An increasing number of municipalities are recognizing that solar energy is a viable, commercially-sound proposition. The benefits are clear: with a solar energy power purchase agreement – a “PPA” – in place, cities are able to purchase clean energy, often at a lower rate than their current cost of energy, without significant up-front capital costs or the responsibility for maintaining the system.
Read more about how Enfinity delivered exactly these benefits to the City of Reno…
Mar
01
How municipalities are using solar to help cut energy costs
Jan
25
Solar financing in a post-1603 world
Wells Fargo and Enfinity Announce $100 Million Solar Fund
Today Enfinity America Corporation and Wells Fargo & Company announced a joint program through which Wells Fargo will provide up to $100 million for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects developed by Enfinity. Financing provided by Wells Fargo will enable Enfinity to cost-effectively provide a clean and reliable source of electricity to its customers and support its growing pipeline of distributed generation and utility-scale projects throughout the United States.
Enfinity America Corporation’s CEO, Rafael Dobrzynski, said, “The solar industry landscape is fast-changing; solar developers can no longer rely on incentives like Treasury’s cash grant program to make their projects viable. Enfinity has always been able to call upon its highly effective network of financing relationships – and this latest partnership with Wells Fargo will enable us to apply secure, robust financing to the many commercial, industrial and municipal solar energy opportunities in the United States.”
Read more…
Nov
17
Behind the Solyndra Headlines
Solar in America: Strong and Getting Stronger
More than 100,000 Americans work in the solar industry, double the number since 2009. They work at more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority being small businesses, in every state. In the last year, solar grew by 69 percent, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy. Since the start of 2010, the price of solar panels dropped by 30 percent. The U.S. was a net exporter of solar products in 2010 by $2 billion, even to China.
Solar power in the U.S. now exceeds 3,100 megawatts, enough to power more than 630,000 American homes.
Solyndra in Perspective
The Solyndra bankruptcy is not indicative of the health of the U.S. solar industry and, as with any competitive and dynamic market, some companies will prosper and others will fail. Despite support from the federal government, Solyndra failed due to an unsustainable business model, as the company faced pressure from cheaper solar panels and simply could not compete in a high-tech, dynamic market.
Competition in the solar industry is good for American consumers. It drives down costs, making solar affordable for more and more Americans every day.
The Loan Guarantee Program
Throughout our history, every energy resource in America has enjoyed federal support including oil, nuclear, natural gas, coal and, just recently, renewables. Despite the Solyndra bankruptcy, the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program helps make solar power cheaper and more affordable for businesses and homeowners. Each program dollar leverages $13 in private investment.
As of September 16, 2011, DOE has made commitments to 42 energy projects, sparking private investment of more than $40 billion that will create tens of thousands of jobs nationwide.
What the Future Holds
The U.S. is projected to become the world’s largest solar market by 2014. Solar is already the fastest growing energy sector in the U.S. and by 2014 it will likely be the largest source of new electric capacity in America. In 2010 and 2011 alone, 27 new U.S. solar manufacturing facilities have begun or will begin operations across America, including in Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
NEED ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR SOLAR PROJECT? Click here and tell us how we can help.
Source: Solar Energy Industries Association
Oct
06
Ontario Parliament examines the future of solar: Enfinity speaks up
On September 29, 2011 the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met to study the current state and future of Canada’s energy sector (including alternative energy). Part of the study into Canada’s energy sector involves alternate sources of energy compared with traditional fossil fuels. Accordingly, Enfinity Canada’s managing director Chris Young was one of the key participants called on to give testimony and answer questions about the potential and reality of solar energy operations in Ontario.
To download the full transcript, click here.
To give you an idea of the thorough nature of the proceedings, here’s a couple of Chris Young soundbites:
Mr. Young: “The key to making solar mainstream is for all stakeholders within public and private sectors to collaborate toward mutual goals. Public bodies must commit to stable policy and program incentives to lay the ground work for the private sector to make long‑term, sustainable investments. Industry must enhance productivity, drive down costs, collaborate to increase opportunities, and improve training and education as well as public awareness.”
Mr. Young: “One of the challenges we have in this country is that we have a number of established power plants whose costs have been amortized over a number of years. It is when the new plants get built that we get real, transparent pricing. I think it is entirely possible to deliver solar electricity in this country for 21 cents a kilowatt hour.”
Oct
05
Facts on America’s Solar Industry
The blogosphere and social media in general have been buzzing recently about solar manufacturer Solyndra filing for bankruptcy. The loss of these U.S. manufacturing jobs is very unfortunate, and all due diligence should be undertaken to protect the integrity and effectiveness of the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program; HOWEVER – the global solar marketplace is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, and some companies will prosper and others will fail. Thus, it is important to note that the Solyndra bankruptcy is not indicative of the overall health and future potential of the U.S. Solar Industry.
Here are the facts:
Jobs and Industry Growth
- There are more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority of which are small businesses, operating in the U.S. solar energy value chain. These companies employ over 100,000 American workers. Overall, the number of jobs created in the solar industry has doubled in the past two years.
- The U.S. solar industry grew by 69% in the past year, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy.
Competitiveness, Technological Innovation and Reduced Costs
- Since the beginning of 2010, the price of solar panels has dropped by 30%, and costs continue to fall.
- The U.S. solar industry had a positive trade flow of $1.9 billion in 2010, and was a net exporter to China by more than $240 million.
Meeting America’s Energy Demand
- Cumulative solar electric capacity in the U.S. now exceeds 3,100 megawatts (MW), enough to power more than 630,000 homes. Annual solar installations have grown by 800% since 2006.
- Continued industry growth enhances our energy security and adds needed diversification to our domestic energy resource portfolio.
Remember: ALL US energy developments have ALL been subsidized by the Federal Government.
Statistics and figures courtesy of Solar Energy Industry Association: www.seia.org
Sep
20
Enfinity’s Sam Lipman invites you to the 2nd Utility-Scale PV Plant Optimization Summit USA
As a speaker at the 2nd Utility Scale PV Plant Optimization Summit, Sam Lipman invites you to join Enfinity Corporation in San Jose this November.
Location: Convention Plaza Hotel, San Jose, USA
Date: November 17-18 2011
You can sign up today and save $150 on the standard ticket prices.
Enter the discount code ENFINITY150 when registering at:
https://secure.firstconf.com/pvinsider/optimizationusa/register.shtml
Sam Lipman will host the exclusive panel discussion focusing on Utility Resource Planning and Procurement for PV projects.
For a full overview of the conference schedule, agenda, speakers and more, download the FREE brochure: http://www.pv-insider.com/optimizationusa/download-brochure.shtml.
Sam can be contacted at slipman@enfinitycorp.com.
Sep
07
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) to launch province’s first Green Energy Field Day
What:
OSEA to host province-wide doors open event on September 24th, 2011. Local businesses, farms, schools, companies and organizations will have the opportunity to showcase their green energy project. Participating locations so far include Toronto, Cobden, Reaboro and Mississauga, with scheduled events ranging from biogas facility tours to a photovoltaic design and installation course.
When:
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Where:
Throughout Ontario.
To register a project, go to: wattsnext.ca/green_field_day_submission.php
By registering a project, it will be promoted online and OSEA will assist with media outreach.
To find a local project to tour, go to: www.wattsnext.ca/green_field_day.php
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Risse, 416.977.4441 x 5205, nicole@ontario-sea.org
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) works to initiate, facilitate and support the work of local sustainable energy organizations through membership services and province wide capacity-building and non-partisan policy work. It promotes the benefits of Community Power and renewable energy through advocacy, public outreach and capacity building.
Aug
26
Enfinity Executives Speaking at Solar Industry Events
These are interesting times for the solar industry, with a landscape full of challenges and opportunities. Enfinity’s team is well-placed to share insights and perspectives on those issues facing solar developers and manufacturers alike. Accordingly, we are currently involved in the following events:
Brian Lynch, Enfinity’s Senior VP of Development, is speaking at:
US Solar Market Insight
16-17 Nov, 2011
San Francisco, CA
http://www.greentechmedia.com/events/live/u.s.-solar-market-insight
Sam Lipman, Enfinity’s Southwest Regional Manager is speaking at:
2nd Utility Scale PV Plant Optimization
17-18 Nov, 2011
San Jose, CA
http://www.pv-insider.com/optimizationusa
Bob Hopper, Enfinity’s Senior VP of Partner Development is speaking at:
Distributed Solar Summit 2011
30 Nov-2 Dec, 2011
San Diego, CA
If you want to make an appointment to meet Brian, Sam or Bob at the above events, please email vstaniforth@enfinitycorp.com to schedule a meeting.
Aug
18
Solar, Renewables and Climate Change at the (documentary) movies
If you don’t have the time to sit and watch a full-fledged documentary about the role of Energy in the Environment, the following is a selection of thoughtful, often inspiring but always informative documentary shorts that show how renewables are making a positive difference in the world, particularly in developing countries.
All of these documentaries are hosted on the exceptionally interesting site www.snagfilms.com.
“Earth Focus” (2010, 28:00) looks at various initiatives addressing climate change: http://bit.ly/rgp4Ru
“Burning in the Sun” (2010, 5:28) Daniel Dembele decides to return to his homeland in Mali and start a local business building solar panels – his goal is to electrify the households of rural communities, 99 percent of which live without power: http://bit.ly/pZn5MU
“The Nature of Things” (2006, 52:13) Aviator, inventor, and filmmaker, Bill Lishman documents his journey around the globe in search of earth’s renewable energy: http://bit.ly/pCz15u
“Earth Focus # 23” (2010, 26:00) explores Indonesian coastlines, controversial coal extraction, and climate change refugees. Includes a segment on the Ethiopian village of Rema, where solar power is helping to promote health, education and economic growth: http://bit.ly/pTh78q
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