Welcome to the Green Chip Review's Weekend Edition — our insights from the week in everything renewable energy and cleantech, as well as links to our most-read Green Chip Review and sister publication articles. 

This week was dominated by new worries for the solar industry.

It started on Monday with a bearish report by Barron's. It was an interview with analyst Gordon L. Johnson II, who bashed the industry the entire time, calling for a top-to-bottom oversupply of everything from polysilicon to modules.

He sees falling prices for silicon that would put pressure on supplier margins. And he sees module supply of about 7.1 GW in 2010 severely outpacing his demand forecast of 4.4 GW.

Of course, those are his estimates. With stimulus-funded projects popping up around the globe, it's really anyone's guess how the supply/demand picture will work out. China, for example, announced a project this week that will total 10 GW.

With projects like that being announced frequently. . . the demand picture can change in a hurry.

In a bit of surprising news this week, the New York Times reported that the solar importers could be hit with $70 million in unexpected tariffs from the U.S. Customs agency. They claim "because the panels contain a basic electronic device for safety and energy efficiency, they would be treated as electric generators, subject to a duty of 2.5 percent."

It seems frivolous and the solar industry is already fighting it. We'll have to wait and see how it turns out.

Some less-than-good green news from this week: water made headlines several times because of its relationship with energy. First, because of the high amounts used to cool solar thermal systems in the Southwest; later because of the pollution associated with extracting newfound sources of natural gas.

But there was also some good news. . .

The number of cleantech financing deals soared in the third quarter to 112-worth a total of $1.9 billion. That the third quarter of consecutive growth, from $836 million in the first and $1.2 billion in the second.

Also worth noting is a climate/energy bill introduced in the Senate by John Kerry. It's a companion bill to the one passed by the House in June, calling for emissions reductions via cap-and-trade and increases in renewable energy through a renewable portfolio standard.

Finally, even if Congress fails to act, the EPA made clear this week that it will regulate emissions one way or another, using Clean Air Act authority if they have to.

In case you missed our most-read articles from Green Chip and our sister publications, you can check them out below.

Call it like you see it,

Nick

Exelon Climate Change: Exelon Climate Change Decision Further Erodes U.S. Chamber of Commerce Credibility
Editor Jeff Siegel comments on Exelon's announcement this week that it will be leaving the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, following in the footsteps of PG&E just last week.  Jeff also covers Nike's resignation from the board of directors on Wednesday.

China Green Business Academy: Chinese Green Academy to Teach Western Execs
Green Chip Editor Sam Hopkins discusses China's plans to draw 2,000 business managers per year to its Institute for Sustainable Communities Environment, Heath and Safety Academy.

Investing in Geothermal Energy: Cashing in on Nevada's Geothermal Jackpot
Energy & Capital Editor Nick Hodge discusses investing in geothermal energy, with special attention paid to Nevada... 

The R-Track System: Delivering Investors 32% Every Month
Readers following this system closed 45 winning trades in the last 12 months. . . and we'll tell you about #46.

Water Infrastructure Stocks: Using the "Philly Plan" for Profit
Green Chip's Nick Hodge discusses water infrastructure stocks through the lens of a recently announced $1.6 billion project. . .

Alternative Energy Funding: Where Alternative Energy Companies Can Get the Funding They Need
Green ChipEditor Jeff Siegel comments on the difficulty small alternative energy companies are having raising capital or getting credit, and offers a suggestion for these cash-strapped companies to get the funds they need.

Thomas Friedman Green China: NYTimes Columnist Sums Up China's Green Imperative
Green Chip's Sam Hopkins comments on Friedman's take on China's Green Revolution and offers his own insight.

EPA Could Regulate Greenhouse Gases: the EPA's Carbon Trump Card
Guest Editor Emily Rutan talks about the EPA's trump card when it comes to regulating greenhouse gas emissions.