In China it's not unusual to see private residents to make the move to solar power. Like in any country the initial expense is high, but putting a few solar panels on your roof will pay off in the long run. It's good for you and it's good for the environment. Everybody wins, right?
Not so fast, skippy. One neighborhood in Hebei, China has somehow come to the conclusion that neat and tidy rooftops are more important that clean energy. Never mind global warming or the economic crisis. City beautification seems to be the top priority.
An official public notice (later posted online) stated the following:
"According to the comprehensive demands of the 'three years of change' and the beautification of scenery in the area, solar panels are strictly forbidden on rooftops. The resident will take responsibility for the financial damage incurred if they do not comply with this rule. The panels that are already in place must be taken down within three days. Otherwise punishment according to damages to public facilities will be enforced." Danwei
The town is currently undergoing a 'sloping roof' renovation project and it looks as though there will be no solar panel installations allowed after it is completed. While their roofs might look really spiffy, this kind of policy certainly does not reflect well on China's environmental efforts.
Is this somehow related to the Chinese cultural notion of "face" and keeping up a good outwardly appearance despite a possible lack of inner substance? And if so, how does it affect innovation and progress in China?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Bolstering solar development in Japan
A few days after China announced its solar stimulus plans, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters that he wants to integrate an economic stimulus plan that would favor solar development. Meanwhile, a panel set up by Japan's ruling party is hoping to bolster a scheme where utilities would buy electricity generated by solar panels installed on individual homes and office buildings. The panel also wants to install solar power generators at roughly 37,000 public schools within the next three years.
Incidentally, we heard last week that Toshiba and Sharp were in talks to join forces on their solar businesses. According to representatives from Sharp, the company wants to further enhance its solar business, and Toshiba is looking for a panel supplier. Sharp is one of the companies under consideration. Sharp's solar cell revenue is expected to reach US$1.7 billion this fiscal year, and Toshiba is looking to deliver annual sales of about US$2 billion by 2016 for its distributed generation systems.
Also on the Japanese solar front, oil refiner, Showa Shell Sekiyu KK is now looking to pick up some land to build its third solar panel factory. Representatives from Showa indicated that the company was in talks to buy an old Hitachi plasma television panel plant in southern Japan. Showa has already invested about US$202 million in its first two factories, which now have a combined production capacity of 80 megawatts a year. The next factory is expected to have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts.
Incidentally, we heard last week that Toshiba and Sharp were in talks to join forces on their solar businesses. According to representatives from Sharp, the company wants to further enhance its solar business, and Toshiba is looking for a panel supplier. Sharp is one of the companies under consideration. Sharp's solar cell revenue is expected to reach US$1.7 billion this fiscal year, and Toshiba is looking to deliver annual sales of about US$2 billion by 2016 for its distributed generation systems.
Also on the Japanese solar front, oil refiner, Showa Shell Sekiyu KK is now looking to pick up some land to build its third solar panel factory. Representatives from Showa indicated that the company was in talks to buy an old Hitachi plasma television panel plant in southern Japan. Showa has already invested about US$202 million in its first two factories, which now have a combined production capacity of 80 megawatts a year. The next factory is expected to have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts.
Solar Panels Stolen from Union Pacific Railroad in Butte County
Another case of stolen solar panels in Butte County. Union Pacific Railroad recently reported the theft of 8 solar panels and 16 batteries from the railroad in the Feather River Canyon near Pulga. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office says the missing equipment caused an interruption in the communication and control systems of the railroad, jeopardizing the safe passage of trains. But authorities say Union Pacific was able to isolate the problem before any accidents occurred. The loss of property is estimated at $20,000. This is the 3rd local stolen solar panel investigation in recent months.
Akeena Solar makes deal to install panels on low-income homes
Akeena Solar said Tuesday that it had signed a contract with a Morgan Stanley subsidiary to supply solar panels for low-income homes.
Los Gatos-based Akeena will be the exclusive solar-panel supplier for two years to MS Solar Solutions, part of the global financial services company.
No financial terms of the deal were released. Akeena CEO Barry Cinnamon said he anticipated selling panels for "at least 200 installations."
The deal represents an expansion of Akeena's business strategy. Primarily an installer of solar systems on residential and commercial rooftops, Akeena will now put more emphasis on selling its proprietary panels.
"We see tremendous growth potential for that part of the business," Cinnamon said.
MS Solar Solutions will use Akeena's Andalay AC panels on projects. The company also has the option of selling Akeena panels to large-tract homebuilders. Akeena also granted a royalty-bearing license to MS Solar that allows it to manufacture Andalay panels.
Unlike most solar panels that produce DC power that must be transformed to AC in a wall-mounted inverter, the Andalay AC panels contain an integrated inverter, "turning them into plug-and-play AC appliances," Cinnamon said. "Put a bunch together, and you can easily power a house."
As a result, they can be installed by workers who can be trained quickly.
The first shipments of Andalay AC panels to MS Solar Solutions will take place this week, with the Quantcastfirst job starting in an unidentified location in California in April.
Akeena's shares were up 17 percent to $1.12 in Tuesday's trading.
In testifying before Colorado legislators earlier this year, Martin Mobley, MS Solar Solutions' vice president, said the company intends to buy panels, install them and monitor and maintain them afterward for low-income citizens. The company's business plan, he said, includes taking advantage of solar rebates and tax credits, participating in government contracts as well as selling renewable energy credits, known as RECs.
Los Gatos-based Akeena will be the exclusive solar-panel supplier for two years to MS Solar Solutions, part of the global financial services company.
No financial terms of the deal were released. Akeena CEO Barry Cinnamon said he anticipated selling panels for "at least 200 installations."
The deal represents an expansion of Akeena's business strategy. Primarily an installer of solar systems on residential and commercial rooftops, Akeena will now put more emphasis on selling its proprietary panels.
"We see tremendous growth potential for that part of the business," Cinnamon said.
MS Solar Solutions will use Akeena's Andalay AC panels on projects. The company also has the option of selling Akeena panels to large-tract homebuilders. Akeena also granted a royalty-bearing license to MS Solar that allows it to manufacture Andalay panels.
Unlike most solar panels that produce DC power that must be transformed to AC in a wall-mounted inverter, the Andalay AC panels contain an integrated inverter, "turning them into plug-and-play AC appliances," Cinnamon said. "Put a bunch together, and you can easily power a house."
As a result, they can be installed by workers who can be trained quickly.
The first shipments of Andalay AC panels to MS Solar Solutions will take place this week, with the Quantcastfirst job starting in an unidentified location in California in April.
Akeena's shares were up 17 percent to $1.12 in Tuesday's trading.
In testifying before Colorado legislators earlier this year, Martin Mobley, MS Solar Solutions' vice president, said the company intends to buy panels, install them and monitor and maintain them afterward for low-income citizens. The company's business plan, he said, includes taking advantage of solar rebates and tax credits, participating in government contracts as well as selling renewable energy credits, known as RECs.
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