QUICK NEWS, January 28: BIG LEGAL WIN FOR U.S. OCEAN WIND; SOLAR MAKERS GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET; WIND CAN STABILIZE THE GRID

BIG LEGAL WIN FOR U.S. OCEAN WIND Cape Wind Hails Legal Victory Over Persistent Project Opponents

January 23, 2014 (North American Windpower)

“…[Cape Wind has defeated] legal efforts of opponents to block its 468 MW offshore wind project, proposed off the coast of Nantucket Island…[T]he U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has upheld the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) approval of the Cape Wind project. Cape Wind says this represents a significant decision that rejects every argument that had been advanced by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound and the Town of Barnstable [and their backer coal billionaire Bill Koch]…[Cape Wind’s victory] came as the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound and Town of Barnstable filed a new federal lawsuit…[questioning] Cape Wind’s power purchase agreement with utility company NSTAR.” click here for more

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SOLAR MAKERS GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET Tier 1 Solar PV Module Margin Recovery: How Long will it Last?

Michael Barker, January 21, 2014 (SolarBuzz)

“During the past few years, the upstream (or manufacturing) segment of the PV industry value-chain took a big hit in terms of revenues and profitability. Due to component over-supply, solar PV prices fell by double digits during 2012, with c-Si modules seeing an annual decline of over 40%...During 2013, the industry situation began to improve as uncompetitive capacity was shuttered and Tier 1 manufacturers focused on cost reduction, supply-chain flexibility, and shipment growth. Assisted by the stabilization in module ASPs, at the end of 2013 there was a rebound in both margins and market-share for Tier 1 c-Si manufacturers…With the PV industry now poised for strong demand growth in 2014, most Tier 1 module manufacturers are anticipating continued improvements. However, risk remains…” click here for more

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WIND CAN STABILIZE THE GRID NREL Finds Wind Turbines Can Boost Grid System Readiness

January 22, 2014 (ReNew Grid)

"Wind energy technology can support and enhance the reliability of the U.S. power grid by controlling the active power output being placed onto the system, finds [Active Power Controls from Wind Power: Bridging the Gaps] from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The rest of the power system's resources have traditionally been adjusted around wind to support a reliable and efficient system; however, NREL says the research that led to its report challenges that concept…NREL says active power control helps balance load with generation at various times, avoiding erroneous power flows, involuntary load shedding, machine damage and the risk of potential blackouts…” click here for more

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