Green Investing News

July 2011 News Archives

After dismal second-quarter, solar outlook brightens - 2011-07-29
Solar investors should brace themselves for some downright dreadful second-quarter earnings reports in the coming weeks, though the rest of the year may provide some relief to battered solar stocks as panel prices stabilize and profit margins recover.

Tesla CEO Picks Fukushima For Solar Power Advocacy - 2011-07-29
The city of Soma has received a 250,000 dollar donation for a solar power project from Tesla Motors Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, a solar energy advocate who sees the need for subsidies on a par with those for nuclear power.

Obama unveils sharp increase in auto fuel economy - 2011-07-29
President Barack Obama on Friday formally unveiled standards that would dramatically increase U.S. fuel economy standards for cars and trucks by 2025.

GM Ventures invests in solar power developer Sunlogics; signs for installation of solar charging canopies, power purchase agreement - 2011-07-28
General Motors Ventures LLC has made an equity investment of $7.5 million in Sunlogics PLC, a Michigan-based, vertically-integrated global solar energy systems provider specializing in solar project development and installation.

U.S. rules seen shutting 20 percent of coal power capacity - 2011-07-28
The U.S. power industry will probably retire up to 20 percent of the country's coal-fired electricity generating capacity this decade, due to proposed federal environmental regulations, consulting firm ICF International said in a report on Wednesday.

UK government to plug solar tariff loophole - 2011-07-27
The British government plans to plug a loophole in its support scheme for solar power plants which would have allowed producers to benefit from higher tariffs for large-scale plants which the government intends to curb.

A123 Systems to supply Li-ion energy storage system to Dongfang Electric Corporation for evaluation for wind power solutions - 2011-07-27
Li-ion battery manufacturer A123 Systems will supply a 500kW Li-ion energy storage solution to Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), the third largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the People’s Republic of China and the country’s largest exporter of power equipment.

Shale oil boom sends waste gas burn-off soaring - 2011-07-26
Flaring of natural gas from wells is on the upswing in Texas and North Dakota as oil and gas producers rush to develop new shale plays, and critics are not happy about it.

Solar Leasing Companies Head Eastward. Popsicle, Anyone? - 2011-07-26
Solar Leasing Companies Head Eastward. Popsicle, Anyone?

What Do the Debt Ceiling and Climate Crisis Have in Common? - 2011-07-26
One of the problems that the Congress is encountering as it tries to raise the debt ceiling is that a significant number of Republican and Tea Party Members of Congress apparently hold the view that there actually would not be consequences for global markets or the US economy if we defaulted.

Shale oil boom sends waste gas burn-off soaring - 2011-07-26
Flaring of natural gas from wells is on the upswing in Texas and North Dakota as oil and gas producers rush to develop new shale plays, and critics are not happy about it.

Dupont buys solar tech company Innovalight - 2011-07-25
Chemicals company DuPont said on Monday it purchased solar technology company Innovalight as part of its goal of doubling its sales to the solar industry to $2 billion by 2014.

GM and ABB demonstrate prototype of Volt battery pack grid re-use application - 2011-07-21
In conjunction with the Plug-in 2011 event in Raleigh, NC, GM and ABB demonstrated a lab prototype of a distributed energy storage (DES) system that combines Volt battery technology and a proven grid-tied electric power inverter.

Fotowatio sells 30 MW Italy solar farms to Munich Re - 2011-07-20
Spain's Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has sold four solar power generation plants in Italy with a total capacity of 30 megawatts to insurance group Munich Re, the Spanish company said on Wednesday.

UAW, other unions support tougher fuel standards - 2011-07-19
A coalition of eight unions and environmental groups, including the United Auto Workers, asked President Barack Obama to push for higher fuel-economy standards for light-duty vehicles.

Insight: New York natgas drilling rules: more bark than bite? - 2011-07-19
New York has touted its new rules on natural gas drilling as tough measures meant to keep its drinking water pure, but one cornerstone of its proposed regulation may fall short of existing industry practice.

Gas Natural says in talks to buy ACS's wind parks - 2011-07-18
Spanish utility Gas Natural said on Monday it was in talks with builder ACS to buy more of its wind parks.

Analysis: Ethanol to edge pigs for corn use, but not quite yet - 2011-07-18
Ethanol appears almost certain to win the food-versus-fuel contest in the United States. But not just yet.

BP pipeline leaks oily mixture onto Alaskan tundra - 2011-07-18
BP reported yet another pipeline leak at its Alaskan oilfields, frustrating the oil giant's attempts to rebuild its reputation after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

BP promises safer drilling, without admitting flaws - 2011-07-15
BP Plc promised improved drilling practices on Friday as the company balances twin aims of rebuilding investor and public confidence after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill while not admitting flaws in its own procedures.

Enel Green Power adds 10 MW wind capacity in France - 2011-07-14
Italy's biggest renewable energy company, Enel Green Power (EGP) has started up a new 10 megawatt wind farm in France as part of its efforts to expand in the French green energy market, EGP said on Thursday.

Enel Green Power adds 10 MW wind capacity in France - 2011-07-14
Italy's biggest renewable energy company, Enel Green Power (EGP) has started up a new 10 megawatt wind farm in France as part of its efforts to expand in the French green energy market, EGP said on Thursday.

ReneSola starts shipments of its high-efficiency - 2011-07-13
ReneSola Ltd, a China-based solar wafer producer, said it started shipments of its high-efficiency wafers and modules in June to a number of its top customers in Europe.

U.S. nuclear industry weighs costs of new safety measures - 2011-07-13
The U.S. nuclear industry's top cop is to weigh major changes in how it regulates the country's 104 reactors after Japan's Fukushima disaster, a move that will help shape the future of the power source and could lead to significant cost increases.

Japan PM says must reduce dependence on nuclear power - 2011-07-12
Japan has no choice but to reduce its reliance on nuclear power, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said on Tuesday, as the country battles to end a four-month-old radiation crisis at a tsunami-crippled nuclear plant.

Nissan and 4R Energy develop new EV charging system combining solar and Li-ion batteries - 2011-07-11
With the new charging system, electricity is generated through solar cells installed at Nissan’s Global Headquarters, and is stored in lithium-ion batteries which are equivalent to four units of Nissan LEAFs.

Enel Green Power plans 2 thermal solar plants - 2011-07-11
Italy's biggest renewable energy group, Enel Green Power (EGP), plans to build two concentrated solar power (CSP) plants to diversify its energy mix, a research chief at its parent company said.

SMA Solar eyes Japan, Thailand markets: report - 2011-07-11
SMA Solar, the world's largest maker of solar inverters, plans to move into Japan and Thailand as it seeks new markets outside of Germany, where state support for the solar industry is set to be cut.

Car makers jump on energy bandwagon as Japan saves power - 2011-07-11
With the country steeped in power-saving mode, energy generation has become all the rage among Japanese automakers.

Hawaii law for affordable solar power signed - 2011-07-11
Hawaii home solar power installations could become more affordable under a law signed Friday by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Japan's nuclear industry credibility crumbles amid email scandal - 2011-07-08
A Japanese nuclear power plant has come under fire for trying to sway the outcome of a public forum on atomic safety, dealing a fresh blow to the industry's credibility four months after the world's biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

Japan's nuclear industry credibility crumbles amid email scandal - 2011-07-08
A Japanese nuclear power plant has come under fire for trying to sway the outcome of a public forum on atomic safety, dealing a fresh blow to the industry's credibility four months after the world's biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

Exclusive: Climate impact threatens biodiesel future in EU - 2011-07-08
Europe's biodiesel industry could be wiped out by EU plans to tackle the unwanted side effects of biofuel production, after studies showed few climate benefits, four papers obtained by Reuters show.

EPA finalizes coal plant emission rule: sources - 2011-07-07
U.S. environmental regulators finalized a rule to slash air pollution from power plants east of the Rocky Mountains.

Duke Energy buys 131 MW Kansas wind farm - 2011-07-06
Utility owner Duke Energy Corp said it has acquired a fully developed and contracted 131 megawatt wind power project in Kansas from CPV Renewable Energy as part of its plans to raise its clean energy portfolio, but did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Japan's Mitsui plans large solar farms in quake-hit area: report - 2011-07-06
Mitsui & Co is likely to build large solar power plants with a total capacity of 100 megawatts in northeast Japan's Tohoku region, which faces possible power shortages after a March quake and tsunami damaged several power plants, the Yomiuri newspaper said in its evening edition on Wednesday.

Mitsubishi Motors offering i-MiEV in two trim levels: more affordable and more capable - 2011-07-06
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will offer the i-MiEV electric vehicle in two trim levels in Japan. The more affordable entry-level “M” will be available at the price of ¥1,880,000 (US$23,200) after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s eco-car subsidy. The M model will go on sale 25 July.

UK nuclear investment environment "dire": Citigroup - 2011-07-06
Britain's nuclear strategy is "uninvestable" for private clients, who are only likely to put money into new plants if the government shoulders more of the risks involved, Citigroup's head of European utilities research said on Wednesday.

GT Solar gets $82 million orders; shares hit life-high - 2011-07-05
Solar and LED equipment maker GT Solar International Inc said it received orders worth $81.7 million for polysilicon production equipment from two new Asian customers, sending its shares to their lifetime high.

OM Group eyes green energy drive with $743 million deal - 2011-07-05
U.S.-based OM Group Inc, the world's largest cobalt producer, said it will buy German magnetic materials maker Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co for about $743 million as it looks to diversify into fast-growing markets such as electric vehicles, solar and wind power.

GT Solar gets $82 million orders; shares hit life-high - 2011-07-05
Solar and LED equipment maker GT Solar International Inc said it received orders worth $81.7 million for polysilicon production equipment from two new Asian customers, sending its shares to their lifetime high.

Landmark turbine deal powers Vestas shares - 2011-07-01
Shares in Danish wind turbine maker Vestas jumped 8 percent on Friday after the company late on Thursday said it had signed a major deal to supply turbines to France's EDF Energies Nouvelles.