Solar Energy Investing

Building Design & Construction reports Carlisle SynTec has been awarded a $650,000 grant to install a 200 kW solar photovoltaic system on one of their rooftops.  Carlisl is one of five energy projects in Pennsylvania to receive a federal stimulus grant.

Greentech Media reports Japan’s recent return of a national solar subsidy has only attracted 21, 653 applications versus the anticipated 35,000 it was expecting in the first three months.  The subsidy provides US $700 per kW of installed solar power or 10% of a 3.5 kW system.  The US is also hoping a 30% tax credit for solar power installations will boost business.

SMH.com.au reports the recently appointed Environment Minister and the Minister of the Department of Climate Change and Water are running several programs to encourage renewable energy usage.  Amongst the programs are the National Solar Schools Program, which will provide funding to schools for the installation of solar hot water heating systems, and the Solar Homes Community Plan that will encourage solar panel system installation with rebates and grants to households with an income of less than $100,000 a year. 

Beaverton Valley Times reports several sponsors came together for a project of 45 solar panels to be installed on the German American School in Portland, Oregon.  An information kiosk has also been placed at the school to help students and parents learn more about solar power.  The installation is expected to be complete within the next couple of weeks.

CNNMoney.com reports Integrity Automotive and ZAP have applied for a loan to manufacture only electric cars at a factory in Kentucky.  The $200 million loan comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program.  This project is in lines with President-elect Obama’s plans to rebuild America’s economy through solar panel manufacturing and wind turbines.

iStockAnalyst reports Alamogordo White-Sands airport has installed an 8kW solar array.  The system will save $400-500 a month in electric costs.  New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources department gave the airport a $100,000 grant to install the system that will also have an educational component with the students at New Mexico State University.

Lehigh Valley Live.com reports Northhampton Community College is launching a solar photovoltaic installation and design course.  A $15,000 grant allowed a 3 kW solar power system to be installed on campus, which will be used as a teaching tool.  Anyone who holds an electrician license or has completed the prerequisite courses is able to attend this 40-50 class.

Colorado State University News & Information reports $1.1 million in grants was handed out for solar research projects.  CSU received $375,000 for four different projects.  The researchers hope to develop organic photovoltaic polymers, cheap thin films for solar panels, semiconductor nanocrystals to make converting sunlight more efficient.  The last phase of their project is to create a better understanding an control process for plasma processing to the above mentioned solar cells.

Your Industry News reports a 45 kWh photovoltaic solar power system in San Benito, Texas was awarded the Texas Renewable Energy Project of the Year Award.  This project was funded the $325,000 by the EPA and is the largest of its kind along the US-Mexican border.

EE Times reports $2.5 million has been provided to develop flexible organic solar cells and modules.  The project has hopes to increase efficiency by 10% and to create a process that is cost effective to print these cells.  The results are expected to be available by 2012.