Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqS5ADu3z0A&feature=youtube_gdata
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
SolarReserve CEO Kevin Smith Praises Government Support for Solar Energy Projects on Public Lands
Statement from Kevin B. Smith - Chief Executive Officer, SolarReserve LLC
Thank you Mr. Secretary. I am honored to be here and to say a few words on behalf of my company, SolarReserve, and the five other solar energy companies here this morning. These companies represent just a small part of a competitive and growing worldwide market for solar energy.
In President Obama?s address to the U.S. Chamber of Congress, he challenged the business community to ?get in the game? by investing in America, generating jobs, and creating ?the next generation of big ideas.? I am pleased to say that SolarReserve and the five companies here, are ?in the game? ? we?re developing innovative solar technologies and gearing up to build clean energy projects across the United States. We?re proud to be doing our part to ?win the future? ? a future that we believe will be powered, in large measure, by renewable energy.
There is a lot of discussion in Washington about what the government should be doing to help create jobs. These companies and the projects we are planning to build are examples of what the government is doing to cooperate with the business community to create jobs and build our domestic energy industry at the same time.
The near term projects under development by just the handful of companies represented here are estimated to create in excess of 10,000 construction and manufacturing jobs in the US over the next two to three years and more than 25,000 direct and indirect jobs when accounting for offsite supporting activities. Once these projects go into commercial operation they will spend tens of millions of dollars per year in operational budgets and pay tens of millions of dollars in local taxes -- contributing to workers? paychecks, service businesses, local school systems and police and fire departments. Many of these projects are located in hard hit rural areas.
These projects represent some first-of-a-kind technologies and some of the world?s largest and most efficient solar energy projects. SolarReserve?s ground-breaking energy storage technology was developed in the US and can generate solar energy on demand ? day or night, to meet utility peak demand requirements without interruption and without burning fossil fuels.
While we are all competitors, we are here in a united front to express our appreciation to President Obama and his administration as well as the Departments of Interior, Energy and Agriculture. The administration?s support in extending the 1603 Treasury grant as well as the Department of Energy?s Loan Guarantee program are critical programs that are crucial to these projects successfully proceeding into construction. In addition, the Department of Interior has opened up public lands and provided strong support to permit these projects on an expedited basis, working overtime in order unlock capital and create jobs.
Today, America?s solar energy industry is at a crossroads, we will either move forward to build an industry in the US that can compete in the world markets or we will be destined to the shadows of more aggressive countries. Supporting and extending existing programs like the DOE Loan Guarantee Program and initiating new programs, such as a Clean Energy Standard, will dictate which direction we take as a nation.
In conclusion, I would like to sincerely thank Secretaries Salazar, Chu and Vilsack and their departments for all of their hard work and support - let?s go forward together to get these projects built, establish the U.S. as a leader in solar energy technology, and create a brighter energy future.
About SolarReserve?s Lead Projects in the U.S.
SolarReserve?s lead projects in the U.S. include the Crescent Dunes Energy Project in Tonopah, Nevada, and Rice Solar Energy Project in Riverside County, California. Both projects are set to break ground in 2011. Together, the projects will generate more than 1,110 on-site construction jobs and an estimated 10,400 direct and indirect jobs in the manufacturing supply, design and construction of zero-emission solar power facilities to provide renewable energy for up to 150,000 homes. Both projects use the advanced molten salt, power tower technology developed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a division of United Technologies Corporation. The innovative technology features integrated energy storage to generate electricity on demand, even after the sun goes down, providing utilities with firm, reliable and renewable energy. This technology can replace conventional power generation that produces harmful emissions from burning coal, natural gas and oil.
SolarReserve applied for participation in the Loan Guarantee Program under the DOE?s July 2009 solicitation for innovative renewable technologies pursuant to under the Section 1705 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Both projects successfully advanced through Parts I and II of the DOE?s extensive application review process. DOE and SolarReserve are advancing the arrangements for the financing terms and conditions available under the DOE?s Section 1705 Program. This program is critical to successfully finance these types of projects.
The 110 megawatt Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project located in Nye County, Nevada, near the town of Tonopah, was designated by the Department of Interior as a fast-track applicant for right of way use of federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The project, which, in 2009 secured a 25-year power purchase agreement with NV Energy and approved by the Public Utility Commission of Nevada in July, received its Record of Decision from the Department of Interior on December 20th of last year.
The 150 megawatt Rice Solar Energy Project in eastern Riverside County, California, sited on previously disturbed private land, received its permitting approvals from the California Energy Commission on December 15th of last year. The project has secured a 25-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) that was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in September of this year.
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Saturday, February 12, 2011
Have a Green Valentine?s Day
February 14 is the day when people across the globe celebrate Love. But we should also be showing our love to Mother Earth by making the date as eco-friendly as possible. Those billions of cards, millions of heart-shaped chocolate boxes and flower bouquets all come with a heavy environmental price tag. Here are a few [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EnergyrefugecomBlog/~3/PwqglLh37lE/
Turning Waste Into Fuel: How the INEOS Biorefinery Is Changing the Clean Energy Game
Today marks the groundbreaking of INEOS Bio?s Indian River Bioenergy Center?an integrated biorefinery near Vero Beach, Florida, designed to produce cellulosic ethanol and generate renewable electricity. Biorefineries convert biological matter, like wood scraps and grass clippings, into transportation fuels, as well as heat and power. The Indian River Bioenergy Center employs a breakthrough bioconversion technology decades in the making.
Evergreen Solar Extends Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitation to February 11, 2011
The new expiration date for the offer and consent solicitation is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, February 11, 2011.
Based on a preliminary count provided to the Company by the exchange agent, as of 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on February 9, 2011, holders of approximately $64 million aggregate principal amount of the existing 4% notes (or approximately 26% of the existing 4% notes outstanding) had tendered for exchange, and holders of approximately $79 million aggregate principal amount of the existing 13% notes (or approximately 48% of the existing 13% notes outstanding) had tendered for exchange and had delivered consents to the proposed amendments to the indenture governing the existing 13% notes.
As previously announced, at a meeting of the Company?s stockholders held yesterday, February 9, the Company?s stockholders approved the specific terms of the proposed exchange offers as required by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635. As such, the Company will either close the current exchange offers on Friday, February 11 at 5:00pm, New York time, or terminate the offers if their respective conditions are not met.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC is serving as the dealer manager for the exchange offers and consent solicitation. The information agent for the exchange offers and consent solicitation is The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC and the exchange agent for the exchange offers and consent solicitation is U.S. Bank National Association.
Where You Can Find Additional Information
Details regarding the terms and conditions of the exchange offers and consent solicitation, including descriptions of the new notes and the material differences between the new notes and the existing notes, can be found in the post-effective amendment to the Company?s registration statement that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, as amended, that has been filed with the SEC. Any investor holding the Company?s existing 4% notes or existing 13% notes should carefully read the registration statement, the tender offer statement and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC, including the related letter of transmittal and consent, for more complete information about the Company, the exchange offers and the consent solicitation.
The registration statement, the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, as amended, and other related documents can be obtained for free from the SEC?s Electronic Document Gathering and Retrieval System (EDGAR), which may be accessed at www.sec.gov. Documents are also available for free upon written or oral request made to the office of the Corporate Secretary, Evergreen Solar, Inc., 138 Bartlett Street, Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752 (Telephone (508) 357-2221) and from the Company?s website at www.evergreensolar.com, or the information agent, The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC, at (212) 616-2180.
Neither the Company, its officers, its board of directors, the dealer manager, the exchange agent nor the information agent is making any recommendation as to whether holders should tender their existing notes for exchange pursuant to the exchange offers or deliver a consent pursuant to the consent solicitation.
Before Hiring a Solar Installer, Check These 5 Safeguards
Some homeowners believe that rooftop solar can be a DIY project. Solar PV energy systems are expensive, complex, and even dangerous if installed incorrectly ? all of which are very good reasons to hire a licensed installer. So, what do you need to know before commiting to such a long-term investment?
How to Check Your Installer's Credibility
1. Ask for NABCEP Certification
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or NABCEP, licenses and certifies solar panel installers, but they don?t maintain a list, and they are quite new, meaning certification is far from widespread. The NABCEP is not only the best, but almost the only certification of any value. This means that when you find a company or individual in your area who installs solar, you need to ask about NABCEP certification.
2. Can They Provide Outstanding References?
If not, you might consider a company or professional who has been around a long time and is willing to give you references (for a superb article on this subject, please visit BuildDirect). But certification is almost always preferable, because even the most experienced contractor, roofer or electrician may not understand the ins and outs of solar.
3. Are They Licensed and Bonded?
Also make sure that your contractor is licensed by all applicable jurisdictions (your municipality, city or county; whoever calls the shots) and has both a Contractor?s General and Professional Liability policy, and a performance bond (typically $100,000).
4. Always Get Free Estimates
Check to make sure you can get a free estimate; that the installing firm does a site survey to insure adequate solar insolation; that the sales firm is also the installer; that it knows your area?s building codes; and that it will do the paperwork to get you any and all applicable rebates. For� a list of licensed installers that do offer free estimates, click here.
5. Read the Fine Print
Finally, read the contract and make sure that everything is in black and white: the start date; the likely date of completion barring accidents or contingencies; the down payment and final cost, including all applicable taxes, fees and licenses; and a line item that guarantees components for their ?normal? lifetime (again, see BuildDirect for typical warranties).
What Cost Range Can I Expect?
The typical residential rooftop (or ground-mounted) PV solar panel costs between $5 and $8 per watt, uninstalled. Of course, you can find cheaper prices, but be wary how cheap you go, because solar PV is complex technology, requiring careful assembly of delicate components like doped silicon chips, backboards, and a surface layer (glass, in the case of crystalline silicon, or c-Si).
Add to that an inverter, often a battery backup system and charge controller ? not to mention a racking or mounting system that may or may not penetrate your valuable and expensive roof covering ? and you are in ?expert only? territory. Then tack on routine maintenance and inspection, which you most likely don?t have a clue how to tackle, and the reasons for hiring a licensed solar installer are abundantly clear in both dollars and worry-value.
One excellent participant in the solar installer training process is Boots on the Roof, but again, it doesn?t offer a provider directory, only certified training backed by the Solar Electric Power Association and NABCEP.
Which leads you right back to where you started, the CalFinder Solar site, where you can access a list of licensed installers. There, wasn?t that easy?
Photo Credit: OregonDOT, US Army Environmental Command, & Matt Montagne via Flickr CC
Source: http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-contractors/5-solar-installer-safeguards/
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