QUICK NEWS, November 4: WIND’S GROWTH DRIVEN BY INNOVATION; SOLAR PANEL TECHNOLOGY SET FOR NOW; TOUCHDOWN FOR ST. LOUIS SOLAR

WIND’S GROWTH DRIVEN BY INNOVATION Technology Gains are Powering Wind Energy (Op-Ed)

Brad Gammons and Rolf Gibbels, October 17, 2013 (LiveScience)

“…One of the reasons [for wind’s growth] is better technology…In the United States, design advances — such as switching to concrete from steel— have made it possible to erect towers as tall as 100 meters (328 feet), or nearly 30 stories…[A]s a rule of thumb, the stretch can boost output by up to 14 percent compared with one of today's 80-meter (263 foot) towers…As the towers get taller, the turbine blades get longer…[B]y stepping up to a diameter of 120 m (394 feet), from 103 m (338 feet), a recent turbine design can deliver up to a 15 percent boost in output. Longer blades are in the works…Today's turbines are loaded with sensors and precision controllers, which constantly tweak the blade assembly's position in order to optimize the use of the wind energy and provide information to advance operations…IBM believes advanced analytics software will play the most critical role in sustaining wind's tenuous, but rapid growth...” click here for more

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SOLAR PANEL TECHNOLOGY SET FOR NOW Multicrystalline Silicon Modules to Dominate Solar PV Industry in 2014, According to NPD Solarbuzz; Solar PV module production set to reach 50 GW landmark in 2014, as leading PV manufacturers continue to resist common technology roadmap

October 25, 2013 (SolarBuzz)

“…Solar PV manufacturers are currently planning to increase module production by 25% in 2014, to 49.7 GW of modules, compared to the 39.7 GW of modules being produced in 2013. This is in line with the upgraded forecast…that end-market solar PV demand will reach 45-55 GW next year…[P]olysilicon and wafer supply is considered adequate…Thin-film production will continue to lose market share, declining from 9.4% in 2013 to 8.9% in 2014…Standard p-type multi c-Si modules will continue to be the leading solar PV technology, with 35% of PV modules produced in 2014. However, the strongest technology share gains in 2014 will come from the advanced p-type multi segment…” click here for more

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TOUCHDOWN FOR ST. LOUIS SOLAR St. Louis Rams Team Up with Microgrid Solar on Clean Energy Initiatives Partnership Will Further Team’s Green Objectives While Reducing Operating Costs

October 25, 2013 (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

"The St. Louis Rams are greening their operations, from recycling and waste reduction, to energy efficiency and the use of recycled materials. As part of these efforts, the Rams have partnered with St. Louis based Microgrid Solar to further their efforts around clean energy…Microgrid will be handling an ‘Energy Makeover’ that will include a series of projects aimed to reducing energy costs, while contributing to the Rams Green Initiative…The clean energy improvements will begin with a solar installation, with a combined 25 kW output, at Rams Park that will include both a rooftop Solar PV array, as well as a solar sculpture…Additionally, an energy audit will be performed which will yield recommendations for additional facility upgrades…” click here for more

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