Solar Energy Investing

The Steamboat Pilot & Today reports rural America is supporting the Democratic party in this year’s election becuase of its dedication to farm bills.  An issue heavily weighed for rural America is the use of alternative energy, including solar power.

Power Online reports FP&L has been approved to construct three solar power centers to make Florida the 2nd largest supplier of solar power generation in the country.  The projects include the world’s largest photovoltaic solar facility in DeSoto County to create 25MW of solar power.  The other projects are a 10 MW on the Space coast and a hybrid plant at the Martin site to generate 75 MW.

Government Technology reports Florida Power & Light has received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to construct three solar power centers throughout the state.  These projects will make Florida the second largest solar power supplier in the nation.  A 25MW project is planned for DeSoto County to be the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in the world.  75MW of solar thermal capacity is planned for FPL’s Martin Site, and a 10MW solar installation is planned for the Kennedy Space Center to be operational by the first quarter of 2010.

iStockAnalyst reports SunPower has been chosen by Florida Power and Light to build two solar power plants in Florida.  A 25MW facility will be built in DeSoto County and a 10MW facility will be built for the Kennedy Space Center.  These plants are being built because the legislature has allowed FPL to recover full costs if they generate 110 MW of solar power electricity.  They are expected to be operational by 2009 and 2010.

EarthToys reports $35 million has been issued to Sopogy Inc. from the Governor of Hawaii.  These funds will allow Sopogy to develop renewable energy on the island of Oahu through clean solar power sources.

First Coast News reports on Bill Clinton’s eco-friendly presidential library. Recently over 90 species of plants and more than four truckloads of soil have been hoisted atop the library to create a garden on an area surrounding Clinton’s penthouse apartment. The building will be topped with strawberries, ferns, switch grass, and roses.

CBS 4 Denver reports Gov. Bill Ritter has begun installing solar panels at his Boettcher Mansion. The cost of the panels will be about $33,000 after a $39,000 rebate from Xcel Energy. The money for the panels comes from savings from an earlier energy saving project at the state capitol.

The Desert Sun reports the California Legislature may put a hold on a provision of the state’s solar energy initiative that could raise electric bills for solar users. The Governer’s and legislative staff as well as utility and solar industry reps met in Sacramento to decide on time-of-use rates, the rates required for consumers applying for rebates under the state’s solar energy initiative. The rates can result in higher energy bills, depending on climate and size of system.

Hemscott reports Hemlock Semiconductor Corp will be investing up to $1 billion over the next four years to expand a Michigan solar facility. President of Hemlock Semiconductor, Rick Doornbos, said “This is the largest expansion in the history of this industry, and is indicative of our long-term commitment to meeting the needs of our customers.” This will make for the second expansion announcement for the company in the past 18 months.  Gov. Jennifer Granholm plans to use the expansion as a lure for companies looking to invest in Michigan.

PhillyBurbs.com reports AE Polysilicon announced it will invest $70 million to build its first production facility and corporate headquarters. AE Polysilicon manufactures polycrystalline silicon, the material that is used in producing solar cells and modules for solar power. The state has provided the company with a &1.76 million loan and more than $100,000 in grants and job training funds. the area could see 140 new jobs in the company’s first year and Gov. Rendell added that the average worker at the headquarters would be making close to $50,000.