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Solar Energy Association Vows to Reverse Downward Trend for Solar Research

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, core solar research programs in the U.S. continue to be picked apart by a record level of congressionally directed funding for other marginal projects. “As the United States reels under skyrocketing fuel prices, and high-tech clean energy industries grow into multi-billion-dollar markets overseas, Congress is responding by slashing funding for research and forcing extensive layoffs at the nation’s renewable energy labs,” said SEIA President Rhone Resch. “This trend must stop, and SEIA will focus our resources to make sure that it does.” A SEIA review of newly negotiated Energy and Water Development spending bill now set to be adopted by Congress reveals that the size and percentage of these mandated home-district projects will reach a record for FY06, with a total of $14.4 million – 17 percent of the total $84 million solar budget – diverted from critical research. “After similar intensive earmarking last year, the National Renewable Energy Laboratories in Golden, Colo., were forced to lay off several dozen researchers and stop taking on additional lines of research,” Resch said. “This latest round of diversions will undoubtedly amplify this trend.” The cuts come just one day after 126 members of Congress, including […]

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EPA Queries

EPA officials and environmentalists are raising concerns with plans by Midwestern states to permit a growing number of coal-fired ethanol plants as “minor” emissions sources not subject to federal rules, saying the plants’ emissions may exceed thresholds for minor sources, which could prompt future agency enforcement actions. Many ethanol manufacturers are expanding their operations to meet growing demand for the renewable fuel due to a series of factors, including a growing number of state bans on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an alternative fuel additive, along with high fuel prices and the recent energy law mandate for 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel production by 2012. But sky high natural gas prices are prompting a growing number of ethanol companies in several Midwestern states to build new plants that use coal as a fuel source to power their operations rather than traditional natural gas. Using coal rather than natural gas is expected to make the plants at least 30 percent less expensive to run, according to a Minnesota state source. However, states are moving to permit the facilities as “minor” sources, which do not require stringent emissions controls, even though the facilities’ emissions are likely to be significantly higher than […]

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Advent Solar Secures $30 Million Funding

Advent Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of advanced solar cells and modules, announced it has secured $30 million in Series C funding. The round was led by Battery Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology-driven companies at all stages of growth. Existing investors EnerTech Capital Partners, @Ventures, the New Mexico Co-Investment Partners (managed by Fort Washington Capital Partners Group), and Angels with Attitude also participated, as did new investor, Firelake Capital. Advent Solar will use the financing to build and operate a 25 megawatt plant for the production of its photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and modules. The company applies a unique Emitter Wrap-through (EWT) design to its back-contact solar cells, delivering higher efficiency, lighter weight, and lower per-watt cost than traditional solar cells. This patented design was originally developed at Sandia National Laboratories. Advent’s new production facility will be located in Mesa del Sol, a brand new 12,000 acre development and solar cluster in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Advent will ship its first products to customers later this year from its pilot line, and expects to be in full production at its new facility in 2007. “Advent is bringing to market a full line of advanced PV cells and […]

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