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Renewable Energy News

The latest renewable energy news and information from our partners at RenewableEnergyWorld.com.

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Renewable Energy News Headlines provided by RenewableEnergyWorld.com - the leading online publisher of renewable energy news and information world-wide.
Updated: 40 min 13 sec ago

Fueled vs Electric Cars: The Great Race Begins

Mon, 08/26/2013 - 01:00

The amazing success of the Tesla model S proves that electric cars may have a chance of replacing liquid fueled vehicles in the long run. Skeptics point out that most of our electric power today comes from coal, which is dirty and inefficient. We must change to clean, renewable energy sources but is that really practical? The Tesla has proven that

Solar Energy Powers Rural Texas Ranches

Mon, 08/26/2013 - 01:00

Intercepting photons from the sun 93 million miles away to power his rural central Texas ranch was not something Professor Bill Bard originally conceived of when he decided decades ago to become an electrical engineer, but after 45 years of teaching the subject to students at the University of Texas at Austin, that’s exactly what he recently did.

SunEdison Embracing Solar, Spinning Off Semiconductors Biz

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 12:28

SunEdison is spinning off its semiconductor division to help fund more of its initiatives in the solar side. SunEdison Semiconductor Inc. will be launched with an IPO for a minority stake planned for next year.

What Comes to Mind When You Think of Geothermal Power?

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 10:54

Do you think baseload? Or do you just think of central heating? I am genuinely a fan of debunking myths, superstitions and suppositions. Bob Cain of Lumberport wrote an article entitled "Nothing can replace coal for baseload power needs," and he does a good job of explaining the problems of nuclear energy. He is also very informed about the idiosyn

Panasonic Sees Rooftops as Key Market for Solar Power in Japan

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:08

Panasonic Corp. is targeting rooftops for its solar panels as developers struggle to find big enough plots of affordable land in Japan with the access to transmission lines needed for utility-scale projects.

UPDATE: US, Australian Companies Taking Giant Steps for Global EGS Geothermal

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 07:40

The company Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. distributed a release on its role as partner with Geodynamics Limited (ASX:GDY) at the Geodynamics Innamincka Deeps Project in the Cooper Basin of South Australia. “Packers Plus worked closely with Geodynamics to design specialized Inferno™ completions equipment capable of withstanding 300°C (600°F) and 69 MPa (10,000 psi) pressure,” the company stated.

Did You Know There Are More Solar Workers in Texas than Ranchers?

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 07:00

Every day, I talk to groups and reporters about the amazing growth of solar all across the United States. But for the past week, there has been more buzz than ever about America’s solar industry because of the decision by President Obama to install solar panels on the White House. Think about it. Is there any billboard in the world better for your

Listen Up: Backup Power and Sustainable Off-Grid Living

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 04:00

Hurricanes. Blizzards. Earthquakes. Tornadoes. They've all clobbered populated areas over the last few years, resulting in extended power outages, fuel shortages and even lack of potable water. But people live comfortably in completely off-grid locations, generating their own electricity, using sustainable sources for heat, and even recycling their water.

UK Puts Biomass Sustainability Criteria in Place

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 03:10

The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced its new criteria for sustainable biomass production, applicable from April 2015.

These Solar REIT Pioneers Are Mining the Sun for "Good Income"

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 03:00

For the past few years, solar industry stakeholders have imagined a future where the general public has the ability to invest in pure-play renewable energy real estate investment trusts (REITs) that finance and construct both utility-scale and distributed photovoltaic (PV) projects in the United States. While these stakeholders wait for this reality to come to fruition, existing REITs already have several options to own or develop solar projects that still allow them to comply with the IRS's asset and income tests.

Vermont Solar Advocates Fuming Over Net Metering Limitation

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 09:14

As advocacy groups in states like Arizona loudly protest proposed limitations to net metering programs, a cooperative utility in Vermont quietly set a new net metering limit that has solar advocates there fuming. Washington Electric Co-op announced last week that it would limit the size of future solar installations to 5 kilowatts. A system that si

Water + Sunshine = Biofuel as Lab in California Chases Dream

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 08:14

It sounds like magic, far-out fiction, a California dream. Yet earnest scientists are hard at work on a new alchemy: brewing fuel for cars — synthetic gasoline — from little more than water and sunshine.

Solar Manufacturers May Boost Capacity as Demand Surges in Asia

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 07:22

Three major solar manufacturers are producing panels at full speed and contemplating plans to expand capacity to meet surging demand in Asia.

Rethinking Our Energy System; Leveraging Distributed Generation

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 04:00

At this moment, the U.S. can reinvent how we produce, store, transport, and consume electricity. With an abundance of domestic energy, our country is on its way to becoming “energy independent” by the end of the decade. But powering our homes and businesses with natural gas or other fossil fuels does not mean a reliable, clean, and affordable flow of electricity will follow.

California Solar Energy Apartments: Virtual Net Metering Allows Energy Savings One Tenant at a Time

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 04:00

In California, residents at any, affordable or luxury, apartments can enjoy the benefit of solar powered electricity at their own apartment complex, without owning PV panels. This benefit is made possible by Virtual Net Metering (VNM). Although VNM is not a new thing, it has the potential to be the next big thing to expand solar on multi-tenant properties.

Will the Draft European Biomass Policy Repeat Biofuel Mistakes?

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 01:10

In a leaked draft proposal for a European biomass policy, seen by REW, the European Commission has laid out sustainability criteria for the Union’s future biomass use.

Does APS' FIT Alternative Hide A Nasty Surprise for Arizona Solar Homeowners?

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:48

Do feed-in tariff structures, as an alternative to net metering, unexpectedly strip U.S. homeowners of tax benefits while exposing them to more federal taxes? This interpretation, specifically in response to Arizona Public Services' recently proposed changes in Arizona, could affect similar programs across the country that try to assign a value and compensation to residential solar energy.

Vestas Wind Replaces CEO as Loss Widens, Colorado Factory Will Remain

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 09:16

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the Danish turbine maker that’s been unprofitable for two years, replaced its chief executive officer after a worse-than-expected loss.

Solar Industry’s Commitment To Sustainability Remains Strong

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 09:01

Solar power is one of the cleanest, safest, and most abundant domestic energy sources available. In addition to helping power our homes, schools, and businesses, the U.S. solar industry strives to be a leader in sustainability among energy producers by ensuring environmental and social responsibility along the entire solar supply chain. We take thi

Off-grid Solar Applications, Where Grid Parity Is Truly Meaningless

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 07:13

As profit margins for demand-side solar participants in the multi-megawatt grid-connected sector begin feeling the strain of low power purchase agreements (PPAs), tenders and other compensation for solar generated electricity that are set by bid, the off-grid segment of the market has become more interesting, in particular, the use of solar for off-grid applications such as village mini-grids and facilities.