PG&E warms to solar, signs contracts for 500 MW
Pacific Gas & Electric has signed contracts to buy 500 megawatts-worth of power from two solar companies, NextEra Energy Resources and Abengoa Solar. The former will depend on huge parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight on fluids that produce steam to turn turbines, while the latter will turn to concentrating photovoltaics, using mirrors to saturate electricity-producing solar modules.
Neither of the projects has been built yet. Florida Power and Light-owned NextEra is pitching its 250-megawatt Genesis solar… Continue Reading
Cleantech investing surpasses IT in Europe despite dip
Even though cleantech investing in Europe and Israel is down more than 30 percent from last year’s $1.8 billion, the sector is surpassing IT to become the second largest venture capital category on the continent (biotech remains at the top).
Relatively speaking, cleantech is still in its infancy. With so many capital intensive projects (think manufacturing plants and solar arrays) and a limited number of customers, it hasn’t caught on like the dot-com boom — or,… Continue Reading
Spanish Abengoa fires up world’s largest solar tower
Abengoa Solar has brought its massive PS20 solar tower in Seville, Spain online. The 20-megawatt plant is the largest of its kind in the world, delivering electricity to 10,000 homes. The development is yet another example of Spain’s growing influence in the solar sector — which now extends as far as the American southwest.
The tower architecture that defines the PS20 plant is still fairly unique. This particular plant is 541 feet tall (about 54 stories… Continue Reading
Arizona surges ahead with new $1B solar plant
Arizona, already a dominant force in the solar sector, is adding another $1 billion solar plant to its repertoire. The state just struck a deal with Albiasa Solar to build the 200-megawatt concentrated solar facility near Kingman, Ariz. — a city in the northwest part of the state very close to the California and Nevada borders.
The good news for Kingman and local residents is that the project should deliver 2,000 construction jobs and more than… Continue Reading
Roundup: Facebook UK traffic drop, a solar plant in AZ, flash chips, and more
1. Facebook sees monthly dip in UK traffic, not a big deal
2. Abengoa Solar wins solar electricity plant contract with Arizona government
3. NAND flash memory chips getting cheaper
4. Facebook developer Blake Commagere has top Facebook games
5. ILike, the social networking music application, now has 22 million users
6. Windows Live SkyDrive offers up to 5GB free storage
7. Ta-da, the magical wireless mystery tour: SF bus begins testing internet service
8. “A truly great idea: 99 cent rotating… Continue Reading