Automakers Say Can't Meet Vermont CO2 Timeline
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PV Crystalox Solar Plans London IPO
PV Crystalox Solar, a solar-grade silicon manufacturer, announced it would list on the London Stock Exchange. PV Crystalox Solar, established in the UK in 1982, supplies the world’s leading solar cell manufacturers with multicrystalline silicon ingots and wafers. The Group was one of the first to develop multicrystalline technology on an industrial scale, setting the industry standard for ingot production. By focusing purely on the production of solar-grade silicon products, the Group benefits from the higher margins available to companies in the upstream of the photovoltaic value chain, where there are fewer competing manufacturers and higher barriers to entry. The company’s revenues rose 32% to Euro 242 million in 2006, while pre-tax profits rose 56% to Euro 49 million. Iain Dorrity, CEO said, “Over the last five years we have been consistently profitable, trebling our sales and continuing to grow our margins.” The company plans to build a polysilicon production facility in Germany which should come online in 2009. The initial planned production volume si 900 metric tonnes in that year, rising to 1,800 metric tonnes in 2011.
Clipper's Liberty Turbines Receive Cold Climate Certification
Clipper Windpower PLC (CWP.L) has received certification from Germanischer Lloyd to operate its 2.5 MW Liberty C96 Class IIB and C93 Class IIA wind turbines in extreme cold climate conditions. Clipper says the achievement marks the first large wind turbine over 2 MW to receive the new GL extreme temperature certification. Liberty’s standard “low temperature survival” architecture includes a low-viscosity gearbox oil and a gearbox heating system – keeping oil temperatures above zero degrees C at start-up, the company says. “Because the Liberty series was engineered at the outset to operate in extreme cold climate conditions, only minimal technical and operational changes were necessary to attain compliance with GL’s new extreme weather certification process,” says Amir Mikhail, Clipper’s senior vice president and chief technology engineer. “For the most part, we have integrated each of these new design enhancements as a standard into the Liberty product line.” The Liberty turbines are currently in full production at Clipper’s manufacturing , the company adds.
SunTechnics to Construct 20MW PV System in Korea
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Rising Fears of an Ethanol Bust
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SunOpta 1Q Profit Grows 28%
SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq: STKL), a company that straddles the organic food and cellulosic biomass industries, reported that its first-quarter profit grew 28% on the strength of sales in its food group. Net income climbed to $3.9 million, or 6 cents per share, from $3 million, or 5 cents per share, in the prior year quarter. Revenue rose 38% to $183.4 million from $133.3 million in the first quarter of 2006, exceeding Wall Street’s target of $176.1 million.
Ascent Solar Wins High Efficiency Solar Cell Program
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI; BSX:AKC) has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to develop an innovative flexible thin film tandem solar cell to demonstrate thin film PV efficiencies of 20%. Tandem solar cells are a combination of two cells stacked atop one another, with the top and bottom cells gathering energy from separate parts of the solar spectrum. Tandem cells require two solar cells that not only have the desired electrical and optical properties, but must also share compatible manufacturing processes. The program will be performed under a phase one Small Business Innovative Research contract. Ascent Solar Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Joseph Armstrong stated, “This important Air Force program builds upon significant work already performed by Ascent Solar personnel in the area of wide bandgap thin-film photovoltaic technology. In particular, this program will demonstrate the ability to make solar cells using a new material system that has the potential to serve as the top cell of a new and innovative tandem solar cell configuration on which Ascent Solar has been working. It’s like putting two efficient technologies in a hybrid car, each with its own strengths, but performing better together than either one individually. We […]
Basin Water Announces Aquisitions
Basin Water, Inc. (Nasdaq:BWTR) has executed an agreement to purchase West Riverside Canal Company and the 350 Inch Water Company. The West Riverside Canal Company (WRCC) was formed in 1886 and owns a canal which has historically been used to transport water for agricultural and other non-potable water applications. The canal is 18 miles in length and crosses several of the largest groundwater basins in Southern California. The 350 Inch Water Company was formed in 1891 and has historic water rights in the Riverside Basin of approximately 960 million gallons/year. It presently operates two wells and a pipeline distribution system producing approximately 150 million gallons/year of non-potable water. Basin Water intends to use this acquisition as the platform for a regional water resource business. By expanding the utilization of both these assets and using Basin Water’s expertise in drinking water treatment, the Company has the potential to convert a significant non-potable water resource into drinking water supplies. Both the WRCC canal and 350 Inch Water Company are located in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, which combined have a population of over 4 million people and are among the fastest growing areas in Southern California. “This acquisition goes hand in hand […]
Citi Commits $50B to Address Climate Change
Citi announced it will direct $50 billion over the next 10 years to address climate change through investments, financings and related activities to support the commercialization and growth of alternative energy and clean technology among the clients and markets it serves, as well as within its own businesses and operations. “The comprehensive program we are announcing today is not a wish-list, but a realistic, achievable plan that serves a critical global need and responds to an emerging investment opportunity,” says Charles Prince, Chairman and CEO. Rainforest Action Network (RAN) tempered praise for the announcement by calling on Citi and its peers to stop funding new coal development and other projects that contribute to the global climate crisis. It warned that $50 billion would do little to fix the damage being done by Citi’s dirty investments. “Fifty billion dollars to fight climate change is great, but Citi is using its left hand to clean up a mess made by the right one,” said Michael Brune, RAN executive director. We’re pleased by this announcement, but praise for Citi must be tempered by the understanding that this bank is continuing to fund some of the worst, most CO2-intensive projects in the world.” According […]
U.S. Climate Action Partnership Doubles, GM Signs On
Over a dozen major companies from across the economy have joined the U.S. Climate Action Partnership and its call for Congress to put a firm cap on carbon emissions. General Motors is the first automobile manufacturer to join the coalition, potentially breaking the long stalemate over rising emissions from the transportation sector. Along with GM, new member companies include Alcan, American International Group, Boston Scientific, ConocoPhillips, Deere & Company, Dow Chemical Co., Johnson & Johnson, Marsh Inc., PepsiCo, Shell, and Siemens. Also joining the group are the National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy, creating an unprecedented alliance for the creation of a firm cap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Launched in January, USCAP is asking Congress to adopt a mandatory, comprehensive greenhouse gas cap and trade system that reduces emissions by 60-80% from current levels by 2050. Cap and Trade puts an enforceable limit on emissions and allows companies to buy and sell emissions credits to meet their obligations. The approach should provide an economic incentive for companies to reduce global warming pollution and unleash a wave of private-sector investment in low-carbon technologies.