Thursday, January 22, 2009

Renegy Closes Tax Equity Financing Transaction and Announces Plans to Delist From NASDAQ and Cease SEC Reporting

Renegy Closes Tax Equity Financing Transaction and Announces Plans to Delist From NASDAQ and Cease SEC Reporting


TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2009 -- Renegy Holdings, Inc. (Renegy) (NasdaqCM:RNGY ), a renewable energy company engaged in biomass power generation utilizing wood waste as a primary fuel source, today announced that it has secured $12.3 million of tax equity financing from an institutional equity investor in exchange for a partial interest in its 24 megawatt Snowflake biomass power generation facility.


The tax equity investment, which was announced earlier this month, will provide the investor with access to the federal production tax credits, depreciation benefits and certain cash flows that will be generated by Renegy's Snowflake plant over the next 10 years. Renegy also announced plans to deregister its common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ``Exchange Act''), and delist from the Nasdaq Capital Market (``NASDAQ''). Execution of this plan would terminate Renegy's reporting obligations with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``SEC'') and eliminate the significant costs of being a listed public reporting company.

To execute the proposed ``going dark'' transaction (the ``Transaction''), the Company intends to amend its certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of its shares of common stock with the objective of reducing the number of stockholders of record to fewer than 300. All stockholders with less than one share of Renegy common stock after the reverse split will receive cash in exchange for each share of common stock held prior to the reverse split and will no longer be stockholders of Renegy following completion of the Transaction. The ratio to be used in the reverse stock split and the cash-out price per pre-split share are expected to be finalized by the Company within the next 30 days. The cash-out price will be determined by Renegy's Board of Directors, and will be based upon the average closing bid price for the Company's common stock over a specified period of time as reported by NASDAQ.


Immediately following the reverse stock split, the Company will file a second amendment to its certificate of incorporation to effect a forward stock split using a forward split ratio that is the inverse of the reverse split ratio. As a result, stockholders owning one or more shares of Renegy common stock at the time of the reverse split will retain their current numbers of shares of common stock without change and will continue as stockholders of the Company.


After the Transaction is completed and the Company has fewer than 300 stockholders of record, the Company intends to terminate the registration of its common stock under the Exchange Act and become a non-SEC reporting company. If that occurs, the Company will no longer file periodic reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Following completion of the Transaction, it is expected that trading of Renegy's common stock by continuing stockholders may be effected through privately negotiated transactions or, if the Company qualifies, in the Pink Sheets(r) (a centralized quotation service that collects and publishes market maker quotes for securities).


``The proposed plan to deregister and delist our common stock is one of the many cost cutting initiatives we are undertaking as part of our restructuring activities announced earlier this month,'' stated Bob Worsley, chairman and CEO of Renegy. ``Completion of this transaction is expected to result in a direct cost savings of between $1.5 million and $2.5 million annually from the elimination of SEC reporting requirements and other public company-related expenses. Also, this plan will allow us to avoid the substantial additional costs associated with the impending compliance and auditing requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 404.''
Renegy's board of directors authorized the deregistration and delisting of the Company's common stock after concluding that the disadvantages of remaining an SEC-reporting company, including the significant costs associated with regulatory compliance, outweighed the current benefits of public company status to the Company and its stockholders. Among the factors considered were:

* The cost savings the Company expects to realize as a result of the elimination of SEC reporting requirements and other public company- related expenses; * The fact that Renegy has not realized many of the benefits associated with being a publicly-traded, NASDAQ-listed company, such as enhanced shareholder value, stock liquidity, and the ability to access the capital markets to secure financing or to use its common stock as currency for acquisitions, due to the limited liquidity and low market price of its common stock; * The ability of the Company's smallest stockholders (those who will hold only fractional shares following the reverse stock split) to liquidate their holdings in shares of Renegy common stock and receive a premium over market prices prevailing at the time of the approval of the Transaction without incurring brokerage commissions; and * The Company's ability to gain greater operational flexibility by allowing management to focus its time, effort and resources on long- term financial stability and growth without an undue emphasis on short-term fluctuations in the market price of its common stock.


Renegy expects to use some of the proceeds from the tax equity investment and borrowings from its lender to finance the costs associated with the Transaction. The Company intends to submit two proposed reverse split ratios to the Company's stockholders for approval to provide flexibility in the event the number or composition of the Company's stockholders changes significantly during the period between the approval of the Transaction by the Board and the date that the Transaction will be completed. Renegy's board of directors will reserve the right to choose, from between the two ratios, that ratio which will best accomplish the goal of reducing the number of record holders to a sufficiently low number such that it is unlikely that the Company will subsequently become subject to the Exchange Act by having more than 300 stockholders of record in the future. The board will also retain the discretion to abandon the proposed Transaction at any time prior to its completion if it believes that the Transaction is no longer in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.


The proposed Transaction is subject to approval by Renegy's stockholders. Stockholders will be asked to approve the Transaction at a special meeting of stockholders, which the Company currently expects to hold in March. Renegy's Chairman and CEO Bob Worsley, who controls approximately 56.9% of the outstanding shares of Renegy common stock, has expressed his support for the deregistration of Renegy's common stock and has indicated that he intends to vote in favor of the Transaction. Therefore, if Mr. Worsley votes his shares as he has indicated, approval of the Transaction is assured.


Despite the significant cost savings Renegy anticipates achieving as a result of completing the Transaction and executing its restructuring activities announced earlier this month, Renegy's management remains keenly focused on seeking additional financing to further strengthen its financial position, as well as exploring other strategic alternatives for the business, such as a potential sale of the Company.

Important Information About Solicitation
The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the proposed Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Such participants may have interests in the solicitation, including as a result of holding shares of the Company's common stock. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company will be contained in the definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company.


THIS RELEASE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROXY OR AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE OR SELL ANY SECURITIES. THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. THE COMPANY WILL FILE A PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WITH THE SEC AND WILL FILE A DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS UPON COMPLETION OF SEC REVIEW. THE PROXY STATEMENT WILL BE SENT TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE TRANSACTION. YOU ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER FILINGS CONTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, AT THE SEC'S INTERNET SITE (http://www.sec.gov). COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT CAN BE OBTAINED, WHEN AVAILABLE AND WITHOUT CHARGE, BY DIRECTING A REQUEST TO RENEGY HOLDINGS, INC., 3418 N. VAL VISTA DRIVE, MESA, ARIZONA 85213.


About Renegy
Renegy, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a renewable energy company engaged in biomass power generation utilizing wood waste as a primary fuel source. Renegy's current biomass power generating assets include a 24 MW facility near Snowflake, Arizona that commenced commercial operations in June 2008, and an idle 13 MW biomass plant in Susanville, California. Renegy's other business activities include an established fuel aggregation and wood products division, which collects and transports forest thinnings and woody waste biomass fuel to its power plants, and which sells logs, lumber, shaved wood products and other high value wood by-products to provide additional value to its primary business operations. Find Renegy on the Worldwide Web at http://www.renegy.com.
The Renegy Holdings, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4856
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's intentions to deregister its common stock and delist from the Nasdaq Capital Market and the prospects and timing associated with completing such a transaction; the timing associated with finalizing the reverse split ratio and cash-out price to stockholders holding less than one share of Renegy following the reverse split; the potential for the Company's stock to trade on the Pink Sheets following completion of the transaction; the estimated cost savings Renegy expects to achieve from eliminating its SEC reporting requirements and other public company-related expenses; the Company's ability to achieve long-term financial stability and growth; and the expectation that the Transaction will receive the required stockholder approval; and the prospects associated with consummating a sale of the Company. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk of unanticipated events that could impact Renegy's ability to successfully complete the Transaction, including, but not limited to, the risk that Renegy may not have, or be able to secure, the funds necessary to complete the Transaction; the risk of delays associated with completing the Transaction; the ability of the Company to achieve and maintain long-term financial stability; the risk that the Company's cost reduction goals may impair its ability to operate its business effectively, which could negatively impact the operations of its Snowflake biomass plant; the risk that execution of Renegy's restructuring plans will not provide sufficient cost savings for the Company to maintain its viability; the risk that Renegy will be unable to secure additional financing or achieve additional cost reductions necessary to continue as a going concern; that there may be unanticipated technical, commercial or other setbacks related to the operation of the Company's Snowflake plant, which could reduce the anticipated revenues and cash flows generated by the plant and negatively impact the Company's financial position overall; changes in environmental requirements relating to certain emissions; diversion of management's attention away from other business concerns; the risks associated with the development, generally, of the Company's overall strategic objectives; and the other risks set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-KSB and subsequent Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

Contact: Renegy Holdings, Inc. Investor Relations Megan Meloni (650) 799-7307
Source: Renegy Holdings, Inc.






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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

ZAYED FUTURE ENERGY PRIZE RECOGNIZES DIPAL C. BARUA.

ZAYED FUTURE ENERGY PRIZE RECOGNIZES DIPAL C. BARUA.

Inaugural prize awarded to Barua for bringing renewable energy to rural communities

Abu Dhabi, January 20, 2009 – The first annual Zayed Future Energy Prize was awarded on January 19 by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Mr. Dipal Chandra Barua, Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti for his visionary efforts to bring renewable energy solutions to the rural population of Bangladesh.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize finalist, Dr. Martin Green, was also recognized at the award ceremony for his groundbreaking research in photovoltaic (PV) technology that will result in increased efficiencies, bringing solar energy closer to grid parity.
The Prize was launched in January 2008 at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit to honour the legacy of environmental stewardship of the UAE’s late ruler and founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The award winner, Mr. Barua, and the finalist, Dr. Green will receive US$1.5 million and US$350,000, respectively, to accelerate the development of their innovations.

Mr. Barua’s organization, Grameen Shakti (GS), has installed more than 200,000 solar PV systems that currently provide power for more than two million rural people. Under Mr. Barua’s leadership, GS has developed a number of other innovative initiatives, including a biogas technology that converts cow and poultry waste into gas for cooking, lighting and fertilizer. GS has installed more than 6,000 biogas plants and plans to construct 500,000 more by 2012. In addition, GS has trained rural women to be solar technicians hereby enabling green entrepreneurs through a highly successful micro-credit program.
“It is a great honour to receive this recognition inspired by the vision of HH the late Sheikh Zayed,” said Mr. Barua. “I consider myself a global Ambassador of the Prize, and would like to carry forward the message of environmental sensitivity that is being championed by the leadership of Abu Dhabi.”

“We share this award with the rural people of Bangladesh who have demonstrated incredible ambition and innovation in adopting clean, renewable technologies to solve their daily energy challenges in the rural areas,” added Mr. Barua.

The finalist, Dr. Green is a leading researcher in the field of PV. He is currently developing “third-generation” solar cells that will help decrease costs to less than US$0.50/W, to potentially $0.20/W or better, which will drastically increase the economic viability of this technology.
“I firmly believe that many of our future energy needs can be addressed by photovoltaic technology,” said Dr. Green. “I’m proud that as one of the first recipients of this award, PV technology and its importance in the renewable energy mix is also being recognized as a commercially viable solution.”
“I am confident that the Prize will help boost our efforts to accelerate the development, and market entry of third-generation PV modules,” he added.

“It is quite inspirational to be a part of Zayed Future Energy Prize,” said Nobel Laureate Dr. RK Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Chairman of the jury for ZFEP. “The technologies and the innovative solutions that we’ve seen through the submission process are a good reminder of the ability of human innovation to solve our global challenges.”
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted future energy initiative, is the prize’s founding organization. As one of its chief objectives, Masdar aims to be an open platform to bring together the world’s innovative solutions to energy challenges. “These winners and their innovations embody the very qualities the Zayed Future Energy Prize aims to recognize – pioneering, ambitious ideas that provide us with a more sustainable future,” Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Director General of the Prize and Chief Executive of Masdar. “This prize encourages us to be bold, to innovate, to strive and to act. A quality that we inherited from our father, the late HH Sheikh Zayed who taught us to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on the world we live in,” added Al Jaber in the ceremony’s opening.

Submissions were received from more than 50 countries from every region of the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, China, Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, Russia, Canada and Spain. The pool of 204 total submissions was reduced to twenty by a selection committee of senior technical, commercial and energy policy experts.
The jury members – Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of Iceland; Khaled Irani, Minister of Environment of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; H.E. Ahmed Ali Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; Lord Browne,Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings; Lord Norman Foster, Chairman of Foster+Partners; and Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on New Economic Trends – selected the final two winners.


About Masdar
The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted future energy initiative advancing the development, commercialization and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), and is wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company. For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit http://www.masdaruae.com.
About Zayed Future Energy Prize
The Zayed Future Energy Prize was created in honour of the legacy of the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The prize aims to inspire the next generation of global energy innovators – creating solutions for the future. The Prize is awarded annually to up to three individuals, companies, organisations and/or NGOs that have made significant contributions in the global response to the future of energy, climate change and sustainable global energy resources.
High-resolution images of Masdar City and the 2009 World Future Energy Summit are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/masdar/.
Press Contacts: Masdar: Serene SerhanPublic Relations ManagerTel +971 50 854 43269sserhan@masdar.ae




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Ontario Paves the Way for Electric Cars

Ontario Paves the Way for Electric Cars

TORONTO----Ontario is joining forces with a world-leading company that creates innovative infrastructure for electric cars — a necessary step in getting electric cars running on Ontario’s roads and highways.

California-based Better Place will establish a Canadian head-office in Ontario. They will build an electric car demonstration and education centre in Toronto to lay the groundwork to help get electric vehicles running on Ontario roads. By May 2009, the Ontario government will release a study which will look at ways to speed up the introduction of electric vehicles including:
Financial incentives designed to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles Preferred access to transportation grid to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles Forward looking procurement policies to speed government adoption of electric vehicles into fleet services where appropriate Coordinated public education and promotion of electric vehicles as a mode of personal transportation. At the same time, Better Place will develop an electric car charging network rollout plan and timelines.

"I want to thank Better Place for their vision, and welcome them to Ontario. We have a workforce second to none and matched with this innovative business, we could provide a real opportunity for jobs and economic growth in the future," said Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"Today’s announcement shows how Ontario is using its portfolio of strategic investment tools to attract global visionaries to our province. It’s about keeping Ontario ahead of the curve in a knowledge and technology-based economy," said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of International Trade and Investment.
"With its forward-looking leadership, Ontario is taking a major step toward sustainable transportation and setting a visible example for the world. As a major auto producer with significant manufacturing expertise and facilities, Ontario stands to benefit from the inevitable and accelerating shift to electric cars. Transition to the Car 2.0 model of electric vehicles powered by renewable energy presents an historic opportunity for Ontario and Canada to help lead the world in economic growth and environmental recovery for the next century," said Shai Agassi, Better Place Founder and CEO.
For every 10,000 electric vehicles on the road, Better Place estimates that Ontario will offset more than 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Under the Better Place model, electric car drivers enroll in a subscription plan to use the company’s open network of battery exchange stations and charge spots in homes, businesses and parking lots.
Canada-based Bullfrog Power will provide the Better Place network with electricity from local renewable sources to avoid shifting emissions from tailpipe to smokestack and support Ontario’s commitment to end the use of coal-fired generation by 2014.
Contacts BlissPRJohn C. Pappas, 212-840-1661Senior Account Executivepappas@blisspr.comorMinistry of International Trade and InvestmentRay Lancashire, 416-326-1608Media Relations, Invest Ontarioray.lancashire@ontario.ca





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Monday, January 19, 2009

MASDAR AND ADNOC SIGN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION PROJECTS IN ABU DHABI

MASDAR AND ADNOC SIGN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION PROJECTS IN ABU DHABI

ABU DHABI, January 18, 2009 — Masdar and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed today a framework agreement to develop a series of ground-breaking projects to reduce carbon emissions from Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas facilities and monetize the emission reduction under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the Mubadala Development Company. The CDM, a project-based regulatory mechanism led by the United Nations, provides financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in countries that do not have binding reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, by turning emission reductions into tradable assets or “Certified Emission Reductions” (CERs) or carbon credits. The agreement allows Masdar to identify and develop a portfolio of CDM projects at ADNOC group companies’ facilities in Abu Dhabi on an on-going basis. Five CDM projects are currently under development by ADNOC, with the capacity to reduce four million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, are already in the pipeline for registration at the United Nations by Masdar. “ADNOC’s partnership with Masdar raises the bar for oil companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. We are proud to work with Masdar such that the CDM can be effectively used to support our efforts to reduce environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future for the industry” said HE Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, ADNOC’s Chief Executive Officer. As part of the agreement, MASDAR will monitor the life cycle of the CDM projects in ADNOC’s portfolio and assure their registration at the United Nations, the monitoring of emissions and the delivery of carbon credits. “Our agreement with ADNOC is a step forward towards fulfilling the Abu Dhabi leadership’s directives to reduce carbon emissions,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer. Introducing the CDM at ADNOC is an important step into building a successful and sustainable low carbon economy in Abu Dhabi and ADNOC facilities present a tremendous opportunity for Masdar to deliver on one of its missions-, to become a carbon emission reduction solution provider at home,” Added Al Jaber. The partnership will represent a major carbon reduction and monetization initiative for the oil and gas industry in the gulf region. The CDM projects in the pipeline for UN registration: ADGAS – Das Island: Natural gas flaring will be reduced by installing a new pipeline to recover the excess fuel and flash gases which will be reused as fuel. The project will utilize the flared gas as fuel. Consequently, it will reduce carbon dioxide emission as well as the need for fuel. TAKREER: This project will conserve the previously flared gas streams at the Ruwais refinery at Takreer. The collected gases will be compressed and sent to the fuel gas system in order to partially replace the natural gas imported from a nearby gas field. FERTIL: The project, the first of its kind in the Arab world, will recover the carbon dioxide emissions from flue gases generated due to fuel burning, to convert ammonia into urea in FERTIL’s Ammonia/Urea plant in Ruwais. GASCO: This project will install energy efficient seals on the ground flare systems of the gas processing complexes at Bab, Buhasa and Asab to reduce fuel gas consumption needed to purge the flare header and avoid air entrance. GASCO: This project will recover the previously flared waste gases generated from the gas processing complex at Habshan. The recovered gases will partially replace the imported fuel gas, thus CO2 emission will decrease and additional fuel will be available to the other consumers. About Masdar

The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted investment in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as sustainable design. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of its kind.

Masdar is actively developing a portfolio of carbon-related projects in oil & gas, power and renewable energy, together with various government and industry partners. Masdar is also focused on advancing CO2 capture and storage (CCS) for enhanced oil recovery - a strategic technology with positive impact on the regional economy. For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit www.masdaruae.com. Press Contacts: Masdar:Zarmineh RabCorporate Communications Manager+971 50 450 2315zrab@masdar.ae

Americas Michael IacovellaTel +1 212 704 8254Mobile +1 917 532 7977michael.iacovella@edelman.com

UK/EU Laura MisselbrookTel +44 (0) 203 047 2208Laura.misselbrook@edelman.com




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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Investing In a Better World; Renewable Energy, Cleantech and Water Industry and Investing Affiliate Program

Investing In a Better World; Renewable Energy, Cleantech and Water Industry and Investing Affiliate Program

Affiliate websites in the sector can now feature stock directories in cleantech


POINT ROBERTS, Wash., Delta B.C., January 18 2009 - www.InvestorIdeas.com, and its global investor and industry Greentech portals announce the launch of a new affiliate program for renewable energy, green and water industry and investing websites.
Affiliate websites in the sector can now feature memberships to access investing info and stock directories in cleantech.


Investor Ideas was one of the first investor websites covering renewable energy and water investing and is known as a global destination for research tools and resources. Affiliates can now offer the research directories as an added tool to their site visitors and members, as well as create a new online revenue stream.


Investor Ideas memberships includes access to restricted content at the Water Stocks Directory, Renewable Energy Stocks Directory, the Biotech Stocks Directory, Defense Stocks Directory and the Insiders Corner by Michael Brush. New content and features are added regularly and each stock directory is updated monthly with additions and changes.

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Affiliates can sell the Investor Ideas Memberships at $99, with commissions of $9.90 - Sign up today and start earning commissions
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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. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
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Massachusetts Moves Closer to Having Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm and More Secure Energy

Massachusetts Moves Closer to Having Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm and More Secure Energy
Future Cape Wind Project Draws Near As Final Report Released


BOSTON- After seven and a half years of comprehensive environmental review, scores of public hearings and community meetings, and energy challenges that make Cape Wind more essential now than when it was first proposed in 2001, the lead agency in charge of offshore energy projects today released its 2,800-page Final Environmental Impact Statement on Cape Wind.
“This report validates the project will create new jobs, increase energy independence and fight global warming while being a good neighbor to the ecosystem of Nantucket Sound,” said the project’s developer, Jim Gordon. “Massachusetts is one major step closer to becoming home to America’s first offshore wind farm and becoming a global leader in the production of offshore renewable energy,” Gordon added. “This moment would not have arrived without the steadfast support of environmental, labor, health and citizen advocacy groups throughout the region and I want to thank them for the important role they have played throughout this public process.”
From the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS):
Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound is environmentally and economically superior to the alternative site locations that were studied. Cape Wind will reduce regional air pollution emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury, pollutants that harm human health. Cape Wind will reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by 880,000 tons per year. Building Cape Wind will create hundreds of jobs and generate over a half-billion dollars in non-labor purchases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Cape Wind will not increase energy prices in New England and could help to lower energy clearing prices. Most of Cape Wind’s electricity will be consumed on Cape Cod and the Islands where it will supply ¾ of that region’s electricity and improve electric transmission performance. Cape Wind will have a substantial positive impact on electrical generating capacity and help Massachusetts achieve its renewable energy requirements under the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. Cape Wind will have no major impacts on navigation, fishing, or tourism. Now that the MMS has issued the FEIS, its Record of Decision on granting a lease to Cape Wind could come within 30 days. According to the MMS FEIS its, “...final decision would account for the regional, state, and local benefits and impacts as well as for the overall public interest of the United States.”
The FEIS comes one year after MMS issued a Draft EIS which generated over 42,000 written public comments, over 40,000 of which were in support of the project. Prior to the MMS becoming the lead Federal Reviewing Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers issued a comprehensive 3,800-page DEIS on Cape Wind in November, 2004 that found significant public benefits and few impacts.

In March, 2007, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian A. Bowles certified that Cape Wind’s environmental impact report on the proposed transmission lines adequately and properly complied with the statutory requirements of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. At that time, Secretary Bowles noted that Cape Wind’s impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions was the equivalent of removing 175,000 cars off the road each year.
In 2005, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Sting Board approved Cape Wind’s application after a 32-month review that included 2,900 pages of transcripts, 923 exhibits and 50,000 pages of documentary evidence. The Siting Board found that Cape Wind would meet an identified need for electricity and would provide a reliable energy supply for Massachusetts, with a minimum impact on the environment at the least cost. The Siting Board’s approval was later upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Cape Wind officials expect to complete the permitting process by March, 2009.
Cape Wind’s proposal to build America’s first offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal would provide three-quarters of the electricity used on Cape Cod and the Islands from clean, renewable energy - reducing this region’s need to import oil, coal and gas. Cape Wind will create new jobs, stable electric costs, contribute to a healthier environment, increase energy independence and establish Massachusetts as a leader in offshore wind power. For more information visit www.capewind.org.

Contacts For Cape Wind










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Thursday, January 15, 2009

'ASES Green Collar Jobs Report Forecasts 37 Million Jobs From Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in U.S. by 2030

'ASES Green Collar Jobs' Report Forecasts 37 Million Jobs From Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in U.S. by 2030

ASES / MISI study reveals opportunities, warnings in nation's first update of groundbreaking study; hottest sectors: solar, wind, biofuels, fuel cells


BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 15 /2009 -- The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to a new report offering the most detailed analysis yet of the green economy. The renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel, and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with 25%+ annual revenue growth.
View the report at: www.ases.org/greenjobs
The new ASES Green Collar Jobs report from the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) based in Boulder, and Management Information Services, Inc (MISI), an internationally recognized economic research firm in Washington D.C., provides a sector-by-sector analysis of where the opportunities are in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
"There's a new sense of optimism in the green economy," said Brad Collins, ASES' Executive Director. "But while the U.S. could see million of new jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, this will only happen with the necessary leadership, research, development, and public policy at the federal and state levels."
Key conclusions from this report include:

Renewable energy and energy efficiency currently provide more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in revenue in the U.S. (2007). The previous year (2006) renewable energy and energy efficiency represented 8.5 million jobs and $972 billion in revenue. 95% of the jobs are in private industry. As many as 37 million jobs can be generated by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030 - more than 17% of all anticipated U.S. employment. Hottest sectors include solar thermal, photovoltaics, biofuels, and fuel cells. Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, and environmental scientists.
The report forecasts job and revenue growth under three scenarios for U.S. as well as a case study from Colorado.
About the American Solar Energy Society
For more than 50 years the American Solar Energy Society has been leading national efforts to promote education, public outreach, and research about solar energy and other sustainable technologies. www.ases.org
Website: http://www.ases.org/


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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

T. Boone Pickens Launches Monthly Update on Foreign Oil Purchases

T. Boone Pickens Launches Monthly Update on Foreign Oil Purchases
US Sent Nearly $20 Billion Overseas and Imported 66.5% of Oil in December 2008

Pickens Highlights Disparity in Spending on Infrastructure:
Oil Rich Middle East Nations Spend Billions of US Energy Dollars on New Schools, Roads, Airports while US Infrastructure Crumbles

With Gas Prices Back on the Rise and Middle East Threatening Oil Embargo Pickens Warns:
Our Kids Are Falling Behind While Our Enemies Get Richer


Washington, DC – January 13, 2009 – Highlighting the impact of America’s staggering dependence on foreign on investment in domestic programs and infrastructure development, T. Boone Pickens, at a press conference today in Washington, DC, launched a program that will track monthly the amount of foreign oil imported from foreign countries. Mr. Pickens will continue his campaign for the Pickens Plan in 2009 by providing monthly updates of the United States’ monthly imports of foreign oil and focusing the American people’s attention on the progress the nation is making to reduce foreign oil imports.

Based on the latest figures from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US imported 66.5 percent of its oil, or 380 million barrels in December 2008, sending approximately $19.3 billion overseas to foreign governments. In total, the US spent approximately $475 billion on imported oil in 2008.

“Our dependence on foreign oil remains at a critical stage” said Mr. Pickens. “Last month alone we imported nearly 380 million barrels of oil at a cost of nearly $20 billion. It is outrageous that we are sending billions of dollars-- $432,000 per minute-- overseas to foreign countries while domestic programs at home remain severely underfunded. This transfer of wealth is among the greatest in human history and is streaming revenue away from investment in our own communities into other countries, many of which are not our allies. These countries are taking our dollars and building beautiful state of the art schools, airports, roads, government buildings while our roads and bridges are full of holes, our schools remain in poor condition, and our infrastructure is in dire need of an upgrade. There are better choices for where we spend our money, and I’d say it should be right here in the United States.

“On the day Steven Chu is considered before the Senate to serve as Energy Secretary for Obama—who has committed to reducing foreign oil dependency and even eliminating Middle East imports within a decade—we’re launching this monthly update to help them track their progress. I’ve criss-crossed the country and know that people are hungry for this type of change.

“The events of recent days in the Middle East, the comments of the Iranian leadership threatening an oil embargo to any country supporting Israel, the actions of the Russians to control the supply of natural gas and OPEC’s decision to cut production should be a major reminder that when we import oil from these nations we do not control our own destiny and we are vulnerable. Oil prices are volatile-- so is the price of gasoline, and that creates uncertainty, which is bad for the economy,” said Mr. Pickens.

“Crisis means danger to us but also an opportunity for us to fix this situation once and for all. Now more than ever we need to take control of our energy future, keeping jobs and dollars on our own soil.”

According to Mr. Pickens, the U.S. Department of Education currently administers a budget of $59.2 billion per year. Oil-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, both of whose populations total approximately 1/12 of the U.S. population, have dedicated $32.5 billion and $19.7 billion respectively towards education in 2009.

COUNTRY
POPULATION
2009 EDUCATION BUDGET
United States
303,824,640
$59.2 billion
Saudi Arabia
27,601,038
$32.5 billion
Venezuela
28,400,457
$19.7 billion

Continued Mr. Pickens, “Our kids are falling behind while our enemies get richer. We must reduce our dependency on foreign oil—now. The Pickens Plan can get us there.”

Unveiled on July 8, 2008 by T. Boone Pickens, the Pickens Plan is a detailed solution for ending the United States’ growing dependence on foreign oil. Earlier this year, when oil prices reached $140/barrel, America was spending about $700 billion for foreign oil, equaling the greatest transfer of wealth in human history. That figure has decreased some while oil prices have retreated, but the U.S. is still dependent on foreign nations for nearly 70 percent of its oil, representing a continuing national economic and national security threat. The plan calls for investing in power generation from domestic renewable resources such as wind and using our abundant supplies of natural gas as a transportation fuel, replacing more than one-third of our imported oil.

More than 1,350,000 people have joined the Pickens Army through the website www.pickensplan.com , which has had over 14,000,000 hits. For more information on the Pickens Plan please visit our website.


Contact: Jay Rosser
214 265 4165
Jay@bpcap.net

Melissa McKay
212 446 1898
press@pickensplan.com



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Monday, January 12, 2009

Indications for cleantech and renewable energy sector outlook

Scanning news today trying to get some insight into the thoughts and outlook within the industry - in spite of some of the stocks down today - the outlook still seems strong
If investors think long term and are patient - the rewards will be there moving forward.


Green energy firms upbeat about prospects despite economic woes
Lauren Krugel, THE CANADIAN PRESS January 11, 2009 CALGARY -
It's easier being green these days than one might think, say renewable energy companies, which have honed in on some lucrative opportunities amid the wreckage of the global economic crisis.
full story- http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/investing/insight/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16760539

Israel seeks 10 percent of energy from renewables by 2020
Reuters \Mon, 12 Jan 2009
Israel's government on Monday set a target of producing 10 percent of the country's electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by 2020.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090112/twl-environment-us-israel-energy-1202b49.html

Dem Senators:Stimulus Renewable Energy Tax Credits To Increase
Nasdaq -(Dow Jones)- Tax credits aimed at spurring growth in renewable energy sources are likely to be increased to around $25 billion from an earlier proposal of $10 billion as part of the economic recovery package, several Democratic senators said Sunday.
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20090111/ACQDJON200901111843DOWJONESDJONLINE000350.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Dem%20Senators:Stimulus%20Renewable%20Energy%20Tax%20Credits%20To%20Increase



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WorldWater Solar Technologies Changes Name to Entech Solar

WorldWater & Solar Technologies Changes Name to Entech Solar


FORT WORTH, Texas--January 12 2009 --WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp., (OTC BB: WWAT), a leader in concentrating solar energy systems, announced today that it has changed its corporate name to Entech Solar, Inc. (the “Company”), effective January 12, 2009. The Company’s ticker will remain “WWAT.OB” temporarily until the Company is reassigned a new one. ENTECH, Inc. will continue as a subsidiary of Entech Solar, Inc.

“Entech Solar is a name that more accurately reflects the transformation of our business since our acquisition of ENTECH in January 2008,” said Frank Smith, Entech Solar’s CEO. “Today, we are a concentrating solar technology company focused on providing our advanced, cost-competitive modules to commercial and industrial customers. Entech’s core strategy will be on manufacturing and selling the company’s breakthrough ThermaVolt™ product, a combined photovoltaic and thermal concentrating solar system.”

WorldWater & Solar Technologies acquired ENTECH, Inc. in January 2008. ENTECH has been researching and developing concentrating solar systems for 25 years, making it one of the most experienced concentrating solar companies in the industry. Since the acquisition, the Company has dedicated its resources to commercializing its ThermaVolt system, which produces both electricity and thermal energy, making it one of the most efficient solar systems today.

“We have seen a lot of solar technologies, but haven’t found anything as exciting as the ThermaVolt system, which is a true game changer for the industry. We believe it will be the leader in the combined heat and power market,” said David Anthony, Director of Entech Solar and Managing Director of 21 Ventures.

In conjunction with the name change, Entech Solar has also relocated its headquarters from Ewing, NJ, to Fort Worth, TX, where its state-of-the-art, 70,000 square foot, 200MW capacity manufacturing facility is located.

About Entech Solar

Entech Solar is a leading provider of concentrating solar energy systems. Entech designs, manufactures and installs systems that provide both electricity and thermal energy for commercial and industrial applications. Entech uses its proprietary concentrating photovoltaic and thermal (CPVT) technology to deliver the ThermaVolt™ system, which produces cost-competitive distributed energy. For more information, please visit http://www.entechsolar.com/.



Contacts Entech Solar Press:Amy Copeman, 609-818-0700 ext. 58acopeman@entechsolar.comorEntech Solar Investor Relations:Chris Witty, 646-438-9385cwitty@darrowir.com



News & Stories Published at Clean Energy Stocks Blog
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Renewable Energy Stocks Sector Close-Up; First Solar, Inc. (NasdaqNM: FSLR) up $7.18 (4.62%)

Renewable Energy Stocks Sector Close-Up; First Solar, Inc. (NasdaqNM: FSLR) up $7.18 (4.62%)

Obama’s Green Energy Plan Endorsed by Investors Including T.Boone Pickens (Pickensplan.com)


POINT ROBERTS, WA —January 12, 2009 -- www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com,
a leading investor news and research portal for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com, presents a sector close-up on renewable energy stocks trading Friday January 9th. The sector is showing continued strength and optimism in spite of lower oil prices, and scepticism from short-term thinking industry critics.

In President-elect Obama's speech Thursday morning, he stated, "To finally spark the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double the production of alternative energy in the next three years. We will modernize more than 75% of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes, saving consumers and taxpayers billions on our energy bills. In the process, we will put Americans to work in new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced – jobs building solar panels and wind turbines; constructing fuel-efficient cars and buildings; and developing the new energy technologies that will lead to even more jobs, more savings, and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain."

T.Boone Pickens (Pickensplan.com) followed with a press release stating, “President-Elect Obama’s comments in his speech this morning represent an important first step in solving our nation’s energy crisis and getting our economy moving again. Investing in alternative energy, focusing on conservation and rebuilding our power grid to deliver that energy to every corner of our country are critical components of this effort. As the new Congress and new Administration begin work, it will be critical that they focus on the need to dramatically reduce our dependency on foreign oil, which strangles our economy and threatens our national security. President-Elect Obama made it clear that he also understands the important role that transportation will play in solving our energy crisis and I am confident that he will recognize that as we reduce our imports of foreign oil, there the only domestic resources available are natural gas and plug-in batteries that can have an immediate impact on this effort.

A program focused on renewable energy, conservation, improving the grid and replacing
foreign oil with domestic resources in our transportation system is something that I believe will
create hundreds of thousands of jobs and revitalizes our economy.”

Sector Close-Up as of Trading Close January 9, 2009:

Akeena Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS) (Market, News) closed down on the day, but up 4.15% in after hours trading.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (NYSE:ADM) (Market, News) had gains of $0.20 (0.72%).
Carbon Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: CABN) (Market, News) closed up $0.01 (5.56%).
China Technology Development (NASDAQ: CTDC) (Market, News) closed up $0.28 (9.72%).
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ:CLNE) (Market, News) was down over 4 %.
Evergreen Solar Inc (NASDAQ:ESLR) (Market, News) was down on the day but up in after hours.
Evolution Solar Corporation (OTCPK: EVSO) (Market, News) ended up 3.16%.
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) (Market, News) closed at $162.54, up 7.18 (4.62%)
GWS TECHNOLOGIES INC (OTC BB: GWSC) (Market, News) was down $0.04.
ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR) closed at $0.20.
Mantra Venture Group Ltd. (OTCBB: MVTG) (Market, News) closed at $0.37.
OriginOil, Inc (OTCBB: OOIL) (Market, News) closed at $0.42, trading stronger following recent Reuters media .
SunPower Corporation (SPWRA) (Market, News ) closed down, but up $0.74 (1.91%) in after- hours trading.
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP) (Market, News) closed off $0.04 (0.31%).
Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd (TSX.V: STG) (Market, News) closed up 4.55%.
Westport Innovations Inc. (WPT.TO) (Market, News) closed down 1.27%.
Yingli Green Energy (YGE) (Market, News) had gains of $0.17 (2.45%) and continued up after hours trading.
XsunX Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) (Market, News) closed at $0.18.

For investors following solar stocks, the RenewableEnergyStocks.com website provides a comprehensive list of photovoltaic and solar stocks to research.
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/RenewableEnergy/Stock_List.asp

Featured Showcase Renewable Energy Stocks:

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. 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/

OriginOil, Inc: (OTCBB: OOIL)
OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce "new oil" from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil producing feedstock such as corn and sugarcane often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies. www.originoil.com.

Carbon Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: CABN)
Carbon Sciences, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the basic fuel building blocks required to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other portable fuels. Innovating at the intersection of chemical engineering and bio-engineering disciplines, we are developing a highly scalable biocatalytic process to meet the fuel needs of the world. Company Showcase Profile page: http://www.investorideas.com/co/cabn/

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 and a directory of stocks within the renewable energy sector.

Renewable Energy Stocks Directory:
Gain Exclusive Insight on Leading Sectors, Global Trends, and Insider Trading Ideas, News, Articles and Investor Ideas Members only Restricted Content including the complete renewable energy stocks directory. Learn more: http://www.investorideas.com/membership/

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: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Compensation disclosure for XSNX, CABN, OOIL, MVTG:
http://www.investorideas.com/About/News/Clientspecifics.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com,
Source: RenewableEnergyStocks.com, XsunX, OriginOil, Inc, Carbon Sciences, Inc

Friday, January 09, 2009

Energy and Environmental Security Require Integrated Policy Solutions

Energy & Environmental Security Require Integrated Policy Solutions
Public Policy Must Support Innovation, Competition & Free Trade

WASHINGTON--Jan 8 2009 --National and international energy and environmental security can be achieved through policies that support innovation, competition and free trade, Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), said today.

In a speech to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Tillerson outlined the energy challenge facing America and the world: global energy demand is expected to be 35 percent higher in 2030 than it was in 2005 despite the current economic slowdown, efficiency improvements and growth in alternative energy sources such as wind and solar.

Providing energy to meet that demand, which is driven by economic expansion largely in developing countries, while protecting the environment will require development of all viable sources of energy and multiple technology breakthroughs, he said.

“Meeting our many energy challenges requires a multidimensional approach,” said Tillerson.

“We need to put in place policies that support an integrated set of solutions that help us find new energy supplies, increase energy efficiency, and discover the innovations that can address climate risks in the most effective manner. By combining energy, efficiency and environmental goals, integrated solutions help us develop and deploy new technologies at every point in the energy chain. In this way, we can meet our multiple energy challenges with multiple solutions.”

One example of a policy challenge provided by Tillerson is the current discussion about whether a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax would be a more effective option for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

A cap-and-trade system, which allows businesses to trade emissions allowances set by government, has problems with verification and accountability and requires new market infrastructure -- “a Wall Street of emissions brokers” -- as well as a costly and substantial expansion of regulatory and administrative oversight, he said.

“A carbon tax strikes us as a more direct, transparent and effective approach,” said Tillerson. It is easier to apply globally, avoids the establishment of new markets for trading emissions and new regulators to monitor them, can be implemented through the existing tax infrastructure and made revenue neutral to mitigate the impact on the economy.

“It is the most efficient means of reflecting the cost of carbon in all economic decisions -- from investments made by companies to fuel and product choices made by consumers,” said Tillerson.

Tillerson said Americans increasingly understand that there is no single answer to our energy, efficiency and environmental needs, as illustrated by public support and Congressional action in favor of lifting the moratorium on development of the country’s vast offshore oil and natural gas resources.

“Opening up U.S. supplies of oil and natural gas would boost our economy by simultaneously lowering the cost of energy, increasing employment and providing a new source of government revenue,” he said, referencing a recent study’s conclusion that developing areas of the United States that have been kept off limits would generate more than $1.7 trillion in new government revenue and create 160,000 jobs.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This press release includes forward-looking statements. Actual future conditions, including growth in energy demand, energy supply mix, the impact of carbon tax or trading regimes, and the impact of new resource developments could differ materially due to changes in rates of economic growth; the development of new technologies or energy supply sources; future regulatory requirements and political events; demographic changes; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" in the "Investors" section of our website (http://www.exxonmobil.com/) and in Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K.

Contacts ExxonMobilAlan Jeffers, 972-444-1107

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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Spire (Nasdaq: SPIR )Enters into Contract with Solaria Energia of Spain for 100MW Production Line

Spire (Nasdaq: SPIR )Enters into Contract with Solaria Energia of Spain for 100MW Production Line

Multiple Solar Cell Assembly and Module Testing Machines to be Provided for 100MW Expansion

BEDFORD, Mass.--Jan 8 2009 --Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR ), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules worldwide, today announced that it has received its sixth contract from Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, S.A. (Solaria Energia) to provide module manufacturing equipment for Solaria Energia’s new facility located in Fuenmayor, Spain. Under the contract, Spire will provide state-of-the-art assembly machines, laminators, and a module simulator, all together capable of processing over 100 megawatts (MW) of PV modules per year.

“We are pleased to continue to work with Solaria on this latest increase in their production. They recognize the need to automate key manufacturing steps to increase their production. Spire has more than eighty assemblers in the field or under contract. Using today’s high efficiency cells, this represents nearly a gigawatt of production capacity. Our system is a workhorse in the industry,” said, Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation.

Mr. Dario Lopez, Deputy General Manager of Solaria Energia, says, “This contract represents an important milestone in our expansion process and it is also an expression of our commitment and confidence in a supplier, as Spire Corporation. Solaria Energia today is one of the biggest module manufacturers in Spain and with this agreement we will be able to strengthen our position not only in Spain but also in global markets.”

About Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente S.A.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente S.A. designs, manufacturers, supplies and installs photovoltaic and thermal solutions for the utilization of Solar Power. It’s rapid expansion and technological innovation have in a few years made it one of the leading companies in the sector of renewable energies. Solaria Energia is headquartered in Puertollano, Spain with manufacturing plants in Puertollano and Fuenmayor, Spain.

About Spire Corporation

Spire Corporation is a global solar company providing turnkey production lines and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic cells and modules worldwide. Spire Semiconductor provides processing technology for Spire’s silicon solar cell manufacturing lines and offers custom gallium arsenide cells for solar concentrator systems. For corporate or product information, contact Spire Corporation, “The Turnkey Solar Factory Company,” at 781-275-6000, or visit www.spirecorp.com.

Certain matters described in this news release may be forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of dependence on market growth, competition and dependence on government agencies and other third parties for funding contract research and services, as well as other factors described in the Company's Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts Spire CorporationRoger G. Little, 781-275-6000Chairman & CEO

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Idaho Governor Signs Pickens Pledge

Idaho Governor Signs Pickens Pledge

Joins More Than 1,350,000 Americans Who Want to Break Our Addiction to Foreign Oil

BOISE, January 7, 2009 – Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today signed the pledge to join T. Boone Pickens’ campaign to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“One of my goals as Governor is to fully utilize Idaho’s resources to increase our own state’s energy supply,” Otter said. “Establishing energy security for this state and this country should be a top priority. While there are some aspects of the Pickens plan I still have concerns about, I am signing this pledge to lend my voice to T. Boone Pickens and others calling for a comprehensive energy plan to end our reliance on foreign oil.”

“Governor Otter recognizes that importing nearly 70% of the oil this country uses every day not only hurts our economy, but is a threat to national security,” Pickens said. “In order to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, this country needs a plan. I am proud to have Governor Otter on my side as we call on President-elect Barack Obama and Congress to enact an energy plan within the first 100 days of the new administration.”

============================

The Pickens Pledge reads:

We will no longer stand by and watch as America’s national security and economy become more dependent on the unstable foreign nations that we rely on for nearly 70% of the oil we use each day.

We spend nearly $700 billion every year buying foreign oil, which represents the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind.

The new President and the 111th Congress need to enact an energy plan that reduces our foreign oil dependence by at least 30% within ten years.

This plan must include proven American technology and resources; the development of new energy sources; and the expansion and modernization of the national electrical grid to transport renewable energy to homes and businesses.

Delaying any further means tacit support for continuing America’s addiction to foreign oil.

I join with T. Boone Pickens and his army of supporters in calling for an Energy Independence Plan to be enacted within the first 100 days of the new administration.


Unveiled on July 8, 2008 by T. Boone Pickens, the Pickens Plan is a detailed solution for ending the United States’ growing dependence on foreign oil. Earlier this year, when oil prices reached $140/barrel, America was spending about $700 billion for foreign oil, equaling the greatest transfer of wealth in human history. That figure has decreased some while oil prices have retreated, but the U.S. is still dependent on foreign nations for nearly 70 percent of its oil, representing a continuing national economic and national security threat. The plan calls for investing in power generation from domestic renewable resources such as wind and using our abundant supplies of natural gas as a transportation fuel, replacing more than one-third of our imported oil.

For more information on the Pickens Plan, please visit www.pickensplan.com. More than 1,350,000 people have joined the Pickens Army through the website, which has had over 13,700,000 hits.


Contact: Jay Rosser
214 265 4165
Jay@bpcap.net

Melissa McKay
212 446 1898
press@pickensplan.com

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Carbonetworks Launches Corporate Carbon Portal for Enterprise Customers

Carbonetworks Launches Corporate Carbon Portal for Enterprise Customers
Customized Web Portal Demonstrates Corporate Carbon Reduction Efforts

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Jan. 6 2009 -- Carbonetworks today announced the launch of the Corporate Carbon Portal, an online web tool that allows enterprise customers to create a customized web presence demonstrating how they are reducing carbon emissions. Hosted by Carbonetworks, the online web portals are customized for each client to showcase environmental stewardship by publishing their carbon management strategies, reduction activities and other corporate environmental initiatives.

"Through the Corporate Carbon Portal we're providing our customers with the opportunity to demonstrate the tremendous strides they're making in an effort to reduce carbon emissions," said Michael Meehan, president & CEO of Carbonetworks. "Not only does it show our clients' corporate commitment to the environment, it also provides an easy way to communicate to employees, shareholders and customers how the company has taken steps to meet this commitment and how these steps will affect the financial bottom line."

The Corporate Carbon Portal provides a snapshot of carbon reduction initiatives running on the Carbonetworks platform, as well as graphics and charts to illustrate emissions reduction activities in action. The portal page is highly customizable allowing corporations to add branding, links to other environmental projects or partners and even a note from the CEO to discuss the corporate commitment to the environment. The portal can be shared internally or externally and is included in a Carbonetworks subscription, all powered by the Carbonetworks Platform.
The Corporate Carbon Portal helps enterprise customers realize the potential of managing carbon information and data on the network while communicating these efforts to their customers. Content for the Corporate Carbon Portal is pulled directly from Carbonetworks' Emissions Management Platform, which provides in-depth analysis of corporate emissions and reduction strategies.


Carbonetworks' Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model assesses the corporate carbon footprint, pinpoints emission reduction opportunities and develops robust carbon management strategies that are based on company-specific data. Its network of carbon reduction projects is the only one of its kind, creating a highly diversified carbon investment portfolio for clients.
About Carbonetworks
Carbonetworks is a software platform designed to help organizations participate in global carbon markets, even in countries without carbon regulation. The Carbonetworks Emissions Management Platform allows companies to manage emissions as financial assets or liabilities and connects them to a global network of carbon reductions. Its innovative solutions help private and public sector organizations prepare for entry into emerging global carbon markets by first consolidating clients' carbon inventories and then evaluating alternatives on a financial basis (e.g., carbon trading, offsets or investments) to determine the best course of action for their business. Carbonetworks currently serves hundreds of subscribers in over 30 countries including some of the largest and most active companies and governments in the world.

Clean Technology Venture Investment Reaches Record $8.4 Billion in 2008 Despite Credit Crisis and Broadening Recession

Clean Technology Venture Investment Reaches Record $8.4 Billion in 2008 Despite Credit Crisis and Broadening Recession
Even With Diminished 4Q08 Results, Clean Technology Investment Fundamentals Remain Strong

SAN FRANCISCO--January 6 2009 --The Cleantech Group™, founders of the clean technology investment category and providers of leading global market research and other services for the clean technology ecosystem, today announced preliminary 2008 results for clean technology venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India totaling a record $8.4 billion, up 38% from $6.1 billion in 2007. The 2008 total represents the seventh consecutive year of growth in venture investing, widely recognized as a leading indicator of overall investment patterns:
Historical Clean Technology VC Investment By Year – North America, Europe & Israel, China, India 2001 $506,780,774 2002 $883,269,409 2003 $1,258,565,762 2004 $1,398,256,823 2005 $2,077,524,074 2006 $4,520,208,949 2007 $6,087,179,844 2008 (preliminary) $8,414,259,610 Source: Cleantech Group (cleantech.com)

“As expected, clean technology venture investing slowed in 4Q08, but it’s important not to miss the forest for the trees,” said Nicholas Parker, Executive Chairman, Cleantech Group. “In 2008, there was a quantum leap in talent, resources and institutional appetite for clean technologies. Now, more than ever, clean technologies represent the biggest opportunities for job and wealth creation.”

Preliminary results for 4Q08 indicate venture investment commitments worldwide of $1.7 billion across 99 disclosed investments, the smallest quarterly total in 6 quarters. 4Q08 was down 35% from 3Q08, yet down only 4% from 4Q07 despite a much more difficult economy.

The top clean technology sectors in 2008 were solar, biofuels, transportation, and wind. Solar accounted for almost 40% of total clean technology investment dollars in 2008, followed by biofuels at 11%.

“2008 saw solar take a 40% share of clean technology venture investment dollars, led by mega-investment rounds in thin-film solar, concentrated solar thermal and solar service provider companies,” said Brian Fan, Senior Director of Research, Cleantech Group. “Investors also continued to migrate from first-generation ethanol and biodiesel technologies to next-generation biofuels technologies, led by algae and synthetic biology companies. Other sectors with healthy investor interest included smart grid companies, small-scale wind turbines, plastics recycling, green buildings and agriculture technologies.”

Top Venture Capital Clean Technology Sectors in 2008 Technology Sector Amount Invested % of total Solar $3.3 billion 40% Biofuels (including ethanol, biodiesel, synthetic biology, algae) $904 million 11% Transportation (including electric vehicles, advanced batteries, fuel cells) $795 million 9.5% Wind $502 million 6.0% Smart Grid $345 million 4.1% Agriculture $166 million 2.0% Water $148 million 1.8%

Top clean technology funding rounds in 2008 were dominated by US-based solar companies:

Five Largest Clean Technology Rounds in 2008 Company Description Amount Raised NanoSolar (USA) Thin-film solar (CIGS) $300 million Solyndra (USA) Thin-film solar (CIGS) $219 million SoloPower (USA) Thin-film solar (CIGS) $200 million WinWinD Oy (Finland) Wind Turbines $177 million Solar Reserve (USA) Concentrated Solar Thermal $140 million

BY WORLD REGION:

EUROPE AND ISRAEL

European and Israeli companies raised $1.8 billion in 146 disclosed rounds, up 43% from 2007. Europe and Israel accounted for 21% of the global total. The traditionally strong energy generation sector increased its share of total investment to 71% ($1.279 billion) from 56% ($ 703 million) in 2007, with a strong increase in investments in wind ($322.6 million, an increase of 294% from 2007) and solar ($589.3 million, an increase of 64% from 2007) leading the way. Outside of the energy generation sectors, energy efficiency investing led the way, representing 8% ($137.6 million) of the total invested.

The most significant country growth was seen in Germany ($383 million invested, an increase of 217% from 2007) and Israel ($247 million invested, an increase of 224% from 2007), both led by very large solar deals. Germany overtook the UK as the country receiving the most venture capital in 2008, helped significantly by the region’s largest deal of 2008, the $133.7 million investment in Berlin-based solar thin-film manufacturer Sulfurcell Solartechnik. The UK’s decline in total investment ($337.8 million, down 11% from 2007) left it second in the country league table, with Israel moving into third place from sixth in 2007.

CHINA:

In 2008, Chinese cleantech companies raised $430 million in 18 disclosed rounds, up 22% from 2007. China accounted for 5% of the global total.

As expected, 2008 witnessed steady gains in clean technology investment in China. Solar accounted for 60% of the total, reflecting the continuing migration of solar module manufacturing from Europe and the US to China, as well as the opportunity of a large domestic market for solar water heating. Other active sectors include agriculture, lighting, and wind.

The underlying fundamentals driving cleantech investment in China, including government efficiency targets in energy, water and resource utilization, emission reduction targets, government and corporate goals for cleaner supply chains and industrial operations, and corporate social responsibility goals, remain in place.

INDIA:

Indian companies raised $277 million in 14 disclosed rounds, down 20% from 2007. India accounted for 3% of the global total. Although 2008 was down from 2007, new investors including Kleiner Perkins and Garage Technology Ventures, as well as corporate investors such as Applied Materials, entered the India clean technology market.

The clean technology sector in India remains nascent compared to more mature markets such as North America and Europe. Much of the interest has been in addressing the energy shortage challenges faced by the country, therefore, energy generation and infrastructure, with solar and wind deals leading the way, attracted the majority of investment dollars. However, new sectors received capital, such as electronic waste recycling, energy efficiency and water management.

NORTH AMERICA:

In 2008, U.S. companies raised $5.8 billion in 241 disclosed rounds, up 56% from 2007. US companies accounted for 68% of the global total. Canadian companies raised $159 million in 14 disclosed rounds, down 58 percent from 2007.

TOP INVESTORS:

Leading clean technology investors in 2008, as measured by the number of disclosed financing rounds the fund participated in, were:

Full-Year 2008 Top Five Most Active Clean Technology Venture Funds Venture Capital Firm # of rounds Khosla Ventures 21 Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers 18 Quercus Trust 16 RockPort Capital Partners 13 Draper Fisher Jurvetson 13 Source: Cleantech Group (cleantech.com)

M&As and IPOs:

For full-year 2008, clean technology M&A totaled an estimated 163 disclosed transactions, totaling $40.4 billion. Top M&A transactions included:

Top 5 Clean Technology M&A Transactions in 2008 Acquiring Company Target Company Amount Type Iberdrola SA Energy East Corp. $4.6 billion Acquisition LBO France Converteam Group SAS $3.1 billion Minority Stake Scottish & Southern Energy Plc. Airtricity Holdings, Ltd. $2.6 billion Acquisition International Power Plc. Trinergy Ltd. $2.5 billion Acquisition Arcapita Honiton Energy Ltd. $2.0 billion Joint Venture Source: Cleantech Group (cleantech.com)

In 2008, clean technology public offerings totaled an estimated $5.1 billion in 16 IPOs.

Top 5 Clean Technology IPOs in 2008 Company IPO Date Amount Raised Exchange EDP Renovaveis, S.A. 6/4/2008 $2.4 billion NYSE Euronext Lisbon American Water Works Company, Inc. 4/23/2008 $1.2 billion NYSE SMA Solar Technology 6/26/2008 $570 million Frankfurt GT Solar, Inc. 7/24/2008 $500 million NASDAQ Energy Recovery, Inc. 7/2/2008 $69 million NASDAQ Source: Cleantech Group (cleantech.com)

The Cleantech Group has issued projections for what the sector may see in 2009. Those predictions are available at http://cleantech.com/about/pressreleases/120408.cfm

Key takeaways reviewed in webinar next week

The Cleantech Group will review key findings of its 4Q08 and full-year 2008 data in a live webinar January 13, 2009 at 11AM EST / 8AM PST / 16:00 GMT, exclusively for members of the Cleantech Group’s Cleantech Network. Members may join the live meeting at http://cleantech.acrobat.com/research/ a few minutes before the event begins, and will need their email address and Cleantech Network password to log in. Members unsure of their passwords can contact Cleantech Group at +1 810-224-4310 x.7151 or can retrieve their password at http://cleantech.com/memberpassword.cfm

Cleantech Forum® XXI San Francisco February 23-25, 2009

Join Cleantech Group’s 21st Cleantech Forum® in San Francisco February 23-25. "Cleantech in 2009: Upside Driver in a Downside Market" will bring together over 800 of the industry's most influential clean technology innovators, investors and policymakers. Visit http://www.cleantech.com/ for information and registration.

About the Cleantech Group, LLC

The Cleantech Group pioneered the clean technology investment category in 2002. Today, it accelerates the development and market adoption of clean technologies globally through membership in the largest global network of investors and companies representing more than $3 trillion in assets. Member investors, growth companies/vendors, enterprises, service providers, and others receive access to capital, investment deal flow, market leading research and data, insight, sales leads, human capital, and promotional opportunities. The Cleantech Group also produces the premier Cleantech Forum events worldwide. Details at http://www.cleantech.com/.

Contacts Cleantech Group, LLCZakiya Johnson, (+1 415) 684-1020 x6610zakiya.johnson@cleantech.comWEB SITE: http://www.cleantech.com/

Thin Film Technologies Changing the Solar PV Business

Thin Film Technologies Changing the Solar PV Business

Solar Stocks: First Solar, Inc.(NasdaqGS: FSLR),Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.( United Solar Ovonics) (NasdaqGS: ENER) , XsunX (OTCBB:XSNX), SolarWorld (SRWRF.PK), Sanyo Electric (SANYY.PK)

POINT ROBERTS, WA, January 6, 2009- Green Investor at Investorideas.com
http://www.investorideas.com/gi/ reports on Thin Film Technologies Changing the Solar PV Business.


By Paulo Nery

The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is clearly in a rapid growth phase. The worldwide industry size was recently estimated at $50 billion. Over the past few years, production capacity is thought to have grown at an average of 48% each year and cumulative global production is now at 12.4 Giga Watts (GW). It is also an industry on the brink of change. New technologies are emerging that seem certain have an impact on the entire shape of the PV industry.

Since they were first developed in the 50’s there have been no major changes to the basic crystalline silicon solar cell. But significant improvements are now taking place with several competing innovations vying for position. Crystalline silicon cells, which come in mono and poly crystalline forms, are now being referred to as “first generation” PV. These mature technologies have experienced dramatic growth in volumes. But with shortages of silicon and high prices affecting finished costs, the volumes are dropping. If silicon prices drop further we could yet see more competitive prices for these solar PV modules. But there’s only so much that prices can drop with that technology.

Second generation PV, or thin film technology, holds out the real promise of more price competitive systems because they can be manufactured with dramatically less material, shorter supply chains and cheaper, faster processes. Thin film is still a nascent industry and competition between players is much more about intellectual property and access to capital than the manufacturing efficiencies that drive the first generation PV makers. So there are lower prices from improved efficiency to be anticipated still.

There are three main approaches to thin film technologies based on different materials that can be used for the semi-conductor of a PV cell. The first to be established was amorphous silicon pioneered by United Solar Ovonics (NasdaqGS: ENER) which sells under the brand Uni-Solar. This technique, now used by a few dozen manufacturers around the world, relies on a small amount of amorphous silicon alloy and accounts for about 60% of the thin film PV made today. These systems have been sold for several years as building-integrated PV offering the advantage of nearly undetectable systems on rooftops for both commercial and residential buildings. United Solar sales amounted to 73 megawatts in 2008 and their sales pipeline has $1.8 billion. Their production capacity is currently at 118 Mega Watts (MW) with planned growth to 1 GW by 2012.

XsunX, (XSNX.OB) is also manufacturing thin-film modules using amorphous silicon and has taken aim at utility scale and grid-tied commercial installations. XsunX has developed proprietary techniques that have enabled it to achieve outstanding efficiency levels for amorphous silicon. The company plans to have production capacity of 25 MW in 2009 and is aiming for 100 MW in a few years. It has also recently contracted to supply 15 MW of its solar modules, worth over $37 million, over 2 years. XsunX and United Solar Ovonics are the only listed companies that are real investment plays on silicon based thin-film technology. Yes, Canon, Sharp and even Mitsubishi are in the game, but those companies are diversified into so many other products that investing in them wouldn’t be a play on solar. Other companies manufacturing amorphous silicon thin film include Auria Solar in Taiwan, EPV in New Jersey, Free Energy Europe in France, Heliodomi in Greece, Polar PV in China, Shenzhen Topray in China, Sinonar in Taiwan, TerraSolar in New York and VHF-Technologies in Switzerland.

The next approach to thin film uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) as the semi-conductor material. While CdTe modules are cheaper and faster to produce, so far they are much less efficient at around 10%. For utility scale installations, that seems not to be a critical factor however. The leader in this field is First Solar (FSLR) with over 1 gigawatt of production capacity, over 600 megawatts shipped so far, and over 3.8 gigawatts of contracted sales, worth $6.3 billion through 2013. According to their annual report, First Solar’s gross margins are 56%, which is twice that of most of their competitors’ costs. And they claim their cost per Watt to be $1.29, half to a third of their competitors. First Solar’s objective, though, is to be at $0.65-0.70 per Watt by 2012. After a tremendous run through 2007 up to May of 2008, when the stock went from about 28 to over 300, it tumbled to 85 for a brief while in November of 2008 only to rebound recently to around 130. One of the other CdTe developments was an Ohio company, Solar Fields, which was bought last year by Q-Cells, a German company. Ava Solar, in Colorado, has recently secured $104 million in funding and plans to large scale manufacturing in 2009.

Another group of companies is manufacturing cells with Copper Indium Gallium Di-Selenide (CIGS) as the semi-conductor. These include ICP Solar in Quebec, Solyndra in California, Global Solar in Arizona, MiaSole in California, Heliovolt in Texas, TerraSolar in New York and Nanosolar in California. All of these companies remain private. One of the biggest efforts currently is coming from Honda, who is a major player in crystalline silicon cells. CIGS systems have demonstrated efficiencies that approach 20%, which is significantly higher that CdTe modules and close to the efficiency of crystalline silicon modules. However, to date at least, the manufacturing processes are less tolerant to change.

All of the thin-film technologies have the advantage of requiring much less semiconductor material. It can be less than 1 percent of silicone used in crystalline cells. And they can be manufactured using high-speed techniques such as roll-to-roll printing. Their disadvantage is their lower efficiency. Even so, many new manufacturers in each three types are coming online every month.

Third-generation PV technologies includes approaches such as dye-sensitized solar cells, quantum dots, nano-antennaes, nanomodified materials and organic cells. These all offer the promise of higher efficiencies and lower costs than even second generation technology. But none is yet clearly established as a leader, and none of these technologies is yet available as an exchange traded investment.
Both second and third generation solar technology companies are highly concentrated in the US. So some observers have concluded that there will be a shift back to the US of the solar cell manufacturing that went to Asia. However, as the companies in this sector scale up their operations they’ll be tempted to manufacture where prices are lower to keep their costs down. But it’s by no means clear since as fast as companies shift manufacturing to Asia, overseas companies are building facilities in the US. For instance, SolarWorld (SRWRF.PK) from Germany has opened what they say is the US’s largest solar cell factory in Hillsboro, OR. Meantime, Sanyo Electric (SANYY.PK) from Japan is building a factory in Salem, OR.
Thomas Friedman, author of “Hot, Flat and Crowded”, has said that energy technology is the industrial sector where global leadership will be established in the next several years. With the rush of new innovation taking place in advanced solar technologies in the US, there’s still a chance that the US can claim that leadership position. But the game is still wide open.


Paulo J. Nery


Disclaimer: Nothing in the above article in no way constitutes a recommendation to buy or invest in these or any other stocks. You should always seek professional financial advice when planning your investments or trading in the stock markets.

Featured Showcase Solar Stock:

XsunX Inc. : (OTCBB: XSNX) and (OTCBB:XSNXE) 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/

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http://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.

Disclaimer: Paulo Nery is an independent columnist for Green Investor at Investorideas.com .Paulo J. Nery writes about green business, green investing and green lifestyle. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp.


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Monday, January 05, 2009

CTDC to Build 30MW On-Grid Solar Power Station in Qaidam Basin

CTDC to Build 30MW On-Grid Solar Power Station in Qaidam Basin


HONG KONG, Jan. 2, 2009 -- China Technology Development Group Corporation (NasdaqCM:CTDC - News) (``CTDC'' or ``the Company''), a provider of solar energy products and solutions in China focusing on a-Si thin film technology, announced that the Company and Qinghai New Energy Group Co., Ltd (``QNE'') have signed an agreement with local government of Qinghai Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Region to build a 30MW on-grid solar power station in Qaidam Basin of northwestern China. The signing ceremony was held at Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, and many important government leaders, including Mr. Luo Yulin, Vice Governor of Qinghai Province and Mayor of Xining, attended the event.


Under the agreement, CTDC and QNE will design, construct and manage the solar power station. The local government of Haixi Region will provide strong support to CTDC and QNE, such as helping them obtain various local and central government-backed incentives and providing land.
The installed power-generating capacity of the first phase of Qaidam solar power station came to 30 MW and the total long-term objective of the project came up to 1GW. The Qaidam solar power station, the first of its kind in China to integrate crystalline silicon and thin-film solar modules, will be the largest on-grid solar power station in China after full completion. CTDC and QNE will begin construction of the project in 2009 with initial investment of US$150 million.
With ample sunshine, vast desert landmass and broad power grids, Qaidam Basin is generally regarded as one of the optimal locations in China to build a large scale on-grid solar power plant. In 2005, Chinese government approved to establish Qinghai's Qaidam as a special Economic Experimental Zone to develop circular economy and renewable energy projects. Qaidam Circular Economic Experimental Zone is the biggest circular economic experimental zone in China, covering an area of 256,000 square kilometers.
``The ambitious plan to build such a large scale solar power plant is a significant step for Qinghai Province to develop and deploy solar energy by taking full advantage of our abundance in solar and desert resources of Qaidam Basin,'' commented by Mr. Luo Yulin, Vice Governor of Qinhas Province and Mayor of Xining. ``It also reflects the commitment by our government to meet the challenges posed by climate change with reliable and renewable energy.''
``With the recognition and commitment of the Chinese government to developing renewable energy technology, we expect that the domestic solar energy and application market will expand rapidly in the near future,'' commented by Mr. Alan Li, Chairman and CEO of CTDC. ``The signing of the Qaidam solar power plant project is another great milestone for CTDC management and shareholders. CTDC, along with our great partner QNE, will apply our combined experience and technology to ensure the successful launch of our initial 30MW project in 2009.''
About CTDC:
CTDC is a provider of solar energy products and solutions in China focusing on a-Si thin-film technology. CTDC's ultimate principal shareholder is China Merchants Group (http://www.cmhk.com), one of the biggest state-owned conglomerates in China.
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.chinactdc.com
About QNE:
Qinghai New Energy (Group) Co., Ltd, which is one of the earliest solar PV technology research organizations in China, was established in 1983. Simultaneously obtaining Designing Qualification of New Energy Power Generation Engineering and Qualification of Construction and Installation, Qinghai New Energy is capable and qualified to undertake the engineering construction of national key projects, to carry out international cooperation as well as national key scientific and research projects.
For more information, please visit the website at http://www.qssolar.com
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure:
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the timing of product, service and solution deliveries; B) our ability to develop, implement and commercialize new products, services, solutions and technologies; C) expectations regarding market growth, developments and structural changes; D) expectations regarding our product volume growth, market share, prices and margins; E) expectations and targets for our results of operations; F) the outcome of pending and threatened litigation; G) expectations regarding the successful completion of contemplated acquisitions on a timely basis and our ability to achieve the set targets upon the completion of such acquisitions; and H) statements preceded by ``believe,'' ``expect,'' ``anticipate,'' ``foresee,'' ``target,'' ``estimate,'' ``designed,'' ``plans,'' ``will'' or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because they involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include the risk factors specified on our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 under ``Item 3.D Risk Factors.'' Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
Contact: China Technology Development Group Corporation
PR/IR Department
Selina Xing
+852 3112 8461
ir@chinactdc.com

WorldWater & Solar Technologies (OTCBB:WWAT) Completes Solar Installation at Valley Center Municipal Water District

WorldWater & Solar Technologies Completes Solar Installation at Valley Center Municipal Water District


EWING, N.J.--Jan 5 2009 --WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. (OTC BB: WWAT.OB - News), developer and marketer of proprietary high-horsepower solar systems, today announced that it has completed installation of a 1.1 MW solar power system for the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) of Valley Center, California. The system, which was financed and will be owned, operated, and maintained by Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP) of Mill Valley, California, will provide 2.1 million kWh per year of electricity for the district, offsetting up to 20% of the electricity required by their largest pumping station. The project was developed using a solar Power Purchase Agreement, which required no cash outlay from VCMWD, who will purchase the generated power from SPP for the twenty-five year life of the agreement.

“I am pleased to announce the successful completion of our flat-plate solar installation at Valley Center, on schedule and to the client’s specifications,” said Frank Smith, CEO, WorldWater and Solar Technologies. “This is another example of our ability to deliver ‘best in class’ solar technology to large commercial clients, as we did for Denver International Airport and Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The experience gained from these installations will serve us well as we look to bring our ENTECH CPV and CPVT modules to the market this year.”
“Solar Power Partners is proud to partner with WorldWater and Valley Center on this exciting solar solution. This facility is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when water districts adopt solar and support renewable energy,” said Alexander v. Welczeck, President and CEO of Solar Power Partners.
“After almost three years of negotiating, planning, and implementation, it is very rewarding to finally see this 'double green' project come to life,” says Gary Arant, General Manager, Valley Center Municipal Water District. “This will provide long-term financial benefits for our agency and community, as well as a reduced carbon production environment - thus double green.”
Additional partners on this project included Sharp Solar, which supplied the panels for the project, and Xantrex Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, which provided the inverters.
About WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. and ENTECH:
WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. is a full-service, solutions-driven solar electric engineering and design company offering unique, high-powered and patented solar technology. ENTECH, Inc., a subsidiary of WorldWater, is a high-technology solar energy company specializing in patented solar concentrating and CPVT (Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal) systems. ENTECH’s systems can produce electrical output, a combination of electricity and thermal energy or thermal energy alone. Commercial applications vary in size from one kilowatt remote power units to large, multi-megawatt utility power plants. For more information, visit www.worldwater.com or www.entechsolar.com.
About Solar Power Partners, Inc.:
Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP) is a California-based renewable energy company that is leading the way in streamlining the adoption of clean solar energy by businesses, institutions and municipalities throughout the United States. Combining the financing strength of solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the expertise and best practices of top solar and building industry professionals, SPP gives building owners a clear path to achieving energy independence with predictable electrical rates and without the risks or costs of owning and maintaining solar facilities. For more information please see www.solarpowerpartners.com.
About Valley Center Municipal Water District:
Valley Center Water District is a public water agency located in north central San Diego County, serving a 100 square mile rural agricultural community with 42 reservoirs, over 300 miles of pipe and 26 electric and natural gas powered pumping stations. It is one of the top 20 power purchasers in the San Diego Gas and Electric Service area and is a recognized leader in the areas of energy efficiency and alternative power development.

Contact:WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp.Press:Amy Copeman, 609-818-0700 ext. 58acopeman@worldwater.comorInvestor Relations:Chris Witty, 646-438-9385cwitty@darrowir.comorSolar Power Partners, Inc.Sierra Fong, 415-389-8981 x 719sfong@solarpowerpartners.comorValley Center Water DistrictGary Arant, 760-749-1603, ext. 215garant@valleycenterwater.org
Source: WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp.