by Kirsten Elder
Companies in the news
AstroPower
Energy Outfitters
Evergreen Solar
First Solar
CorrectionIssue 35: Grameen Shakti is a renewable energy organisation based in Bangladesh.
Emerging Technologies
A team of solar energy researchers from the Australian National University in Canberra has received a grant of AUS$800,000 to assist in the development of low cost solar cells. The funding is part of the AUS$12 million that has been awarded to Australian Capital Territory scientists in the latest round of Australian Research Council (ARC) grants. The joint ARC and industry grant will be used to develop new production methods for solar cells that will help reduce the cost of home-based solar collectors. (ABC Canberra via Solarbuzz, 02/10/02)
Applications
Nevada Power Co. plans to budget $9.2 million for pilot programs that will enable residents and small businesses to reduce their power consumption, pending regulatory approval. The programs range from rebates for reducing air conditioner use to subsidies for installing energy efficient air conditioners and solar power units. Customers wishing to install new PV solar systems will need time-of-use meters to qualify for the $3/watt subsidy. The company said a typical customer would spend $10,000 for a 1,000-watt photovoltaic system and would receive a $3,000 incentive from Nevada Power. The rebates would be available for only 50 residential customers in the first year, but could be expanded. (Las Vegas Review-Journal via Solarbuzz, 01/10/02)
Several Arizona tribal communities living in remote regions without grid-connected electricity are testing solar-powered refrigerators after naming refrigeration over lighting as their main concern. First Solar, the provider of the solar refrigerators, recognised an opportunity to tap a new, sustainable market for its solar modules and help people solve a problem after listening to the needs of the Navajo families. “We didn’t want to just chase a subsidy dollar,” the company said, referring to limited state and federal incentive programs for alternative energy. The system, including installation, costs $1,750 but First Solar is aiming to drive that price down to below $1,000. Besides the Navajo Nation and other American Indian tribes, First Solar also sees opportunities for solar-powered refrigerators in Mexico, Australia and possibly China. “We plan to migrate to other markets facing the same problem,” the company said. “That’s the strategic plan.” (East Valley Tribune via Solarbuzz, 02/10/02)
The US Department of Defense has earmarked $6 million of ECIP (Energy Conservation and Improvement Project) funding to undertake an assessment of renewable energy sources at military installations. Business members are being asked to assist the survey agencies to enable them to assess the current status and the future potential of all types of Solar Energy Technologies. This assessment may lead to the widespread use of renewable energy throughout DoD and high volume purchases as a way to bring costs down. (SEIA via Solarbuzz, 03/10/02)
In Queensland, Australia, where many remote properties rely on limited electricity supplied by diesel generators, a station has been fitted with the latest Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) solar powered system. The new RAPS system will provide Alderly Station, near Boulia, with 15kW of power and cost just over AUS$200,000. With the help of a 65 percent rebate from the Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland could see many more of its remotest stations being powered by solar energy in the near future. (ABC via Solarbuzz, 03/10/02)
Investments and Finance
The Solar System Programme initiated by the Indian Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources could not be implemented effectively mainly due to inadequate publicity and back up from the Indian government in terms of subsidy, the general manager of Syndicate Bank has said. He was inaugurating a training programme for bank managers in financing for solar home systems jointly organised by the Bharatiya Vikas Trust (BVT) and the Syndicate Bank, sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Winrock International, USA, and Winrock International, India. He also stated that banks had a lot of unutilised funds, and that they should channel their surplus funds to lending for solar system programmes in the country. (Business Standard via Solarbuzz, 07/10/02)
The Ministry of Finance for renewable energy development in the Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) has signed an agreement under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project (REREDP) with the Economic Relations Division last week. The Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Company will administer a $11.44 million IDA credit and $6.67 million Global Environment Fund grant for financing renewable energy development in Bangladesh, says a press release. Under the program, The Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Company through the NGOs, micro finance institutions and dealers will finance 50,000 solar home systems in remote rural areas. In addition, other renewable energy projects like mini hydro, wind, and biomass will also be financed under this project. (Bangladesh Independent, 03/10/02)
Policy and Incentives
Brian Wilson, the UK energy minister, in responding to questions set on the payback period, and financial support available, for photovoltaic and other domestic solar power installations, gave the following answers:
– The typical payback period for PV installations is 50-100 years. The Major Photovoltaics Demonstrat
ion Programme effectively halves this payback period for the purchaser by offering 50 percent grants on this technology. Our rationale for supporting photovoltaics is that it is a technology at a relatively early stage of development, but with significant potential for further cost reduction and for meeting our electricity needs in the future.
– Solar water heating is a proven and commercial technology with a payback period of 15-20 years. No financial support is currently available for this technology through central government, although such support is currently being considered under the 10 million Community and Household renewables scheme. Support may, however, be available through local authorities and energy suppliers. (Greenpeace UK via Delphi, 07/10/02)
The US Department of Energy has announced an award of $1.5 million in grants to state and local partnerships as a contribution to the target of installing one million solar roofs on buildings across the nation by 2010. The grant will be spread across 30 entities in 19 states. “The President’s National Energy Plan calls for an increase in support for the development of renewable energy resources, such as solar energy,” the Secretary of Energy said. “The Million Solar Roof Initiative will prove that investment in renewable energy and energy efficient technologies can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, conserve natural resources, and create markets for American products around the world.” (Solarbuzz, 04/10/02)
Industry Reports and Events
The University of Colorado at Boulder has won first place in the US DOE’s Solar Decathlon competition on Saturday, officially bringing an end to the 10-day competition. The University of Virginia placed second in the competition, and Auburn University came in third. The Solar Decathlon was a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. (Solarbuzz, 05/10/02)
Corporate News
Solar-Fabrik AG, the German solar module manufacturer, has announced that it expects sales this year to rise only 5 percent above last year, compared to a planned 40 percent. It blames a fall in the German market in 2002 allied with lower subsidy levels this year, but expects re-election of the red-green coalition government to provide a stimulus to the German solar industry in the remainder of the year. In 2001, Solar-Fabrik achieved sales of 28.5 million with a corresponding loss of (1.65) million. With just 5 percent growth now expected, planned sales of 40 million will be closer to 30 million. The loss in 2002 is now expected to be (1.9) million. (Solar-Fabrik via Solarbuzz, 01/10/02)
AstroPower, Inc. has announced in a press release projected product revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The company currently expects product revenues to be approximately $22.7 million, below analyst consensus estimates of $24M. AstroPower will issue a news release regarding its full third quarter 2002 results on Monday, November 4, 2002 after the close of the markets. (Solarbuzz, 03/10/02)
Evergreen Solar, Inc. has been awarded a cost-shared letter subcontract by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to complete a research and development program under the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) program. The three-year cost shared agreement, which renews annually, will help continue the development of Evergreen’s String Ribbon manufacturing technology into an advanced process that is virtually continuous, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, the program will further Evergreen’s development of its innovative back contact solar cell and its polymer frameless module technology. Over the expected three years of the contract, NREL will fund $3.0 million of the $6.0 million project and Evergreen Solar will fund the remaining $3.0 million. (Evergreen Solar, 01/10/02)
Evergreen Solar, Inc. has announced that it is scheduled to present at the Investors’ Circle National Conference: “Energy for a Sustainable Future” on Monday, October 28, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The conference will be held at The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA on October 27-29, 2002. (Evergreen Solar, 03/10/02)
Xantrex Technology Inc. is announcing an upgrade program for its SunTie and SunTie XR grid-connected solar inverter product lines sold under the Xantrex and Trace brands. Xantrex is currently developing an upgrade that will improve its grid-connected inverters ability to harvest energy during periods of rapidly changing solar irradiance caused by mixed, fast-moving cloud cover. Xantrex expects to complete the upgrade development by the end of December. It will be available at no cost to all current Xantrex customers who have purchased a SunTie or a SunTie XR product. (Xantrex via Solarbuzz, 03/10/02)
Energy Outfitters, a US distributor of solar electric components and integrated renewable energy systems, will host a comprehensive Dealer-Installer Tech Forum October 17-18 in Grants Pass, Oregon – the company’s corporate headquarters. The forum will train participants in the assembly of the new ETL-listed FX2000 Inverter/Charger from OutBack Power Systems. The aim is to create a national network of factory-trained technicians able to provide professional turnkey installations and responsive trouble shooting. (SolarAccess, 01/10/02)
Kyocera Corporation plans to strengthen domestic sales of its solar power generation systems by increasing the number of franchised retailers authorised to sell its household solar panels nationwide, from 50 to 80 by spring 2003 and to 100 by June. The company will also run two-week training courses at its headquarters for managers and other employees at new franchise chains, in order to enhance customer satisfaction, sources said. Franchise chain sellers often double as civil engineering firms and, thus, can help not only with the installation in new housing but also adjustments during renovations. (Nikkei Business Daily via Solarbuzz, 02/10/02)
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