QUICK NEWS, 7-7: MAKING TV ABOUT THE EV; SOLAR COMPANY REVENUES UP 297%; ABOUT THE GEOTHERMAL BET; HOW TO GET EFFICIENCY REBATES

MAKING TV ABOUT THE EV
Lights, Camera, EV Action!
Forbes Black, July 4, 2010 (EV World)

"…[A] series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) highlighting the benefits of electric vehicles versus their gasoline-powered counterparts…[was shot by Plug-in America volunteers and] co-producer Alexandra Paul…

"…[The] day was an exciting mixture of schlepping… filming, and hanging out with other EV enthusiasts. Hollywood glitterati mingled with hardcore EV engineering nerds…and everyone bonded over [a] common dedication to the electric vehicle cause."

Actress/activist Collette Divine snaps Deone Lucas and a Tesla Roadster. (photo by Jennifer Gill – click to enlarge)

[Alexandra Paul, PSA co-producer and EV advocate:] “It was a wonderful coming together of over 50 EV enthusiasts, volunteering their time and expertise to create these seven spots…We hope these spots will educate Americans on the benefits of plug-in cars. We tackle issues like range anxiety, battery recycling, greenwashing
and EV efficiency with humour, educating viewers with a wink and a smile.”

Click thru to follow the progress of plug-in vehicles

[Eric Swenson, PSA director:] “I have been in the industry for 20 plus years and it was the first time I had ever worked with an entire crew of volunteers. It was an amazing feeling to be in a room full of film and TV production professionals who just wanted to work on something they cared about. There were also a lot of ‘just want to help’ people who donated a piece of their lives to produce these films. They knew nothing about shooting but they wanted to make a difference. I know it's cliché, but the feeling was electric…”

"All production volunteers have been sworn to silence regarding the content of the PSAs…[It is only known that] Hollywood stars will appear in them…[and] they will be funny, educational and a bit surprising…"


SOLAR COMPANY REVENUES UP 297%
Acro Energy Reports 297 Percent Increase in Year Over Year Quarterly Revenues
July 1, 2010 (Business Wire via MarketWatch)

"Acro Energy Technologies Corp…a leading U.S. solar integrator…completed the second quarter of 2010 with record gross revenues of $5.4 million for the three-month period ending June 30, 2010.

"The Company's second quarter 2010 gross revenues were a 297 percent increase compared to the gross revenues of the Company for the three-month period ending June 30, 2009. During the three-month period ending June 30, 2010, Acro Energy's southern California subsidiary, Energy Efficiency Solar, Inc. (EES), achieved gross revenues of $3.0 million, which is greater than the revenues achieved by EES during the entire 2009 calendar year…"

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A stock to watch. (from Wikinvest)

"Acro Energy is entering the historically busy sales season in the third quarter with a backlog of approximately $5 million in committed, financed contracts…The second quarter of 2010 is the second full quarter of operations for Acro Energy that includes results for all three solar installation companies acquired and integrated in 2009…

"Acro Energy Technologies Corp. is focused on the consolidation and growth of renewable energy companies, primarily in the United States residential solar energy installation market…As a high end system integrator, Acro Energy offers quality products from leading solar module manufacturers such as Suntech and Sharp and residential solar financing plans from SunRun, the nation's leading provider of home solar financing…"


ABOUT THE GEOTHERMAL BET
Geothermal Energy: A recession-proof resource? Geothermal is a natural resource with plenty of benefits and the industry continues to see significant growth in usage and revenue
Andrea Marino, July 6, 2010 (EnergyDigital)

"While the natural heating and cooling from the earth’s core is the oldest source of energy in history, the use of geothermal energy has been experiencing significant global growth…[O]verall growth was 20 percent from 2005 to 2010. Another 70 nations have geothermal projects currently in the works, which is a 52 percent growth over the last three years…

"Geothermal energy is one of the best existing natural resources for energy…[and] there is little to no harmful impact on the environment. Geothermal emits less carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur and nitric oxide than [fossil fuels]...Since energy is developed from the earth, the supply is unlimited. Additionally, no power storage is required and geothermal is one of the cheapest forms of energy that exists…"

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"Despite the economic recession impacting the world in recent years, geothermal energy continues to grow. The Obama administration has recently announced plans to aggressively increase geothermal development in the U.S…In addition to geothermal expansion in the U.S., the potential to tap into the geothermal energy resource is huge worldwide…[W]ith five geothermal plants accounting for roughly 24 percent of [Iceland’s] power…[and] 87 percent of all buildings…heated from geothermal energy…Iceland is attempting to move toward being a 100 percent fossil-free nation…

"Ormat Technologies, a U.S.-based company that operates over 520 MW in owned geothermal power plants, and over 1300 MW around the world, reported a first quarter 2010 total revenue of $82.7 million. Though this is a 6.5 percent decrease from total revenues from the first quarter of last year, the outcome for the remainder of the year looks positive…"

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"Within the next two years the Germany-based companies Hörmann Energie und Umwelt and Geysir Europe are going to invest more than €70 million in a geothermal project. More than €8 million has been invested in the project so far, amongst others for the construction of the drill pad…Drilling will start in June 2010.

"Africa is a prime location for generating geothermal energy…Kenya was the first African country to really expand on its geothermal resources. With three plants, built by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), further expansion at all locations are in the works. Kenya received a $293 million loan from Japan and a $94 billion loan from China for plant expansion."


HOW TO GET EFFICIENCY REBATES
5 things to know about energy rebates
Sarah Max, July 6, 2010 (Money Magazine via USA Today)

"1. Federal appliance rebates are going fast ...The government's Cash for Appliances program, which lets you score rebates for about $50 to $500 swapping energy guzzling appliances for more efficient models, has gotten lots of attention…[But the] incentives, which are administered through the states, are typically doled out on a first-come, first-served basis, and in many locales the money is already gone. Florida's program, for example, closed just 36 hours after it opened. But some states, such as Michigan, still had plenty of cash in their coffers at the end of May, and other initiatives didn't launch until June...[Check here]…

"2. ... But most states offer their own programs too…Even if you can no longer qualify for a Cash for Appliances rebate, you may still be able to get cash back from the more than 600 programs run by utilities and over 100 state programs that offer incentives for boosting your home's energy efficiency…[In Oregon] you can get a $75 rebate on an Energy Star washer, and $30 for recycling an old fridge…[check here]…"

click thru for complete info

"3. And you may have two more chances to get federal funds…Through the end of 2010, you can claim a $1,500 federal tax credit for up to 30% of the cost of many energy-related improvements…[Cash for Caulkers] was passed by the House in May and could soon become law. It would give homeowners hefty rebates on a variety of energy saving projects…"

click thru for complete info

"4. Before you grab a rebate, do the math…Getting cash back might help you justify the purchase of, say, that snazzy new stainless-steel fridge…But other projects may give you greater savings…A comprehensive home energy audit, which will pinpoint your leaks, runs about $400. But some states or utilities conduct basic audits for free or will reimburse some of that cost.

"5. Don't forget that small projects can still pay big…There are plenty of ways to save energy without spending a lot. Every degree you go up or down on your thermostat will knock 2% off your annual heating and cooling costs; replacing your five most frequently used bulbs with compact fluorescents can lop $70 a year off your energy bill…ditching that old fridge you've relegated to the garage for storing extra drinks will save about $200 or more a year…[which could] justify an appliance upgrade…rebate or not."