Monday, February 04, 2008

ZAP Sells 614 Electric Cars Following Largest Dealer Seminar

ZAP Sells 614 Electric Cars Following Largest Dealer Seminar

SANTA ROSA, CA., Feb 1, 2008 - ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) added six new electric car dealers at its first dealer sales and service training of 2008 yesterday, collecting signed purchase orders totaling 614 Xebra sedans and trucks.

The signed, non-cancelable dealer purchase order agreements were for a mixture of ZAP Xebra electric sedans and trucks. The orders also include the Zapino, ZAPPY3 PRO, ZAPPY3 EZ and the ZAP Mid-Sized ATV. Overall, yesterday's purchase orders including all the different vehicles total $5,127,850. Dealers are expected to take delivery of a minimum of ten cars a month over the next twelve months.

ZAP CEO Steve Schneider expects more dealers to join its distribution network over the next few weeks, which now totals 54 locations throughout the United States with a goal to establish 100 dealers by the end of the year. The Santa Rosa, California-based Company will be exhibiting at the industry's largest dealer conference for auto dealers, NADA (http://www.nada.org), February 9-12, 2008 in San Francisco.

For the first time, ZAP CEO Steve Schneider gave a presentation to dealers about plans for the joint venture with China Youngman to make freeway capable electric and hybrid vehicles. Last week, joint venture officials stated they believe the highway capable ZAP Alias(TM) electric vehicle can go into production by the second quarter of 2009 with other vehicles being planned as well. Schneider promised that dealers who do well selling the Xebra will qualify for the joint venture's highway capable electric cars and other vehicles being planned.

"We are looking for dealers who want to take action today," said Schneider. "The technology for electric cars is coming faster than everyone thinks. We will be working very hard this year to expand and refine our dealer network for the more advanced vehicles planned for 2009. We have restructured our distribution concept to offer an incentive for dealers who can tap into the many vertical markets opening up for electric vehicles and to be able to profit from them right away. Today's Xebra is the VW Bug of electric cars; it's basic and cost-effective. Companies like UPS, Coke and others are finding ways to incorporate these environmentally friendly vehicles into their bottom line savings and with today's economy the demand can only grow."

ZAP said the dealer training yesterday was the largest to date, with 19 dealers and entrepreneurs represented. Every month, ZAP holds a dealer sales and service seminar for existing dealers, their staff, as well as prospective dealers and entrepreneurs evaluating the business opportunity. ZAP spends a full day with dealers talking about the Company, the products and the market along with a technical course for electric car mechanics. ZAP invites potential international distributors to its training seminars and two attended from Australia and Israel. Four of the new ZAP dealers are from California. One is from Minnesota and the other from Pennsylvania.

Those interested in the Xebra electric car, truck or any of ZAP's other electric vehicles can request a test drive by inquiring at http://www.zapworld.com in the 'Contact Us' section or by calling 707-525-8658.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ZAP is a featured Company on Investorideas.com Green portals, China portal and Tech portal.

For full details, click here: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ZAAP/Default.asp
Contact:
Contact:
ZAP
Alex Campbell
+1-707-525-8658 x 241
acampbell@zapworld.com

Source: ZAP

Saturday, February 02, 2008

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Friday, February 01, 2008

Third Annual Piper Jaffray Clean Technology and Renewables Conference to Offer Unparalleled View of Fast-Growing Clean Tech Sector

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 31-- Piper Jaffray & Co. will host its third annual Clean Technology and Renewables Conference Feb. 20, 2008 in New York City. The conference will provide insight on upcoming technological advancements and cost improvements from leading solar, biofuels and other clean technology companies operating across the globe.

"We are proud to have more than 75 companies within the clean technology and renewable energy sectors present at this year's conference," said Jesse Pichel, senior technology research analyst at Piper Jaffray. "We expect investors will walk away with strong conviction that the sector has one of the best secular themes within technology investing."

"Piper Jaffray, as a leader in the renewable energy and clean technology space, connects growth companies to capital and expertise around the world," said Lois Quam, head of alternative investments at Piper Jaffray. "We will take this to a new level at our upcoming conference."
Investors will also hear a keynote address by Steve Creamer, chairman and CEO of EnergySolutions, Inc. Additionally, the conference will feature company presentations from senior management, as well as one-on-one and group meetings.
Companies scheduled to present include: ADA-ES, Inc.; Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.; Akeena Solar, Inc.; Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.; American Superconductor Corporation; The Andersons, Inc.; Applied Materials, Inc.; Ausra, Inc.; Blue Source LLC; BP p.l.c.; Canadian Solar, Inc.; Ceres, Inc.; China Wind Systems, Inc.; Comverge, Inc.; Cree, Inc.; Day4 Energy Inc.; EcoSynthetix Inc.; Echelon Corporation; EMCORE Corporation; Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.; EnergySolutions, Inc.; Environmental Power Corporation.; ersoll Solar Energy AG; Evergreen Solar, Inc.; First Solar, Inc.; FuelCell Energy, Inc.; Global Solar Energy, Inc.; Gushan Environmental Energy Limited; Hoku Scientific, Inc.; HydroGen Corporation; Intellon Corporation; JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd.; Konarka Technologies, Inc.; LSB Industries, Inc.; MBA Polymers; Medis Technologies Ltd.; MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.; Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.; Metabolix, Inc.; Moser Baer India Ltd.; NanoGram Corporation; Nanosolar, Inc.; Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc.; Novozymes A/S; OC Oerlikon Solar Management AG, Pfaffikon; Open Energy Corporation; Ormat Technologies, Inc.; Performance Plants, Inc.; Phoenix Solar AG; Plasco Energy Group; PowerGenix; Power-One, Inc.; Powerspan Corp.; Raser Technologies, Inc.; RenaSola Ltd.; Renewable Energy Corporation ASA; Rentech, Inc.; SemiLEDS; Sharp Electronics Corporation; SmartSynch, Inc.; Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.; Solaria Corporation (The); Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, S.A.; SolarWorld AG; SOLON AG; Spire Corporation; SunPower Corporation; Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.; Ultralife Batteries, Inc.; Venture Vehicles, Inc.; Verenium Corporation; Xantrex Technology Inc.; Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, Ltd.


Company and investor participation in the third annual Clean Technology and Renewables Conference is by invitation only. Clients interested in attending should contact their Piper Jaffray representative. Members of the media who would like to attend should contact Andrea Young at 612 303-6697 or andrea.m.young@pjc.com.

About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray Companies is a leading, international middle-market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle-market corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; high-yield and structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity and high-yield research. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray has 25 offices across the United States and international locations in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (http://www.piperjaffray.com)

Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Venture Capitalists Bullish on Greentech and Biotech, KPMG Study SaysChina and India remain hot, as VCs face more competition from private equity

Venture Capitalists Bullish on Greentech and Biotech, KPMG Study Says

China and India remain hot, as VCs face more competition from private equity and hedge funds

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 2008 -- Venture capitalists will largely direct their investments to the greentech and biotech industries in the coming year, while China and India remain hot destinations for venture funds, according to a recent survey by the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP.

In polling more than 350 venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, corporate buyers, investment bankers and research analysts, KPMG found that 51 percent of respondents indicated they expect venture capital activity to continue rising in 2008. Some 34 percent say investment activity will at least remain the same in the coming year and fewer than 12 percent anticipate a decrease in investment volume. KPMG conducted the survey in partnership with AlwaysOn, the venture capital new media organization.

"Globalization and the focus on the health of the planet has VC investors concentrating heavily on capturing emerging-market opportunities, particularly in Asia, while looking for the next-best-thing in eco friendly and medical technologies," said Packy Kelly, KPMG partner based in Silicon Valley and co-leader of its venture capital practice.

When asked to identify the industry sectors that would receive the most capital over the next two years, 24 percent indicated greentech/cleantech, which was followed by biotech/pharmaceuticals at 15 percent, Internet services at 13 percent, and mobile technology was cited by 11 percent.

Outside of the U.S., China and India were the overwhelming investment favorites by 29 percent and 23 percent of the respondents, respectively. Further, 64 percent of respondents indicated that China and India are the most attractive locations for entrepreneurs to find funding, while 61 percent of those surveyed expect both to have increased IPO activity over the next two years.

"There is a clear indication that growth investors have become more global, spreading their capital worldwide," added Kelly. "Not surprisingly, they continue to be bullish on emerging markets and industry sectors that project the most growth in the near future."

Inside the U.S., it appears the West will continue to receive the bulk of capital, with 49 percent of respondents to KPMG's survey indicating this region will see more investment. The West was followed by the Northeast and the Southwest at 19 percent and 12 percent respectively.

The investors surveyed also expect rising merger and acquisition activity in the next year. Forty-nine percent expect an increase, with 33 percent believing it will be about the same levels, and only 11 percent foreseeing a decrease in deals during the period. Nearly half expect the domestic IPO market to maintain its 2007 rate in the next year, with just 26 percent saying they expect it will increase, and about 15 percent anticipating a decline indicating a concern over the market volatility experienced in the second half of the year.

A Changing Investment Community

Perceptions of the investment community are also changing. Venture capital firms are seeing increased competition from private equity and hedge funds as these firms look for novel strategies to deploy their hordes of capital earlier in the lifecycle of innovative companies. In fact, 66 percent indicated that they expect private equity firms will also continue to increase their presence in the venture capital market.

"We are seeing continued convergence between private equity and venture capital," said Brian Hughes, KPMG partner based in Philadelphia and co-leader of the venture capital practice. "Venture capital funds are adding private equity investments, and private equity funds are adding venture capital investments blurring the lines between the asset classes."

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (http://www.us.kpmg.com/), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International's member firms have 123,000 professionals, including more than 7,100 partners, in 145 countries.

Contact: Manuel Goncalves KPMG LLP Tel: (201) 307-7735 mdgoncalves@kpmg.com

Website: http://www.us.kpmg.com/

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

North American Wind Energy Generator Market Benefits Foreign Investors

North American Wind Energy Generator Market Benefits Foreign Investors

PALO ALTO, Calif.--January 30, 2008 --The booming North American wind energy generator market attracts foreign investors by the droves as a result of its increased focus on alternate energy sources, technology advances and tax break extensions. This compels domestic companies to compete more aggressively.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.energy.frost.com), North American Wind Energy Generator Market, finds that the market earned revenues between $4 and $5 billion in 2006 and expects to touch $50 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the North American Wind Energy Generator Market, then send an e-mail to Johanna Haynes, Corporate Communications, at johanna.haynes@frost.com, with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information via e-mail upon receipt of the above information.

The wind power market in Canada becomes increasingly dynamic due to federal and, more importantly, provincial efforts to promote this market. The country will greatly benefit from the new wind legislation aimed at achieving 10,000 megawatts (MW) wind power generation by 2010.

Meanwhile, the U.S. wind energy industry is well on course to add more than 3,000 MW to its power generating capacity in 2007, topping its 2006 record of 2,454 MW. The country’s production tax credit (PTC) is an influential growth factor, as installations increase and decrease depending on PTC’s extension and termination.

“Industrial investments in production base and developer confidence are also affected due to wavering PTC policy,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst S. Prem Anand. “However, state-based policies such as renewables portfolio standard (RPS), renewable electricity standards, and Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) moderately compensate for inconsistency in PTC implementation.”

U.S. companies can take heart from the issuance of renewable energy certificates (REC), which encourage domestic generation renewable energy. Market participants also begin to understand that the future trends will be influenced more by RPS than PTC, although the latter will still function as a developer confidence indicator.

The U.S. market witnessed a late surge in new wind turbine installations in the past two years, but it still trails Germany in the global ranking. Meanwhile, in wind power production, it is only a notch below Spain, according to the Global Wind Energy Council.

To extend this good form and augment turbine installations, wind turbine vendors will have to sort out issues regarding gearboxes, castings and blades in the supply chain. They can achieve this by developing close ties with component suppliers. The high demand for turbines will encourage suppliers to increase capacity during the design of their manufacturing facilities.

This exponential demand triggers a simultaneous and proportional rise in cost, which helps offset the imbalance in supply and demand. However, market participants will not have this advantage in the future, when demand drops. Wide variations in cost also challenge the wind industry, as winds are sporadic and windy spots are located far away from vast urban centers, which are the major users of power.

“Wind energy generators should find a solution to rectify the cost issue if they are to survive in the long term,” notes Prem Anand. “They can achieve this by increasing the scale of production to derive economies of scale or outsource the manufacturing of smaller components to reduce the cost involved in production.”

North American Wind Energy Generator Markets is part of the Energy & Power Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: North American Small and Medium Wind Energy Turbine Market, Global Large Gas Turbines Market and Global Steam Turbines Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

North American Wind Energy Generator Markets

N2AB

Contacts Frost & SullivanCorporate Communications – North AmericaJohanna Haynes, 210-247-3870Fax: 210-348-1003johanna.haynes@frost.com

Monday, January 28, 2008

Intel Becomes Largest Purchaser of Green Power in the U.S.

Intel Becomes Largest Purchaser of Green Power in the U.S.

Company Tops EPA Green Power Partner List, Vows to Drive for Greater Efficiency While Spurring Growth in Renewable Market

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--January 28 2008--Intel Corporation said today it will purchase more than 1.3 billion kilowatt hours a year of renewable energy certificates as part of a multi-faceted approach to reduce its impact on the environment, making Intel the single-largest corporate purchaser of green power in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The company said it hoped the record-setting purchase would help stimulate the market for green power, which should lead to additional generating capacity and ultimately, lower costs. The purchase placed Intel at the top of EPA’s latest Green Power Partners Top 25 list, and also at the No. 1 spot on EPA’s Fortune 500 Green Power Partners list. The EPA’s Green Power Partnership program encourages and recognizes voluntary green power purchases as a way to reduce the impact of conventional electricity use.

“EPA applauds our Fortune 500 partners for protecting our environment by purchasing green power,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, Intel is proving you don’t need to wait for a signal in order to go green.”

“We have a long history of commitment to the environment and energy efficiency is an important consideration in everything we do, from building transistors to designing microprocessors and running our factories,” said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, who is also a member of the Copenhagen Climate Council, a global group of leaders working to achieve an effective global climate treaty at next year’s UN Environmental Summit in Copenhagen. “Our renewable purchase is just one part of a multi-faceted approach to protect the environment, and one that we hope spurs additional development and demand for renewable energy.”

Renewable Energy Certificates

Renewable energy certificates, or RECs, are the “currency” of the renewable energy market and are widely recognized as a having credible and tangible environmental benefits. The EPA estimates that Intel's REC purchase has the equivalent environmental impact of taking more than 185,000 passenger cars off the road each year, or avoiding the amount of electricity needed to power more than 130,000 average American homes annually.

Intel’s REC purchase, which includes a portfolio of wind, solar, small hydro-electric and biomass sources, will be handled by Sterling Planet, a leading national supplier of renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions. The purchase will be certified by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e® program which certifies and verifies green power products.

"Intel's outstanding commitment to renewable energy provides significant support for market-based mechanisms for renewable energy technologies of all types," said Mel Jones, Sterling Planet president and CEO. "We commend Intel for their vision and leadership in all aspects of corporate responsibility. Intel's support for renewable energy technologies echoes its mission to deliver advancements that become essential to the way we work and live.”

Intel, EPA, and the Environment

Intel and EPA have worked together for several years on a variety of fronts, from Energy Star® to Climate Leader and Performance Track programs, to broad industry efforts such as the Climate Savers® Computing Initiative. The Agency recently recognized Intel with a 2007 Water Efficiency Leader award for its efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle water in its Chandler, Ariz. manufacturing facility. Intel was also recognized by the EPA as the most commute-friendly employer in the nation in 2006.

In addition to promoting and funding ideas for greater energy efficiency in its facilities, Intel has consistently specified high-energy-efficiency equipment in its manufacturing facilities with a view to ensuring greater energy efficiency and environmental benefit. Over the last 7 years, the company invested over $20 million in more than 250 energy conservation projects that saved in excess of 500 million kilowatt hours, enough energy to power about 50,000 U.S. homes.

About Intel

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and http://blogs.intel.com.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership

EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program helping to increase the use of green power among leading U.S. organizations. The program encourages organizations to purchase green power as a way to reduce the risk of climate change and environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, local, state, and federal governments, trade associations, as well as colleges and universities. For additional information, visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

-- Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.


Contact:IntelBill Calder, 503-264-5669bill.calder@intel.comorEPADave Ryan, 202-564-4355ryan.dave@epa.gov
Source: Intel Corporation

Friday, January 25, 2008

The Green Movement Should Help Foster Environmental Progress, Turner Investment Partners Position Paper Says

The Green Movement Should Help Foster Environmental Progress, Turner Investment Partners Position Paper Says


BERWYN, Pa.---As Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” Corporate America is finding that to be the case as it seeks to combat climate change, according to the latest position paper by Turner Investment Partners.

The paper, entitled How green is my (and your) planet, notes that U.S. companies have found it difficult initially to quantify the effectiveness of some of their green efforts. But those efforts may ultimately not only help counteract climate change, but also present some lucrative investment opportunities, especially in four green technologies: solar, wind, biofuels, and fuel cell.

Turner Investment Partners, an investment-management firm that invests in core, growth, and value stocks on behalf of institutions and individuals, publishes position papers commenting on business and investment issues each quarter.

Written by Bill McVail and Robb Parlanti, senior portfolio managers/security analysts, the paper assesses some of the environmental, social, and economic catalysts driving corporate America's involvement in the green movement and identifies the primary risks that may jeopardize the movement.

Potentially representing “the most dramatic change in business in more than a century,” the green movement “should pick up momentum as it matures and as corporate America becomes more surefooted,” according to the portfolio managers. At the same time, they conclude that genuine environmental progress will require an immense application of resolve, intelligence, ingenuity, and capital globally.

To read the paper in its entirety, see the Turner Investment Partners Web site, www.turnerinvestments.com/positionpaper. Or call 484-329-2439 for a free copy of the piece.

Contacts Turner Investment PartnersKate Patarcity, 484-329-2439Fax: 484-329-2739kpatarcity@turnerinvestments.com

Renewable Energy Stocks Sector Close-Up on Solar Stocks; Solar Investors See Gains from Sector Leaders

Renewable Energy Stocks Sector Close-Up on Solar Stocks; Solar Investors See Gains from Sector Leaders

Long Term Outlook for Solar and Renewable Energy Stocks Remains Bullish


POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC – January 25, 2008 www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a leading investor news and research portal for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com, presents a sector close-up on solar stocks. With the recent sell-off in the markets in general, solar stocks also took a major hit, loosing significant gains made in 2007. Yesterday’s trading in solar leaders gave investors renewed optimism and faith in the long term prospects for the sector.
Most renewable energy analysts think the long term outlook is bullish and investors should look at this as a selective buying opportunity.
To quote our on- site solar expert, J Peter Lynch: “This in no way alters my bullish view of our bright solar future and solar stocks in general. I just think we are in a period of transition where there will still be plenty of money to be made, but investors will just have to be more savvy and selective in their investments.“

Another analyst, Pavel Molchanov, from Raymond James, noted earlier this week ,” While we clearly do not rule out the possibility of further volatility, we would encourage investors to think long-term, ride out the current storm, and use this as an opportunity to accumulate shares."

Sector Close- Up as of Trading January 24, 2008

Akeena Solar Inc. (Market, News ) closed at $8.13, up $1.08 on the day and showed further gains in after market trading.
Evergreen Solar Inc (Market, News) shares were up only $ 0.19 on the day but showed a 5.2% gain in after market trading.
First Solar, Inc. (Market, News), gave investors a $6.72 upside during market hours, followed by another 2.65% gain after hours.
LDK Solar ADR (Market, News) was up 2.64 (7.55%) as of the market close.
Canadian Solar Inc. (Market, News) posted gains of $1.64, up 9.36%.
SunPower Corporation (Market, News ) broke the daily trend with the stock down $5.04 (6.79%) during market trading, but showing gains after hours. The stock was under pressure on the news of a first-quarter adjusted profit outlook.

For investors following solar stocks, the RenewableEnergyStocks.com website provides a comprehensive list of photovoltaic and solar stocks to research.

Investorideas.com and RenewableEnergyStocks.com will be hosting an online investor conference, March 21, 2008, giving investors free online access to industry and investing perspective in the greentech sector. Solar companies Akeena Solar, Clear Skies Group Inc (OTCBB: CSKH) and XsunX: (OTCBB: XSNX) will present in the company of some of the leading experts in the industry. Conference Info: http://www.investorideas.com/Forums/Portals/Green2.aspx
Featured Showcase Solar Company: Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CSKH) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clear Skies Group, Inc. (“CSG”) provides full service renewable energy solutions to commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients across the United States. CSG’s combination of proprietary technology and high-tech solutions with construction expertise has enabled CSG to become one of the nation’s premier solar electric installation companies. More info can be found on the Investorideas.com Company Showcase, or the company website at www.clearskiesgroup.com.
Featured Showcase Solar Company XsunX: (OTCBB: XSNX) Based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., XsunX is developing amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell manufacturing processes to produce TFPV solar modules. To deliver its products the Company has begun to build a multi- megawatt TFPV solar module production facility in the United States to meet the growing demand for solar cell products used in large scale commercial projects, utility power fields, and other on-grid applications. Employing a phased roll out of production capacity, it plans to grow manufacturing capacities to over 100 megawatts by 2010. More info on XsunX, Inc. can be found on our media profile at: http://www.investorideas.com/co/xsnx/default.asp or http://www.xsunx.com/

About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com is one of several green investor portals within Investorideas.com and provides investors with stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences, Blogs, and a directory of stocks within the renewable energy, clean tech and fuel cell sectors.

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. * XsunX and Clear Skies Holdings compensate the website $5000 per month.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com,
Source: RenewableEnergyStocks.com, XsunX, Clear Skies Holdings, Inc

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Text of Letter from Gov. Schwarzenegger and 13 other Governors Regarding U.S. EPA’s Denial of California’s Tailpipe Emissions Waiver Request

Text of Letter from Gov. Schwarzenegger and 13 other Governors Regarding U.S. EPA’s Denial of California’s Tailpipe Emissions Waiver Request



GAAS:30:08
For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 24, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined 13 other governors in sending the following letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson regarding the recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) decision on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles:

January 23, 2008

The Honorable Stephen L. JohnsonAdministratorU.S. Environmental Protection Agency1200 Pennsylvania AvenueWashington, DC 20460
Dear Mr. Administrator:

We are writing to express our disappointment in your recent decision to block states’ rights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Your decision to deny California its waiver ignores federal law and the reality of climate change. It also ignores the clear intent of Congress in the Clean Air Act to enable California to adopt regulations to control emissions from new motor vehicles that are at least as stringent as those of the federal government, and to allow other states to follow.

The authority of states to address greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles has been clearly and unequivocally supported by recent judicial decisions. In April, the United States Supreme Court ruled in an historic opinion that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles are pollutants to be regulated under the Clean Air Act. In September, a federal court decision in Vermont confirmed that states have the authority to adopt California’s motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. In December, a federal court in California issued a ruling that confirms California’s authority to set motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards.

We find your reasons for denying California’s request for a waiver of federal preemption unsound.

New Federal Fuel Economy Standards are No Excuse for Denying Waiver

You said the federal Energy Bill is the answer to combating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The U.S. EPA acted inappropriately in basing its waiver decision on a comparison of California’s emissions standards to possible co-benefits of the recently enacted federal Energy Bill, especially with no support for that comparison.

While more stringent CAFE standards are well and good, the most effective strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles is the comprehensive standard that has been adopted by 13 states and is being considered by another seven. California’s standard regulates four greenhouse gases directly. The federal government, as required by the new Energy Bill, will improve fuel economy standards. Fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards are not the same. Although both are laudable, they achieve distinctly different goals.


California’s Standard is One of Only Two Possible Standards

You denounced a confusing patchwork of state rules in your denial statement. There is no patchwork. Rather, there continues to be the two-car system that Congress intended – California cars and federal cars. Currently there is only one greenhouse gas emissions standard – a California standard.
The federal government has not established a greenhouse gas emissions standard for vehicles. If they do, manufacturers will continue to produce, at most, two vehicle types – one certified for sale in California and the states that have adopted California's standard, and one federally-certified for the remainder of the states. That is why we need to adopt the most effective solution – California’s – which is the only greenhouse gas standard in effect.

California’s Standards are Almost Twice as Effective

You said federal CAFE standards are much more effective than California’s standard. Although this is not a proper basis for your decision, according to an analysis by the California Air Resources Board, if all 19 states follow California, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits above and beyond the possible co-benefits under the Energy Bill are expected to be 315 million metric tons by the year 2020, an 85% increase in emission reduction benefits.

This Global Problem Requires the Most Effective Solution

You said this waiver request is distinct from prior waiver requests because, unlike traditional pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem. We agree that this is a global problem, but the consequences are a local problem. Higher temperatures will cause a number of troubling local conditions, including worsening smog and soot pollution in cities that already suffer from some of the worst air quality in the nation. That is why we need to adopt the most effective solution, which is ours.

Climate Change Compels Us to Act Now

You said that the circumstances for granting the waiver are not compelling. Each day, scientists better understand the impacts of climate change, and those impacts are certain to be environmentally and economically damaging. All states face negative impacts to their economies, natural resources and shorelines. California is particularly vulnerable because of its reliance on snow pack as the most significant source of water storage, its 1,200 miles of coastline, its agricultural industry that leads the U.S. in production of fruits and vegetables, and its already-challenging air quality issues. This is more than sufficient to warrant California’s claim of “compelling and extraordinary conditions” and to exercise its right to lead a state-based effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, and for other states to follow.

In conclusion, the U.S. EPA action to prevent California, and thereby 19 other states, from implementing its motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions reduction regulations is without merit. The federal government, with this unprecedented action, is ignoring the rights of states, as well as the will of more than one hundred million people across the U.S. We stand by our commitment to bring cleaner cars to our states.

Sincerely,




Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor Janet Napolitano
California Arizona




Governor M. Jodi Rell Governor John Baldacci
Connecticut Maine




Governor Martin O'Malley Governor Deval Patrick
Maryland Massachusetts




Governor Bill Richardson Governor Eliot Spitzer
New Mexico New York




Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski Governor Edward G. Rendell
Oregon Pennsylvania




Governor Donald L. Carcieri Governor James H. Douglas
Rhode Island Vermont




Governor Christine O. Gregoire Governor Jon S. Corzine
Washington New Jersey

GAAS:30:08For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 24, 2008Contact: Aaron McLear Colleen Ripchick 916-445-4571

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Coca-Cola Rolls Out New Distribution Model With ZAP

Coca-Cola Rolls Out New Distribution Model With ZAP

Small, Efficient ZAP Trucks Save Time and Money on Urban Deliveries

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY and SANTA ROSA, CA., Jan 23, 2008 - The Coca-Cola Company and alternative transportation pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) announced a project to use 30 of its compact trucks for a new beverage distribution system in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Officials from Coca-Cola subsidiary Montevideo Refrescos SRL (Monresa) and ZAP say that they are testing new efficient motors as part of the project, and if it is successful, they might expand to large cities around the world where rising gas prices, traffic congestion, pollution and parking shortages restrict the use of large delivery trucks. Officials say that the new distribution model using these trucks averages about one-fifth the fuel consumption of the former model.
"We want to create an alternative way for goods and services to be transported in urban areas," said ZAP Director of International Affairs Fernando Cancela. "Urban deliveries are becoming more and more challenging with traffic congestion and parking shortages. These ZAP Xebras will help Coca-Cola create a new distribution system that will be better for our cities as well as for their bottom line."
Recently Coca-Cola announced a pledge to the environment as part of its policy of corporate social responsibility. As a beverage company, they will focus on three areas of great impact: water use; packaging; and energy use and climate protection. Jorge Apesetche, Distribution Manager for Monresa (Uruguay) says this project with ZAP is the kind of initiative Coca-Cola wants to make to do their part.
"Our commitment is not just good corporate responsibility; it's good business," said Apesetche. "The bottom line is that our business depends on the health and sustainability of our planet and the natural resources that we all share. ZAP Xebras will help improve our distribution operations, save money, time and the environment."
Coca-Cola subsidiary Monresa has received the initial order for 30 ZAP Xebras and is now placing them into service delivering beverages throughout Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. The ZAP Xebras will be incorporated into a mobile distribution hub model where larger delivery trucks would no longer be used throughout the city, but would transfer beverages into ZAP trucks at distribution hubs. Modified with enclosed, lockable beds, the ZAP Xebras will navigate the more narrow, inner-city streets, making deliveries to smaller retail locations. Because the ZAP trucks will operate more easily in this environment, officials from Coca-Cola say their drivers can deliver vehicles and collect payment at the same time, whereas collections were not practical with the larger trucks.
Coca-Cola's distribution model is similar to the one used recently by United Parcel Service (UPS) in Northern California where a fleet of 42 ZAP trucks and sedans were used to expand small parcel deliveries during peak holiday demand. UPS delivery vans transferred smaller packages to a locked storage unit, then a Xebra transports the packages into dense urban and residential areas where parking and traffic are easier for the smaller vehicles.
ZAP is expanding the distribution for the Xebra worldwide as part of a strategic partnership with Shandong Jindalu vehicle company of China. ZAP is now distributing the cars and trucks designed for city-speed transportation. ZAP recently formed a joint venture with one of China's newest car companies, Youngman Automotive Group, to manufacture electric and hybrid cars, buses and trucks.
About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ZAP is a featured Company on Investorideas.com Green portals, China portal and Tech portal. For full details, click here: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ZAAP/Default.asp
Contact: Contact: ZAP Alex Campbell +1-707-525-8658 x 241 acampbell@zapworld.com Montevideo Refrescos SRL Jorge Apesetche +598-2-600-84-01 japesetche@la.ko.com Source: ZAP

Monday, January 21, 2008

Pilgrim's Pride Earns GE Ecomagination Award for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Waste Solids and Water Use

Pilgrim's Pride Earns GE Ecomagination Award for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Waste Solids and Water Use

TREVOSE, Pa.--January 21 --Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (NYSE:PPC - News), the largest chicken company in the U.S., today received a 2008 ecomagination leadership award from GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE -), for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, waste solids, and water usage at its El Dorado, Arkansas facility. Presented at a general meeting of Pilgrim’s Pride executives in Atlanta, Georgia, the ecomagination award honors the company for achieving nearly $500,000 in annual operational savings and numerous environmental benefits. A new ecomagination-certified GE wastewater treatment system, using entrapped air flotation technology (EAF), enables the El Dorado plant to reduce the amount of waste solids produced in the wastewater treatment system by 425,000 pounds per week. This eliminates the need to transport the waste solids offsite, and reduces the associated greenhouse gas emissions from trucking by more than 800,000 pounds per year—or the amount of carbon dioxide that would be removed from the atmosphere by a one hundred acre forest.

The reductions are possible because the EAF system eliminates the use of 286,000 gallons per year of ferric sulfate, a chemical that is commonly used to help remove contaminants from wastewater but can result in large amounts of waste solids. Pilgrim’s Pride also captures and reuses the high quality effluent produced by the system, and currently recycles about 30,000 gallons of water per day to wash down outdoor areas and for non-contact cooling.

“GE’s extensive portfolio of advanced equipment and chemical treatment technologies is helping companies throughout the world to expand their sustainable business practices and achieve significant operational and environmental benefits,” said Jeff Garwood, president and CEO, GE Water & Process Technologies. “The solutions implemented by Pilgrim’s Pride not only provide positive benefits for the business, but also the community at large—by reducing the number of trucks on the road and the associated GHG emissions, waste solids going to landfill, and demands on potable water supplies. We are extremely pleased to honor Pilgrim’s Pride today for its commitment to making changes that produce big wins for the business and the environment.”

“The GE EAF wastewater treatment technology was selected for our El Dorado, AR processing plant following extensive onsite testing and an evaluation of other treatment equipment and options,” said Vernon Rowe, Corporate Environmental Manager for Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. “Based on the test results and evaluations, we were convinced that the GE EAF technology gave us the best opportunity to treat our wastewater to a higher quality with reduced chemical usage and reduced waste solids. As a matter of fact, what once were waste solids have now been turned into a valuable by-product that is being processed at our Farmerville, LA protein conversion plant and being converted to a valuable protein source for poultry and animal feed. We are very pleased with the results we have achieved with the GE EAF technology and will be evaluating other opportunities to use the technology in similar applications.”

Pilgrim’s Pride is continually exploring and implementing new technologies to use water more efficiently at its plants. To date, the company has implemented water reuse systems that save well over 3,000,000 gallons of water every day at its combined plants. Such strategies are particularly important not only to conserve potable water supplies, but also to ensure that facilities continue to operate at full capacity during times of water shortage. Pilgrim’s Pride recently intensified the examination of ways to implement additional water savings at its plants in Georgia in light of the unprecedented drought conditions the state is currently experiencing.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and GE Water & Process Technologies recently hosted the Georgia Water Solutions Forum in Atlanta on Dec. 10, 2007. Speakers at the forum, which included Senator Johnny Isakson, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Dr. Carol Couch and GE Vice Chairman John Rice all addressed the need to implement sound water stewardship practices and expand on everyone’s role in developing technology, policy, and conservation strategies that can help the region reduce, reuse and replenish water supplies in Georgia.

ABOUT GE WATER & PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES

A world leader in water, water reuse, wastewater treatment and process solutions, GE Water & Process Technologies brings the best technologies to enhance our customers’ efficiency while protecting our environment. GE offers the broadest portfolio of water and process technologies, including: separation equipment; membrane & filtration technology; diagnostic tools; specialty chemicals; mobile water capabilities; service; and financing. GE is your single source no matter what your water or process need. GE is committed to develop and bring to market technologies that promote energy efficiency, lower harmful emissions, increase supplies of water, and reduce our use of fossil fuel—it’s called ecomagination. For more information visit www.ge.com/water.

ABOUT PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is the largest chicken producer in the United States and Puerto Rico and the second-largest producer and seller of chicken in Mexico. Pilgrim's Pride employs approximately 55,000 people and operates 38 poultry processing and 12 prepared-foods facilities, with major operations in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Mexico and Puerto Rico as well as other facilities in Arizona, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio and Utah. Pilgrim's Pride products are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entree customers. The Company's primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and in the Northern and Central regions of Mexico. For more information, please visit http://www.pilgrimspride.com.



Contact:GE Water & Process TechnologiesTony KobilnykGlobal Trade Media Relations ManagerOffice: 905.465.3030 Ext. 3381Cell: 905.330.6083anthony.kobilnyk@ge.comorGE Water & Process TechnologiesEllen MellodyMedia Relations ManagerOffice: 215.942.3307Cell: 215.989.3025ellen.mellody@ge.comorPilgrim's Pride CorporationRay AtkinsonDirector of Corporate CommunicationsOffice: (540) 896-0406Cell: (540) 476-4468ray.atkinson@pilgrimspride.com
Source: GE Water & Process Technologies

U.S. Market for Environmental Biotechnology Products for Waste Treatment Worth $261.3 Million by 2013

U.S. Market for Environmental Biotechnology Products for Waste Treatment Worth $261.3 Million by 2013


WELLESLEY, Mass.--January 21 2008 -According to a new technical market research report, ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY (BIO019B) from BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com), the U.S. market for environmental biotechnology products for waste treatment is expected to be worth $180.2 million in 2008. This is expected to increase to $261.3 million by 2013, a compound average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%.

The market is broken down into applications of microbial blends, nutrients, enzymes and microbes. Of these, microbial blends have the largest share of the environmental biotechnology market. Expected to be worth $89.2 million in 2008, this segment will increase to $130.6 million in 2013 for a CAGR of 7.9%. Microbial blends will continue to hold the highest sales as the most versatile product choice for a wide variety of treatments.

Nutrients, the second largest segment, will increase at a slightly faster pace with sales in 2008 of $43.6 million and $66.2 million in 2013, representing a CAGR of 8.7%.

Enzymes will grow at a slower pace from $32.0 million in 2008 to $40.4 million in 2013, for a CAGR of 4.8%, due to relatively limited potential compared to the products forecasted, and limited effectiveness.

Microbes are expected to grow from $15.5 million in 2008 to $24.1 million in 2013, for the highest CAGR of 9.3%. Microbes are expected to increase in relation to growing biofuel production from anaerobic waste treatment methods.

As technological advances have taken shape, nature has been transformed by science and offers us unlimited potential in using environmental biotechnology through improved products, application methods and processes that allow us to clean up our past waste problems and control our growing waste streams now and in the future. Biotechnology also has a promising future in helping us meet our energy demands by converting waste to biofuels.

TABLE

U.S. VALUE OF ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS FOR WASTE TREATMENT, THROUGH 2013($ MILLIONS) Product Type 2005 2006 2007 2008 2013 CAGR% 2005-2012 Microbial blends 69.5 75.1 81.9 89.2 130.6 7.9 Nutrients 35.9 37.7 40.4 43.6 66.2 8.7 Enzymes 27.1 28.4 30.1 32.0 40.3 4.8 Microbes 12.7 13.4 14.3 15.5 24.2 9.3 Total 145.2 154.6 166.8 180.3 261.4 7.7

Source: BCC Research Target Date: January 2008 Electronic PDF: $4850

Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com), 40 Washington Street, Suite 110, Wellesley, MA; Telephone: 866-285-7215, editor@bccresearch.com as the source and publisher, along with report number, which can be found immediately after the report title. Thank you.

Contacts BCC ResearchDawn Peters, 781-489-7301 x603Fax: 781-489-7308dawn.peters@bccresearch.comorAdditional Releases:www.bccresearch.com/press.htm

Service Opportunities in the Wind Energy

Service Opportunities in the Wind Energy

Market Frost & Sullivan to Host Quarterly Analyst Briefing on Service Opportunities in the Wind Energy Market on Wednesday 30 January 2008


LONDON Jan 21 2008
With the continued growth rate in the installed base of wind energy projects, the wind services sector has reached a critical stage. The increasing number of independent service providers and in-house divisions of utilities and independent power producers are slowly changing the dynamics of the services industry.
On this topic Frost & Sullivan will host a free telephone and web briefing on Wednesday 30 January 2008 at 2.00 p.m. GMT to provide industry participants with an overview of Service Opportunities in the Wind Energy market in Europe.
The briefing will look at the current and emerging trends in the market, market sizing, geographical and competitive analysis.
“With high prices, shortage of skills and excess demand, the wind services industry presents a great opportunity to players in the market. However, with high entry barriers entrants are finding it difficult to establish themselves,” explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Gouri Nambudripad.
The briefing will benefit turbine and other component manufacturers, independent service providers, wind project developers, operators and owners, utilities and financial investors.
To participate, please email Chiara Carella - Corporate Communications at chiara.carella@frost.com with the following information: your full name, title, company name, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a registration link will be emailed to you. You may also register to receive a recorded version of the briefing at anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.
Contacts Frost & SullivanCorporate Communications – EuropeChiara Carella, +44 (0) 20 7343 8314F: +44 (0) 20 7730 3343chiara.carella@frost.com

Friday, January 18, 2008

Google.org Announces Core Initiatives to Combat Climate Change, Poverty and Emerging

Google.org Announces Core Initiatives to Combat Climate Change, Poverty and Emerging Threats Reveals Its Plans for Philanthropy; Announces New Grants and Investments

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.-- January 17,2008 In its continuing effort to use the power of information and technology to help people better their lives, Google.org today rolled out five core initiatives that will be the focus of its philanthropic efforts over the next five to ten years. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), will collaborate with experienced partners working in each of these fields, investing its resources and tapping the strengths of Google’s employees and global operations to advance its core initiatives.

Today’s announcement includes more than $25 million in new grants and investments to initial partners. The resources come from a commitment by Google’s founders to devote approximately 1 percent of the company’s equity plus 1 percent of annual profits to philanthropy, as well as employee time.

“In their first Letter from the Founders (2004), Larry Page and Sergey Brin said that we wanted to 'make Google an institution that makes the world a better place.' The work of Google.org will help us do that by applying Google's strengths in organizing information and scaling technology to these complex issues,” said Sheryl Sandberg, VP Global Online Sales & Operations, and Google.org Board member.

Added Dr. Larry Brilliant, executive director of Google.org, “These five initiatives are our attempt to address some of the hard problems we as a world need to face in the coming decade. We have chosen them both because we think solving them will make a better, fairer, safer world for our children and grandchildren--and the children and grandchildren of people all over the world--but also because we feel that these core initiatives fit well with Google's core strengths, especially its innovative technologies and its talented engineers and other Googlers, who are really our most valuable assets."

Google.org joins a community of like minded groups working to make the planet and population healthier and more equitable. Google.org’s five initiatives and initial partners include:

Predict and Prevent

Google.org supports efforts to empower communities to predict and prevent events before they become local, regional, or global crises, by identifying "hot spots" and enabling a rapid response. Rapid ecological and social changes are increasing the risk of emerging threats, from infectious diseases to drought and other environmental disasters. Google.org is initially focused on Southeast Asia and tropical Africa. In Southeast Asia, a hot spot for SARS and potentially bird flu, Google.org is working with partners to strengthen early warning systems and build local capacities to prevent the next pandemic. Initial grants include:

$5 million to InSTEDD (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases and Disasters) to improve early detection, preparedness, and response capabilities for global health threats and humanitarian crises. InSTEDD will work with the community of relief and response organizations, governments, academia and top scientists around the world to address gaps in information flow with software and other technology-based tools and services. Acting as an innovation laboratory, InSTEDD aims to support the humanitarian community in preparing for and responding to global public health emergencies, working together towards a safer world. For more information, see http://instedd.org/.

$2.5 million to the Global Health and Security Initiative (GHSI), established by the Nuclear Threat Initiative to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats. Google.org’s support will help GHSI to strengthen national and sub-regional disease surveillance systems through workforce training and better laboratory capacity in the Mekong Basin area (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Yunnan province, China). For more information, see http://www.ghsi.org/.

More than $600,000 to Clark University, with equal funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, for Clark Labs to develop a system to improve monitoring, analysis and prediction of the impacts of climate variability and change on ecosystems, food and health in Africa and the Amazon. This system is a prototype platform to deploy global environmental, health, and development data, information and analysis tools that the global community can freely access over the Internet. For more information, see http://www.clarklabs.org/.

Inform and Empower to Improve Public Services

Google.org works with partners to improve the flow of vital information to improve basic services for the poor in India and East Africa. In many countries in the developing world, essential public services are failing, especially for the poorest members of society. Google.org supports efforts to provide information to empower citizens and communities, providers, and policy makers to improve the delivery of essential public services such as education, health, water and sanitation. Initial grants include:

$2 million to Pratham, a non-governmental organization in India, to create an independent institute that will conduct the Nationwide Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) as well as large scale assessments in the education sector. Our goal is to expand these types of assessments to other sectors. For more information, see http://www.pratham.org/.

$765,000 to the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies, a Bangalore-based analysis group, to create a Budget Information Service for local governments to facilitate better district- and municipal-level level planning in India. For more information, see http://www.cbpsindia.org/.

$660,000 to the Center for Policy Research, an action oriented think tank based in India, to increase the debate and discourse on issues of urban local governance and urban service delivery. With the rapid expansion of cities in India, our goal is to provide policy makers the necessary information to make more informed decisions. For more information, see http://www.cprindia.org/.

Fuel the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Google.org supports efforts to lower transaction costs to invest in SMEs, create opportunities to access larger financial markets and make investments in this sector. SMEs are critical for inclusive economic growth and job creation in the developing world, but lack the capital and tools necessary to succeed. Many micro-enterprises and most large businesses have access to capital through microfinance institutions, banks and capital markets, but SMEs remain extraordinarily underserved, creating a "missing middle.” Google.org wants to help increase the flow of capital to "the missing middle" by tackling some of the root causes that prevent these firms from becoming profitable investment opportunities. Technoserve is an initial partner:

$4.7 million grant to TechnoServe to provide general support to expand Technoserve’s efforts to support enterprises, spur job creation, and strengthen poverty alleviation programs globally, and to develop and implement a business plan competition to support entrepreneurs in Ghana and Tanzania. For more information see, http://www.technoserve.org/.

These three new efforts join two climate change related initiatives announced earlier this year:

Develop Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal

This cross-Google collaboration has set a goal of producing one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal, within years not decades. The initiative, known as Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, was launched in November 2007 and will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. For more information on Google's commitment to a clean energy future, see http://www.google.com/renewable-energy. As part of the Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal initiative, Google.org is supporting strategic investments, including:

$10 million to eSolar, a Pasadena, CA-based company specializing in solar thermal power which replaces the fuel in a traditional power plant with heat produced from solar energy. eSolar's technology has great potential to produce utility-scale power cheaper than coal. Google announced its intention to work closely with eSolar in November, and has now closed the investment deal. For more information, please visit http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/esolar.pdf.

Accelerate the Commercialization of Plug-In Vehicles (RechargeIT)

RechargeIT is a Google.org initiative that aims to reduce CO2 emissions, cut oil use and stabilize the electrical grid by accelerating the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology. Google.org launched a $10 million request for investment proposals this Fall, and will invest amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million in selected for-profit companies whose innovative approach, team and technologies will enable widespread commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and/or vehicle-to-grid solutions.

Unlike conventional philanthropies, Google.org is a hybrid organization, giving it the flexibility either to make direct grants or invest in for-profit companies that might yield returns. Google.org can also lobby public officials in favor of policies supporting its goals.

Additional Google Giving

Beyond the grants and investments announced today under Google.org’s core initiatives, Google will continue its philanthropic work through programs to leverage Google products for non-profits, including: Google GrantsTM, which donates free ads to non-profits; Google AppsTM, which provides free, web-based services to non-profits; and contributions from departments including Google EarthTM, which offers mapping to monitor events such as the crisis in Darfur.

About Google.org

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, uses the power of information and technology to help people improve their lives. We develop and invest in tools and partnerships that can help bring shared knowledge to bear on the world's most pressing challenges in the areas of climate change, economic development and global health. For more information, visit http://www.google.org.

About Google Inc.

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.google.com.

Conference Call Information

Google.org's call begins today at 9:00 AM (PT) / 12:00 PM (ET). To participate, call 877-604-9673 in the United States or 719-325-4905 for calls from outside the United States, and use the confirmation code 4699562. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 3:00 PM (ET) today through midnight Thursday, January 24th, 2008 by calling 888-203-1112 in the United States or 719-457-0820 for calls from outside the United States. The required confirmation code for the replay is 4699562.

Google, Google.org, Google Apps, Google Earth and Google Grants are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to our expected grants, investments and capital commitments, our ability to implement our core philanthropic initiatives, our ability to develop early warning systems to predict or prevent infectious diseases or environmental disasters, our ability to improve the flow of vital information to improve basic services for the poor, our ability to increase the flow of capital to the “missing middle”, our ability to develop utility-scale renewable energy cheaper than coal, and our ability to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ include, among others, risks related to our ability to hire the appropriate people and our ability to identify and pursue the technologies necessary to achieve these goals, as well as those risks and uncertainties included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, which is on file with the SEC and is available on our investor relations website at http://investor.google.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. All information provided in this release is as of January 17, 2008, and Google undertakes no duty to update this information.

Contacts GoogleJacquelline Fuller, +1-650-930-3555press@google.com

Thursday, January 17, 2008

our blog now on mobile http://www.mdigger.com

Clean Energy stocks is now mobile thanks to Mdigger.com


mDigger, located at http://www.mdigger.com/ provides mobile device users with access to all sorts of content from the Internet (websites, blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds and more) and displays it in a format well-suited to their particular device(s). Content is displayed in the form of channels. Most channels are created or suggested by the users themselves and placed within our online catalog for anyone to subscribe to for free.

Users have already created a channel for the news section of our Clean Energy Blog. It can be previewed from your mobile device (or computer) click here:

Investorideas.com Global Greentech Online Investor Conference; Update of Industry Presenters

Investorideas.com Global Greentech Online Investor Conference; Update of Industry Presenters

Analysts, Public Companies, Fund Managers, Venture Capital, Industry Experts, Government
Provide Insight into Global Green Investing Trends and Opportunities in Solar, Wind, Biofuel, Green Transportation and Water


POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC –January 17, 2008, www.InvestorIdeas.com, and its global investor and industry Greentech portals update the growing list of industry speakers for the Investorideas.com Global Greentech Online Investor Conference, March 21, 2008. The conference theme is: “Insight into Global Green Investing Trends and Opportunities in Solar, Wind, Biofuel, Green Transportation and Water.”

Investors will have the opportunity to hear audio presentations from Analysts, Public Companies, Fund Managers, Venture Capital, Industry Experts and Government Leaders.

The in-depth online conference will be available March 21st, 2008, starting at 9:00 am EDT and archived thereafter for a minimum of three months.

The online conference will include presentations from renewable, environmental, water, clean energy and technology experts providing in-depth perspectives on what is happening in the Greentech sector from some of the most respected industry sources.
http://www.investorideas.com/Forums/Portals/Green2.aspx
The conference format will consist of an audio presentation (average 15 minutes) with images in a slideshow presentation, in flash format.
The conference is free to online visitors with login registration. Click here for early registration
For companies wanting to participate: Canadian Companies - click hereUS and Foreign Companies - click here

Presenting public companies include:
Clear Skies Holdings (OTCBB: CSKH) Clear Skies Holdings ("CSG") delivers turnkey Solar Electricity Installations and Renewable Energy Technology Solutions to commercial and residential customers across the United States. Since its launch, Clear Skies Group has installed solar power systems for municipalities, real estate developers, agricultural locations, office and residential complexes, storage facilities, manufacturing plants, schools, and more. www.ClearSkiesGroup.com

XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX). Based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., XsunX is developing amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell manufacturing processes to produce TFPV solar modules. To deliver its products the Company has begun to build a multi-megawatt TFPV solar module production facility in the United States to meet the growing demand for solar cell products used in large scale commercial projects, utility power fields, and other on-grid applications. Employing a phased roll out of production capacity, it plans to grow manufacturing capacities to over 100 megawatts by 2010. www.XsunX.com

Current greentech industry speakers include:

Neil D. Berlant
Fund Manager of the PFW Water Fund
Since 1968, Neil has been continuously involved in the investment banking industry, either as a principal, officer, or founder of several firms. He has supervised and initiated the publication of numerous investment research reports on the water industry and conducted conferences directed towards top corporate management, the investment community, and venture capitalists. He has been a speaker at conferences on topics ranging from financing, to business and investment opportunities in the water industry. In addition, he has consulted to Fortune 500 companies and participated in negotiations concerning mergers, acquisitions, and venture capital investments. He is quoted frequently in newspapers including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Investor's Business Daily, and is a frequent water expert on CNBC.

Neal M Dikeman
Jane Capital Partners LLC
Neal is one of the founding partners of Jane Capital Partners LLC, an energy and technology merchant bank whose clients have included the technology arms of multinational energy companies. He has launched several startups, including Carbonflow in carbon credit IT. He previously cofounded SC Power Systems, Inc. and its successor Zenergy Power plc (AIM:ZEN) in superconductor technology, helped launch WaiterPad POS Systems, Inc. in wireless hospitality POS solutions, and led the spin-out of Fideris, Inc. in fuel cell test & measurement. He has served as a director of several technology companies, edits the Cleantech Blog, named one of the 50 Best Business Blogs by London Times, and chairs Cleantech.org. Before entering private equity, he began his career in energy investment banking at Bankers Trust, and has a B.A. from Texas A&M University.

Peter C. Fusaro
Chairman, Global Change Associates
Peter C. Fusaro is Chairman of Global Change Associates in New York and is the best selling author of What Went Wrong at Enron and 12 other books on energy and the environment. Peter is an energy industry thought leader noted for his keen insights in emerging energy and environmental financial markets. He has been on the forefront of energy and environmental change for over 30 years focusing on oil, gas, power, coal, emissions, and carbon trading and renewable energy markets. Peter is currently advising on carbon trading and clean energy technology arena to financial services companies. Peter was selected for Who’s Who in America for 2007 and 2008. He coined the term “Green Trading” and holds the Wall Street Green Trading Summit with Reuters in New York each spring. He is also a well known expert on Asia Pacific energy and environmental markets. He co-founded the Energy Hedge Fund Center LLC (www.energyhedgefunds.com) in 2004. Peter graduated with an MA in international relations from Tufts University and a BA from Carnegie-Mellon University.

J. Peter Lynch
Solar Expert
Mr. J. Peter Lynch has worked, for 31 years as a Wall Street security analyst, an independent investment/merchant banker and private investor in small emerging technology companies. He has been actively involved in following developments in the renewable energy area since 1977 and is regarded as a leading expert in this field.

Matthew Sant (Partner, Irell & Manella LLP)
Legal and Intellectual Property Issues Related to "Green" Technologies
Matthew Sant is a partner at Irell & Manella LLP, and practices in the firm's Newport Beach, California office. Mr. Sant represents some of the most exciting and innovative companies in the global economy. Topic- Legal and
Matthew Sant's practice focuses on the structure and negotiation of complex licensing, development and commercial transactions involving intellectual property assets and emerging technologies. His experience also includes debt and equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, and public and private corporate securities. Among his clients are several companies and funds exploring "green" technologies, including the developer of hybrid and electric vehicles, the developer of proprietary "waste to energy" technologies for producing biofuels, and a fund that has invested in solar and other renewable energy technologies.

Robert Wilder, J.D., Ph.D.
WilderHill Clean Energy Index
Dr. Rob Wilder is Founder and the Manager of the WilderHill Clean Energy Index (ECO), the first and leading Index on Wall Street for renewables & clean solutions. The Index is tracked by a PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio (symbol PBW) which has grown to over $1.75 billion in assets within its first three years. www.wildershares.com

Jamie Wimberly, CEO
Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG)
Jamie Wimberly founded and currently serves as CEO of the Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG, www.defgllc.com), a holding company with three branded entities, including: DEFG LLC, EcoAlign, DEFG Ventures.

About Our Green Investor Portals:
Investorideas.com has a series of four investor and industry research portals in the renewable energy, water, environment and fuel cells. Investorideas.com was one of the first online investor sites to cover water and renewable energy. The portals feature industry and stock news, articles, leading experts and financial columnists, audio interviews and Podcasts with leaders and innovators in Greentech, investor conferences, blogs, and a comprehensive global directory of publicly traded stocks.

Renewable Energy /Greentech RSS Feed: http://www.investorideas.com/RSS/feeds/RES.xml

About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure: Presenting public companies, other than featured companies, pay a one time fee of $1000 to present.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com,
Source: Investorideas.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Full- Service, Solar Developer Announces Installation Agreement Valued at $1,281,800

Renewable Energy Stocks; Newly Listed Solar Stock, Clear Skies Holdings, Inc (OTCBB: CSKH)

Full- Service, Solar Developer Announces Installation Agreement Valued at $1,281,800

POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC January 16, 2008 www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a leading investor news and research portal for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com, presents featured showcase solar company Clear Skies Holdings, Inc (OTCBB:CSKH). Clear Skies is a developer of solar energy products and a full-service integration company specializing in the turnkey installation of commercial photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in commercial, industrial, and agricultural markets.
On January 15th, the recently listed OTC Company announced a $1,281,800 agreement with Hawthorne Machinery, to install a solar energy system at their headquarters in Rancho Bernardo, CA. Hawthorne Machinery Co., is an authorized Caterpillar dealer, providing sales, rentals, parts and service to contractors worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, Clear Skies will install a 159 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system designed to offset the majority of their facility’s current energy usage charges.
Clear Skies reported, “After federal tax credits and a performance-based incentive (PBI) from the California Solar Initiative (CSI), Hawthorne Machinery is expected to incur an effective purchase price of only 20% of the cost of the system.”
Clear Skies has also developed a proprietary low-cost remote monitoring solution, XTRAX, to penetrate the emerging market for remotely measuring the production of renewable energy systems.
According to a recent report by Research and Markets, “Solar is one of the fastest growing energy technologies in the global economy and in the cleantech universe. When compared with other energies like coal and petroleum, solar energy is infinite and inexhaustible. It is also a type of clean energy that causes no environmental pollution. Therefore, it will have an immeasurable impact on the future of human race.” (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c78628)
About Featured Showcase Company: Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clear Skies Group, Inc. (“CSG”) provides full service renewable energy solutions to commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients across the United States. CSG’s combination of proprietary technology and high-tech solutions with construction expertise has enabled CSG to become one of the nation’s premier solar electric installation companies.
More info can be found on the Investorideas.com Company Showcase, or the company website at www.clearskiesgroup.com.
About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com® is one of several green investor portals within Investorideas.com and provides investors with stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences, Blogs, and a directory of global stocks within the renewable energy, clean- tech sector.

About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure: Clear Skies Holdings compensates Investorideas.com $5000 per month as a featured showcase company.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com,
Source: RenewableEnergyStocks.com, Clear Skies Holdings

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

solar stocks - recent commentary by solar expert J Peter Lynch

Solar Stocks in 2007 - Photovoltaic Boom Times

By Peter LynchExclusively for InvestorIdeas.comJanuary 15, 2008

In past articles I have tried to apply general descriptions for activity in the years that I feel were, in retrospect, the Dawn of the Solar Age.

... full article- http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/PL/news/011508a.asp
...


'This in no way alters my bullish view of our bright solar future and solar stocks in general. I just think we are in a period of transition where there will still be plenty of money to be made, but investors will just have to be more savvy and selective in their investments"

Check out our current list of solar stocks on renewable energy stocks directory on Renewableenergystocks.com


J. PETER LYNCH has worked, for 30 years as a Wall Street analyst, an independent equity analyst and a private investor in small emerging technology companies. He has been actively involved in following developments in the renewable energy sector since 1977 and is considered to be an expert in this area.

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Global Drive for Electric Vehicles; How ZAP, Tanfield Group Plc, GM, Zenn, Bolloré and Google are Driving a Global Shift

Renewable Energy Stocks Sector Close-Up on Electric Vehicles and Green Automotive Stocks

The Global Drive for Electric Vehicles; How ZAP, Tanfield Group Plc, GM, Zenn, Bolloré and Google are Driving a Global Shift

POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC – January 14, 2008 www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a leading investor news and research portal for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com, presents a sector close- up on Electric Vehicles and green automotive stocks. From the Consumer Electronics Show, where GM showcased electric vehicles, to the Detroit Auto Show, the color for cars this year is “green” and electric vehicles are getting their share of attention. The market for electric vehicles is going global, with the number of players on the rise.

Venture Beat just published an article looking at " 27 electric cars companies ready to take over the road' including ZAP’s (OTCBB: ZAAP) Xebra Sedan and Zenn Motor’s (News, Quote ) Zenn.
http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/10/27-electric-cars-companies-ready-to-take-over-the-road/

ZENN Motor Company, a Canadian based manufacturer of electric vehicles, announced in November that Transport Canada had confirmed that its 100% electric, “ZENN" vehicle met and/or exceeded all standards of Canada's low-speed vehicle class.

"The interest ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) has been receiving for its electric car business has been global," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "In the next two weeks ZAP has meetings with potential partners, technology companies, banks, investors, and distribution partners on four continents. There is so much interest we are discussing branching out of passenger cars into other vehicles like trucking and public transportation."

Schneider noted that he has meetings to further a new joint venture with Youngman Automotive, one of China's largest manufacturers of buses and trucks. He is also traveling to Dubai, where ZAP recently formalized a relationship with Al-Yousuf Automotive, one of the largest automotive distributors in The Middle East.

Dan Jenkins, Media Relations Manager of The Tanfield Group Plc (TAN.L), listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, provided global insight with the following commentary to Renewableenergystocks.com: “This market is very much demand driven, because major fleet operators are in a win-win situation – our vehicles reduce their carbon footprint and eliminate air pollutants, while also offering a benefit to the bottom line.

“In 2007 we launched the Newton and Edison vehicles, developed the market and sold seed vehicles into blue chip fleets, while internally we moved from effectively bespoke vehicle manufacture, to a volume automotive assembly model.”

“This has laid the groundwork for us to build up to 1,500 vehicles for the UK and Europe in 2008 and up to 1,000 for the North American market. Going forward, management’s vision is to reach 10,000 vehicles per annum by 2010. This jump in production provides the fleets of vehicles required by customers who have either recently completed or are going through the process of assessing our vehicles. “

“Winning repeat business from household names like TNT, DHL and Sainsbury’s Online, has helped move us to the next level, as new customers feel this validates our product and are happy to order fleets without first buying smaller numbers of trial vehicles.”
“The electric vehicle is ideal for the urban commercial fleet operators for a number of reasons. Firstly, fleet managers can achieve significant whole life cost savings over the equivalent diesel vans or trucks, providing a benefit to the bottom line.”

“The diesel-powered truck or van is designed for steady, constant speeds over medium to long distances and performs well in this field. “

“But the stop-start nature of city driving is precisely the worst environment for a diesel engine, both in terms of tailpipe or exhaust emissions and in terms of economic efficiency for miles per gallon.”

“Conversely, the electric van or truck actually benefits from these stop-start conditions, as the regenerative braking puts power back into the batteries every time the vehicle halts. And by being zero emission at the point of use, it also provides a 100% reduction in air pollution. “

Rick Wagoner, General Motors (News, Quote) Chairman and CEO, made headlines at the Consumer Electronics Show, as the first automotive CEO to present a keynote address, discussing their Cadillac fuel-cell concept and the range-extended electric Chevrolet Volt. According to a recent press release from the Company, “GM has a goal of reducing oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions," said Tom Stephens, GM Group Vice President, Global Powertrain and Global Quality. "GM's commitment to improving fuel economy, reducing vehicle emissions, and developing electrically driven vehicles is not a short-term strategy. We're in this game for the long term. We see energy and environmental leadership as a critical element of GM's ongoing turnaround plan and a key part of our business strategy."

Bolloré (News, Quote ) and Pininfarina recently announced they are teaming up to create a 50/50 joint venture to produce a 100% electric vehicle. The vehicle will be marketed under the Pininfarina brand. The total capital investment is estimated at 150 million euros. The vehicle will be manufactured in Italy and will benefit from Pinninfarina?s extensive track record in design and the production of top-of-the range vehicles. It will be equipped with the revolutionary Lithium Metal Polymer battery developed by the Bolloré Group.

Google (News, Quote ) is helping promote interest in electric cars with RechargeIT, (http://www.google.org/recharge/) an initiative within Google.org's Climate Change Program with goals of accelerating the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid applications.

For investors following alternative fuel and fuel efficient technologies, RenewableEnergyStocks.com features a directory of renewable energy stocks including biofuel, and Electric Vehicle (EV), battery technology and related stocks.

About Featured Showcase Company, Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP):
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops.

About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com® is one of several green investor portals within Investorideas.com. The green investor portals are hosting the upcoming free online investor conference, “Insight into Global Green Investing Trends and Opportunities in Solar, Wind, Biofuel, Green Transportation, Water and More”, March 21, 2008. For more info:

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure: ZAP currently pays the equivalent of two thousand five hundred in 144 shares and has provided promotional EV’s for the Greentech Investor Contest. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com,
Source: RenewableEnergyStocks.com, ZAP, Tanfield Group Plc