What’s solar energy news today? Let’s recap the recap: some Los Angelinos are mad about a proposed DWP rate hike, others are swayed by the promise of green jobs and clean power; a pair of financial giants take to the ring over solar energy stocks; First Solar joins the Desertec solar power project; and Solar Power, Inc. gets serious about providing solar-powered shade to RVs that are left parked out in the desert. Let’s dig in a little deeper…

The electricity rate-hike drama in Los Angeles continues, according to the Contra Costa Times. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa yesterday pitched his plan to create green jobs and boost solar energy via a 5 percent rate increase under the city’s Dept. of Water and Power (LADWP). He’s facing resistance from critics like Councilman Greig Smith, who represents San Fernando Valley: “I have a strong and consistent record of supporting sustainable and clean alternative energy and green technology in Los Angeles, including solar power. I have even installed an extensive solar power system in my own home,” Smith noted Monday. “However, amidst this economic recession, while families are struggling to make ends meet, it is the wrong time for rate increases of any kind.” Mayor Villaraigosa maintains the plan is sound and would create up to 18,000 jobs in a city that continues to reel from high unemployment. I have a potential salve: why not convince Hollywood stars to just get together and buy 50 or 100 megawatts of solar panels and be done with it?

Don’t you just love it when financial analysts fight? Several from Piper Jaffray have called out Barron’s for being too bearish on solar stocks, via StreetInsider.com. There was some pretty serious trash talking, to boot: “[Barron's article] is another sign that the negative sentiment has been priced in solar stocks and the sector is poised to rebound with improved visibility into 2010.” Oh, snap! Barron’s just got served. The firm’s statement continued, “FIT (feed-in tariff) cuts from Germany and other countries should reset IRR (internal rate of return) to a healthy and more sustainable level. Industry capacity is likely to consolidate to ~15 of the largest and most efficient manufacturers.” Let’s just hope the two sides never meet on the street, as things could get ugly real fast…

Arizona solar thin-film manufacturer First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) says it will join the Desertec solar power project, via Reuters. Project planners envision providing clean energy to Europe by installing solar panels in North Africa. In related news, yesterday Rundown’s detailed a 30-megawatt deal between First Solar and Turner Renewable Energy.

Solar Power, Inc. will be developing the “world’s largest elevated solar recreational vehicle parking structure,” according to MarketWatch. I’m sorry, the world’s largest what? Answer: a 1.75-megawatt (DC) solar installation that will generate clean power while providing shade and protection at an RV dealer’s storage facility.

DPL Inc. is building a second, smaller solar installation in the Dayton, Ohio area, according the Dayton Business Journal.

This is the stuff of science fiction: a manmade foam that converts sunlight into basic sugars and traps carbon dioxide. Read more about this zany, new form of artificial photosynthesis at PhysOrg.com. It’s not exactly what you’d call conventional solar energy, but the technology could nonetheless have interesting applications.

That’s all for today. See you back here tomorrow.