First Solar Sets Another World Record for CdTe Solar PV Efficiency

According to the press release, “First Solar, Inc.  today announced it set a new world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, achieving 14.4 percent total area efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) confirmed the record, which eclipsed the prior record of 13.4 percent, which also was set [...]

Leyden Energy Receives $20 Million in Series B Financing Led by New Enterprise Associates

According to the press release, “Leyden Energy, Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for the consumer electronics, energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) markets, today announced that it has received $20 million in Series B financing led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation from existing investors Lightspeed Ventures, Sigma Partners and [...]

Solazyme and Bunge Sign JDA Partnership for Production of Renewable Triglyceride Oils

The press release states, “Solazyme, Inc., a leading renewable oils and bioproducts company, today announced a two-year joint development agreement (JDA) with Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG) to develop microbe-derived oils utilizing Brazilian sugar cane feedstock. The agreement builds on Bunge’s earlier equity investment in Solazyme, and the letter of intent signed by both firms in [...]

First of 70 eVgo sm Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Dallas Ready to Charge

The press release states, “NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) is bringing range confidence to electric vehicle (EV) owners in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex by commencing operations at the first privately funded, eVgo sm (ee-vee-go) Freedom Station in Texas, including the first high-speed direct current (DC) charger in Texas that is among the first in the [...]

Johnson Controls Announces Agreement to Acquire EnergyConnect

The press release states, “Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, and EnergyConnect Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ECNG), a leading provider of smart grid demand response services and technologies, today announced the signing of a merger agreement under which Johnson Controls would [...]

Bord Gáis Energy commits €2million to OpenHydro

OpenHydro, the Irish tidal renewable energy company and Bord Gáis Energy have concluded an agreement for Bord Gáis Energy to become a shareholder in OpenHydro. In addition to the investment, OpenHydro and Bord Gáis Energy have formed a joint venture focused on the development of a utility scale tidal farm off the coast of Ireland. [...]

LS9 Raises $30 Million to Ready Products for Commercial Production

The press release states, “LS9, Inc. today announced that it has received $30 million in its latest round of funding. BlackRock, a prestigious, global-reaching firm with over $3 trillion in assets under management, led the investment round. All previous investors also participated in the round, including; Flagship Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and CTTV [...]

Elevance Renewable Sciences Raises $100 Million in Series C Financing

According to the  press release, “Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. announced today that it has raised $100 million in its Series C financing round. Elevance produces high performance ingredients for use in personal care products, detergents, lubricants and other specialty chemicals and fuel markets from renewable feedstocks. Naxos Capital Partners led the round with additional new [...]

Germany to raise bioethanol content in gasoline

According to Reuters, “the German cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to raise the maximum level of bioethanol allowed in blended gasoline to 10 percent from 5 percent now, the government said in a statement. The change will take place from January 2011, the statement said. Analysts said on Monday the increase would help boost [...]

Google signs agreement for Wind Venture off Atlantic Coast

Google has signed an agreement to invest in the development of a wind project off the Mid-Atlantic Coast.  People at Google, see it as a win-win, good for the environment, and a good way to earn a financial return.  In addition, Google is a large energy consumer, this is another way they are offsetting energy [...]

Enel has green light for Europe’s biggest 2010 IPO

According to Reuters, “Italy’s market regulator has cleared Enel’s plans to list its Enel Green Power (EGP) renewables unit, paving the way for Europe’s biggest initial public offering so far this year. In a statement on Wednesday, Enel said it received the go-ahead for the publication of its EGP IPO prospectus from market regulator Consob, [...]

Statoil: renewables must be profitable long-term

According to Reuters, “Statoil said on Monday that renewable energy projects must demonstrate their long-term profitability for the Norwegian company and other oil and gas producers to invest in them. Chief Executive Helge Lund said his company, which has invested in offshore wind and carbon capture storage (CCS) technology in recent years, was committed to [...]

Enel Green Power Espana receives 50% of the Iberian JV Assets

According to the press release, “Today Enel Green Power SpA (“EGP”) and its subsidiary Enel Green Power España SL (“EGPE”) announced the signing of an agreement with Gas Natural SDG, SA (“Gas Natural Fenosa”) for the break-up of all the assets of Enel Union Fenosa Renovables, SA (EUFER), a 50% joint venture between EGPE and [...]

Yingli Green Energy to Collaborate with Innovalight, Aiming to Boost Multicrystalline Cell Efficiency

According to the press release, “Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) (“Yingli Green Energy” or the “Company”), a leading solar energy company and one of the world’s largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers, which holds the brand “Yingli Solar,” today announced that it has signed a technology, research and production collaboration agreement with Innovalight, [...]

First Solar Completes Acquisition of NextLight Renewable Power

According to the press release, “First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it has completed the acquisition of NextLight Renewable Power, LLC, a solar development firm formed by the inaugural fund of Energy Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in North America’s energy infrastructure. With the NextLight acquisition, First Solar now has [...]

Greenergy Brazil launched to source and sell sustainable Brazilian bioethanol

According to the press release, “Greenergy International Ltd, one of the biggest fuel suppliers in the UK, has announced that it has entered into a joint venture with Bauche Group (30%), a leading expert in the sugarcane industry, to source and sell sustainable Brazilian bioethanol. The new business, Greenergy Brazil headquartered in Sao Paulo, has [...]

Centrica awarded Round Three offshore wind development zone

According to the Press Release, “Centrica plc, the parent company of British Gas, today welcomed the news that it has been successful in The Crown Estate’s Round Three offshore wind tendering process, having been awarded exclusive rights to develop the Irish Sea zone. The zone, which is located 15 kilometres off the coast of Anglesey, [...]

BLM Concentrating on Renewable Energy Projects That Could Meet Stimulus Funding Deadline

According to the Press Release, “With the December 2010 deadline for obtaining incentive funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act only a year off, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey today reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to helping the nation reach its “green energy future” by guaranteeing full environmental analysis and public review [...]