QUICK NEWS, July 19: U.S. PV PIPELINE UP; GERMANS MOVING TO OCEAN WIND; THIS SUMMER’S GIRL-IN-PV-BIKINI; AUSSIES STEP UP ON CLIMATE

U.S. PV PIPELINE UP
US Photovoltaic Project Pipeline Soars to 17 Gigawatts, Solarbuzz Reports
July 6, 2011 (Solarbuzz)

"Following reductions in feed-in-tariffs across Europe, the rapid rise in the photovoltaic project pipeline in the US market now represents one of the most compelling PV market growth opportunities anywhere in the world.

"According to the July 2011 edition of the United States Deal Tracker database released by Solarbuzz…the US non-residential photovoltaic (PV) pipeline now exceeds 17 gigawatts (GW). This total comprises 601 projects ranging from 50 kilowatts (kW) to 500 megawatts (MW) in size, with planned installation dates from 2H’11 to 2015…1,565 non-residential projects totaling 20.3 GW [have been] installed, [are] being installed or [are] in their development phase since January 1, 2010…"

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"California currently accounts for 62% of the total US project pipeline, stimulated by the state’s aggressive 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard target. State Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) policies have been a major driver…The top six state pipelines in megawatt terms are California, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico and Texas while, in total, 40 states contribute to the pipeline.

"…The top 12 project developers currently account for 49% of the total pipeline…The collapse in US factory-gate module prices over the past four months is only now starting to impact large project prices. Installed system prices for planned projects above 1 MW have an average price of $4.50/W DC. 32% of these projects exhibit prices below $4.00/W DC…[T]he top three suppliers in MW terms are First Solar, SunPower Corporation and Suntech Power. The leading inverter suppliers to the pipeline are Advanced Energy and SatCon Technology…"


GERMANS MOVING TO OCEAN WIND
Nuclear’s loss is German wind power’s gain
Jason Deign, July 4, 2011 (Wind Energy Update)

"…An earthquake [hit] Japan and 81 days later the energy industry in Germany, 9,000 kilometres away, [changed] forever…Chancellor Merkel’s decision to shutter the German nuclear sector by 2022 is good news for the renewable energy industry and particularly wind power, which is expected to make up the bulk of the shortfall when the reactors close.

"Under proposed changes to the German Renewable Energies Act (EEG 2012), which are due to come into effect next year, the nation is aiming for 35% of all power to come from renewable energy in 2020, rising to 50% by 2030."

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"To achieve this, the country, which last year had a total installed wind capacity of 27.2 GW and currently has 198.3 MW offshore, has set an offshore target of 10 GW by 2020 and 25 GW, equivalent to around 20 nuclear reactors, by 2030…EEG 2012 also contemplates increasing the feed-in tariff for offshore to EUR€0.15 per kWh over 12 years or €0.19 per kWh for eight years, and deferring cuts from 2015 to 2018, although these will be hiked from 5% to 7% per year when they come into effect.

"The question now for the wind energy industry is how well it can take advantage of this opportunity. What is clear is that it will not all be plain sailing…"


THIS SUMMER’S GIRL-IN-PV-BIKINI
Introducing the Bikini that Can Charge Your iPhone
Yelina Shuster, July 18, 2011 (The HighLow)

"Swimwear has come a long way…[and] current fashion designers are about to encounter a totally different kind of competition: Andrew Schneider, a multimedia designer, is bringing the art of swimwear into a new era…His bathing suit combines design with electronic engineering: thanks to 40 thin and flexible photovoltaic strips connected by conductive thread, his bikini can generate enough energy to charge your iPod or iPhone in the same amount of time your laptop could…"

Like July 4th, this story comes every summer. (click to enlarge)

The bikini, which also contains a USB port for easy plugging in, can still be used for swimming (though not while charging, and it must be completely dry before using as a charger)…Curious consumers can order a custom-made solar bikini on Solar Coterie for $500 – $1500…[A] pair of swim trunks [for men], called the iDrink, is in the works and should be able to chill a small cooler (filled with beer, naturally)…"


AUSSIES STEP UP ON CLIMATE
Australia's carbon tax plan 'a big turning point'…plans for a carbon tax of $24.65 a ton, aimed at discouraging the use of fossil fuels and increasing investment in renewable energy, could blaze a trail for other nations in lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Jennifer Bennett, July 15, 2011 (LA Times)

"After 10 months of negotiations and sometimes nasty public debate, Australia's government has finally announced the details of a carbon tax of $24.65 a ton, aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions by discouraging the use of fossil fuels and increasing investment in renewable energy…"

Thanks to courageous political leadership from the bottom up, this is about to start changing. (click to enlarge)

"In 2015 it will be replaced by an emissions trading program. The plan, announced… by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, will now go before Parliament, but its passage is assured as it is the result of a deal reached with the Australian Greens and two independents with whom the Labor Party formed a government last year. The Greens party also holds the balance of power in the Senate…"