QUICK NEWS, May 10: SOLAR GETTING YET CLOSER; OFFSHORE WIND TRIAL SHELVED UNTIL POLITICS SHIFT; TOMORROW’S HOMES TODAY

SOLAR GETTING YET CLOSER UT Report: Solar Growing as Viable US Energy Source

May 1, 2012 (University of Tennessee)

"Solar power is a viable energy source for the nation, and its use is rapidly growing in the U.S. as federal incentives—similar to those that helped other energy markets to develop—are put in place.

"…[Assessment of Incentives and Employment Impacts of Solar Industry Deployment from the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Solar Energy Industries Association] outlines a variety of benefits of solar energy…[including its] ability to reduce energy costs by providing much of the nation’s electricity needs during peak usage times…[its] potential to produce hundreds of thousands of jobs; and…[its] tremendous export potential for solar manufacturing and materials."

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"…Annual installed solar capacity has seen steady increases, especially in the past six years. It nearly doubled between 2009 and 2010 and was expected to double again between 2010 and 2011…Long-term annual cumulative growth projections range from about 5 percent to 25 percent…As the use of solar energy increases, the industry will grow as an economic force…

"…Historically, it’s taken about thirty years for energy resources—oil, natural gas, hydropower, coal, etc.—to go from innovation to early adoption to rapid growth, and, finally, to majority adoption, the report notes…The federal government currently provides incentives to every major energy production market…Ideally, the incentives can decrease as the industry matures…Fossil fuels, biofuels, and nuclear power have had significant federal engagement in the production, refining, and transportation steps…Solar energy…won’t need [as] much federal investment…"

OFFSHORE WIND TRIAL SHELVED UNTIL POLITICS SHIFT Gamesa Shies Away From U.S. Offshore Wind Market, Shelves 5 MW Prototype

Laura DiMugno, 8 May 2012 (North American Windpower)

"Citing an immature market and a difficult regulatory and political environment, Gamesa and its collaboration partner Newport News Shipbuilding have suspended the development of Gamesa's G11X-5.0 MW offshore wind prototype - a decision that is highly reflective of the uncertainties and challenges currently plaguing the U.S. offshore wind energy market.

"In March, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved Gamesa's plans to deploy the 5 MW offshore wind prototype in the Chesapeake Bay - an installation the company planned to complete in 2013...[But] regulatory red tape, logistical barriers and policy uncertainty have stalled U.S. offshore wind development…[Gamesa] likely would be unable to find financing for U.S. offshore wind projects if the production tax credit for wind power is not extended beyond its year-end expiration."

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The failure to extend the PTC could stop this growth.

"Gamesa and Newport News Shipbuilding are now finishing up what they call a ‘critical design review’ (CDR) of the offshore prototype project, which has focused on improving turbine reliability, servicing requirements, civil engineering efficiencies in infrastructure development, and the cost of offshore wind energy…When the CDR is complete, Gamesa will also shut down its Offshore Wind Technology Center, which opened in February 2011 in Chesapeake, Va.

"Instead, Gamesa is turning to other markets with more favorable offshore wind environments, such as its native Spain. On the same day the company announced its decision to suspend the development of its G11X-5.0 MW prototype in the U.S., it said it was launching the permitting process for the installation of a 50 Hz 5 MW offshore prototype - the G128-5.0 MW - in Spain’s Canary Islands…[A]n offshore wind farm [should be] permitted for the site by late 2013 or early 2014…"

TOMORROW’S HOMES TODAY Energy Efficient Homes; Building Envelope, Lighting, HVAC and Appliances, Water Heating, Energy Audits, and Soft Costs: Global Market Analysis and Forecasts

2Q 2012 (Pike Research)

"…Since the United States housing bubble burst in 2007, the residential construction and real estate markets have floundered in many OECD countries, and some have experienced a full stop in new construction…[but] the markets in China and India are experiencing unprecedented booms in residential construction…[and] energy efficiency is becoming an increasingly important issue around the world as total residential energy consumption continues to rise, creating greater demands on power infrastructure and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

"Energy efficient homes, according to Pike Research’s definition, are properties that are built to exceed the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code by 15% on a kilowatt-hour per square foot basis. Construction of residential properties that achieve such energy savings – in both new construction or in existing building stock – is a highly diverse design problem complicated by factors such as local climate, availability of materials, funding, and legislation."

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"…In order to achieve [the 15%] level of energy savings over the 2009 IECC, home builders and retrofitters must adopt a systems approach to home design and construction, integrating all aspects of home operation.

"The Pike Research report analyzes the global market opportunity for energy efficient homes, including a focus on key market segments such as building envelope improvements, lighting, HVAC and major appliances, water heating, energy audits, and soft costs associated with energy efficiency…"