Solar Energy Investing

New Hampshire Public Radio reports on the growth of GTSolar, a Merrimack NH based solar company.  The company boasts a 60,000 sq ft facility where they produce solar energy cells.  GTsolar has boasted sales over 100 million, jumping tenfold in the past 3 years.  Many of the companies customers are overseas, particularly in Asia.  The are also expecting growth over over 30% a year.

InsideBayArea.com reports on the high entry cost, long term payoff of solar energy.   The article reports on the high costs of solar energy installs, but the high California energy costs have made the investment more appealing to homeowners.  Homeowners now also benefit from incentives given by the California Solar initiative to offset the cost of installation.  The article also notes that energy provider PG&E is the leader in solar producing customers with over 16,000

CNNMoney reports on the plans of Cleantech Inc to build the worlds largest solar farm. The farm, expected to be completed in 2011, will be located near Fresno CA. The company hopes the scale of the project will have an impact on the energy industry to bring solar into the mainstream. The farm will be double the size of the current largest farm, located in Germany, and will provide enough power for 21,000 homes.

The Villager reports on Toronto’s success with solar heating for its public pools.  So far 4 indoor pools are heated entirely with solar energy, with energy saving of over a million dollars.  The city has plans to outfit all its pool facilities with the heating systems.  They also hope the project will set an example for private pool owners to implant similar systems.

PRLog.org reports on an upcoming conference in Spain for the country to show of its solar energy industry. The country hopes to lure investors to its new photovoltaic economy, which is expected to grow in the worlds second largest. They are offering a return on investment of over 10%. The conference is being organised by SolarPlaza, which has hosted several similar events in countries such as China and Italy. The event takes place from July 23-25.

Techworld reports on the the success of Affordable Internet Services online in offering the Live Earth Websites servers run 100% on solar power.   The company hosting facility in California uses solar power for the power hungry blade servers.  The facility also makes use of solar lighting and recycling the facilities cooling water into a rooftop garden.  The facility has been online since 2001.

Transworld News reports on a business partnership between solar companies WorldWater&Solar Technologies and Entech Inc.  WWAT will supply manufacturing capacity for Entechs line of efficient solar panels.   Entech patented system increases efficeny with the use of lenses to focus power to the cells.  The partnership is hoped to be approved by WWAT’s shareholders at the end of August.

Transworld News reports on the efforts of restaurant chain Pizza Fusion to make its stores green compliant.  Their first LEED certified green restaurant is expected to open at the end of the year. It will feature such technologies such as solar panels for electric and heating as well as recycled building materials.  Pizza fusion is noted as a leader in the food industry for renewable environmental practices.

The Alternative Energy Resource reports on a new solar installation at the Great Lakes Science Center.  The array, which will provide enough power for all of the centers exhibits is over 300 feet in size.  The array uses panels provided by GE.  The center not only looks to save costs with the array but also raise awareness on the benefits of solar and renewable energy.

InsideBayArea.com reports on the efforts of the superstar filled “World Team Tennis” group’s efforts to spread the message of green energy.  Partnering up with FilmGreen Corp, the tournament will also have features on solar panels, recycling, hybrid transportation and natural tree resource.  The tournaments will even be played on a carpet of recycles material. The tournament hopes to bring this message to the younger generation by playing in smaller cities as well larger.