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Germany: Q Cells and PowerLight Conclude Cell Supply Agreement

Q-Cells AG, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar cells, and PowerLight Corporation, the leading global provider of large-scale solar power systems, have entered into a five-year, $150 million photovoltaic PV supply agreement. Q- Cells will provide PowerLight with up to $150 million of high quality solar cells, with a PowerLight option to increase that volume by an additional $60 million of solar PV cells. The Q-Cells – PowerLight partnership will allow Q-Cells (QCE; WKN 555866) to expand its presence in the U.S. solar market, and further ensure PowerLight’s leadership position as North America’s largest and most experienced provider of solar power systems for the commercial, public sector and production homebuilder markets.

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GE Energy Supplies Engines for German Biogas Park, Reports Strong Q3 Results

General Electric Energy (NYSE:GE) received its largest order of Jenbacher biogas engines – 40 high-efficiency, JMS 312 units – for renewable energy developer, NAWARO Bioenergie AG, Leipzig, for an agricultural biogas project in eastern Germany, near the Polish border. Each of GE’s 500 kW Jenbacher engines is being installed in separate plants to support the new combined heat and power (CHP) bioenergy park “Klarsee,” adjacent to farmland in the town of Penkun in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. GE’s 40 units will use biogas created during the fermentation of agricultural waste, including maize, crop residues and animal manure. Residual material in the digester can be used as a valuable fertilizer. In all, GE’s Jenbacher engines will provide 20 MW of electricity and 22 MW in thermal output. While the engines’ electricity will be sold to the local grid, a separate, specially designed heat recovery system will deliver the engines’ thermal output to an adjacent fertilizer production facility on the farmland. Each biogas plant has a maximum electrical output of 500 kW. Therefore, the projects qualify under Germany’s Renewable Energy Law (EEG) for “feed-in” tariffs and “CHP bonus incentives” for fully utilizing the engines’ heat. Under EEG, biogas plants are guaranteed a minimum price for […]

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First Major Car Dealer Advocates for Plug-In Hybrids

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) is the first major car dealer group to join Plug-In Partners, calling on automakers to manufacture plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and make them available to American customers. AutoNation is linking to Plug-In Partners’ website where customers can place soft orders for PHEVs. PHEVs are hybrid vehicles that dramatically reduce our dependence on oil by plugging into the grid to recharge. PHEVs achieve up to 100 mpg and offer customers a real-world solution to high gas costs, poor air quality, climate change and over-reliance on oil. For three years, the Jumpstart Ford Campaign has been enlisting the support of Ford dealers to help persuade Ford Motor Company to stop pushing gas-guzzling cars, trucks and SUVs. Of the 20 million barrels of oil consumed in the United States each day, 70 percent is used for transportation. “The development of plug-in hybrids could reduce America’s addiction to oil,” said AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson. We believe Americans will buy these vehicles, which is why we want to sell them.” A soft order is a commitment from an individual, business, or unit of government to purchase a PHEV once the ultra-efficient vehicles become commercially available. The non-profit organization Plug-In Partners was formed […]

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$17.5M for Biofuels R&D

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman today announced nearly $17.5 million for 17 biomass research, development and demonstration projects. The grants are intended to develop technologies necessary to help make bio-based fuels cost-competitive with fossil fuels in the commercial market. The projects selected will carry out research, development and demonstrations on biobased products, bioenergy, biofuels, and biopower. Of the $17,492,466 announced today, $12,784,733 is funded by USDA (FY’06) and $4,707,733 is funded by DOE (FY’06-’08). DOE funds go to three projects developing cellulosic biomass. USDA will provide funding to address such topics as feedstock production and product diversification. Under the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, a joint USDA-DOE effort established in 2000 and reauthorized in the comprehensive Energy Policy Act of 2005, award projects must demonstrate collaboration among experts in the field of biomass. The Initiative aims to enhance creative approaches in developing next generation advanced technologies; and promote research partnerships among colleges, universities, national laboratories, federal and state research agencies and the private sector. The following 17 entities have been selected as grant recipients: Edenspace Systems Corp (VA). – $ 1,926,900 Grant Purpose: Development of commercial corn hybrids […]

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