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 [...]
DOE to Invest $50 Million to Advance Domestic Solar Manufacturing Market
The press release states, “U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced a $50 million investment over two years for the SUNPATH program, aimed to help the nation reclaim its competitive edge in solar manufacturing. SUNPATH, which stands for Scaling Up Nascent PV At Home, represents the second solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative (PVMI) supporting the Department [...]
DOE Offers Loan Guarantee for $4.5 Bil in Loans for 3 CA Solar Power Plants
According to the press release, “U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced offers of conditional commitments for loan guarantees, of approximately $4.5 billion, to support three alternating current Cadmium Telluride (Cd-Te) thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar generation facilities. The Department is offering a conditional commitment for a $680 million loan guarantee to support the Antelope [...]
US DOE Offers Conditional Commitment for a Loan Guarantee to Support Maine Wind Project
According to the press release, “U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the offer of a conditional commitment to Record Hill Wind LLC for a $102 million loan guarantee. The loan guarantee will support the Record Hill wind project, which includes a 50.6 megawatt wind power plant and an eight mile transmission line and associated [...]
DOE Finalizes $1.45 Billion Loan Guarantee for One of the World’s Largest Solar Generation Plants
The DOE Press Release states, “U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced a $1.45 billion loan guarantee has been finalized for Abengoa Solar Inc.’s Solana project, the world’s largest parabolic trough concentrating solar plant. Located near Gila Bend, Arizona, the 250-megawatt (MW) project is the first large-scale solar plant in the United States capable of [...]
Secretary Chu Announces Initiatives to Promote Clean Energy at First Clean Energy Ministerial
According to the press release, “At the world’s first Clean Energy Ministerial, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the United States is helping launch more than 10 international clean energy initiatives. These initiatives will cut energy waste; help deploy smart grid, electric vehicle, and carbon capture technologies; support renewable energy markets; expand access [...]
DOE and the Power of Wind
In the world of wind energy there is constant research taking place, much of which is leading to improved means of creating renewable energy. When many think of wind energy, thoughts turn to the Netherlands and old fashioned windmills. Some other may recollect large “wind farms” full of white propeller looking windmills that tower above [...]