Best of December: Alternative Energy Websites and Blogs

It was an exciting month for solar energy stocks, windpower investments and investing in geothermal energy!!! Here are a few December posts that will continue to find value as investors look for the most promising stocks of 2008:

* Solar Energy Investing, Solar Power Stocks News

* NYC Mayor Bloomberg promotes microturbine energy

* Investment ideas for 2008: Wind, Geothermal, Hydropower

* Current CPNLQ shareholders to be offered warrants

* Geothermal Power Companies - Publicly-traded geothermal energy stocks

* Hydrogen Fuel Efficiency company Hy-Drive (TSX-V: HGS)

* SPWR and MMA: build America's largest PV solar array

* China's Goldwind Sci & Tech IPO - new windpower stock

* New Canadian technology purifies natural gas

* Global Alternative Energy Stock components

* Q-Cells (CQEG) investing in thin-film solar energy technology

* Transcript of Brad Pitt interview on Larry King, re New Orleans

* Green Power Conferences slated for Barcelona, New York City

* Investors List of Windpower stocks

* Publicly-listed Solar Energy Companies

* Best of SolarIntell.com NOV07 - Alternative Energy Investing Websites

AND, please welcome the newest entry into the category of best renewable energy investing websites: Geothermal Energy Investing Websites and Blogs
Checl also:

Bees Trees Frogs Elephants; Nature, Science and Ecology Blog

Solar Intelligence Blog - Green Energy as a Path to Peace

Bourne believes solar energy technology approaching tipping point

Investments in alternative energy technologies and models of innovation.

article from: Bourne To Be Wild

How do we cut through the hype in the varied landscape of alternative energy technologies? From time to time, there is a lot of excitement about a great NY Times article on Solar Power technology.

Here’s Vinod Khosla’s talk on the topic:
http://www.technologyreview.com/player/08/01/MagBiofuels/3.aspx

Interesting point to note about all similar articles on Nanosolar:

1. The good news: Germany has placed huge bets on coal energy. Its dependence on coal fire plants is similar to that of the US. A serious investment like that in Germany could correlate to investments in the US.

2. The articles don’t mention what folks eventually live and die by in technology- TCO. $1 per watt sounds like zero TCO. Storage is critical too. The good news: Khosla’s talk covers this point of view. So someone has that figured out to a degree.

3. Of course, just as investments in solar power are improving cost and efficiency, investments in (recent bad boy) ethanol and coal technologies are improving the cost and efficiency of those sources of energy. Non polluting coal power plants have 35% efficiency on coal. Solar energy based approaches of the type mentioned in the article hope to get there by 2011. Anyone betting on breakthroughs (safety, TCO, etc.) in nuclear power?

While multiple approaches to the energy crisis are the only way forward, it is really going to boil down to models of innovation. Or is it?

Full article continues at: Solar Energy Technology Models

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

CPST news; Capstone announces 1 megawatt microturbine system

Capstone Announces First Megawatt Microturbine Solution
Wednesday December 12, 5:00 am ET

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST - News), the world’s leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems announced today the C1000, the world’s first megawatt microturbine solution.

The new robust megawatt power systems, based on Capstone’s C200 microturbine product line, can be configured into 1,000 kW, 800 kW and 600 kW solutions in a single 28-foot-long ISO container. Other benefits include:

- Low greenhouse-gas emissions

- Patented air-bearing microturbine technology

- Easy to install and commission -- single fuel and electrical connection

- Minimal scheduled maintenance and downtime

- Low noise and vibration

- One of the industry’s smallest modular footprints

Additional features include Capstone’s remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, and integrated utility synchronization and protection. Comprehensive Factory Protection Plans are available.

“This is another important technical achievement for Capstone as we will be able to effectively compete in megawatt scale projects and therefore double our addressable market,” said Jim Crouse, Capstone Turbine Corporation’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“The C1000 platform applies the same dependable technology found in our proven 30kW and 65kW products,” said Darren Jamison, Capstone’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe the C1000 will be well received in the United States and abroad and reinforce our commitment to provide customers one of the most environmentally friendly distributed generation products available.”

Every installed C1000 Capstone MicroTurbine solution is equivalent to removing up to 700 average U.S. passenger vehicles from the road, based on EPA emissions and efficiency data for the average US power plant and average passenger vehicle, or the equivalent of 730 acres of pine and fir forest, based on CO2 reductions.

About Capstone Turbine

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST - News) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone Turbine has shipped over 4,000 Capstone MicroTurbine® systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone Turbine is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation’s energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2000 certified company; Capstone Turbine is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in New York, Mexico City, Milan, Nottingham, Shanghai and Tokyo.

“Capstone Turbine Corporation” and “Capstone MicroTurbine” are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about the benefits of our new C1000 product and new sales opportunities for Capstone globally for the new C1000 product. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg promotes microturbine energy systems, on-site power generation

December 3, 2007
www.NYC.org

MAYOR BLOOMBERG CREATES NEW RULE, MAKING ON-SITE POWER GENERATION TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Standard for Safe Use and Installation of Energy-Efficient Microturbine Systems Will Enable Owners to Participate in PlaNYC Goal of Increasing Clean Power Generation

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced a new rule setting the country's first standard for the safe use and installation of microturbine systems in residential and commercial buildings. Microturbines are highly efficient turbine generators that recover and reuse the wasted heat of their own combustion process, after producing electricity and heat for a building, to provide energy for other building operations. By reusing heat that would otherwise be exhausted into the atmosphere, microturbines greatly increase the usable energy produced by fossil fuels, reduce carbon emissions, and provide building owners opportunities for operational cost savings. The new rule was published in today's City Record and takes effect immediately.

"I want to thank the Cogeneration Task Force, lead by Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, for the serious attention they've given this issue and for coming up with a rule that will allow for the use of microturbines in buildings here in New York and to ensure that they are safely and properly installed," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This rule will help us to meet our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide by 30% between now and 2030, and it will help spur the real estate and development communities to build more efficient, greener projects moving forward."

Buildings in New York City generate 79% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. By supplying on-site power generation to buildings, microturbine systems provide an energy-efficient supplement to power plants, New York City's conventional power supply. Estimates show, for a given amount of fossil fuel, microturbines generate 70 to 80 percent of its usable energy, whereas only 30 to 35% of the energy produced by power plants is usable.

"Microturbines allow buildings to generate a portion of their own electricity in a clean and efficient manner. Owners who take advantage of microturbine technology will help distribute clean power generation throughout the five boroughs, which will in part address the clean energy needs of New York's dense urban community," said Buildings Commissioner Lancaster. "Through our public-private partnership formed under the Cogeneration Task Force, we have set a standard for the safe use and installation of micrortubine systems where no standard existed before. We look forward to continuing our partnership to develop safe regulations for next-generation technology that will make New York City more sustainable."

"The Fire Department is proud to have been part of the Cogeneration Task Force that has reviewed and approved the use of microturbine systems," said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. "This new technology offers improved energy efficiency in buildings, while maintaining our city's high standards for public safety."

The market for on-site power generation technology has expanded in recent years as residential and commercial building owners demanded new ways to lower building operational costs and provide back-up energy in the case of power losses. While regulations exist for microturbine systems used in manufacturing buildings, no major US city has regulated the safe use and installation of microturbines in residential and commercial buildings until now. The new rule enables building owners to take advantage of microturbine technology, which will help the City reach its PlaNYC goal of expanding clean distributed power generation citywide.

"The use of microturbines to generate electricity on site at commercial and residential buildings benefits us all," said Real Estate Board of New York President Steven Spinola. "Because of the efficiency of these systems, New Yorkers will breathe cleaner air and building owners will save on operating costs. We can also add needed electric generation capacity without further taxing the transmission and distribution systems."

"Distributed generation of energy is crucial to making New York a greener and more sustainable city," said Douglas Durst, Co-President of The Durst Organization. "By producing electricity on site and capturing waste heat to make hot water, microturbines are critical to increasing the efficiency of buildings and reducing the City's carbon foot print. I thank Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayors Skyler and Doctoroff and the Buildings and Fire Department for their cooperation and foresight and look forward to working with them on implementing this new rule."

"Today's announcement by Mayor Bloomberg represents another important step in moving towards increased use of co-generated electricity in our homes and offices. In the coming years, all new developments should be using this more efficient and cleaner way to cool and heat our buildings," said Ashok Gupta, Air & Energy Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council.

Under the new rule, microturbine systems approved by nationally recognized testing laboratories can be installed at residential and commercial buildings in various locations, including within weatherproof enclosures at grade or on roofs and within mechanical rooms built with 2-hour fire-resistance rated walls. To install approved microturbine systems, a building owner must receive clearance from the utility company and file an application with the Buildings Department. Once a permit is obtained and the system is installed, an owner must obtain a permit from the Fire Department to operate it.

Investment ideas for 2008: Wind, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Alternative Energy Stocks

Humanikind,

Here are some long-term investment ideas to consider for 2008. As a Canadian, 2 well-run firms worth considering are Tim Hortons ( THI quote from Morningstar) and TD Bank (TD Quote from Marketwatch.com. I have no idea what will happen to the two stocks over the next year, but if you invest in companies like these two, over the long term you will likely have increased dividends plus capital gains.

Alternative energy investing in renewable power technology companies is more high risk, especially now that some players are into early bubble territory. What will happen to the sector if oil falls to $70, 60, 50 40 ... ? That could create a short-term selling panic in clean energy stocks, and a subsequent buying opportunity, but the opposite may occur if oil rises to $110 or $120 or more.

Here are some companies worth investigating further:

Vestas Wind (VWS / VWSYF) is the No. 1 producer of modern clean energy; with a 28 per cent market share, and 33,500 wind turbines installed.

Hy-Drive Technologies Ltd. (HGS) is a hydrogen-based energy and power technology firm that has developed a patented Hydrogen Generating System (HGS). The HGS generates, on-demand, and injects small amounts of hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber of a regular internal combustion engine creating an enriched air mixture and a more complete and faster burn of the air-fuel mixture. The result is reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency and torque.

The initial application of Hy-Drive’s technologies is its proprietary "on-board" hydrogen and oxygen gas generation and injection system for internal combustion engines, the "Hydrogen Generating System" or "HGS". The initial target markets for Hy-Drive are the existing commercial diesel-powered trucks and buses in the "after-market".

Suzlon Energy SUZL The world of wind power is growing at a phenomenal pace. Projections put the average growth of the industry at over 25% for the next five years. Suzlon is at the leading edge of this growth.

Xantrex Technology Inc (TSX.V: XTX) is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for the distributed, mobile and programmable power markets.

Capstone Turbine Corp. (NASDAQ: CPST) Capstone Turbine Corporation is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems.


Geothermal Power Stocks; Geothermal Energy Investing:


Green Rock Energy ASX: GRK

Green Rock Energy Limited is engaged in the pursuit of geothermal energy resources and the development of low-emission, base load, renewable energy in Australia.

Green Rock Energy company website


Nevada Geothermal Power Inc NGLPF

Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. (NGP) is engaged in the business of developing renewable geothermal energy projects in Nevada and Oregon.

Nevada Power company website

Google Finance stock quote: NGLPF

Ormat Technologies Inc ORA

Ormat Technologies company info, profile on Reuters

ORA stock quote from Fool.com

Polaris Geothermal TSX: GEO

Polaris is a renewable resource company currently focused on the development of renewable energy in Latin America. Polaris is currently developing a 66 MW geothermal project on its San Jacinto Tizate concession in Nicaragua.


Polaris Geothermal company website

Sierra Geothermal Power Corp CA;SRA


Sierra Geothermal Power official website


U S Geothermal Inc UGTH


US Geothermal, UGTH company info

Western GeoPower Corp CA;WGP

Western GeoPower Corp. company website


WFI Industries Ltd CA;WFI

WFI stock quote on Yahoo Finance


View also: Solar Intelligence Blog; Clean Energy, World Peace

Current CPNLQ shareholders to be offered warrants for 10% of re-org

SAN JOSE, Calif. and HOUSTON, Dec. 21, 2007 (Canada NewsWire) - Calpine Corporation (OTC: CPNLQ) announced today that as part of its Sixth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"), it will issue warrants to purchase approximately 50 million shares of its new common stock, or about 10 percent of the common stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan, to holders of its currently outstanding common stock. Each warrant will represent the right to purchase a single share of Calpine's new common stock. The exercise price per share has not yet been determined, but it is expected to be based on a stipulated reorganized equity value of $11.942 billion. For illustrative purposes, assuming the issuance of 500 million shares on the effective date, the exercise price would be $23.88 per share. The expiration date of the warrants will be Aug. 25, 2008 or the date that is six months after the effective date of the Plan, which ever is later. No fractional warrants will be issued and no cash in lieu of fractional warrants will be distributed. The warrants will be transferable, but they will not be listed on any exchange.

The specific number of warrants to be issued, the exercise price and expiration date have not yet been determined. In addition, the exercise price, when issued, is intended to be "out-of-the-money," although the extent to which it is or is not "out-of-the-money" will depend on the market price of the new Calpine common stock, which can not be known at this time. There can be no assurance that the warrants will be "in-the-money" at any time prior to their expiration date.

The currently outstanding shares of common stock will be cancelled on the effective date of the Plan and will no longer represent an interest in Calpine Corporation.

About Calpine

Calpine Corporation is helping meet the needs of an economy that demands more and cleaner sources of electricity. Founded in 1984, Calpine is a major U.S. power company, currently capable of delivering nearly 24,000 megawatts of clean, cost-effective, reliable, and fuel-efficient electricity to customers and communities in 18 states in the U.S. The company owns, leases, and operates low-carbon, natural gas-fired, and renewable geothermal power plants. Using advanced technologies, Calpine generates electricity in a reliable and environmentally responsible manner for the customers and communities it serves. Please visit http://www.calpine.com for more information.

Forward Looking Statement>>

In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We use words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "may," "will" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) the risks and uncertainties associated with our Chapter 11 cases and Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings of certain of Calpine's Canadian affiliates, including our ability to successfully reorganize and emerge from Chapter 11; (ii) our ability to implement our business plan; (iii) financial results that may be volatile and may not reflect historical trends; (iv) seasonal fluctuations of our results; (v) potential volatility in earnings associated with fluctuations in prices for commodities such as natural gas and power; (vi) our ability to manage liquidity needs and comply with covenants related to our existing financing obligations and anticipated exit financing; (vii) the direct or indirect effects on our business of our impaired credit including increased cash collateral requirements in connection with the use of commodity contracts; (viii) transportation of natural gas and transmission of electricity; (ix) the expiration or termination of our power purchase agreements and the related results on revenues; * risks associated with the operation of power plants including unscheduled outages; (xi) factors that impact the output of our geothermal resources and generation facilities, including unusual or unexpected steam field well and pipeline maintenance and variables associated with the waste water injection projects that supply added water to the steam reservoir; (xii) risks associated with power project development and construction activities; (xiii) our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees; (xiv) our ability to attract and retain customers and contract counterparties; (xv) competition; (xvi) risks associated with marketing and selling power from plants in the evolving energy markets; (xvii) present and possible future claims, litigation and enforcement actions; (xviii) effects of the application of laws or regulations, including changes in laws or regulations or the interpretation thereof; and (xix) other risks identified from time-to-time in Calpine's reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, including, without limitation, the risk factors identified in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and Calpine undertakes no obligation to update any such statements. Unless specified otherwise, all information set forth in this release is as of today's date and Calpine undertakes no duty to update this information. For additional information about Calpine's chapter 11 reorganization or general business operations, please refer to Calpine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, Calpine's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and any other recent Calpine report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov or Calpine's website at http://www.calpine.com.

SOURCE: Calpine Corporation

Media Relations, Mel Scott, +1-713-570-4553, scottm@calpine.com, or Investor
Relations, Norma Dunn, +1-713-830-8883, ndunn@calpine.com, both of Calpine
Corporation

Calpine Corporation Web Site

Press Release on Calpine Corporation Warrant Offering