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The Fire Energy Group Inaugurates its Geodis Logistics Center in Châteaudun, France

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Greta

The Fire Energy Group announced today that it has opened the first stage in its integrated renewable energy project, the ERE SolarValley in Châteaudun, France. The project was originally launched last August.

In an inauguration ceremony attended by the Chinese Ambassador to France, Kong Quant, the Economic Counsel to the Chinese Embassy, Wu Xilin and members of various levels of government in France, it was announced that the Châteaudun Geodis Logistics Center became operational on March 16. It will be used as a logistical base of operations while the logistics center on the former ETATMAT base continues to be refurbished. See More…

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Germany to Delay FiT Cuts

Posted on March 6, 2012 by mhorses

According to Reuters, members of the Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government have agreed to delay cuts in the country’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT). The cuts will now start to be implemented on April 1.

The recent announcement of the impending cuts has raised the ire of many solar providers as well as many in the country’s powerful environmental lobby when the government announced its plans to cut the FiT by up to 30 percent in a one-time reduction, after annual cuts of about 15 percent in recent years. See More…

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Google now in Clean Energy Business

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Greta

The American multinational software corporation, Google, one of the world’s largest and most important internet companies, is now expanding its financial portfolio by investing in the alternative energy business.

Google is devoting almost US$1 billion of its own money to clean energy projects such as solar, wind and improving energy transmission. This investment of roughly 2.7% of its last year’s revenue towards green energy projects is even a great deal of money for Google. The investment has received much attention, both positive and negative, with many detractors saying this investment is not about green energy as much as it is about “greenbacks”. It is evident that the investment will serve a dual purpose, one of which will be economic. See More…

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Supporting the Planet with Renewable Energy

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Greta

The world has experienced great changes over the last 20 years. These changes have caused several problems of great magnitude. One of the major problems is global warming but is there a workable solution? The easiest fix is to avoid fossil fuels and instead to invest other, clean energy technologies

Global warming has perhaps become one of the most complicated issues in the world. The rising temperatures associated with greenhouse gas emissions threatening to change the global climate. These extreme temperatures are negatively affecting the climate with record-warm temperatures, lighter snowfall, violent storms and according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, these issues may be connected. See More…

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Ukraine New Hotspot for Renewable Energy Investment

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Greta

According to a recent report by Ernst & Young, the Ukraine has become an attractive destination for green energy investors and especially for those interested in investing in solar power.

The report sites numerous reasons for this positive investment climate, such as excellent tax incentives available to green energy companies, a 10-year corporate tax exemption scheme that began on January 1 of 2011, VAT exemptions on certain types of imports and a 75% reduction of land taxes paid on the purchase of land that is dedicated for green energy projects. See More…

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Researchers make Breakthrough in Thin-Film Solar Cell Efficiency

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Greta

Scientists from Swinburne University of Technology recently announced that they have developed the most efficient thin-film solar cell to date. The research (carried out under the auspices of the Victoria-Suntech Advanced Solar Facility (VSASF), a AU$12 million program jointly funded by the Victorian Government, Swineburne University and Suntech), has led to the creation of a thin-film cell with an absolute efficiency of 8.1 percent. See More…

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Mexico’s First Integrated Solar System is Now a Go

Posted on February 9, 2012 by mhorses

Long known for its sandy beaches, Mexico is now using its abundant sunshine for more than attracting millions of tourists each year to its legendary beaches. It was recently announced the border city of Mexicali is to be the home of a major integrated solar installation and manufacturing plant. A 10 MW solar farm is planned to be installed to supply a Concentrated Solar Photovoltaic (CSPV) manufacturing plant that is projected to employ more than 4,200 employees. The groundbreaking for the US$500 million plant is scheduled to occur in the next few months. See More…

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Solar Powered Data Centers Now a Reality

Posted on February 9, 2012 by mhorses

IBM, the multinational information technology company, recently announced that it will be providing a specially-constructed solar array that is designed to provide power to high-voltage data centers by integrating AC and DC-powered servers, water-cooled computer systems and a myriad of related electronics.

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Indignation against Spain’s Moratorium on Renewable Energy Continues to Grow

Posted on February 8, 2012 by mhorses

In the wake of the Spanish government’s recent decision to place a moratorium on all new renewable energy, negative reaction continues to mount, inside and outside of the country. The plan, which was approved on January 31, immediately suspends the pre-allocation process and all new incentives for new green energy projects until at least the end of 2012. The newly-elected government claims that the moratorium is necessary to correct a deficit that it links to the country’s recent investment in renewable energy.

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MIT Developing New Method for Creating PV Cells from Plant Cells

Posted on February 8, 2012 by mhorses

According to a recent press release from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Photovoltaic panels made from plant material could become a cheap, easy alternative to traditional solar cells. Within a few years, people in remote villages in the developing world may be able to make their own solar panels, at low cost, using otherwise worthless agricultural waste as their raw material.

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