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UNITED STATES SOLAR ENERGY NEWS

Poll Reports 94% of Americans Say It’s Important for the
U.S. to Develop and Use Solar Energy

June 18, 2008 - based on press release from SEIA

98% of Independents, 97% of Democrats, and 91% of Republicans support development of solar - 74% of Independents, 72% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans favor extension of Federal tax credits for renewable technologies - 77% of Americans feel Federal government should make solar power development a national priority

A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 97 percent of Democrats and 98 percent of Independents agree that developing solar power is vital to the United States. These and other findings were reported in the SCHOTT Solar BarometerTM, a nationally representative survey conducted by the independent polling firm, Kelton Research.

The survey revealed that 77 percent of Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government. Independent voters felt strongest about this, compared to voters in other political parties, with 86 percent of Independents supporting the statement. When asked which one energy source they would support if they were President, 41 percent of Americans picked solar. Solar and wind together were favored nearly 20 times more than coal (3 percent).

“These results are an undeniable signal to our elected leaders that Americans want job-creating solar power, now,” said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Republicans (72 percent), Democrats (72 percent) and Independents (74 percent) favor an extension of the federal investment tax credits (ITC) as a way to encourage development of solar power and fund continued development of the technology. In contrast, only 8 percent of Americans believe the ITC should not be extended.

Current federal legislation, which provides incentives to spur the growth of renewable energy, is set to expire at the end of the year. Experts predict that without long-term renewal of the legislation, the solar energy industry will struggle to maintain its momentum. According to independent analysis by Navigant Consulting, this would translate into the loss of 39,000 jobs, as well as the loss of nearly $8 billion in investments. When wind is included, 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment are at risk, according to the report.

“Solar development means job growth for Americans, by Americans, in an industry that will benefit America.” said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. “Rather than rely on foreign sources for fuel, the U.S. can aspire to become the world’s leader in clean energy.”

Extension of the tax credits continues to be in doubt as the House, Senate and Administration debate differing plans. In May, the House Ways and Means Committee cleared H.R. 6049, which would extend the solar investment tax credit for six years. According to SEIA, this legislation would secure America’s clean-energy future by closing an income tax loophole enjoyed by hedge-fund managers on their off-shore accounts.

“The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this month. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America’s national energy security. A vote against this bill is a vote against what the vast majority of Americans are demanding,” said Mr. Resch.

“When you consider that, according to the American Solar Energy Society, nearly 7,000 gigawatts (GW) of solar generation capacity exists in the American Southwest, America is truly a sleeping giant,” said Dr. Fine. “Americans want to wake this giant up.”

About the Survey’s Methodology

The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between May 29th and June 2nd, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. The Solar Energy Industry Alliance (SEIA) and SCHOTT Solar, one of the trend-setting manufacturers of solar energy technologies, commissioned the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

CORPORATE GIANTS IBM, INTEL JUMPING INTO SOLAR

June 17, 2008 - This article is based on various sources including

Forbes.com and Intel.com

Two big U.S. companies, IBM and Intel, announced the same week how each

will plot a separate course involving solar technology. IBM is moving into licensing its solar cell developments while Intel will join other investors to help fund a new company called SpectraWatt, which will open a factory in Oregon that will manufacture solar equipment for the PV industry.

SpectraWatt will make and sell PV cells to solar module manufacturers. The goal of the new company will be to develop more efficient and cost effective materials for the PV industry. IBM will also try to improve the efficiency of thin film solar cells with partner Tokyo Ohka Kogyo. Intel is currently the top company on the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power list as the largest buyer of renewable energy credits.

COMPANIES LOOKING AT PORTABLE SOLAR

June 12, 2008 - This article is based on various sources including

MacWorld and Voltaic Systems

Apple Inc, maker of Mac computers, software, iPods and iPhones, is making solar news concerning a patent filed by some of its Bay Area employees. The pending U.S. patent is titled "Solar Cells on Portable Devices." It was filed on 10/20/06 by inventors Michael Rosenbatt, Christopher Prest, Fletcher Rothkopf and Laron Leiba. Several news sources began reporting the story in May 2008. The filing describes integrating solar cells with portable devices, placing them under layers of touch-screen material.

Vodafone announced in April plans to make solar-powered phone chargers for their products. Meanwhile, the world's first solar generator bag that can charge a laptop is being made by Voltaic Systems. The bag, which can carry a 17 inch Apple Powerbook, is covered with lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels that produce up to 14.7 watts following a day of exposure to the sun. The bag also comes with battery storage. The company's website states that the bags are designed to power virtually any handheld electronics.

Motorola owns a 2001 patent that describes integrating solar panels with mobile devices. It will be interesting to see which company takes the lead on solar gadgets.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO PROVIDE UP TO $2.4 MILLION TO ADVANCE SOLAR ENERGY IN 12 CITIES

March 28, 2008 - This article is taken from the press release published on the U.S. Department of Energy website at www.energy.gov.

DENVER, CO – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced that DOE will make available up to $2.4 million to 12 cities across the country selected as Solar America Cities, chosen for their commitment and comprehensive approach to the deployment of solar technologies and the development of sustainable solar infrastructures. These projects further President Bush’s Solar America Initiative (SAI), which aims to make electricity from solar photovoltaics cost-competitive with conventional electricity by 2015. Combined with industry cost share and funding from each city, total investment in all 12 cities is estimated at $12.1 million. Secretary Bodman made the announcement while delivering keynote remarks at the New Frontiers in Energy Summit 2008 in Denver.

“These Solar America Cities aim to jumpstart integration of solar power and encourage other cities across the nation to follow suit,” Secretary Bodman said. “With the President’s leadership, the Energy Department is working aggressively to make clean, abundant and affordable solar energy the norm, and no longer an ‘alternative’ source of energy. The innovative programs already underway in each city will help us raise the bar of what’s possible, and will help cities and towns across America harness the tremendous potential of the sun.”

Cities designated as Solar America Cities, which will each receive $200,000 from DOE to integrate a variety of solar energy technologies throughout the city, include: Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Knoxville, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Jose, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; and Seattle, WA.

In addition to investing a total of up to $2.4 million (Fiscal Year 2008), DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into energy planning, zoning and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and businesses; present solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs. Technical assistance is estimated at $3 million (Fiscal Years 2008-2009), subject to appropriations from Congress.

Cities selected are geographically diverse and have varying degrees of solar resources and experience with solar technologies. Each city will adopt a variety of approaches to building up their solar infrastructure and deploying cutting-edge technologies, which include solar water heating, photovoltaics – a technology which turns sunlight into electricity, and concentrating solar power - and large-scale solar thermal technology.

The development of solar energy technology is integral to the President’s Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI), which seeks to change the way we power our homes, offices and vehicles by increasing the use of clean, renewable technologies. Awards announced today build upon the $5.4 million in financial and technical assistance awarded to the thirteen Solar America Cities selected in 2007, including: Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; New York City, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ, bringing the total number of Solar America Cities to 25.

ENERGY DEPARTMENT SELECTS STUDENT TEAMS TO

COMPETE IN 2009 SOLAR DECATHLON

January 24, 2008 - This article is taken from the press release published on the U.S. Department of Energy website at www.energy.gov.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the 20 university-led teams selected to compete in the Department's fourth Solar Decathlon, which will be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2009. This year’s teams have been selected from universities in the United States, Canada, and Germany and each team will receive $100,000 from DOE to uniquely design, build and operate an energy efficient, fully solar-powered home for this unique competition.

Each home will utilize energy efficient technology and demonstrate that homes powered entirely by the sun do not have to sacrifice all the modern comforts and aesthetics Americans are accustomed to. The Department's Solar Decathlon complements the President's Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar power cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.

The Decathlon gets its name from the 10 specific areas of competition: architecture, engineering, market viability, communications, comfort, appliances, hot water, lighting, energy balance, and transportation. In addition to producing enough electricity and hot water to perform all the functions of a home, from powering lights and electronics to cooking, washing clothes and dishes, each home must produce surplus energy sufficient to power an electric car. The team that finishes the week of competition with the most points wins.

Selected design concepts represent a range of building technologies from diverse geographic locations, including those targeted for low-income gulf-state rebuilding, affordable urban renewal, and mass-producible habitats for suburban America. Applications for the competition were evaluated by a panel made up of engineers, scientists and other experts from DOE and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Teams were required to meet specific criteria, demonstrating their ability to design and build an innovative, entirely solar-powered, 800-square-foot home from scratch, including the ability to raise additional funds and assemble a team necessary to carry the project through to completion.

In October 2007, an estimated 120,000 visitors turned out on the National Mall to witness Technische Universistät Darmstadt, the University of Maryland, and Santa Clara University and California College of the Arts, take first, second, and third place respectively. The University of Colorado won the two previous competitions, held in 2002 and 2005.

The following teams have been selected to compete in the 2009 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon:

Boston Architectural College/Tufts University (Boston, MA/Medford, MA)
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Ames, IA)
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, MO)
Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA)
Rice University (Houston, TX)
Santa Clara University and California College of the Arts (Santa Clara, California/San Francisco, California)
Technische Universität Darmstadt (Darmstadt, Germany)
Universidad de Puerto Rico (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
University of Calgary/SAIT Polytechnic and Mount Royal College (Calgary and Alberta, Canada)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL)
University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Lafayette, LA)
University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
University of Waterloo/Ryerson University/Simon Fraser University (Waterloo and Toronto, Ontario and Burnaby, British Columbia in Canada)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA)