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| Solar Company Folds After $0.5B In Subsidies |  | | First time accepted submitter dusanv writes "Solyndra, a Silicon Valley solar energy firm, subsidized to the tune of $500 million and held as a `gleaming example of green technology,` announced bankruptcy yesterday. 1,100 employees fired."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
| | | 13 wind turbines installed near Pomeroy | | | MidAmerican Energy has announced it has completed the installation of 13 wind turbines near Pomeroy as part of the company`s plan to expand wind energy production across Iowa.In a news release issued Wednesday, MidAmerican says the turbines are the first of 258 the company is erecting at three wind energy projects in Iowa this year.The turbines, ... (more) | | |
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| Panda poo could be used as bio-fuel | | | High gas prices are driving innovation for alternative energy sources, and a group of researchers believe they may have found a fuel source in an unlikely place. | | | Astronomers Find Unusual Star | | | First time accepted submitter JoshuaZ writes "Astronomers have found an unusual small star. SDSS J102915+172927 is a small faint star with very little of any elements other than hydrogen or helium. The star`s composition is surprising (Pdf) since standard theories of star formation require heavier elements in small stars in order to allow the stars to be heavy enough to come together. Possibly the most unusual aspect of this star is the complete non-detection of lithium which would be expected in a star of this size. The only elements created shortly after the Big Bang were lithium, hydrogen and helium, and the star should have lithium levels much higher since they should correspond closely with the levels believed to have been formed shortly after the Big Bang."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
| | | Sudden death of controversial biofuel promoter delays court-ordered sale of house | | | A Baldwin County man who lost a multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought by a company that invested heavily in his promised alternative energy breakthrough died suddenly last week, temporarily halting the auction of his home. | | | SPI 2011 Gets An Assist From Magic | | | Solar is getting big and it’s promising to get bigger. Texas, as we all know, invented big. So as far as Solar Power International is concerned, it’s a match made in solar tradeshow heaven. And they have the numbers to prove it.The continent’s biggest solar gathering for the first time moves out of California and heads to Texas, where it will set up shop inside the cavernous Dallas Convention Center on Oct. 17-20. There will be 1,200 companies, 800,000 square feet of exhibit space, and organizers hope a new record attendance of more than 25,000. To many, though, the most awe-inspiring figure may be 6 feet, 9 inches. That’s the height of hands-down the most famous attendee of the show. Basketball Hall of Famer and world recognized business entrepreneur Magic Johnson will launch the show with a keynote address Monday, Oct. 17.It doesn’t appear that Magic has any particular holdings in the solar world. But he has a story to tell, and if the solar industry is listening, it just might prove to be poignant. Magic seemingly came out of nowhere and landed on the national stage in 1979 (a few months before Jimmy Carter installed solar panels, if you’re desperately searching for parallels). He was, like we say all to often in the solar business, a game-changer. He also met with some turbulence, but he showed a willingness to change direction, and ultimately, he became a force that is helping people live better and more sustainable lives. Starting to see the similarities?Magic has done most of this through his business dealings and his foundation, which focus heavily on urban development. The solar industry, while not quite at rookie status, is also not anywhere near its prime. I’m interested to hear what he has to say as the solar industry steps onto its biggest stage in North America. Luckily, Magic has always known how to fill a room.Out of the CradleWhile Magic’s appearance shows solar has hit the mainstream, so does the show’s move outside of California. The money and the support have for a long time been concentrated in the west. Texas, though, may represent the types of places where solar can be used as a launching pad. We all know the state has abundant sunshine, but it also has open space, comparatively cheap land and a growing number of municipalities (San Antonio and Austin come to mind) that see solar as a solution.In addition to the new venue, there are other highlights and changes for this year’s event:-- A new outdoor space will include 30 to 40 exhibitors.-- On Monday the 17th there will be a tour of a solar parking installation the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, about a 10-minute drive from the convention center.-- In addition to conference programs, there will be solar swaps, which are smaller interactive gatherings in which groups are encouraged to discuss challenges and offer solutions to predetermined topics.-- There’s an opportunity to reserve a meeting room where suppliers and customers can engage in business discussions.-- As always, RenewableEnergyWorld.com will have an Event Broadcast booth on the tradeshow floor where we’ll conduct video interviews on pressing topics for the solar industry.-- The general session will close Thursday with an address by Marcus Buckingham, a New York Times bestselling author and motivational speaker.-- And, of course, the annual SPI block party will be that Tuesday evening.For more conference details visit the SPI website. | | | Technology Cost Review: Grid Parity for Renewables? | | | Research from the University of Melbourne`s Energy Research Institute predicts that the price of wind and solar energy will continue to fall. The Institute`s Renewable Energy Technology Cost Review covers the current and future costs of three forms of renewable energy technology - photovoltaic (PV), wind and concentrating solar thermal (CST) - by comparing data from a range of international and Australia-specific studies. | | | |
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