Happy Friday, everyone. Here it is, your moment of solar power…
In Pennsylvania solar news, the state’s Sunshine Rebate Program has issued its 1,000 solar rebate check, via PRNewswire. The check went to Sally Kauffman, a lucky homeowner who “received a $10,800 rebate for the 4.8-kilowatt solar system she installed that is expected to generate more than 5,500 kilowatt hours of electricity, saving her nearly $800 each year.” We were happy to hear the news, of course — it’s great to see so many Pennsylvanians embracing solar energy. But, to be honest, we were bummed to hear the 1,000th check did not look like this.
In Colorado solar news, the New York Times has a truly interesting profile of the challenges facing solar power development in Alamosa. Topics include: property rights, transmission-related issues, hippies, state mandates on renewable energy and solar in the agricultural sector.
In solar homes news, Pulte Homes, the country’s biggest homebuilder, is offering more and more solar-power options to its customers, according to a recent press release.
“Typically, an option that has a higher price tag does not perform this well,” said Paul Renker, Vice President of Sales for PulteGroup’s Bay Area Division. “But in this case, homebuyers are telling us they like the fact that solar allows them to take control of their energy costs, reduce their reliance on utilities and contribute to a healthier environment.”
Couldn’t have said this better myself…
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is putting its money behind micro-inverter technology. The well-known venture capital firm will invest $63 million in Enphase Energy, via MarketWatch.
It was a busy week for commercial solar installations AND utility solar installations, particularly in California:
- A solar power installation in Sacramento was expanded to six megawatts.
- CalRENEW-1, a big solar power plant near Fresno, California, was dedicated.
- SunEdison and Staples, the office store, completed the installation of a solar energy system in greater Los Angeles, the duos’ 22nd
- And San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is tinkering with concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.
AES Solar, a project developer, secures $37 million in financing for a big solar energy installation in Italy. The plant will qualify for Italy’s feed-in tariff and is expected to enter into service at the end of the year.
Finally today, Boise, Idaho is working on a $45-million solar energy project. Planners hope to transform a covered dump site into a “state-of-the-art renewable energy plant.” It’s hard to deny the promise of turning so-called “brownfields” into productive areas. I mean, who wouldn’t want to take otherwise useless, garbage-filled land and convert it into a factory for squeaky-clean kWhs?
That’s all for today. Thanks, as always, for reading. Have a great weekend!
