utility scale solar

California will miss its 20% RPS target in 2010, and the very issues that caused the state to miss its 2010 goal will persist as we slog toward a 33% RPS goal by 2020. So say some folks that ought to know.

Last night, Climate One and the Commonweatlh Club of California hosted a roundtable with four highly successful professionals, each dedicated to achieving California’s aggressive RPS goals while also establishing a robust clean tech industry that creates and keeps jobs in the state of California. On stage was (L to R) a pro-renewable chairman of the California Public Utility Commission, Mike Peevey, an executive from a progressive utility, Nancy McFadden of PG&E, a CEO from the #1 solar capital equipment company, Mike Splinter of Applied Materials, a practical environmentalist, Bob Epstein of Environmental Entrepreneurs, and, no, that’s not an oxymoron, as well as moderator, Greg Dalton founder of Climate One.More

On Wednesday, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, in his annual State of the State Address called for support of green technology to create new jobs to boost the economy.

Schwarzenegger highlighted how the Californian dream is not over – calling the state a pioneering mega-state that is the greenest, most diverse, and most globalized state in the union with an unparalleled engine of innovation.More

Solar power is gaining in popularity as a renewable energy source, yet still remains a small part of California's overall energy supply. How will this situation change, in light of a state plan calling for a massive scaling up of renewable sources by 2030? What factors are driving the ongoing decrease in the price of photovoltaic systems, and what technology, project financing and policy will enhance the availability and affordability of residential, commercial and utility scale solar power? A panel of experts discusses the bright future for sun energy in the Golden State.More

As the world’s demand for energy continues to escalate, solar power is proving to be one of the most abundant resources available to provide clean, cost-effective energy.

Recently, Applied Materials introduced a solar rebate program that allows its U.S. employees to take advantage of currently available incentives to save on future electricity bills, further the movement toward renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint in the process.More

"I figure lots of predictions is best. People will forget the ones I get wrong and marvel over the rest." That maxim is attributed to Alan Cox, a Welshman of Linux Kernel and wild hair fame.

I know the end of the year is approaching when I see the annual predictions hitting the newsstands. Most of the prediction game is weak sauce - not very insightful with the very good chance of being spectacularly wrong. "DOW 36,000" anyone? So imagine my surprise when asked to blog my utility scale solar predictions for 2010.More