In recent days, California has proposed legislation that would help kick start smaller scale solar projects (1 – 20MW) using a feed-in-tariff system, but the rates would be set by an open bidding process which would help curb excessive rates for consumers while generating fair returns for the developer. The Renewable Auction Mechanism (RAM) as it’s called is just a proposal at this point, but a final ruling could come within 30 days. It’s likely … Read the rest
Tag Archives: california
California Remains Clean Energy King With New Solar Initiatives
California continues to lead the way for the US in the alternative energy revolution. Arnie Schwarzenegger has signed two new laws and an agreement with the US Dept of Interior to speed development of solar and other alternative energy projects in the coming years.
One is AB 920 which requires utilities to pay consumers for solar electricity that they generate over and above their home needs instead of capturing it for their own profit. The … Read the rest
Wal-Mart Will Double Solar Energy Use in California
Wal Mart (WMT) announced today it is going to double its use of solar energy in California over the next 18 months by installing solar panels on 10 – 20 of their stores, adding to the 18 solar arrays already in place. The company expects to generate up to 32 million kilowatt hrs of renewable energy per year, remove 22,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and provide 20 – 30% of the total electricity … Read the rest
San Jose Selects Echelon (ELON) Technology For LED Streetlight Initiative
Echelon’s (ELON) LonWorks technology will be used in California’s first smart streetlight project in San Jose which is part of the City’s Green Vision. The plan calls for a transformation of San Jose into an epicenter of clean technology and innovation in order to promote green energy and limit energy use.
125 streetlights will be converted to use LED and will be controlled with Echelon’s power line networking technology and segment controllers, improving quality, decreasing … Read the rest
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) Awarded 10 Yr California Contract
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) has been awarded a 10 year contract by the city of Glendale, California to build, maintain and operate a public access natural gas fueling station that will be used to serve public transit buses, municipal vehicles, hauling trucks, taxis, shuttle buses and passenger cars near the Bob Hope airport. It will potentially dispense 800K gallons annually as Glendale’s goal replacing all of its diesel powered fleet vehicles with CNG vehicles over … Read the rest
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) Starts Up Largest LNG Plant In Southwest
The Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) LNG plant in the Mojave Desert, which is the largest in the Southwest has begun to produce and will output up to 160K gallons per day of liquified natural gas but can be expanded to output 240K gallons if the demand is needed. The site will also include a storage facility for 1.8 million gallons of LNG
“We have built the new LNG production facility to respond to the … Read the rest
California Prop 10 Defeated, A Blow to Pickens Plan & Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE)
With oil prices well off their peak and California mired in financial woes, California’s Prop 10 (or California Alternative Fuels Initiative) which would have provided incentives for purchasers of alternative fuel vehicles, research for development of solar and other renewable energies and training for green collar jobs was defeated by a wide margin.
Many have come to know it has the key for T Boone’s “Pickens Plan” because it calls for much greater use of … Read the rest
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) 5th Plant Going Online Soon
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) is about to go online with its 5th ethanol plant in the next two weeks in Stockton California. The plant is on a 30 acre site within the Port of Stockton and has transportation infrastructure that includes barges, rail and highway access. They are expected to begin taking in corn in the next week and begin the grinding process during the week of the 18th of August. … Read the rest
First Solar (FSLR) Announces 2 Edison Solar Projects
Southern California Edison selected First Solar (FSLR) to engineer and supply the PV power plant system for a 2 MW project to be installed atop a commercial building. SCE plans to do 250 installations atop commercial buildings over the next 5 years which is the largest rooftop solar program ever proposed by a US utility.
In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the project terms of a 20 year power purchase agreement between FSLR … Read the rest