Weekly Clean Energy Roundup: October 7, 2010

First Large Scale Solar Projects Approved on Public Lands EPA, DOT Prepare Fuel Economy Standards for 2017-2025 Solar Returns to the White House 8 Countries Launch Electric Vehicles Initiative Long-Term Viability of U.S. Coal Plants is at Risk Clean Energy Conferences Abound Through Year End Interior Department Approves First Solar Projects on Public Lands Also on October 5, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) approved the first large-scale solar plants ever to be built on U.S. public lands. The U.S.-based solar firms behind the projects are getting access to almost 6,800 acres of public lands for 30 years to build and operate the plants. The plants could produce up to 754 MW of solar energy, or enough to power 226,000-566,000 typical U.S. homes. The projects will generate almost 1,000 new solar jobs. Two kinds of solar technology will be deployed. Tessera Solar’s Imperial Valley Solar Project will use Stirling Energy System’s SunCatcher technology on 6,360 acres in California’s Imperial County. 28,360 solar dishes will produce up to 709 MW, enough to power 212,700-531,750 homes. The Chevron Lucerne Valley Solar Project, proposed by Chevron Energy Solutions of California, will employ solar PV technology on 422 acres in San Bernardino County. […]

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