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Nation's Largest Solar Home Community to be Built

Lennar Homes has formed partnership with PowerLight Corporation and Roseville Electric to build the nation’s largest solar community in California. The Sacramento division of the national builder, Lennar, operates locally as Renaissance Homes and Winncrest Homes and will integrate photovoltaic systems and upgraded energy efficiency measures into 450 new homes slated to be built in Roseville over the next two years. “Roseville has a nationwide reputation for providing an outstanding quality of life for families and this exciting partnership to create the nation’s largest solar community is another example of why Roseville is an amazing place to live,” Mayor Gina Garbolino said. Lennar’s participation in Roseville Electric’s programs shows innovation and leadership in the building industry and will serve as a model for future residential projects. Roseville Electric believes homebuyers are interested in all types of energy efficiency measures – including photovoltaic systems – as a way to reduce their utility costs and support renewable energy efforts. “Roseville Electric is dedicated to providing our residents with award-winning, reliable service and low-cost electricity. I am a strong advocate of solar energy and I support Roseville Electric’s efforts to offer green, renewable energy programs like solar that help reduce our nation’s dependence […]

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Gorbachev Calls G8 Leaders for $50Bn Global Solar Fund

On the 20th Anniversary of the world’s largest nuclear power plant disaster, President Gorbachev, Founder and Chairman of Green Cross International, called for the leaders of the G8 – the world’s largest industrialized nations – to make stronger commitments to a truly secure and sustainable energy future by overwhelmingly investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency. In an “Energy Security” brief sent with a letter from President Gorbachev to heads of state and leaders of parliaments in the G8 nations preparing for the upcoming G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, President Gorbachev has called for strong commitments to sustainable energy and warned of the dangers of continued reliance on oil and gas and nuclear power while relegating renewable energy to secondary status. Gorbachev, Green Cross International and its American affiliate Global Green USA have urged the G8 to make significantly increased investments in renewable energy, including the creation of a $50 billion Global Solar Fund over 10 years. “This idea reflects our vision of a way of helping the energy impoverished in the developing world, while creating concentrations of solar energy in cities that could be used to prevent blackouts, and would result in lower electricity bills,” said President Gorbachev. “The […]

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International Funds Worth $4Tn Endorse UN Principles

Investment funds backing the Principles for Responsible Investment have doubled to reach more than $4 trillion as asset owners and fund managers joined the European launch of this new initiative at the Palais Brongniart in Paris yesterday. It is expected that further funds will pledge support for the Principles, which were officially launched by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the New York Stock Exchange on 27 April. At the Paris event, the heads of 18 major institutional investors from nine countries, represented more than $2 trillion in assets, and signed up to the Principles. They joined a group of 32 institutional asset owners representing the original $2 trillion which backed the Principles during the international launch in New York last week. The Principles were developed during a nearly year-long process convened by the UN Secretary-General and coordinated by the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the UN Global Compact. Monique Barbut, Director of the UN Environment Programme explained: “The commitment embodied in the Principles and now supported by some of the world’s largest asset owners and asset managers is a clear signal to business and global capital markets. The USD 4 Trillions now backing the Principles confirm […]

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WorldWater Signs $1.3M Rooftop Solar Contract

Saint Joseph of the Palisades High School of West New York, N.J. has contracted with WorldWater to purchase electrical energy for 10 years generated by a solar electric system. The solar panel array will be installed on the school’s roof. Under WorldWater’s Alternative Clean Energy Services (ACES) plan, St. Joseph’s will not incur any start-up costs for the installation and the school will receive a 10% discount on their cost for power compared to their electric rate. The installation of the solar energy system at the school guarantees that the school will save money on electric costs immediately and on a long-term basis. The construction value of the project is $1.3 million. WorldWater & Power Corp. will design, install, own and maintain the solar energy system on St. Joseph’s roof. The school will remain connected to the electric grid and will receive power from both the utility and its solar rooftop unit. “We expect our solar power will offset approximately 50% of the school’s electricity and they will be buying that solar power at a 10% discount below their utility rate. Over the next 10 years, they will save a significant dollar amount for the school to put to other […]

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SunPower Expands Silicon Supply Agreement

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) has extended and expanded a major silicon supply agreement with a key supplier and partner, M.Setek Co., Ltd. M.Setek is a manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers for the solar industry. SunPower extended its existing agreement with M.Setek by two years, through 2010. The new agreement increases M.Setek’s 2008 silicon supply to SunPower while offering the potential for additional supply in 2007. The value of the agreement over its five-year term is estimated to exceed $500 million. “SunPower is pleased to expand our relationship with M.Setek, one of our most valued partners,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower. “The solar industry requires a reliable, high-volume silicon supply in order to maintain rapid growth. This agreement is a key element in SunPower’s silicon supply strategy.” “We are happy to announce the extension of our agreement with SunPower,” said Ritsuo Matsumiya, M.Setek’s President. “We are always striving to strengthen our customer relationships. As we plan to grow our silicon ingot manufacturing and polysilicon refining capacity, we see SunPower as an attractive partner due to their technology advantages and strong business prospects.” As previously announced, M.Setek is constructing its first polysilicon refinery, scheduled to begin operation in late […]

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