QUICK NEWS, May 25: SPANISH BILLIONS FOR U.S. WIND; SEATTLE FOOTBALLERS GO SOLAR; GEOTHERM CO SETS OUTPUT RECORDS; LOWE’S ADDS SUN

SPANISH BILLIONS FOR U.S. WIND
Iberdrola To Invest $6 Billion In The U.S., Mostly In Wind Power
17 May 2011 (North American Windpower)

"Iberdrola Renewables intends to invest $6 billion in the U.S. by 2012. The announcement was made after Iberdrola Chairman Ignacio Galan met with the U.S. Secretaries for Energy and Commerce last week.

"Of this amount, 65% - $3.9 billion - will be devoted to the construction of new wind farms in the U.S…"

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"The remaining investment of $2.1 billion will be assigned to improving the quality of supply to the 2.4 million customers Iberdrola has in the U.S.

"In March, Iberdrola said that new wind capacity additions - including wind farms planned for the U.S. - would slow this year and next year. At that time, the company indicated that it planned to install 1.5 GW this year, down from 1.78 GW in 2010."


SEATTLE FOOTBALLERS GO SOLAR
Thinking green; Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks and Sounders FC, is turning sunshine into electricity with the installation of 3,750 solar panels on the roof of the Event Center.
Clare Farnsworth, May 17, 2011 (Seattle Seahawks)

"…Peter McLoughlin, president of the Seahawks, SoundersFC and First & Goal Inc…Dean Allen, CEO of McKinstry…and Ben Bierman, executive vice president of operations and engineering for Solyndra…joined forces…to announce the installation of 3,750 solar panels on the roof of the Qwest Field Event Center.

"While Solyndra developed the glass-rod technology used in the panels and McKinstry is installing them, it is the Seahawks and SoundersFC who have been pushing to turn what was a vast – and unused – roof area into an innovative energy-supplying system…"

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"…[It wasn’t done]…in 2002…when the stadium opened…[because the Solyndra technology] was not developed until 2008…[The solyndra] rods are lighter and generate more energy than the large solar panels. They’re also easier to install and maintain [without harm to the roof]…Lighter and more efficient, yet still strong and durable…[Solyndra’s] panels have been tested to withstand 130 mph winds and hail the size of golf balls…"

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"…[The technology is expected to] slice the utility costs at Qwest by 21 percent (or $280,000), while also reducing carbon emissions (by 1,346 metric tons) and saving on water (by 1,342,660 gallons). The system will generate 830,000 kWh of electricity annual, which is the equivalent of powering 95 homes in the Seattle area…

"…[I]nstallation… is scheduled to be concluded [within two weeks]…[It] is the largest solar-panel installation venture on the West Coast…[and adds to] the continued commitment to being green by the Seahawks and SoundersFC – championed by owner Paul Allen and Jody Allen, president and CEO of Vulcan Inc…In 2010 at Qwest Field, 525 tons of waste was recycled…"


GEOTHERM CO SETS OUTPUT RECORDS
Nevada Geothermal Power Reports Record Output & Operations Revenue for the Quarter ended March 31, 2011
May 19, 2011 (Nevada Geothermal Power Inc.)

"Nevada Geothermal Power Inc…[had a gross] margin for [for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, of] $3.6 million and the net loss was $1.4 million…Power production for the quarter…averaged 47 MW (gross), 37 MW (net), resulting in revenue of $6.3 million from operations, which represents a 9% increase over the previous quarter ended December 2010, and a 110% increase over the comparative quarter in 2010.

"The latest drilling program at Blue Mountain was completed during the quarter without an immediate increase in injection or production capabilities, which led to a downward revision of the Blue Mountain power production forecast. The Company is continuing with a wellfield testing and stimulation program, which could result in an improvement in plant output."

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"Highlights [for the quarter included]…[1] Record output at Blue Mountain, tempered by ongoing resource issues…[2] Drilling of a development test well suitable for use as an injection well completed at the Crump Geyser joint venture project, which will help the project qualify for an ARRA grant…[3] Exclusive right to purchase California properties from Iceland America Energy (IAE) obtained."

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"…[Highlights subsequent] to quarter end [included]…[1] Application for a cash grant…[for] most recent drilling program at Blue Mountain…[2] Resource confirmation drilling financed by Ormat Nevada Inc. resumed at Crump Geyser…[3] Discussions with EIG regarding potential changes to loan terms…[to enable] a tax-assisted financing…[4] Due diligence on IAE transaction continuing…"

"Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. operates the 49.5 MW Faulkner 1 geothermal plant in Nevada…[and] currently owns a 100% leasehold interest in four properties: Blue Mountain, Pumpernickel Valley, Edna Mountain and North Valley in Nevada, and a 50% interest in Crump Geyser, in Oregon. These properties are at different levels of exploration and development. NGP estimates a potential of between 150 MW and 300 MW from its current leaseholds…"


LOWE’S ADDS SUN
Lowe’s Selects Sungevity for Residential Solar Partnership; Second Largest Retailer and Fastest Growing Residential Solar Company Set Stage for Mass Adoption of Residential Solar Power
May 16, 2011 (Sungevity)

"Lowe’s, the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, and Sungevity, the nation’s fastest growing residential solar company…[have] a new agreement that will offer homeowners the easiest and most affordable solar solutions in the marketplace, marking a significant step in the mainstream adoption of residential solar…

"…Lowe’s will provide consumers with Sungevity’s quick, easy and proprietary iQuote, a process that utilizes satellite images and aerial photography to calculate a same-day, firm installation estimate, eliminating the need for a home visit…"

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"…[T]he interactive, in-store experience…[will allow consumers] to view a rendering of the proposed installation and get a firm understanding of the cost-savings related to Sungevity’s innovative solar lease program…"

Power On! from Sungevity on Vimeo.

"Customers typically experience an immediate savings on their electricity bills through Sungevity’s solar lease, which includes monitoring, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and a money-back performance guarantee. Additionally, as part of the agreement, Lowe’s has taken an equity position in Sungevity…

"The partnership will commence with interactive Sungevity branded displays in select Lowe’s stores, beginning Summer 2011, and continue to roll-out at all Lowe’s stores in [the eight] states where Sungevity provides services…Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York."