General Electric just announced that it will be producing highly energy efficient hybrid water heaters in Louisville, Kentucky. The hybrid water heaters are the first water heaters to meet the Department of Energy’s stricter 2009 Energy Star standards. The water heaters use about 1/2 the energy of conventional water heaters. Manufacturing them in Kentucky will also create about 400 new jobs.
Hoku Materials just announced a new economic development agreement with the City of Pocatello. The deal could grant Hoku up to $49 million worth of tax increment financing. Under the terms of the contract, Hoku will get up to $26 million in incremental property tax reimbursement to cover its capital costs from setting up a polysilicon production plant in Pocatello. Then, as long as Hoku hires a certain number of employees, the company will become … Read the rest
Valence (VLNC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Siemens this morning to develop advanced battery storage solutions for marine applications to be compatible with Siemen’s ELFA Hybrid drive marine propulsion system. I for one look forward to the day when battery powered boats are the norm. Gasoline powered boats are highly inefficient and big polluters of lakes, rivers and oceans… that includes noise pollution from jet skis!
Yingli Green Energy (YGE) is announcing a collaboration with the Energy Research Centre of Netherlands and Amtech Systems (ASYS) to develop and implement high efficiency N type silicon solar cells, named PANDA. The solar cells will use Netherland’s designs, the solar diffusion technology and dry PSG removal expertise of Amtech and Yingli’s production line and cell process technology.
“Yingli Green Energy always strives to be at the forefront of the latest technological developments in the … Read the rest
“We believe Germany is the most import market for growth in 2009. YGE has 50-70% of its production contracted with leading German distributors and installers, greater than … Read the rest
Fuel Systems Solutions (FSYS) is expanding the reach of its liquid propane gas kits by signing a non-exclusive distribution agreement with CleanFUEL USA who will market and sell the EPA certified kits for converting GM and Ford vehicles to run on the liquid propane.
Matthew Beale, Fuel Systems’ President and CFO, said, “Signing this agreement with CleanFUEL USA, an established player in the LPG alternative fuel vehicle market, is another step forward in our U.S. … Read the rest
Xcel Energy just announced a partnership with 42U as part of its Data Center Efficiency Program. Under the agreement, 42U will work with Xcel Energy’s data center customers to help them find ways to become more efficient and use less energy.
42U will act as a consultant to participating Xcel customers, reviewing their operations and making recommendations. Xcel Customers can get rebates for each kilowatt of energy saved after they make the suggested improvements.
Applied Materials just announced the release of its new Charger PVD system, which can produce double the amount of wafers compared to competitor’s products.
“Packaging facilities need a fast, dependable metallization workhorse to maximize wafer output and minimize the system redundancy burden imposed by slower, less reliable alternatives,” said Steve Ghanayem, vice president and general manager of Applied Materials’ Metal Deposition … Read the rest
AEP Texas, a division of American Electric Power, just announced that it has signed a contract with Landis+Gyr to have smart meters installed for its customers. Under the terms of the 5 year contract, Landis+Gyr will deliver and install 700,000 smart meters for AEP. According to Reuters, the deal is valued at $75 to $100 million.
Applied Materials just announced that its giant 5.7m2 solar photovoltaic (PV) modules have received certification from the International Electrotechnical Commission. The solar panels, produced as part of Applied Material’s Sunfab Thin Film line, are the largest available on the market today.
In a press release, Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president and general manager of Applied Materials’ Display and SunFab Solar Business Group explained why Applied Materials believes that bigger is better: