Solar Power Assisted Bus Hits California Roads

California-based Sunpods Inc. has announced the first solar power-assist system for buses, designed to help transportation companies strict anti-pollution standards set by the State of California.

Caltech Creates Solar Cell Using Silicon Wire Arrays

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created a new type of flexible solar cell using arrays of long, thin silicon wires embedded in a polymer substrate; requiring a fiftieth of the silicon used by conventional silicon solar cells.

Green Loans For The Rest Of Us

While the Australian Federal Government’s Green Loans program is headed for the scrap heap, Australian financial institutions are recognising there is an increasing demand for solar power systems and creating low interest green loan products for the purposes of purchasing solar power systems.

Solar Powered Marines? Ooh-rah!*

The US Marines are going GREENS. No, that’s not a typo. The Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy System (GREENS) uses stackable solar panel arrays and deep cycle batteries to provide electricity for essential functions in the field.

Government Announces Revamped Renewable Energy Target

Two days after the Australian Greens submitted a Private Members Bill with recommendations for a revised Renewable Energy Target, the Rudd Government has announced major changes that should please many solar energy supporters.

Tasmania’s Solar Feed In Tariff Ignored As Election Issue

While feed in tariffs exist in most states and territories of Australia; Tasmania remains in the backwaters of solar power generation through lack of solid incentives. Even given the upcoming state election in just a couple of weeks; none of the parties appear to have addressed the lack of a suitable feed-in tariff in the state as an election issue.

USD$1.37 Billion Loan Guarantee For Solar Thermal Farm

BrightSource Energy, Inc., yesterday announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has conditionally committed to provide $USD1.37 billion in loan guarantees to support the financing of BrightSource’s Ivanpah Solar Electric System.