QUICK NEWS, September 29: BIG TURBINE FOR SLOW WINDS; GIANT MILITARY PV DOWNSIZED; FLORIDA PLANS HUGE PV SUN

BIG TURBINE FOR SLOW WINDS
Alstom launches low wind turbine with 122-metre rotor
Michael McGovern, 28 September 2011 (Windpower Monthly)

Alstom has launched its 2.7MW ‘ECO122’ machine, claiming the 122-metre rotor to be ‘the largest in the 2-3MW turbine segment’."

(from Alstom - click to enlarge

"The machine, a variation of Alstom’s 3MW turbine and part of the same manufacturing platform, is designed for sites with low wind speeds where longer blades are needed to capture more power…"


GIANT PV FOR BASES LOSES LOAN
SolarCity Scaling Back SolarStrong Project After DOE Loan Guarantee Fails
Jessica Lillian, September 27, 2011 (Solar Industry)

"Facing an uncertain project-finance future, solar integrator SolarCity has been forced to reduce the size of its massive SolarStrong initiative. The project had received a conditional loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), but the company is now not expected to meet the Sept. 30 deadline to finalize the guarantee…SolarStrong was touted as a project that could double the number of U.S. PV installations in the U.S…"

(about to be gone - click to enlarge)

"The original plan called for up to 371 MW of new solar generation capacity through the installation of rooftop PV arrays on up to 160,000 homes on as many as 124 military housing developments in 33 states…The approval hold-up was attributed to increased due diligence on the part of the DOE, following the intense political fallout from module manufacturer Solyndra's bankruptcy and the investigation into its 2009 loan guarantee…"


FLORIDA PLANS HUGE PV SUN
National Solar Power Selects Florida's Gadsden County For Planned 400 MW Solar Project
27 September 2011 (Solar Industry)

"National Solar Power says it will build a 400 MW solar installation in Gadsden County, Fla. The project is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs and create $1.5 billion in economic investment in the region. A minimum of 20 farms will be built on 200-acre sites at a cost of $70 million each…"

click to enlarge

"Once the appropriate local and state permitting process is completed, the first phase of the project is expected to be up and running within six months of ground-breaking. Hensel Phelps Construction Co. will design, build and operate the projects for National Solar Power…National Solar Power has entered into an agreement with Progress Energy Florida and says it is having discussions with other potential customers to purchase power…"