Green Energy Stocks; De-coupling from BOTH Oil and the Market?

If clean power investments are to have a record year of capital gains in equity markets, and a lot of lined-up ducks indicate that it's at least a possibility, then the wind power sector is going to have to regain some torque. Photovoltaic solar energy stocks are mostly up sharply from November lows, yet windpower companies find their share prices lagging, and skepticism surrounding their industry. It's temporary, as growth in offshore markets is exponential, and the area of vertical windpower with microturbines (parking lot windpower!!!) is only in initial stages of deployment.

Sexy solar stocks will likely continue to lead, followed shortly by the windpower stocks, then geothermal investments, and eventually biofuels and natural gas.

Do readers feel this will be a great year for clean energy stocks, or are people concerned that wider troubles will make all equity investments even more out of favour?

Alternative Energy Investing, Renewable Power Websites

Renewable Energy Investing Websites and Green Power Links

Here are some renewable energy investing and clean power fund websites, important resources for researching alternative power technology and renewable energy companies. Resources for clean energy information, green power investment funds and green investments globally:


5N Plus Inc. official english website



American Solar Energy Society



Directory of Solar Power Info Online



DOE Energy-Efficiency and Renewable Power Website



EcoWorld.com - Nature and Technology In Harmony



Energy Conversion Devices page at Yahoo Finance



Environmental Realty and Ecological Property Website



Evergreen Solar company website ESLR



First Solar company information, FSLR



Geothermal.info Geothermal Power website


Green-Energy-News.com



Hawaii Green Homes Land



Home Power Magazine - Official Website



OyNot.com Solar Energy and Batteries


PanTerra Clean Energy Business Parks




PBD - Info on PowerShares Global Clean Energy Fund



Renewable Energy Access Website


Renewable Energy Focus



RenewableEnergyStocks.com Global Stock List



Science Daily Solar Energy Information



SolarBuzz.com Best Solar Energy Website



Solar Energy Investment Blog


Spire Solar company info at Yahoo Finance; SPIR



SunPoweredDreams.com Green Energy Blog


Wind Energy Company websites; Windpower Info online

Wind Energy Investing Links

* Acciona Wind Energy (ANA.MC)
* Babcock and Brown Wind Partners (ASX: BBW BBWPF.PK)
* Boralex Wind Energy info
* Clipper Windpower (CWPR.L) Wind Turbine Manufacturing
* Gamesa Corp (GAM.MC) alternative energy website
* Naikun Windpower company information
* SkyPower Windpower Investment Fund
* Sky Power - Canadian windpower firm
* Suzlon Energy (SUZL) Indian wind power stock
* Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF) Danish windpower company
* Western Wind Energy (WND: TSX.V) publicly-listed stock
* Xantrex Technology (XTX) solar energy inverters



Alternative Energy Investing; Clean Power Stocks

* Green Realtor Website
* Bees Trees Frogs Elephants Nature Website
* Calvert Global Alternative Energy Investment Fund (CGAEX)
* Canadian Hydro (KHD) windpower developments
* Canada Windpower Atlas
* Geothermal Energy Investing Info
* Directory of Top Alternative Energy Websites
* Naikun Wind Energy British Columbia development
* Net Metering information
* Ormat Tech (ORA) geothermal power leading company
* Renewable Power Investing website
* Solar Buzz Renewable Energy Investments
* The Solar Intelligence Blog



Environmental Blogs and Nature Websites

* Geotherma.info Geothermal Energy Stock Investing
* Water Partners International
* Official Website of Greenpeace International
* Nature.com - Animals and Ecology Nature Website
* Nature.ca - Canadian Natural World and Ecology Site
* SolarIntell.com - Guide to Clean Energy Websites and Renewable Power Blogs
* Solar Energy on Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia
* Bees Trees Frogs Elephants Nature and Ecology Blog
* Geotherma.info Geothermal Energy Investing

Southwestern Energy Consortium incl. XEL, UNS, PNW has RFP for 250 megawatt solar energy project in USA

A multi-state consortium of southwestern energy service providers is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a utility-scale concentrating solar power plant. The plant would be owned by a third-party with consortium members each signing long-term purchase power agreements.

The size, design and location of the new solar project will be determined by the RFP submissions. It is expected to produce 250 megawatts and be located in either Arizona or Nevada. When completed, it would be the largest solar power plant in either state. A concentrating solar plant uses the sun to heat a liquid that can directly or indirectly drive a turbine.

The Southwest Energy Service Provider's Consortium for Solar Development (aka Joint Development Group) was formed with the goals of reducing solar energy costs and increasing efficiency through economies of scale. Members of the group include Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Southern California Public Power Authority, Tucson Electric Power and Xcel Energy.

A copy of the RFP, which will be due March 19, 2008, is available at www.aps.com/rfp. A bidders' teleconference will take place at 10 a.m. on January 17, 2008. The call-in number will be posted with the RFP at the Web site.

More info at: Southwest Energy Consortium issues RFP for solar energy project


Please view also:

The Solar Intelligence Blog


Bees Trees Frogs Elephants Ecology Blog


Investing in Wind Power


Invest in Geothermal Energy

Most solar power stocks defining trading ranges

Solar Energy Sector - Trading as of January 24, 2008

Akeena Solar Inc. (Market, News ) closed at $8.13, up $1.08 on the day and showed further gains in after market trading.

Evergreen Solar Inc (Market, News) shares were up only $ 0.19 on the day but showed a 5.2% gain in after market trading.

First Solar, Inc. (Market, News), gave investors a $6.72 upside during market hours, followed by another 2.65% gain after hours.

LDK Solar ADR (Market, News) was up 2.64 (7.55%) as of the market close.

Canadian Solar Inc. (Market, News) posted gains of $1.64, up 9.36%.

SunPower Corporation (Market, News ) broke the daily trend with the stock down $5.04 (6.79%) during market trading, but showing gains after hours. The stock was under pressure on the news of a first-quarter adjusted profit outlook.

Alternative Energy Megasite Environmental-Expert.com

About Environmental-Expert.com Renewable Power Portal

Environmental Expert connects over 500,000 environmental industry professionals from around the globe to over 13,000 companies that provide the products, services and information they need to do their job successfully.

Environmental Expert is more than just an online marketplace! Unlike other sites, the Environmental Expert portal contains an unmatched wealth of industry-related information and resources, like publications, events, articles, job postings, press releases & news, thus ensuring that professionals use Environmental Expert as a professional tool and keep coming back to stay in touch with what's happening in the industry.

We currently provide premium marketing services to over 1,300 companies in the industry by helping them promote their equipment, services, publications, events, and more to our industry-specific user base, the only online environmental industry community that truly spans the globe.

View this global alternative energy industry site here:

Directory of Environmental and Alternative Energy Companies

Check also:

Geothermal Power Companies and Websites

Solar Energy Investing, Solar Power Stocks News

SolarIntell.com brings you info on Renewable Power Stocks, Green Energy Funds, Alternative Energy Investments, clean fuels research, info on solar power, renewable energy mutual funds, solar power companies websites, geothermal energy investing, green energy funds, windpower stocks, co-generation and alternative energy investments.

Energy Bill, Oil Prices Spike Drive Up 'Clean Energy' ETFs


article from: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/IBD-0001-21922625.htm

Dec. 28, 2007 (Investor's Business Daily via CNN)

Keeping it clean recently has translated to keeping the profits rolling in for many investors.

Those who put their money behind "clean" energy companies, which focus on renewable resources, saw the happy results all week.

Several factors were behind the rise. Last week, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 into law. The bill mandates lowered fossil fuel use and quadrupled alternative biofuel use over the next 15 years.

Exchange traded funds that track clean energy (NASDAQ:CLNE) began to rise immediately after the bill became law. The largest and oldest, PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy PBW, jumped nearly 10% during that time. Almost half the fund, which has an IBD Relative Strength Rating of 94, is invested in alternative energy sources.

Some of the WilderHill fund's largest holdings include Sunpower SPWR, Suntech Power Holdings STP and Yingli Green Energy YGE, all of which hold a 99 RS.

Other ETFs

Similar funds, such as First Trust (NYSE:FGB) (NYSE:FMY) (NYSE:FAM) (NYSE:FEO) (TSX:FHT.UN) Nasdaq Clean Edge US Liquid Series Index Fund QCLN, Market Vectors Alternative Energy GEX and PowerShares Clean Tech PZD also rose nicely after the bill was signed.

The uptick for all the funds continued Wednesday after a Chinese government report announced that the country plans to increase renewable energy consumption to 10% of total energy consumption by 2010 and 15% by 2020. The 44-page report said China will promote development of hydropower, solar, methane, wind and other renewable energy sources and increase their market shares.

Article continues at: Green Exchange Traded Funds Rise on News, Legislation

More solar energy news stories, alternative energy investing websites, renewable power stocks, green energy mutual funds and solar power stocks:


Technical Analysis of SunPower Corp (SPWR), at AskStockGuru.com

Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy ETF (GEX): GEX Alternative Energy Fund Holdings


Interview with NOAH BLACKSTEIN, Stock picks for 2008

Manager of Dynamic Power Global Growth Class (global equity)

Mr. Blackstein is upbeat on global stock markets for 2008 despite expectations of slower growth. "There is a risk of a recession [in the U.S.], but I think that the actions of the central banks will stave it off," said the manager with Dynamic Mutual Funds Ltd.

Co-ordination among central banks to cut interest rates and take measures to increase liquidity "will buoy the stock markets next year," he said.

Mr. Blackstein is also upbeat because his growth investing style - out of favour since the Internet bubble popped seven years ago - has come back into vogue. In an economic slowdown, investors will pay up for growth, he said.

"I think this is the beginning of a multiyear cycle for growth," said Mr. Blackstein, who buys companies that can deliver above-average revenue and earnings growth.

He likes U.S. technology stocks and alternative energy companies in Europe. "The shift to alternative energy is a big, long-term secular growth trend," and will continue to play out next year, he said.

Mr. Blackstein owns stocks of alternative energy companies like Q-Cells AG; SolarWorld AG, Vestas Wind Systems AS and First Solar Inc., a big driver for his fund this year.

He is less sanguine about the emerging markets coming off a strong year. But he owns a few names in the wireless telecom sector, including China Mobile Ltd. and India's GTL Infrastructure Ltd.

Research In Motion Ltd. is his only Canadian stock. "The smart phone revolution, of which RIM and Apple are at the forefront, has a very long way to go," he said.

Full article and interviews with managers of PETER HODSON, manager of Sprott Growth Fund F series (Canadian small/mid cap), MARK MOBIUS, from Templeton BRIC Fund F series (emerging markets), CHRIS BEER, fund manager for RBC Global Resources Fund (natural resources), and NANDU NARAYANAN, CI Global Opportunities and CI Trident Global Opportunities (alternative strategies), who each provide their 2008 investment outlook, best stock opportunities

EarthFirst (TSX:EF) buying 144 megs of wind turbines from Vestas, for Dokie Ridge, BC

EarthFirst buys 48 Vestas V90 3 MegaWatt wind turbines for Dokie Ridge project in BC, Canada


VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - EarthFirst Canada Inc. ("EarthFirst") (EF, EF.WT; TSX) is pleased to announce that it has placed an order with Vestas-Canadian Wind Technology Inc. for 48 of its V90-3.0 MW wind turbines to be installed at EarthFirst's 144 MW Dokie Ridge project located in the Rocky Mountain foothills of the Peace River region in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada.

JANCO advise proft-taking on ESLR autumn run-up

JANCO downgrades Evergreen Solar (Nasdaq: ESLR) from Buy to Market Perform with a $16 price target.

Article from: http://www.streetinsider.com

JANCO downgraded Evergreen Solar stock (Nasdaq: ESLR) from Buy to Market Perform with a $16 price target.

The firm called Friday's 10% run-up an overreaction to the 10-year polysilicon supply contract announcement. JANCO also noted that Evergreen's stock price has gone up by about 44% since 10/31. Over the same period, shares of SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR), a leading competitor, have only appreciated by about 1.4%.

JANCO said it believes in Evergreen's management and downgraded the stock solely on valuation and a difficult market environment.

Evergreen Solar, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of solar power products primarily in Europe and the United States.

SPWR and MMA: build America's largest PV solar array at Nellis Air Force Base

USA's Largest Solar Photovoltaic Energy System Takes Flight at Nellis Air Force Base

Public-Private Partnership Makes Solar Practical, Enhances Energy Independence, and Reduces CO2 Emissions by 24,000 Tons per Year

(CSRwire) LAS VEGAS, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today the U.S. Air Force celebrates the completion of North America's largest solar photovoltaic system at Nellis Air Force Base. A joint project of the U.S. Air Force, MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC (NYSE: MMA), SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), and Nevada Power Company, the 14 megawatt Nellis solar energy system will generate more than 30 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually and supply approximately 25 percent of the total power used at the base, where 12,000 people live and work.

Combining technology and systems expertise from SunPower Corporation and financing by MMA Renewable Ventures with discounted purchase commitments by the U.S. Air Force, the innovative Nellis solar energy system demonstrates that the U.S. government's goals for enhancing security through energy independence can be met both economically and practically when the public and private sectors work together.

SunPower Corporation designed and built the photovoltaic power plant using its proprietary single-axis SunPower(R) T20 Tracker solar tracking system which follows the sun throughout the day and delivers up to 30 percent more energy than traditional fixed-tilt ground systems.

Equally innovative is the funding and ownership of the landmark solar energy system: MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC has financed and will operate the solar power plant, selling electricity to Nellis Air Force Base at a guaranteed fixed rate for the next 20 years. Nevada Power will support the project by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by the solar array. MMA Renewable Ventures closed a fund for the system earlier this year with financing commitments from Citi, Allstate, and John Hancock Financial Services, with Merrill Lynch providing construction financing.

Dignitaries such as Air Force Assistant Secretary William Anderson and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons will flip a switch marking full operation of the system at a ceremony to be held today at the Nellis base. A team including MMA Renewable Ventures, SunPower Corporation, and Nevada Power Company will join public officials in recognizing the United States Air Force for its commitment to national security, energy independence and environmental sustainability.

"This solar project at Nellis is a first step of many toward making renewable electricity integral to the operations of the U.S. Air Force," said Assistant Secretary Anderson. "As the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, the Air Force is well-positioned to promote both solar technology and new approaches to its implementation. This pioneering initiative is a good example of how a creative approach to public-private partnership can make our energy supply more sustainable, more secure and more affordable."

"The best way to secure a healthy and prosperous economy is to develop our affordable, reliable local resources," said Governor Gibbons. "With these 14 megawatts, Nellis Air Force Base is leading the country in solar energy deployment, a move that is good for the environment and our nation's energy security alike."

Covering 140 acres of land at the western edge of the Nellis base, the photovoltaic system comprises 72,000 solar panels using the SunPower Tracker technology. The energy generated will support over 12,000 military and civilians at Nellis who are responsible for Air Force advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing.

"We are faced with an incredible opportunity to promote U.S. energy security by developing our own abundant domestic resources," said United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. "Nevada and the United States have the technology and natural resources to serve our growing power demand with clean, renewable energy. I congratulate the Air Force for its continued leadership on clean power."

"Nellis, the 'Home of the Fighter Pilot,' is now home to the largest solar electric power plant in all of North America," said Colonel Michael Bartley, Nellis Air Force Base commander. "Our base and indeed our entire nation will benefit from the predictable, secure supply of clean energy that this landmark power plant is now generating. The project also provides a future test bed for the Department of Defense to assess the benefits of similar arrangements on installations across the United States."

"The Nellis project is a powerful demonstration of the U.S. Air Force's ability to execute on its aggressive goals for clean energy. From early concept through today's dedication, the Air Force collaborated closely with the strong coalition of partners instrumental in making this grand vision for solar a reality, and we look forward to maintaining that solid relationship over the long life of this clean energy system," said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. "The Nellis project further demonstrates how public-private partnership coupled with an innovative approach to third-party finance can make solar an affordable solution at even the largest scale."

"We congratulate the Air Force for having the vision to make solar power a mainstream energy source, and for hosting the largest solar photovoltaic system in the nation," said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower. "Solar power is the fastest growing energy resource to help meet our escalating power demand, generating reliable, affordable power without creating emissions or waste. Nellis' decision to maximize the size and efficiency of its solar system underscores its commitment to secure energy and environmental preservation. We are proud that SunPower was selected by the Air Force to design, supply, and build this hallmark project."

"Working with partners, such as Nellis Air Force Base, to develop and generate solar energy projects is part of our strategy of providing clean, safe, reliable electricity to our customers at reasonable and predictable prices," said Michael Yackira, chief executive officer of Sierra Pacific Resources, parent company of Nevada Power. "Now that the Nellis solar energy system is on-line, the state of Nevada will be number one in the United States in solar generation per capita. We plan to expand our investments in renewable energy in order to increase the leadership position our company already has in renewable energy nationwide."

About Nellis Air Force Base

Nellis Air Force Base is called the "Home of the Fighter Pilot," and for good reason as Nellis is home of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. With five wings and more than 150 aircraft, the Warfare Center is responsible for advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing. The Center also conducts worldwide combat operations with the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. More information about Nellis is on the Web at http://www.nellis.af.mil.

About MMA Renewable Ventures

A subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC "MuniMae," (NYSE: MMA), MMA Renewable Ventures finances, owns and operates renewable energy and energy efficiency assets in the United States. The Company provides leases, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other customized financial solutions to help its customers manage energy costs. MMA Renewable Ventures is dedicated to delivering competitively priced, clean energy and energy savings to customers, strong partnership options for project developers, and exceptional opportunities for institutional investment in the clean energy sector. For more information about MMA Renewable Ventures, visit http://www.mmarenewableventures.com.

About SunPower

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.sunpowercorp.com. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
(NYSE: CY).

About Nevada Power Company

Nevada Power Company is a regulated public utility engaged in the distribution, transmission, generation, purchase and sale of electric energy in the southern Nevada communities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Searchlight, Laughlin and their adjoining areas. The Company also provides electricity to Nellis Air Force Base, the Department of Energy at Mercury and Jackass Flats at the Nevada Test Site. Nevada Power Company provides electricity to approximately 815,000 residential and business customers in a 4,500 square mile service area.

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE: SRP) is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California. Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not represent historical facts. We use words such as "will" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, our plans and expectations regarding reducing CO2 emissions by 24,000 tons annually, generating more than 30 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, and supplying approximately 25% of the total power used by nearly 12,000 people who live and work at the base. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this release and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control. In particular, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ include variations in carbon dioxide emissions reductions, actual electricity generation, actual energy consumption rate, and other risks described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any responsibility to, update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

California's SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) buying Italy's Solar Solutions

SunPower to buy Italian solar company
article from East Bay Business Times

SunPower Corp. said Thursday it agreed to acquire Solar Solutions for an undisclosed amount.

San Jose-based SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) is a maker of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems.

Faenza, Italy-based Solar Solutions is a solar systems integration and product distribution company that is a 14-person division of Combigas s.r.l., a petroleum products trading firm.

The acquisition is expected close in the first quarter of 2008.

SunPower bought Berkeley-based PowerLight Corp., a maker of large-scale residential and commercial solar power systems, in January for $330 million. The Berkeley company now operates as a subsidiary of SunPower: SunPower Corp., Systems.

srticle from:

SunPower (SPWR) news: takeover of Italian solar energy company Solar Solutions

New technology makes natural gas clean and green

Using hydrogen to clean up fossil fuels

December 10, 2007
Tyler Hamilton, TheStar.com

Hydrogen might be an emission-free fuel when burned or put through a fuel cell, but given that fuel-cell cars for the mass market are at least a decade away – if they ever come – what if hydrogen could be used today to clean up a fossil fuel we already depend on, such as natural gas?

We use natural gas as fuel for corporate and municipal vehicle fleets, to provide power generation, and to heat our homes and buildings. The infrastructure is well developed. If we can use what we have and at the same time reduce the greenhouse gas and smog-causing emissions that result from it, then some argue it makes sense to pursue it as one slice of a larger climate-mitigation strategy.

A Fredericton-based company called Atlantic Hydrogen Inc. is making impressive inroads in this regard, having developed a new technology that can remove carbon from natural gas and replace it with hydrogen.

"Effectively what we're doing is greening the gas," says David Wagner, president and chief operating officer of Atlantic Hydrogen, which is attempting to commercialize technology developed at McGill University by chemist David Fletcher and later transferred to the University of New Brunswick.

"We are aware that in Ontario a company called Bullfrog Power is out there selling green power, so why can't we sell green gas? It's the same concept, different fuel. That's what has a number of gas companies we've talked to quite excited about this."

The company's technology is called CarbonSaver – basically a low-temperature plasma reactor that uses low amounts of energy and, according to Wagner, doesn't emit greenhouse gases. When natural gas flows through the CarbonSaver device it disassociates hydrogen and carbon from a portion of the gas. The carbon is removed in solid form as a kind of black dust. The hydrogen is injected back into the natural gas stream, representing between 15 and 20 per cent of its volume.

Wagner calls the resulting product "hydrogen-enriched natural gas" – that is, green gas. It can be used as a fuel in any internal combustion engine that would normally use natural gas, but it burns much cleaner. This also applies to natural gas appliances, such as stoves and furnaces, and gas turbines.

"By putting just 15 to 20 per cent hydrogen in with the natural gas, without making changes to an engine except tuning it for a lean burn, you could reduce harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides by anywhere from 50 to 60 per cent," explains Wagner. "So that really caught our eye."

He said natural gas with a 20 per cent blend of hydrogen also results in a 7 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide, or CO{-2}.

Atlantic Hydrogen is currently studying potential uses for this solid carbon, which could be used in making inks, dyes, plastics and tires, not to mention super-lightweight carbon composite parts for vehicles and airplanes.

It could also be permanently stored in soil – used alongside fertilizer to regenerate depleted farmland. This approach, often referred to as biochar sequestration, could fetch revenues in the form of saleable carbon credits.

Enbridge Gas Distribution is working with Atlantic Hydrogen on a three-year project partly funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada, which pitched in $2 million. The company, which got early financial support from East Coast cable pioneer Bill Stanley, has also raised over $5 million in private equity financing and is in the process of building its first demonstration units.

Full article continued at:

Atlantic Hydrogen technology to clean natural gas

Check also:

Solar Intelligence Blog - Clean Energy and World Peace

Alternative Energy Investing takes many forma

Alternative Energy Investing

NOTE: SolarIntell.com does not consider nuclear energy to be "alternative", but rather, considers coal and nuclear to be the two most toxic forms of electricity generation.

from: http://www.low-cost-stock-recommendations.com/alternative-energy.html

Although alternative energy provides only a small percentage of the world's supply, it is now apparent that demand is rapidly rising. Environmental regulations and Government support is preparing renewable energy companies for a potential boom.

There are several different forms.

1.) Hydroelectric: One-fourth of the electricity used throughout the world, and 5% of the worlds overall energy supply is generated by Hydroelectric power.

2.) Nuclear: The United States has 104 operating Nuclear power plants in 31 states, producing 787 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2006.

3.) Solar: Energy demand for Solar has grown 20% plus every year for the past two decades and shows no signs of letting up. The demand is spurred by increasing efficiency of solar technology and manufacturing improvements.

4.) Wind: Currently, wind generates enough electricity to service about 3 million homes in the USA. The Federal Government has set long-term goals to generate 6% of electricity production from wind sources by 2030.

5.) Geothermal: This is energy derived from the heat in the interior of the earth. Although this form of energy has been around for quite some time, it is just now starting to expand in the USA.

The most promising of these energies, in that they are comparable in price to oil and gas, is hydroelectric, nuclear and wind.

In California, legislation was passed in April of 2007 requiring 10% of the energy produced to come from renewable energy sources. The push is on in the worlds 7th largest economy. Many parts of the state is flush with volcanic activity, which presents Geothermal Operations a viable opportunity to expand.

Investing in renewable energy is speculative. Most of these companies are small to mid-sized and have little financial history to offer its investors. Also alarming, many of the companies supplying the technology to produce alternative energy, still aren't profitable yet. Analyst many times disagree on who the leaders of the field actually are.

Large returns are going to be made with many of these companies. However, there will also be many companies who fail. For those investors who prefer safety, but still want to participate, consider investing in the WilderHill Energy ETF, symbol PBW, on the American Stock Exchange.

And for those of you who are speculators, it is possible that fortunes will be made off some of these fledgling companies.

Tim O'Reilly Waxes Eloquently about Google's (GOOG) clean green initiative

More on Google's Energy Initiative

by Tim O'Reilly, O'Reilly Radar

I wanted to add a few more thoughts about Google's new energy initiative, Renewable Energy at Less cost than Coal, or spelled out as an acronym, RELC, an ambitious attempt to fund alternative energy technologies that offer the possibility of generating electricity at a cost less than that of coal.

The stakes are high. If our worst fears about global warming are right, we're going to bring our technological progress to a halt unless we get new sources of clean energy. Google's goal of beating the cost of energy from coal is critical, because coal is the default lowest-cost choice for electricity generation, and the worst from a global warming perspective.

And let's be clear, the internet industry we know and love is a huge consumer of power. I love Nick Carr's estimate from last year that a Second Life avatar consumes almost as much energy as a real human. While Nick's calculations are provocative rather than authoritative, he makes a good point. Our electronic lifestyle has hidden, off-the-books costs. Google is very smart to acknowledge this fact.

But Google's investments in energy aren't just driven by worries about global warming. To be sure, Al Gore is a senior advisor to the company, and the management team takes the threat very seriously. But Google also has a very direct business interest in developing new, cheap sources of energy.

One of the first times I met Larry Page, long before Google went public, when he was still driving a bright blue VW bug, he was telling me how for Google, the annual energy cost of each processor they put online was greater than the cost of the processor itself. (This may actually have been lifetime energy cost. It's a long time and I don't remember exactly, so I don't want to put words in his mouth.) Energy is one of the key costs for anyone running a large server farm, and keeping that cost under control is a key element of competitive advantage.

full article at O'Reilly Radar post on Google's Renewable Energy at Less cost than Coal plan, RELC

Alternative Energy Stocks Coverage List

info from: http://www.alternativeenergyinvesting.net

Coverage List

The following is a short-list of alternative energy companies that form the central focus of our market research:


Distributed Generation

Ballard Power Systems, Capstone Turbine, Distributed Energy Systems, Daystar, Energy Conversion Devices, Evergreen Solar, FuelCell Energy, Hydrogenics, Millennium Cell, Plug Power, Vestas Wind Energy, Gamesa

Clean Fuel & Combustion Technology

Catalytica Energy Systems, Fuel Tech N.V., Headwaters, Methanex Corp., Quantum Fuel Systems Tech, Syntroleum Corp, Pacific Ethanol, International Fuel Technology, IMPCO Technologies

Energy Storage

Active Power, Arotech Corp., Beacon Power Corp., C&D Tech, EnerSys, Medis Technologies, Ultralife Batteries, Valence Technology, Maxwell Technologies, Exide

Power Electronics

Artesyn Tech., Magnetek, PECO II, Power-One, SatCon Technology, UQM Technologies, Vicor Corp.

Power Quality

American Power Conversion, American Superconductor, Intermagnetics

Energy Information Technology

Itron, Badger Meter

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) enters alternative energy business

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) today announced a new strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The newly created initiative, known as Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal is hiring engineers and energy experts to lead its research and development work, which will begin with a significant effort on solar thermal technology, and will also investigate enhanced geothermal systems and other areas. In 2008, Google expects to spend tens of millions on research and development and related investments in renewable energy. As part of its capital planning process, the company also anticipates investing hundreds of millions of dollars in breakthrough renewable energy projects which generate positive returns.

“We have gained expertise in designing and building large-scale, energy-intensive facilities by building efficient data centers,” said Larry Page, Google Co-founder and President of Products. “We want to apply the same creativity and innovation to the challenge of generating renewable electricity at globally significant scale, and produce it cheaper than from coal.”

Page added, “There has been tremendous work already on renewable energy. Technologies have been developed that can mature into industries capable of providing electricity cheaper than coal. Solar thermal technology, for example, provides a very plausible path to providing renewable energy cheaper than coal. We are also very interested in further developing other technologies that have potential to be cost-competitive and green. We are aware of several promising technologies, and believe there are many more out there.”

Page continued, “With talented technologists, great partners and significant investments, we hope to rapidly push forward. Our goal is to produce one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal. We are optimistic this can be done in years, not decades.” (One gigawatt can power a city the size of San Francisco.)

“If we meet this goal,” said Page, “and large-scale renewable deployments are cheaper than coal, the world will have the option to meet a substantial portion of electricity needs from renewable sources and significantly reduce carbon emissions. We expect this would be a good business for us as well.”

Coal is the primary power source for many around the world, supplying 40% of the world’s electricity. The greenhouse gases it produces are one of our greatest environmental challenges. Making electricity produced from renewable energy cheaper than coal would be a key part of reducing global greenhouse-gas emissions.

“Cheap renewable energy is not only critical for the environment but also vital for economic development in many places where there is limited affordable energy of any kind,” added Sergey Brin, Google Co-founder and President of Technology.

Strategic Investments and Grants

“Lots of groups are doing great work trying to produce inexpensive renewable energy. We want to add something that moves these efforts toward even cheaper technologies a bit more quickly. Usual investment criteria may not deliver the super low-cost, clean, renewable energy soon enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change,” said Dr. Larry Brilliant, Executive Director of Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. “Google.org’s hope is that by funding research on promising technologies, investing in promising new companies, and doing a lot of R&D ourselves, we may help spark a green electricity revolution that will deliver breakthrough technologies priced lower than coal.”

Working with Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, Google.org will make strategic investments and grants that demonstrate a path toward producing energy at an unsubsidized cost below that of coal-fired power plants. Google will work with a variety of organizations in the renewable energy field, including companies, R&D laboratories, and universities. For example, Google.org is working with two companies that have promising scalable energy technologies:

* eSolar Inc., a Pasadena, CA-based company specializing in solar thermal power which replaces the fuel in a traditional power plant with heat produced from solar energy. eSolar’s technology has great potential to produce utility-scale power cheaper than coal. For more information, please visit http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/esolar.pdf.
* Makani Power Inc., an Alameda, CA-based company developing high-altitude wind energy extraction technologies aimed at harnessing the most powerful wind resources. High-altitude wind energy has the potential to satisfy a significant portion of current global electricity needs. For more information on Makani Power, please visit http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/makani.pdf.

Ongoing Commitments

Today’s announcement represents just the latest steps in Google’s commitment to a clean and green energy future.

Google has been working hard on energy efficiency and making its business environmentally sustainable. Last spring the company announced its intention to be carbon neutral for 2007, and is on track to meet that goal. To this end, the company has taken concrete steps to reduce its carbon footprint and accelerate improvements in green technology, including:

* Developing cutting-edge energy efficiency technology to power and cool its data centers in the U.S. and around the world.
* Generating electricity for its Mountain View campus from a 1.6 Megawatt corporate solar panel installation, one of the largest in the U.S.
* Accelerating development and adoption of plug-in vehicles through the RechargeIT initiative, including a $10 million request for investment proposals (http://www.google.org/recharge/)
* Joining with other industry leaders in 2007 to form the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, a consortium that advocates the design and use of more energy-efficient computers and servers (http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/).
* Working on policies that encourage renewable energy development and deployment, such as a U.S. Renewable Energy Standard, through Google.org.

For more information on Google’s commitment to a clean energy future, see http://www.google.com/renewable-energy

For broadcast-standard video and other multimedia files for the announcement, see http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/index.html

For more information on recruitment for Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, see http://www.google.com/jobs/energy/

Publicly-traded Solar Energy Companies

Solar power Stocks List:

Akeena Solar, Inc. [AKNS OTC Bulletin Board] Designer, installer, marketer, and seller of solar power systems for residential and small commercial customers.

ARISE Technologies Corporation [APV.V Canadian Venture Exchange] Exclusive Canadian distributor of the MSK Just Roof [TM] BIPV [Building Integrated Photovoltaic] system.

Canadian Solar (CSIQ) [NASDAQ] Involved in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of solar module products

Carmanah Technologies Corporation [CMH.TO Toronto Stock Exchange] Supplier of solar-powered LED lighting, solar power systems & equipment and LED-illuminated signage.

DayStar Technologies (DSTI) [NASDAQ] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Photovoltaic Foil products that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Deli Solar [USA], Inc. (DLSL) [OTC Bulletin Board] Designer, manufacturer, and seller of solar hot water heaters, coal-fired boilers, and space heating products.

Energy Conversion Devices. (ENER) [NASDAQ] Designer, developer, and seller of materials, products, and production processes for the alternative energy generation, energy storage, and information technology markets.

ErSol Solar Energy AG (ERSLF Pink Sheets) Producer of solar cells.

Evergreen Solar (ESLR) [NASDAQ] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of solar power products in Germany and the United States.

First Solar (FSLR) [NASDAQ] Designs and manufactures solar modules through its proprietary thin film semiconductor technology.

Hoku Scientific, Inc. (HOKU) [NASDAQ] develops polysilicon-based photovoltaic modules for solar power systems. Also develops other clean energy technologies.

ICP Solar Technologies Inc. [ICPR OTCBB] Develops, manufactures and markets of solar cells and products.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (WFR) [NYSE] Produces wafers for the semiconductor and solar industries.

SES Solar Inc. (SESI) [OTCBB] Involved in the production of solar photovoltaic modules and roof tiles from silicon cells.

Solar Night Industries [SLND Pink Sheets] Global manufacturer and distributor of solar products.

Solar Thin Films, Inc. [SLTF Pink Sheets] Develops industrial thin film solar cell manufacturing equipment.

Spire (SPIR) [NASDAQ] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of solar equipment, solar systems, biomedical, and optoelectronics.

Sunpower Corporation (SPWR) [NASDAQ] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of solar electric power products.

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP) [NYSE] Designs, develops, manufactures, and markets photovoltaic cells and modules.

Sustainable Energy Tech. [STG.V Canadian Venture Exchange] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of advanced power inverters for the renewable energy industry.

TrendSetter Solar Products, Inc. (TSSP Pink Sheets) Manufacturer of solar hot water heating and storage systems in the United States.

WorldWater & Power (WWAT.OB) [OTC Bulletin Board] Solar engineering and project management company.

Xantrex Technology Inc. [XTX.TO Toronto Stock Exchange] Developer, manufacturer, and marketer of advanced power electronic products and systems for the renewable, portable, mobile, and programmable power markets.

XSunX (XSNX) [OTC Bulletin Board] Developer of the commercialization and licensing of processes for the manufacture of semitransparent photovoltaic technologies.

Alternative Energy attracts $180 billion: Solar $80 bil, Wind $50 bil

Green energy technology: Serious greenbacks hunt for clean power ideas


article from:

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4142278


By Leon Marshall

Any bright ideas out there on ways to curb greenhouse gases or to otherwise protect the environment? Come up with one and it could make you or your company rich, very rich indeed.

The world over, growing piles of money are searching for just such opportunities.

There may still be those who scoff at climate change as an anti-corporate scare story, or who dismiss conservation as a hindrance to development.

But investment markets are starting to suggest otherwise.

For all its socioeconomic challenges and related development priorities, South Africa has not been slow in grasping the shift in attitude.

The department of trade and industry launched an environmental goods and services forum in August to help local business tap into the world's multibillion-dollar green industry and steer the country towards meeting international environmental standards.

Already three years ago South Africa's demand for environmental goods and services was estimated at between R14.5 billion and R23.2 billion, and imports constituted a considerable portion of this.

Now a global perspective on the scale of the sector's growth has come from Paolo Pietrogrande, a leading businessman. Pietrogrande is the chairman of Atmos, an Italian company dedicated to innovation in the field of clean technologies and the financial aspects of greenhouse gas reductions.

He calculates that this year alone about $9 billion (R61 billion) of institutional funds has been scanning the globe for investment opportunities in clean technology. He believes the amount will grow rapidly as awareness takes hold of the need for industrial society to change its ways.

Pietrogrande, who has served with major firms such as Ryanair and Ducati, gave his prognosis earlier this month to an international group of journalists who met at Villa Mondragone, a Renaissance palace overlooking Rome. Environmental issues were discussed under the banner of the Italian Greenaccord Media Forum.

According to Pietrogrande, venture capitalists and other investors are starting to recognise the potential of the clean energy and clean technology sectors.

Real money is being invested, not just corporate social responsibility funds. These are serious investors who do due diligence studies and take expert advice. They expect good and dependable returns, and they have not been disappointed.

Renewable energy stocks have grown in value by about 250 percent over the past two years and have been noticeably unaffected by market downturns. Returns may still not be among the highest, but these tend to be seen as long-term investments.

The sentiment underlying the trend is inspired by growing public awareness of global climate change as well as the mounting energy crisis. Pietrogrande charges that the media is not appreciating the true scale of change happening in global markets and industry, and that journalists tend not to dig deep enough.

By the nature of his company's business, Pietrogrande may have a vested interest in talking up the green market. But his assessment is not disproportionate to that of, for instance, the South African trade and industry department, which sets the industry's global worth at $600 billion and growing at about 45 percent a year.

By Pietrogrande's calculations, European investors have already put e200 billion (R2 trillion) into clean technology. Europe is the trend setter in carbon trading, which is now a e20 billion a year business.

And alternative energy is gaining ground on world stock markets. Solar power has attracted $80 billion in funds, wind power $50 billion and biofuels another $50 billion.

Another statistic from Pietrogrande that shows the growing global awareness is that the term "climate change" has appeared no fewer than 130 000 times in English-language newspapers this year.

Published on the web by Business Report on November 23, 2007.