01 February 2011 | Renewable Energy Focus USA

Funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from 2009 has made a significant contribution to the US goal of doubling renewable energy capacity over the next two years.

By Renewable Energy Focus staff

Market researcher SBI Energy has looked at ARRA investments and their impact on the renewable energy market to date.

Among Its Key Findings Are:

• Domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is forecasted to grow from <1 GW annually in 2008 to 4 GW annually in 2012, according to the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA);
• ARRA investments are speeding up the rate of innovation in solar PV helping to drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years – possibly by 50%;
• US wind power capacity grew 40% in 2009 over 2008, and according to CEA, ARRA was responsible for around 6 GW of wind capacity that might not otherwise have been installed in 2009;
• US manufacturing capacity for components such as gearboxes, generators and large casted steel parts, has lagged behind demand. The 48C Manufacturing Tax Credit program awarded US$346 million in tax credits to 52 wind manufacturing projects to add to US manufacturing capacity to supply a growing domestic market; and
• A US Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicates a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that US renewable energy generation capacity will increase 32% more than if it had not had ARRA support – reaching 155 GW in 2015.

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Wednesday, February 2, 2011 |The Green Market Blog

The evidence indicates that government investments have significantly helped the US renewable energy market. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided $94.8 billion for clean energy. The program was established under section 1603 of ARRA, and provided cash grants covering 10% or 30% of the total cost of developing new renewable energy facilities.

ARRA investments also funded research projects to develop next generation renewable energy technologies. These types of innovations create a cost competitive alternative to dirty sources of electricity while simultaneously creating long-term economic growth.

Due in large part to ARRA, the renewable energy industry survived the worst financial crisis in decades and is making significant progress toward attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over two years.

According to Gisela Kroess, a director at UniCredit SpA (UCG.MI), “[ARRA incentives have] spurred a lot of the growth we’ve seen,” she said at a renewable-energy finance conference.

Despite Republican opposition, the US Department of the Treasury’s 1603 cash grant program for the solar and wind industries was extended through 2011 as an add-on to the 2010 Tax Relief bill. The extension provides incentives so that developers of new solar and wind farms will continue investing in new projects beyond those already slated for construction.

ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later, is the latest industry study from market research publisher SBI Energy, it examines the ARRA clean energy investments and their impact on the various clean energy markets within the power, transportation, and building sectors.

Solar Energy

The report card indicates that according to forecasts from the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), ARRA investments will help the domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to grow from less than 1 GW per year in 2008 to nearly 4 GW per year in 2012. Solar EnergyARRA investments are also accelerating the rate of innovation in solar photovoltaics and will drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years by as much as 50 percent. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, ARRA has supported more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states, creating enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes. ARRA has resulted in nearly 40 percent growth in the solar power market in 2009 and nearly double in 2010.

Wind Energy

Despite weak economic and investment conditions, US wind power capacity grew 40 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. In July 2010, the CEA reported that ARRA was responsible for approximately 6 GW of wind capacity installation that might not otherwise have occurred in 2009.

Geothermal Energy

An April 2010 U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicated a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009 and concludes that the stimulus funding played an important role in propelling geothermal growth amidst recessionary economic conditions.

Combined Renewable Energy

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that US renewable generation capacity will increase 32 percent more than without ARRA, reaching 155 GW in 2015.

The results of this report card clearly indicate that government investment has significantly increased America’s renewable generation capacity. Richard Matthews is a consultant, eco-entrepreneur, sustainable investor and writer. He is the owner of THE GREEN MARKET, one of the Web’s most comprehensive resources on the business of the environment. He is also the author of numerous articles on sustainable positioning, green investing, enviro-politics and eco-economics.

(Source: solarfeeds.com)

On January 1^st, 2011 SBI Energy (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.) released a new report examining clean energy investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or “stimulus act”) and their impact on markets within the power, transportation and building sectors. The company states that its report: “ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later”, creates a time-capsule analysis of the impact of ARRA investments, which it says include allowing U.S. renewable energy markets to grow during the recession.

“ARRA energy-related funding not only presents potential near-term economic benefits, but also long-term economic and strategic investment and a transformative opportunity for the energy sector,” states the report’s introduction. “Without ARRA investments, it is likely that the pace of renewable energy project construction and manufacturing growth would have otherwise slowed dramatically due the sharp economic and financial downturn over this period.”

SBI Energy says smart grid investments were strategic for renewables

The report notes that at USD$94.8 billion, clean energy investments account for 30% of total ARRA appropriations for innovative infrastructure improvements. The Power Sector received USD$21 billion of that funding, let by almost USD$11 billion in investments in smart grids.

The report notes the strategic significance smart grid investments, stating that the successful implementation of increasing renewable energy generation and other ARRA energy initiatives hinges on successful grid modernization.

The report also examines funding for renewable energy research projects, including solar thin-films and new wind turbine designs. SBI Energy cites data from the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors which states that innovations in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology could drive down the cost of PV modules over the next five years as much as 50%.

Among the data presented, the report identifies and profiles 20 private sector companies that have received ARRA awards under clean energy programs.

SBI Energy is a division of MarketResearch.com Inc. (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.).

2011-02-03| Courtesy: SBI Energy | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

(Source: sbireports.com)

O Thank Heaven it’s 2011
SBI Energy

The flurry of predictions made at the end of 2010 for the clean energy sector has created an exciting new buzz for 2011. Significantly advancing the U.S. toward a clean energy economy, 2011 will likely bring a spike in financial investing - now that Wall Street has claimed to have ‘figured out’ clean energy, along with an extension in tax credits that encourage more businesses to adopt ‘green’ practices and the creation of thousands of ‘green’ employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the clean energy manufacturing industry can expect to receive an additional $2.5 billion in funding in 2011 from the Recovery Act (ARRA). And, letting the good news roll, the global clean power sector is forecasted to see growth this year and continue its upward trend straight through 2020 - ultimately becoming a $2.3 trillion industry.

In just 18 months the U.S. spent more than $51 billion in public funding on clean energy project initiatives, research science, installations and infrastructure.  Not enough to approach sustainability, but a significant play nonetheless, as many countries have made.

It’s also reported that U.S. is on track for its 2012 goal of doubling its renewable generation capacity.  How old is that goal, anyway?  What are our new goals?  Where are the new clean energy policies and standards businesses need to move forward in their commitments and goals? 

 As the American public, we know a clean economy can’t arrive bagged and sterile in a flash while we wait.  Our order requires recipes and ingredients yet to be known.  It will be years in the making, always in the unfolding if we are wise, rather than slacking again to this level of paucity by negligence.  So let’s celebrate what this bright New Year will bring in terms of building blocks for our future.

 SBI Energy believes the power players are in the following sectors:

•             Energy storage

•             Rare earth minerals impact on renewable power generation

•             Industrial equipment manufacturing, components

•             Carbon and coal treatments, technologies

•             Nuclear power applications development

•             Substation automation

•             Smart grid advancement

 2011 is set to advance the clean energy industry. We stake our research on it. Cheers to progress and patience!

(Source: sbienergy.com)

Two years after the enactment of ARRA, indications are strong that the Recovery Act is aiding the U.S. in attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over the next two years.

Photo: treehugger.com

Renewable energy has taken hold in the U.S. with installations of new wind turbines and solar panels occurring regularly.  The U.S. is making significant progress toward attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over the next two years, due in large part to support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) introduced in 2009.

ARRA investments are funding research projects to develop next generation renewable energy technologies, such as solar thin films and new wind turbine designs that will create a cost competitive alternative to electricity currently generated from coal or natural gas power plants while simultaneously creating long-term economic market growth. Consider the following examples:

·          Aided by ARRA investments, The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) reports that domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is forecasted to grow from <1 GW per year in 2008 to nearly 4 GW per year in 2012.

·          ARRA investments are accelerating the rate of innovation in solar photovoltaics and according to the CEA, the new technology will drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years; possibly by 50%.

·          U.S. wind power capacity grew 40% in 2009 over the prior year, despite weak economic and investment conditions. In July 2010, the CEA reported that ARRA was responsible for approximately 6 GW of wind capacity installation that might not otherwise have occurred in 2009. 

·          U.S. manufacturing capacity for components such as gearboxes, generators, and large casted steel parts, has lagged behind actual demand. The 48C Manufacturing Tax Credit program awarded $346 million in tax credits to 52 wind manufacturing projects to facilitate additional U.S. manufacturing capacity to ensure the U.S. is able to supply a growing domestic market through domestic production.

·          An April 2010 U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicated a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009 and concludes that the stimulus funding played an important role in propelling geothermal growth amidst recessionary economic conditions.

Overall, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that U.S. renewable generation capacity will increase 32% more than without ARRA support – reaching 155 GW in 2015. Two years after the enactment of ARRA, indications are strong that the Recovery Act is aiding the U.S. in attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity in the next two years.

-SBI Energy

(Source: sbienergy.com)

This research report presents an in-depth analysis of the development, applications, products, manufacturers, and trends in the development of the hydropower resources in the United States and around the world. Topics include the full gamut of hydropower generation, from conventional hydropower to newer wave energy and hydrokinetic technologies, from very large systems providing electricity to millions of people to the smallest systems suitable for a single family. Accounting for over 70% of renewable energy today, hydropower is poised to increase growth over the next five years.

Potential hydro power applications, buying trends, environmental issues, and energy considerations are also reviewed and analyzed as is the impact of factors such as government grants and incentives, environmental concerns, fuel and energy prices, economic considerations, and demand for renewable energy sources.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current hydropower market, the environmental concerns that have limited its development, the potential opportunities for new development, and an assessment of developing technologies that harness the power of the ocean. Projected growth through 2013 for different sized hydro systems is provided including discussion of energy demand, environmental impacts, economic conditions, consumer acceptance, stakeholder concerns, and government activities as they affect

I think most people are at least somewhat aware of water issues but there does not seem to be a concerted effort to conserve water or use it more wisely.  At least in the United States, I think most people take clean, safe, available water for granted.  Water is a necessity for life but many millions of people lack access to water, much less water that is potable.  So it was with some interest that I read an article last week discussing water as a “right”.  This was from a company perspective about its use of water and its commitment to be a better steward of the water it uses within its operations and the communities in which it operates.  In July, the United Nations took this a step further when the General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.  It took this long to do this?

Passing a resolution and making it effective are two different things.  There is still a long way to go before water problems are resolved and this is not limited to Sub-Saharan Africa where many millions of people have to forage for water.  China, a growing and modernizing country, has severe water problems of its own.  A report last week described water reaching crisis levels in Beijing and other areas of the country.  Although China has spent tens of billions of dollars building dams and reservoirs, hundreds of Chinese cities continue to face water shortages and deteriorating water quality, even while industrial firms continue to pollute water sources.  With 40 percent of its population living in the dry regions of the country, China really has no easy fix for its water problems.

If China is having problems fixing its water problems, I wonder what will befall poorer countries that lack the funds and other resources that China has been able to bring to bear.  Water is certainly a human right (as it must be) but global cooperation will be required to make this a reality.  A few days ago a report surfaced about two tribes in Pakistan that have been fighting over irrigation water.  Over 100 people have been reported killed and five villages burned in the dispute.  Kind of makes one glad to be living in the United States. 

But wait – farmers in the Klamath River Basin in Oregon have broken into facilities that control irrigation water to redirect to their farms.  The once guaranteed but now cut-off irrigation water is pitting farmers against the government.  Lawsuits have been filed in Northern California alleging that the state, in a backroom deal, illegally turned over the publicly-owned Kern Water Bank to an agency controlled by giant corporations.  Plans to pump water from rural Nevada to supply Las Vegas were overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court.  Kansas and Nebraska regularly fight over water withdrawals from the Republican River.  The list goes on.  I guess it does not matter where you live – water problems abound.

Although I don’t really need it, I installed a reverse osmosis water treatment device in my home.  I could get by on tap water but I have the luxury of being able to afford a product that can actually improve the clean, safe, piped-in water I already have.  The treated water tastes better than tap water and it makes clear ice cubes to boot.  Many people throughout the world actually need a product like this but cannot afford it (making clean, safe water a universal right is not going to be easy).  What I do need is a water softener since the water in my area is very hard.  I have one of these as well.  Guess I’m all set, water-wise that is.  Now, if I can just get motivated to find the right air cleaner to get rid of all the pet dander from the birds and the dog …