Evolution Solar signs $36m wafer supply agreement
26th February 2010
Pink Sheets-listed solar company Evolution Solar has agreed to supply one million Chinese manufactured wafers per month to Okaya & Co and Japanese company Shinetsu Film.
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Archive for February, 2010
Solar market posts mixed results for 2009 and warns of uncertainties to come
26th February 2010
After a hectic week of full-year reports flooding into the market, the outlook for solar module and fuel cell manufacturers in 2010 looks mixed, with many still building up defences against the ongoing economic turbulence.
European biomass industry supports European Commission’s new directive
26th February 2010
The consortium of European Biomass Associations (AEBIOM and EUBIA), European forest owner associations (EUSTAFOR, CEPF and NSF) and European Biogas Association (EBA) have praised the non-binding measures proposed in the European Commission’s report on sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous biomass for heat and electricity to ensure the sustainability of biomass.
Northland Power Income Fund’s additional renewable energy plant sales bump profits up
26th February 2010
Canadian renewable energy developer Northland Power Income Fund reported consolidated sales in the fourth quarter of 2009 of $59.8m, while income from operations was $19.6m, which it said reflected additional sales revenue from Northland Power’s management services, the Beaver Cove chipping facility and the 128MW Jardin d’Eole wind farm that became operational in November 2009.
US green building materials company CalStar closes funding round on $15m
26th February 2010
California-based green buildings materials business CalStar Products has closed a $15m equity investment led by Nth Power, which included new investors The Westly Group and Clearpoint Capital as well as continuing investors Foundation Capital and EnerTech Capital.
Global power technology developer SPX acquires European manufacturer Gerstenberg Schroder
26th February 2010
NYSE-listed manufacturer SPX Corporation, whose product portfolio contains energy efficient products including cooling systems for power plants, has completed the acquisition of European processing systems manufacturer Gerstenberg Schroder. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Ormat’s product segment revenues turn up the dial
26th February 2010
US geothermal company Ormat Technologies’ revenues increased 20.4 per cent for the year 2009 to $415.2m, remaining consistent with the fourth quarter of 2008.
Sierra Geothermal drills deep at Alum
26th February 2010
Canadian geothermal company Sierra Geothermal Power has started drilling a second deep observation well at its 100 per cent owned Alum project, which is part of the designated Paymaster District geothermal area.
Spanish wind energy generator Gamesa predicts tough 2010, posts 16 per cent revenue drop
26th February 2010
Spanish wind energy generator Gamesa said it predicts a slow first half to the year as it posts a revenue drop of 16 per cent, down to €3.2bn.
Renewable energy developer EDP Renováveis shows steep curve in profits
26th February 2010
Euronext-listed renewable energy developer EDP Renováveis’ yearly net profits increased ten per cent in 2009 to €114m, up from €104m in 2008.
China Everbright launches $439m fund to invest in clean energy projects
26th February 2010
Hong Kong-based China Everbright has established a RMB3bn ($439m) fund to invest in new energy projects, resources and affiliated enterprises.
US energy producer Imperial Petroleum agrees to acquire e-biofuels
26th February 2010
US oil and natural gas production company Imperial Petroleum has signed an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the stock of e-biofuels, an Indiana, US-based biodiesel producer with a production capacity of 15 million gallons per year.
Dutch energy technology developer Avantium appoints former Shell CTO to supervisory board
26th February 2010
Dutch energy technology company Avantium has appointed Dr Jan van der Eijk to its supervisory board.
Fluor’s power and renewable infrastructure profits lag behind oil and gas
26th February 2010
NYSE-listed US energy project developer Fluor Corporation’s profit growth in its Government & Power and Oil & Gas segments, which matched or exceeded 2008 results, were offset by declines in its Global Services and Industrial & Infrastructure segments.
Australian policy change puts wind projects back in picture for energy retailer AGL
26th February 2010
Australia’s largest electricity retailer AGL told NewNet that changes to the government’s renewable energy policy will mean a U-turn in its earlier announcement today that it was to put its wind development projects on hold.
Solar energy technology company SwissINSO closes debt financing
26th February 2010
Solar energy technology company SwissINSO Holding has successfully raised $5.585m in debt financing from both private and institutional investors.
A tree in your tank? $3.2m NSF grant funds tree-to-biofuel research
26th February 2010
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park and Bowie State University has received a $3.2m, four-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s Plant Genome Research Project to find ways to turn poplar trees into high-yield crops for biofuels including ethanol.
Centrica reports increased revenue as it pushes ahead with wind projects
26th February 2010
Energy utility giant, and owner of British Gas, Centrica has said it continued to strengthen its leadership position in offshore wind in 2009 as it reported revenue of £21.96bn, up five per cent on the previous year’s total.
Centrica chairman Roger Carr said 2009 was a ‘transformational’ year that marked the successful culmination of a three [...]
ClearFuels to develop biorefinery in Tennessee, US
26th February 2010
US bioenergy company ClearFuels Technology and timber company Hughes Hardwood International have agreed to develop a commercial-scale biorefinery facility for the production of renewable jet or diesel fuel.
Bus biofuel company Green Plains proposes public offering
25th February 2010
NASDAQ-listed biofuel company Green Plains Renewable Energy has proposed a public offering of five million shares of its common stock and granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.
Deere considers strategic options for wind farm business
25th February 2010
US wind farm owner Deere & Co said it is reviewing its strategic options for its wind business and has retained Goldman Sachs as exclusive financial advisor.
EU states employ variety of incentives as renewables remain strong focus, study finds
25th February 2010
Renewable energy sources remain a strong focus of European governments with a variety of incentive schemes being deployed, according to a new study by commercial law firm CMS Hasche Sigle.
Chinese solar developer Yingli Green Energy to supply 285MW of modules to European integrator Gehrlicher Solar
25th February 2010
NYSE-listed Chinese solar company Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has signed a three-year framework agreement with European photovoltaic system integrator Gehrlicher Solar.
Global Solar Energy’s thin film solar line achieves 13.2 per cent efficiency
25th February 2010
The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed 13.2 per cent aperture area efficiency for a module made by global thin-film solar cell manufacturer Global Solar Energy using its production-line thin film solar material.
Australian biodiesel company Mission NewEnergy completes $7.9m private placement
25th February 2010
Australian biodiesel refiner Mission NewEnergy has completed a private placement of AUD$9m ($7.9m).
Waste to energy presents unique investment challenges, law firm says
25th February 2010
Waste to energy technologies present a very different challenge to other renewable energy or resource efficiency proposition, according to international law firm Denton Wilde Sapte.
GT Solar secures over $200m in orders
25th February 2010
Global solar service provider GT Solar International has signed new contracts totalling more than $200m.
UK grid needs overhaul to attract renewable investment, analyst says
25th February 2010
As a parliamentary report criticises the power industry’s failure to agree on a new transmission regime, creating a 60GW backlog of projects waiting to get connected, a leading analyst told NewNet that access issues are restraining renewable energy projects.
Drax’s switch to co-firing would hurt UK renewables sector, analyst says
25th February 2010
If the operator of the UK’s largest power plant Drax was to go ahead with its co-firing plans, which have been the topic of debate this week, the move may kill investment into other forms of renewable technology, an analyst told NewNet.
Navigation Capital Partners acquires smart grid company Specialized Technical Services
25th February 2010
US private equity firm Navigation Capital Partners (NCP) has acquired smart grid infrastructure upgrade provider Specialized Technical Services (STS).
US electric services company Con Edison launches summer energy saving programmes
25th February 2010
US electric service provider Con Edison has launched new programmes to help large businesses cut their energy costs, while helping the environment and earning financial incentives. The goal of the programmes is to reduce peak electric use during New York City’s hottest summer days by 200MW, said the company.
California unveils $90m Clean Energy Manufacturing Program
25th February 2010
The California Energy Commission has unveiled a $90m Clean Energy Manufacturing Program to assist clean energy companies in the state.
Credit Agricole’s public services businesses driven by solar
25th February 2010
Global financial services group Credit Agricole said its public services and environmental business were driven up by the development of solar energy.
NewNet Investor Profile: Mark Davis, Norfund
25th February 2010
The notion of high risk means many cleantech investors are unwilling to venture into the developing countries. For Norwegian state-owned Norfund, however, addressing the lack of risk capital in developing countries lies at the very core of its activities.
‘Many countries face large power deficits, and if economic growth and poverty reduction is to be sustained, massive investments are required.’
Alta Terra Advisors launches in Canada to assist cleantech companies to raise capital
25th February 2010
Cleantech advisory business AltaTerra Advisors has officially opened for business in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Japan’s engineering giant Mitsubishi commits £100m to UK offshore turbine project
25th February 2010
Japanese engineering firm Mitsubishi is to enter the UK offshore wind market with a £100m investment agreement signed with the government.
Marine Current Turbines raises $4.8m in funding round led by Siemens
25th February 2010
Global electronic and engineering company Siemens has invested into British tidal energy company Marine Current Turbines (MCT) alongside the Carbon Trust, High Tide and other private investors in a £4.8m funding round.
US biofuel company Green Energy Live to acquire solar installer Peck Electric
25th February 2010
US bio-conversion-technology engineering company Green Energy Live has signed a letter of intent to acquire Vermont-based solar energy installer Peck Electric of Vermont.
SolarWorld posts 2009 revenue of more than €1bn, beats forecasts
25th February 2010
Solar installation manufacturer SolarWorld has beat forecasts and sustained itself against the market downturn which has hit competitors in 2009 by posting revenues of more than €1bn.
FourWind’s Aqua Resources Fund invests €20m in wastewater-to-energy group Waterleau
25th February 2010
FourWinds Capital Management’s authorised closed-ended investment scheme Aqua Resources Fund Limited, established to invest in global water opportunities, has entered into an agreement to subscribe for five-year convertible bonds of Waterleau Group for a total cash consideration of €20m.
Parallel strategies led to Generation Investment Management’s $10m investment into GreenRoad
25th February 2010
Links forged during GreenRoad’s previous fundraising process initially sparked its recent $10m deal with long-term investor Generation Investment Management, the driving safety technology firm told NewNet.
Spanish turbine manufacturer Gamesa considers UK factory
25th February 2010
Spanish turbine manufacturer Gamesa will decide on whether to set up a factory in the UK in the next three to four months, according to reports.
German solar company Concentrix Solar to deploy CPV technology at Chevron’s New Mexico plant
25th February 2010
German solar system supplier Concentrix Solar has signed a contract with Chevron Technology Ventures for the deployment of a 1MW concentrated solar photovoltaic (CPV) power plant to be installed at a Chevron Mining facility in Questa, New Mexico, US.
European hydropower market to be driven by refurbishment projects, report says
24th February 2010
Large hydropower capacity in Europe will grow by eight per cent until 2015 as growing electricity demand will drive refurbishment of existing plants, according to research by Frost & Sullivan (F&S).
Nova Scotia Power and Renewable Energy Services to partner for offshore wind farm
24th February 2010
Canadian electricity generation and transmission company Nova Scotia Power has formally applied for approval of its agreement to partner with Canadian windpower developer Renewable Energy Services Limited (RESL) to ensure a wind farm planned for the Strait area in Cape Breton comes online as scheduled this year.
US biofuel company BlueFire Ethanol seeks DOE loan guarantee to complete funding for Mississippi biorefinery
24th February 2010
US biofuel company BlueFire Ethanol Fuels has submitted an application for a $250m loan guarantee for the company’s planned cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Fulton, Mississippi, US.
NYSE-listed solar company Trina Solar’s revenues increase 25 per cent
24th February 2010
Trina Solar Limited, which manufactures solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2009.
Iberdrola Renovables plans to increase US portfolio as international investments carry it to €371m profit in 2009
24th February 2010
Spanish wind energy giant Iberdrola Renovables countered a decline in domestic power profits with strong US growth to post a net profit of €371.1m in 2009.
Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum Keynote Seminar - Aviation and Shipping, 11 March 2010, London
24th February 2010
Title: Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum Keynote Seminar - Aviation and Shipping, 11 March 2010, London
Location: London
Organizer: innovITS
Event Website: Click here
Description: This seminar focuses on the future of aviation and shipping markets - with key implications for public policy and for businesses involved in these sectors - in the context of discussions held [...]
XcelPlus Global Holdings appoints CFO
24th February 2010
XcelPlus Global Holdings, a Pink Sheets-listed manufacturer and distributor of industrial biofuels, has engaged Beringer Financial Services Group to provide financial consulting and appointed Beringer’s Charles Blackmon as its CFO.
Essential CleanTech Investor Summit
NewNet's Essential CleanTech Investor Summit was completely sold out. Over 450 investors, innovators and influencers within clean technology and renewable energy attended on the day. The Investor Summit was Europe's largest event focused around investors and deal-makers.
For more on the Summit go to: www.NewNetInvestorSummit.com