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NGOs React to State of the Union Speech

Union of Concerned Scientists: Although this could be the breakthrough we have been waiting for on fuel economy, increasing the gas mileage of cars, SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks to 34 mpg by 2017 (equivalent to a 4% improvement per year), will work only if Congress passes a law – without loopholes and escape clauses – making it a reality, and continues this work beyond 2017. It would save 550,000 barrels of oil a day in 2017, more than we currently import from Iraq. Producing 35 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2017 would cut our projected oil demand by 1.5 million barrels per day in 2017, reducing our oil dependence by 6.4%. If 18 billion gallons came from corn ethanol, then the remaining 17 billion gallons must come from cellulosic ethanol or other renewable fuels by 2017. These fuels must be produced without polluting the air, water and soil. If alternative fuels are made from coal instead global warming pollution produced from gasoline will double from today’s rate. To address global warming, an overall cap on global warming pollution for the entire economy must be set as a complement to policies that directly address transportation, electricity and other sources […]

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Blindness on Biofuels

URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/23/AR2007012301562.html Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/23/AR2007012301562.html     

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Sharp, First Solar, Global Solar Make Thin-Film Advances

Sharp Corp announced it has developed a more efficient thin-film silicon solar cell and will begin commercial production in May in Japan. By using a three-layer cell instead of a conventional two-layer cell, Sharp can increase the efficiency for converting solar energy to electricity from 8.6 percent to 10%. First Solar announced it would expand production to 100MW capacity with a new four-line solar module manufacturing plant in Kedah, Malaysia. The $150 million plant is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2008 and will employ about 500 people. The company has received a 15-year income tax exemption from the Malaysian government as an incentive for locating there. The company currently operates a 75MW plant in Ohio and is completing a 100MW plant in Germany. Global Solar Energy announced it would invest approximately EUR 30 million to build a CIGS thin-film solar cell plant in Germany. Production is expected to begin in early 2008. The company also announced it would increase capacity at its Tucson, Arizona plant from 4MW to 40MW. Global Solar says it has sold 80% of its planned 2008 production of 40 megawatts. Its largest customer is Germany’s SOLON AG, which holds a stake in […]

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Sharp to Produce More Efficient Thin-film Solar

Sharp Corp announced it has developed a more efficient thin-film silicon solar cell and will begin commercial production in May in Japan. By using a three-layer cell instead of a conventional two-layer cell, Sharp can increase the efficiency for converting solar energy to electricity from 8.6 percent to 10%.

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