News

• India solar auction sees bidders slash prices

  06 December 2011

  Solar power developers in India have slashed the prices at which they build capacity – bringing forward the date that the technology will reach parity with conventional energy sources in the energy-hungry country.

• US trade body to pursue China over solar complaint

  06 December 2011

  The US International Trade Commission (ITC) will pursue a complaint made by US solar manufacturers against the Chinese solar sector, but the petition is sharply dividing the US solar sector.

• Pro-renewables NGO takes swing at DOE renewables loans

  06 December 2011

  A California-based NGO is suing the US federal government to invalidate 26 loan guarantees made under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Section 1705 programme, including guarantees to now-bankrupt Solyndra and Beacon Power.

• US renewables industry in last push for 1603 cash grants

  05 December 2011

  A large industry coalition is making a final push to extend the US cash grant programme before it sunsets at the end of the year, but the prospects may be slim in light of competing priorities for Congress.

• First Reserve and Renovalia create $1bn wind joint venture

  05 December 2011

  Private equity group First Reserve and Spanish renewables company Renovalia Energy have announced a $1 billion joint venture to develop wind farms.

• US pledges $4bn to improve energy efficiency

  02 December 2011

  The US has launched a nearly $4 billion public-private initiative to fund energy efficiency upgrades to federal and commercial buildings over the next two years.

• $1bn solar project goes ahead without DOE loan

  01 December 2011

  SolarCity and Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoAML) will move forward with a $1 billion-plus project to install solar panels on military housing despite losing a Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee.

• Finance directors should consider biodiversity risk – Aldersgate Group

  01 December 2011

  Finance directors should consider the risks to the balance sheet arising from the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES), says the UK's Aldersgate Group, a business-led lobby group.

• NGOs call out 'climate killer' banks

  01 December 2011

  A group of NGOs has named JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Bank of America the top three "climate killer" banks because of their financing of coal mining and coal-fired power generation.

• Solar spat threatens US-China trade war

  30 November 2011

  China is hitting back at the US by launching its own probe into the US government's support for renewable energy. This comes just weeks after US federal officials announced they would investigate a complaint by domestic solar companies accusing the Chinese solar sector of unfair trade practices.