News

• US infrastructure bank could capture renewables – Congressman

  13 December 2011

  The prospects for a US green bank are dim in the current Congress, but support for renewable energy projects could be included in a broader proposal for an infrastructure bank, according to an influential Congressman.

• Private equity an 'untapped' climate finance source – IFC

  12 December 2011

  The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has called for multilateral financial institutions to help accelerate the growth of climate-related private equity investments in emerging markets.

• US renewables developers to lose grant, but retain tax credits – Bass

  10 December 2011

  The US cash grant programme will not be extended before its expiration at the end of the year, but an extension of the production tax credit (PTC) is on solid ground in 2012, according to a Republican Congressman.

• Slow start for APX wood pellet contracts

  10 December 2011

  There have been no trades in the APX-Endex biomass contracts one month after their launch, but the energy exchange remains positive about their prospects.

• Shortage of rare earth metals to affect renewables?

  08 December 2011

  A global scarcity of rare earth metals over the next five years could be "a ticking timebomb" for renewables and clean-tech, according to consultancy PwC.

• Renewables increase in Europe but so does carbon intensity – Eurelectric

  08 December 2011

  Increasing the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix does not always reduce the carbon intensity of the electricity produced, data from Eurelectric shows.

• China's rising solar target unlikely to stem consolidation

  08 December 2011

  China's recently-revealed plan to increase its 2015 solar energy capacity target to 15GW from 10GW is only likely to benefit the top tier of Chinese photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers, analysts believe, leaving smaller players prey to industry consolidation also occurring in the US and Europe.

• Banks build city climate programme

  08 December 2011

  Five multilateral development banks (MDBs), including the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , have agreed to develop a common approach to help cities better adapt to and mitigate climate change.

• Corrected: New York eyeing solar REC market

  08 December 2011

  New York is contemplating the creation of a solar renewable energy credit (SREC) market similar to the one established by neighbouring New Jersey, with a few notable differences, solar experts said.

• New Jersey solar REC market set for recovery

  07 December 2011

  The US cash grant programme for renewable energy installations is largely responsible for the crash in New Jersey solar renewable energy credit (SREC) prices, but the market could rebound if the programme expires, alleviating the current oversupply situation, solar experts said.