Here it is, your daily blast of solar energy news and info:
Silicon Valley, a perennial epicenter of innovation and technology investment, is facing stiff competition from China, reports San Jose Mercury News. Interesting pull quote: “China is doing it. Europe is doing it. If we don’t take the lead, instead of importing oil, we will be importing advanced technologies.”
Not everything solar-related happens in China and California. How about the mid-west? An Ohio company received a $1.2 million grant to develop and test acrylic mirrors that could boost the efficiency of solar panels by concentrating the sun’s rays, reports the Mansfield News Journal.
The Los Angeles Times relays the latest on a plan shaping up in Owens Valley that may boost solar power production and improve L.A. air quality.
The Obama Administration on Monday submitted its proposed budget for 2011, reports Reuters. In it, the administration asks Congress to end some of the $36.5 billion in oil and gas companies, saying it would “foster the clean energy economy of the future and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change.” Food for thought:
- Energy Source’s Sheila McNulty explains why the president’s plan is good for the feds’ coffers, but may be bad for maintaining and promoting R&D spending by oil and gas companies.
- Rhone Resch, head of the Solar Energy Industries Association, noted that the administration’s budget includes $302 million in funding for solar energy programs — an increase of 22 percent over the previous year.
- Jeff Schweitzer of the Huffington Post has ants in his pants over China, Obama’s budget and so-called green jobs.
Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), a large Chinese manufacturer of solar cells and modules, will announce forth quarter results on Wednesday, February 24.
Stay tuned for more updates.
