Solar Thermal Energy News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Areva To Acquire CSP Company Ausra

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Areva this week said that it will acquire 100% of Ausra, provider of large-scale concentrated solar power solutions. This acquisition launches Areva's new global solar energy business and the company said that it reflects Areva's strategic objective to be the world leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) and will further strengthen and diversify its renewables portfolio.

Sen. Sanders Introduces 10 Million Solar Home Initiative

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate's green jobs subcommittee introduced legislation with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

The Future of Energy heads to London as business thrives

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 21 January 2009: The UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, spoke at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday to highlight the UK's leading role in meeting the global challenge of combating climate change with renewable energy.

AltaTerra Research Web Conference Presents Status Update and Outlook for Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs in North American and Worldwide

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Once "unthinkable" in North America, renewable energy feed-in tariffs are gaining momentum in the U.S. and elsewhere. On March 4th, author, advocate, and renewable energy industry analyst, Paul Gipe will present the latest developments in the feed-in tariff debate.

SolarCraft is Awarded Green Business of the Year

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

SolarCraft has been selected by the Novato Chamber of Commerce (NCOC) as the inaugural recipient of its Green Business of the Year Award. In business since 1984, SolarCraft celebrates its 26th year providing renewable energy services to the North Bay. They offer full-service solar electric, solar pool heating and solar hot water, including consulting, design, sales, installation, monitoring and maintenance.

25% US Renewable Electricity Standard Will Create 274,000 Jobs

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A new study released by Navigant Consulting finads that a 25% by 2025 national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) would support hundreds of thousands of new American jobs and prevent a near-term collapse in some industries. Job growth in the wind, solar, biomass, waste-to-energy and hydropower industries would particularly benefit the Southeastern U.S. and manufacturing states whose Congressional delegations have had a history of voting against incentives and other measures designed to support the renewable energy sector.

Abengoa & JCI Installing Solar Thermal System at Colorado Prison

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Abengoa Solar Inc., under contract to Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI), is installing a turnkey solar hot water heating system at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) located in Englewood, Colorado. The solar system consists of 160 parabolic PT-1 collector modules comprising 22,720 square-feet of collector area situated on 1.7 acres of land area.

US Government Budget Proposals Increase Clean Energy Funding

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama unveiled on February 1 a $28.4 billion budget request for DOE for fiscal year (FY) 2011, including $2.36 billion for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The proposed budget aims to reduce unnecessary energy use, boost renewable energy sources, and strengthen clean energy research as the United States moves toward a clean energy economy.

Renewable Energy Developers Ask If Not Here, Where?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

While millions of families became lost in the visual effects of the blockbuster movie Avatar, to me it also offers an ironic similarity to the quest for renewable energy here in the United States. In the movie, humanity is seeking to harvest a highly precious mineral on a far-off moon to solve their energy crisis back on earth. They do so despite increasing resistance from the native species of humanoids. The conflict is made worse when the humans grossly underestimate the native's ability to mobilize and fight, with inferior weapons and resources.

Crafting National Standards

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Renewable energy is making a gradual presence in this country. But the key question facing U.S. lawmakers is whether to mandate broad portfolio standards or whether to continue giving the states the authority to determine such measures.

AltaTerra Research Announces Solar Money and Markets Series

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

New web conference series to address timely and fundamental questions of economics, finance, subsidies, and sales and marketing for the solar industry in 2010.

Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas commissioned for feasibility studies to develop two 50 MW CSP plants in India

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Relevant Indian developers confirmed their interest on Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas' expertise promoting, engineering and constructing concentrated solar power plants. The company supports India's National Solar Mission that sets a target up to 22,000 MW of installed capacity for the next seven years.

Energy Diversification: A National Security Imperative

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. imports about 60% of its oil, with more than two-thirds of it used for transportation. Oil is essential to the basic functioning of the global economy, from the production of goods in factories overseas and across the country to their delivery to local markets. Without oil our military would not be able to defend the country from external threats. In short, we are critically dependent on this non-renewable resource.

2010 French Tariffs Raise Price for Solar, Geothermal and Biomass

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

France has introduced new feed-in tariffs for 2010. These include substantially higher geothermal, biomass, and building integrated solar PV tariffs than in 2009.

Cost-Saving Magnetic Multi-Turn Encoders for Tight Spaces

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The MCD absolute rotary encoder line comes in a robust, cost- and space-saving design. A high resolution single-turn system and a unique battery- and gearless multi-turn stage are combined with a variety of interfaces (analog, serial and CAN) for a wide range of applications.

Britain Launches Comprehensive System of Feed-in Rates

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In a truly groundbreaking move for the English-speaking world, Britain's Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has released a full suite of renewable energy tariffs that go into effect in April.

Sec. Salazar Named 2009 National Solar Energy Champion by SEIA

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Solar Energy Industries Association has named U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar as its 2009 National Solar Energy Champion for 2009. Since taking office last March, Secretary Salazar signed an order to make the production, development and delivery of renewable energy a top priority for the Interior Department.

California approves $350 million in rebates for solar water heating installations

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Novato-based SolarCraft, the North Bay leader in Solar Electric and Solar Thermal installations, is pleased to announce that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a $350 million dollar rebate program to encourage state residents and businesses to install solar water heating to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Combined with the current 30% Federal Tax Credit, that means savings of up to 60% on the cost of solar domestic water heating installations. The program's goals are to see over 300,000 systems installed over the next 8 years, saving California residents nearly 6 million cubic feet of natural gas and 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, while creating thousands of jobs.

Broadlands To Develop 10-MW Indian CSP Project

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Broadlands Financial Group LLC has been selected as the Owner's Representative by India-based Entegra Limited for the construction of Rajasthan Solar One, a 10-megawatt Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant in Rajasthan, India. Solare XXI will supply solar collectors. Rajasthan Solar One will be the first major utility-scale deployment of the Solare XXI technology.

World Future Energy Summit

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The emirate of Abu Dhabi -- one of the world's leading oil and gas producers -- has its focus on the future. A post-oil future. Abu Dhabi has started to put into practice a bold commitment to renewable and sustainable technologies that will enable it to continue as an energy leader after oil has declined.