On the GreenBeat: Solyndra raises $75M credit facility, Reno's wind experiment
Here’s the latest action we’re following on the GreenBeat today:
Solyndra raises $75 million in credit facility – The solar manufacturer’s latest round of financing to shore up its capital needs come in the form of a secured credit facility underwritten by existing investors. The company makes cylindrical solar rooftop systems and is a now-controversial recipient of a $535 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy. The company’s president and CEO Brian Harrison released … Continue Reading
MiaSole reportedly raises $125M for solar, IPO question hangs
Thin-film solar panel maker MiaSole has reportedly raised $125 million in sixth round of equity financing.
The round values the company at less than half it was in 2008, dropping from a $1.2 billion pre-money valuation in 2008 to a $550 million valuation today, according to a source cited by VentureWire.
The company has been said to be preparing for an IPO this year (and was last reported to be looking to raise $100 million, … Continue Reading
SoloPower wins $197 million loan guarantee for solar panel factory
Updated
The Department of Energy has granted a $197 million loan guarantee to SoloPower for the building of a thin-film solar panel manufacturing facility in Wilsonville, Ore.
This marks a big win for SoloPower, which is coming off several weeks of progress related to the plant. In January, the company raised $51 million in a fourth round of funding, then announced the Oregon Department of Energy granted it a $20 million loan. It also shows … Continue Reading
On the GreenBeat: MiaSolé snared in patent suit, Nissan to show off electric sports car
Here’s the latest action we’re following on the GreenBeat:
MiaSolé accused of patent infringement — The solar startup has been served a patent infringement lawsuit by solar technology company Solannex. The suit alleges that MiaSolé lifted aspects of Solannex’s patented solar array interconnection structure technology after initial meetings in which Solannex’s founder demonstrated and provided samples of the technology. MiaSolé makes thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) modules.
Nissan shows off Esflow electric sports car… Continue Reading
Light some CIGS: Intel leads $25M round for Sulfurcell's solar modules
Looks like SpectraWatt’s struggles haven’t deterred Intel from investing in solar.
SpectraWatt, an Intel spinoff which has raised about $50 million in venture capital to develop its solar cells, recently said it would close a plant and lay off 100 workers. But Intel’s investment arm is bouncing right back, this time with a bet on a promising solar-manufacturing technology that has gathered increasing steam lately. Intel Capital announced today it led a $25 million equity … Continue Reading
AQT opens second factory for thin-film CIGS production
Thin-film solar cell maker AQT Solar announced today it will open a second manufacturing plant in Richland County, South Carolina to help fill its current order backlog of 160 megawatts.
The new facility is slated to start production of CIGS cells by the start of 2012, and eventually grow to 1 gigawatt of capacity by the end of 2014. CIGS, named for the copper, indium, gallium, and selenium compound used in the cells, is expected … Continue Reading
On the GreenBeat: SoloPower raises $51.6 million, Stion plans $150 million IPO
Here’s the latest action we’re following on the GreenBeat today:
SoloPower picks up $51.6 million – The thin-film solar startup (solar module pictured) has raised the cash from backers that include Hudson Clean Energy Partners and Crosslink Capital, according to an SEC filing cited by Earth2Tech, which also notes solar manufacturer Stion is looking to raise $100 – $150 million in an IPO in the next few years.
Nvidia Tegra chips to power Tesla’s Model … Continue Reading
Bring it on: GE and LG enter the solar game
Looks like the solar market is getting interesting. GE and LG Electronics are making big moves this week with announcements that they will enter the U.S. solar market. GE is making two pushes into thin-film solar, and LG is launching its photovoltaic solar panels and has plans for some heavy R&D spending.
Both companies are entering the market as demand for solar continues to grow, with the U.S. market’s installed solar capacity projected to grow … Continue Reading
On the GreenBeat: LED installer Redwood raises $15 million, smart grid's Accent brings in $7 million
LED lighting systems installer Redwood Systems announced this morning it has raised $15 million in equity. Backers include Battery Ventures, U.S. Venture Partners and Switzerland-based Index Ventures.
Smart grid semiconductor company Accent announced it has raised $7 million in a second round of fundraising from Tallwood Venture Capital.
Newer cars will be allowed to use higher levels of ethanol in gasoline, the Wall Street Journal reports — as high as 15 … Continue Reading
On the GreenBeat: Enfinity acquires ClearPeak, Google invests in $5 billion wind transmission project
Solar project developer Enfinity announced it has acquired solar developer ClearPeak, adopting the latter’s pipeline of renewable energy customers and projects. The acquisition will expand Enfinity’s reach coast-to-coast.
SmartSynch and Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today a residential utility smart meter that communicates over the Sprint network and uses SmartSynch’s network management. This follows SmartSynch’s announcement last week that it would team with Verizon to release a smart grid communications solution for residential utilities, and shows … Continue Reading
On the GreenBeat: A long road ahead for electric car batteries, how Cisco's spree affects smart grids
Electric vehicles face a long road to progress when it comes to its lithium-ion batteries, IBM scientist Winfried Wilcke tells the New York Times. Advances in lithium-ion technology have been slow, says Wilcke, whose team is trying to develop a technology that would extend EVs’ range to 500 miles on a single charge (current EVs have a range of around 100 miles). He likens the long road ahead to “climbing Mount Everest.”
One oft-talked … Continue Reading
Nanosolar gets $20M more for cutting-edge solar technology
Electric vehicles face a long road to progress when it comes to its lithium-ion batteries, IBM scientist Winfried Wilcke tells the New York Times. Advances in lithium-ion technology have been slow, says Wilcke, whose team is trying to develop a technology that would extend EVs’ range to 500 miles on a single charge (current EVs have a range of around 100 miles). He likens the long road ahead to “climbing Mount Everest.”
One oft-talked … Continue Reading
