1. Home
  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 1424)

Applied Materials to Install 1.9 MW PV System

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT, a leader in nanomanufacturing solutions for the electronics industry, announced it will install over 1.9 megawatts of solar generation capability at its research campus in Sunnyvale, California. This is believed to be the largest solar power installation on an existing corporate facility in the US and will be rolled out in three phases. “When the project is complete we will have a silent, non-polluting 1.9 megawatt power plant on what is currently open roof space and parking areas, and a great hedge against future energy cost increases,” said Mike Splinter, president and CEO of Applied Materials. “As we pursue our strategy to significantly drive down the overall solar cost-per-watt we feel it is important to lead through example and that installations of this size will help lower consumer cost and spur overall market growth.” Applied Materials will start installing panels later this year that use a variety of state of the art solar technologies. Once completed in 2008, Applied Materials’ system will generate over 2,330 megawatt hours annually – the equivalent of powering 1,400 homes. In 2006, Applied Materials announced its entry into the solar PV equipment market. The company’s solar strategy is to bring significant […]

Read More

Norsk Hydro Invests in Thin Film Start Up, Ascent Solar

Norsk Hydro ASA (NYSE:NHY) has acquired 1.6 million shares of the common stock of Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTI) in a private placement as the precursor to a strategic relationship between the parties. The shares purchased represent about 23% of the outstanding shares. Hydro purchased the shares for $5.7725 per share, or $9.236 million, a 25% premium. Subject to shareholder approval, Norsk Hydro will be entitled to purchase up to an additional 12% of the outstanding shares of Ascent Solar’s common stock. “Ascent Solar’s flexible thin film is very exciting. Not only due to the low weight that makes the solar cells easy to transport, install and maintain, but also because flexible solar cells have a large number of potential applications in the future,” says Jorgen C. Arentz Rostrup, who heads Hydro’s market activities. “It’s our ambition to enhance our activities within solar and building systems. Ascent Solar is among the leading companies in thin film. We are therefore looking for opportunities to develop integrated building solutions together with Ascent Solar,” says Rostrup. Ascent Solar President and CEO Matthew Foster said, “Our stated vision has been to see the day when building integrated photovoltaics will become pervasive and commonplace in […]

Read More

Gaiam Reports 2006 Results

Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA), a natural lifestyle and environmental product company, reported that revenue in 2006 increased 54% to $219.5 million. Revenues for Gaiam’s direct to consumer segment increased 73.8% to $125.7 million. Revenues for Gaiam’s business segment increased 33.7% to $93.8 million. Gross profit margin increased to 63.9% from 56.5% in 2005, primarily due to higher media sales, lower cost of goods sold associated with higher DVD sales volume and the elimination of fees previously paid for third party distribution. Net income improved to $5.6 million or $0.23 per share, as compared to $1.3 million or $0.08 per share in 2005. The number of paying members in Gaiam’s community and subscription clubs exceeded the 100,000 level. According to Nielsen’s VideoScan, Gaiam’s market share in the fitness/wellness DVD category grew to 44.7% in 2006 from 41.5% in 2005. “We are very pleased with our performance for both the fourth quarter and full year 2006,” said Jirka Rysavy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our media-focused strategy, continued development of community assets, increasing gross margin and additional volume in our centralized distribution center should continue to improve our pretax margin, which during the fourth quarter increased to above 10%, from 4.2% a […]

Read More

Quantum Technologies Q3 Loss Widens

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) posted a wider quarterly loss and is considering closing facilities and selling/ closing unprofitable business lines. Consolidated net revenue declined $3.0 million to $33.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $36.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The decrease in consolidated net revenue is the result of a $1.5 million decrease in revenues within the Tecstar Automotive Group’s segment and a $1.4 million decrease within the Quantum Fuel System segment. Operating loss increased from $9.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $14.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Alan Niedzwiecki, President and CEO, stated, “The Company’s operating performance during fiscal 2007 has been disappointing and is a result of underutilization of our Tecstar facilities and an overall downturn in large specialty vehicle sales. We continue to evaluate the Company’s cost structure and are considering the closure of facilities and selling off or closing unprofitable business lines. We expect the impact of our downsizing to begin materializing in the fourth quarter with the full impact occurring in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.” “On the business development side, Tecstar Automotive is beginning […]

Read More

New Energy Efficiency Bill Draws Broad Support from Business, Conservation Groups

A new energy-efficiency bill introduced this week, with strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and welcomed by business and conservation groups, would provide consumers and businesses relief from volatile energy prices and curb global warming pollution. The EXTEND the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act of 2007 enhances and extends the energy efficiency and solar energy tax incentives enacted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Senate EXTEND Act is sponsored by Sen. Snowe (R-Maine), and cosponsored by Sens. Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kerry (D-Mass.), Bunning (R-KY), Bingaman (D-N.M.), Salazar (D-Colo.), Coleman (R-Minn.), Smith (R-Ore.), Allard (R-Colo.), and Cornyn (R-TX). The House EXTEND Act is sponsored by Rep. McDermott and cosponsored by Reps. Markey (D-Mass.) and Weller (R-Ill.). The broad coalition of groups supporting the new bill includes: Alliance to Save Energy, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), Portland General Electric, Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), Real Estate Roundtable, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Sierra Club.American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Exelon, Edison Electric Institute, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), […]

Read More