuters)

"Solar cell manufacturing capacity will grow 56 percent in 2009 despite weakened demand for renewable energy projects in the face of tight credit markets and a global economic recession, a report…[from] research group DisplaySearch said.

"The report predicts that cell manufacturing capacity will reach 17 gigawatts this year and will surpass 42 GW by 2013, growing at a rate of 49 percent per year…[Demand will shrink 17 percent in 2009…Oversupply will erode prices…Recovery will begin in 2011]…"

An iSuppli study affirms the DisplaySearch findings about supply hugely outstripping demand. (click to enlarge)

"Expansion projects that were previously committed are driving the growth in capacity despite falling demand, the report said. From January 2008 to July 2009,
about 11.4 GW of new solar cell capacity was installed worldwide."

An iSuppli study also affirms the DisplaySearch findings about when the market will come back. (click to enlarge)

"The report named U.S.-based company First Solar Inc as the largest solar cell manufacturer with more than 1 GW of capacity. Germany's Q-Cells AG and China's Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd come in second.

"By 2013, these companies and China's JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd, Taiwan's Motech Industries Inc, Norway's Renewable Energy Corp, U.S.-based SunPower Corp, China's Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd, and Japan's Showa Shell Sekiyu KK and Sharp Corp may be among the top 10 makers, with more than 16 GW, or 38 percent, of total capacity in 2013…"


MATE FUNGUS, MAKE BIOFUELS
Scientists Force Fungus to Have Sex to Create Biofuel
Bryan Nelson, August 11, 2009 (Cleantechnica via Reuters)

"Originally discovered in the Solomon Islands during World War II eating away at the canvas and garments of the U.S. Army, scientists have long known that the soil fungus Trichoderma reesei was particularly good at converting cellulose- a major component of plant biomass- into glucose. But…the fungus because it was believed to be asexual.

"…Under the assumption that Trichoderma reesei was asexual, scientists looking to improve the fungus [could selectively breed them] and were instead limited to techniques like dosing the fungus with radiation or chemicals in order to alter its genetic profile. But that process only created random or unpredictable mutations…But…scientists can now make the fungus have sex."

Trichoderma reesei, getting some at last. (click to enlarge)

"…Trichoderma reesei is genetically identical to another species of fungus, Hypocrea jecorina, which it so happens is capable of sexual reproduction…Hypocrea jecorina seemed capable of assuming both the male and female roles, whereas Trichoderma reesei seemed only capable of assuming the male role."

Could Trichoderma reesei be the key that unlocks the dream? (click to enlarge)

"…Why not breed the male-oriented Trichoderma with a female-oriented Hypocrea? [Scientists thought.] The result was a successful mating- the Trichoderma lured into having sex could now be artificially selected for their advantageous genetic traits.

"The findings could have largescale ramifications. Researchers want to employ the organisms to make use of the otherwise useless cellulose in sawdust, weeds and other plant scrap to make biofuel. Thus, the primary benefit of fungus sex could be to turn bush into biofuel…"


BOOM IN EMISSIONS WATCHING TOOLS
Small market for carbon tracking is growing fast
Nicola Groom and Michael Szabo (w/Nina Chestney and Gerald E. McCormick), August 10, 2009 (Reuters)

"A growing list of companies, from tiny start-ups to some of the world's biggest corporations, is investing in products that will help them cash in on a mad dash for businesses to track their carbon footprints.

"Giant software concerns Microsoft Corp and SAP AG along with U.S. manufacturer Johnson Controls Inc and UK-based carbon offset firm Camco International Ltd,are among those piling into what is now a small but fast-growing market for tools to measure environmental impacts."

A Pioneer solutions schematic demonstrates the complexity of the task. (click to enlarge)

"Until now, companies eager to prove their green credibility have voluntarily measured the greenhouse gas emissions of assets and operations such as buildings, delivery fleets, employee travel and factories…Corporate behemoths including Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Coca-Cola Co and Tesco Plc are among those that already track their carbon footprints, and…the specter of legislation is calling more and more companies to action…

"More and more firms are snapping up carbon-measuring products in anticipation of a mandatory program in Britain called the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) that forces some 5,000 businesses to cut their emissions and reduce energy consumption starting next year. In addition, many expect a similar program in the United States won't be far behind…"

EnerNoc's approach seems more methodical - but there are now many other choices - and many more coming. (click to enlarge)

"A recent study by Groom Energy Solutions, a U.S. firm that helps companies reduce energy consumption, estimated that about half of the Fortune 500 companies have calculated their carbon footprints, compared with just 4 percent five years ago…[M]ost of those measurements so far have been done internally, the study found, rather than with commercial software products. That, however, is bound to change as carbon legislation requires ever more data and analysis…

"…EnerNOC and Canadian start-up Carbonetworks Corp are targeting British firms…More than 50 companies offer software products that measure carbon footprints…Estimates of the size of the market vary wildly…[A good estimate is] about $50 million -- with the promise of reaching several billion dollars in three to four years as U.S. carbon legislation promised by the Obama Administration takes shape…[W]ith dozens competing for a slice of what is still a fledgling market, long-term winners are difficult to call…SAP, Johnson Controls, business information company IHS Inc and private companies Enviance, Environmental Support Solutions Inc, PE International and ProcessMAP Corp [are] the market leaders…Microsoft and CA Inc [and other potential winners may] yet emerge…"