News

• Canadian Solar could shift production if US tariffs imposed

  23 February 2012

  Canadian Solar could supply the US market from its domestic facilities if US regulators impose tariffs on its Chinese manufacturing operations, according to a top official at the company, one of the world's largest solar module makers.

• DOE retreats from financing clean-tech, regardless of Solyndra

  23 February 2012

  The US Department of Energy's (DOE) days as a financier of clean technologies are over thanks to the Solyndra backlash, but budget cuts would have prevented the department from functioning in that role anyway, according to NRG Energy's chief executive.

• Project Amp loan approval possibly designed to prop up Solyndra, say Republicans

  22 February 2012

  The US Department of Energy (DOE) may have approved a $1.4 billion partial loan guarantee for a rooftop solar project last year to help prop up now bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, according to Republicans.

• Support doubles for CDP Carbon Action initiative

  21 February 2012

  Ninety-two banks and investors have put their names to a call to 415 companies to manage and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

• Environment Bank launches trading platform for biodiversity offsets

  21 February 2012

  The UK's Environment Bank has teamed up with Mission Markets to set up a trading platform for biodiversity credits – and says that the first trade could be weeks away.

• Drax burns more biomass, but abandons dedicated plant

  21 February 2012

  Drax, the UK's largest coal-fired power generator, has cancelled plans for a dedicated biomass power station because of uncertainty in proposed subsidies and its inland location.

• IDB lends $100m to Itaú for climate projects

  21 February 2012

  The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is lending $100 million to Brazilian bank Itaú BBA to help finance "environmentally friendly" projects in Latin America.

• UK's clean-tech venture fund commits £60m to six funds

  20 February 2012

  A clean-technology venture capital fund backed by the UK government has committed almost half its reserves to six funds, and is in negotiations for a seventh fund investment and a direct investment in a UK company.

• Sonoma flouts federal agency to run PACE programme

  17 February 2012

  Sonoma County has defied federal regulators and continues to operate its municipal bond programme to pay for residential renewable energy and efficiency projects.

• Battle to retain PACE moves to public debate

  17 February 2012

  Investors and other stakeholders should urgently lobby US federal regulators to allow municipal bond programmes for residential renewable energy and efficiency retrofits to move ahead.