2007: A Brief Year in Review

<div>James, investing in PV Solar&nbsp;companies should do it for your society. Examples:</div><div>1) <strong>Suntech (STP)</strong> said it expects 2008 revenue of $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion, </div><div><div><div>2) <strong>SunPower (SPWR)</strong> with over $1.1 B expected&nbsp;this FY.</div></div><div><div>See their remarcable financial history growth after about 2 years post their IPO's:</div><div><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=stp" target="_blank">http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=stp</a>.</div><div>Hope this helps</div><div><div><a href="http://stockcharts.com/charts/gallery.html?SPWR" target="_blank"></a></div></div></div></div>

I have been working in the finance field for the past ten years.&nbsp; My only goal for that time has been to make money for myself and a few others.&nbsp; Lately&nbsp;I have realized that my occupation is doing nothing to contribute to society.&nbsp;I want to change my path and get involved with something as important as the clean energy field.&nbsp; My problem is I'm not sure how to get started, does anyone have any advice?

<p>As I approach retirement I have given greater consideration to renewable energy sources. The meer thought is fascinating. A few years ago we built our retirement home in the Philippines. Now my major consideration is to move toward near total energy independance there. I am also considering the possibility of a new career after retirement. Renewable energy has great potential worldwide and especially in a developing country. I would like to learn more about the direction of the Philippines in relationship to renewable energy, and about renewable energy companies based there. Please send any thoughts to: <a href="mailto:HSmith11@msn.com" target="_blank">HSmith11@msn.com</a>.</p>

<p>The on line Journal Renewable Energy Access.com is doing tremendous and commendable work to the Society in bringing the people of Globe together and igniting their minds to think about eco-friendly sustainability. I request the readers to share ther opinions and valuable suggestions to benefit the mankind. One topic reeling in my mind for quite a long time is the &quot;Microwave Pre-treatment of Coals and other minerala&quot; for better comminution/grinding characteristics. The Indian institute of Technology, Kharagpur is actively involved in the research work in this field.The treatment ,though not commercialised, has proven records on pilot scale.&nbsp;I invite the readers to share the latest trends in this field. In bringing the energy efficient technologies to the full utility, we can improve the length of the life of reserves.</p><p>My best wishes to the Journal for good work done and I pray God to renew His Blessings on the Journal for enlightening many minds.</p>

<p>To top it all off, the photovoltaic industry wants even more money for R&amp;D&nbsp;from the same government it expects the people to get money from (in the way of tax incentives and pay backs and in some cases just plain welfare) in order to afford photovoltaics for their home. Talk about paying for something out of more than just one pocket. </p><p>So, delete what I write. It will not&nbsp;change anything. Its of little consequence to me.</p>

<p>So here I am wondering how with; this shortage in raw materials, and&nbsp;no one I know can afford photovoltaics, the photovoltaic industry is showing a profit? Something just does not add up. From my perspective my little meanderings on this comment board are not even a fly in the face to an industry as strong as that.</p>

<p>Well looking at that it would appear that this so called &quot;shortage of raw materials&quot; has not hurt profits within the photovoltaics industry. </p><p>Its not easy for me to critize the photovoltaic industry. I once was carrying the banner, promoting photovoltaics, and from time to time I still do. I live off grid with photolvataics as my only source of electricity. Nearly everytime I talk with someone about photovoltaics for there home it always ends the same way. The price of photovoltaics is just to high for most people.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

I am the new marketing director and sales manager for a fledgling company called West Coast Green Power.&nbsp; We design and manufacture Mobile Solar Generators (MSG).&nbsp; We are looking for people/business' who are interested in going green for the sake of global consciousness, and taking positive steps towards a green future by hooking up to our M.S.G.&nbsp; The comments about the cost of the PV cells being too pricey,&nbsp;&nbsp;I say it's relative, we can't afford not to look at renewable resources outside the political box, or the oil fielsds.&nbsp; Solar Power the price the this fuel never goes up!&nbsp; <a href="http://www.mikekalweit@westcoastgreenpower.com/" target="_blank">www.mikekalweit@westcoastgreenpower.com</a>

<p>Thomas,</p><p> Being very new, small and promising industry - PV industry is very very dynamic. Keep that in mind when you deliberate on it.</p><p> The shortage of raw materials is expected to be over this or next year. While the profit is from the tax incentives and pay backs given by the governments (its new industry that needs the help nuclear and coal industry recieved in their infancy). </p><p> About the research funding. All renewable industry wants just to recieve as much money as Coal and Nuclear is recieving.&nbsp;I'll&nbsp;quote&nbsp;EWEA:</p><p>&quot;It is worth noting that wind power has received 0.03% of all IEA government energy research expenditures since 1974, while nuclear power received 60%, or $175 billion, in the same period, according to the International Energy Agency.&quot;<br /><br />&nbsp;So solar energy soon will be cheaper than coal energy. Wind energy too.</p>

I am the owner of an industrial electrical service business with a power generation background. I recently went to the International Solar Convention in San Diego.After the passing of the federal tax incentives,with other state supported renewable energy incentive programs now solar pv is an aforable option for most business and home owners. We will see a great demand for solar and renewable energy in the coming year I have seen the demand for installations go up