Table of Contents
Update on New England Project Funding Opportunities
Connecticut
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Provides Free PV
to Communities
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Connecticut
Department of Public Utility Control, and City of
Middletown hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
unveil a 2-kW PV system. Middletown was the first
community to qualify for a CCEF-provided PV system
after earning the designation of Connecticut Clean
Energy Community. The system is installed at
Middletown High School’s Vocational Agriculture
Building. Under the Connecticut Clean Energy
Community program, cities and towns across
Connecticut may become a Connecticut Clean Energy
Community by committing to SmartPower's 20% by
2010 clean energy campaign and securing a minimum
of 100 residential sign-ups to the DPUC's
CTCleanEnergyOptions program. A total of 10
Connecticut cities and towns are now Connecticut
Clean Energy Communities.
Story at
RenewableEnergy Access
Connecticut
Clean Energy Fund
Maine
Private PV Reinvestment Fund Launched to
Encourage Maine Installations
A new PV Reinvestment Fund offers Maine
non-profits and small businesses grants of up to
$3,000 to help offset the initial cost of a
photovoltaic system. $1 per watt will be provided for
new solar capacity, up to the maximum amount.
These grants can be combined with state and federal
solar incentives.
The PV Reinvestment Fund has been created by a
collaboration of clean electricity buyers and sellers.
Together, Interface Fabrics Group, Maine Interfaith
Power and Light, Inc., and the Bonneville
Environmental Foundation have
launched the fund with contributions totaling
$20,000, derived entirely from sales of clean energy
products. The Maine State Energy Program, a
division of the Maine Public Utilities Commission,
provided funds for project staff and the Maine Energy
Investment Corporation is managing the Fund.
The program targets Maine nonprofits, which can use
Maine solar rebates but do not qualify for the federal
tax credits.
Story at
RenewableEnergy Access
Maine Energy Investment Corp.
Massachusetts
Small Renewables Initiative Activity Continues to
Exceed Expectations
As MTC’s Small Renewables Initiative (SRI) commits
its last block of funding under the current program,
over a year ahead of the anticipated schedule,
efforts are underway to put bridge funding in place
until a new SRI-2 funding allocation is in place.
Originally funded at $5 million with the expectation
that funds would last three years, SRI has committed
nearly all its resources. Application rates continue to
be strong despite rollbacks in incentives to $2.00 per
watt for the fifth and final block of SRI funds.
MTC's current goal is to have its SR1-2 in operation
by the end of October 2006.
Program update at
www.masstech.org/renewablenergy
NABCEP Training
The North American Board of Certified Energy
Practitioners has announced that it has completed
the 8th administration of its Solar Photovoltaic
Installer Certification Exam. With the latest group of
successful candidates, it has now certified 255
installers from 36 states. Becoming certified by
NABCEP is a voluntary process. The applicant must
demonstrate sufficient experience installing PV
systems or have a combination of experience and
adequate quality training in the proper methods of
installing PV systems and components. The
application process and examination are rigorous and
those who achieve certification demonstrate they
meet recognized national standards and are bound to
ethical conduct.
New England PV Market Activity
Evergreen Solar Shipments Begin at New
German Manufacturing Plant
Evergreen Solar’s new EverQ manufacturing plant
in Thalheim, Germany has begun making volume
shipments of solar modules to the company's
customers. The Thalheim plant manufacturers
Evergreen Solar's Spruce Line(tm) of PV panels,
including panels up to 190 watts.
New GT Solar Line at LDK Solar,
China
GT Solar Technologies has completed the first phase
of a turnkey solar manufacturing line for LDK Solar in
China, which has just started production of solar
wafers. GT Solar was instrumental in the design and
layout of the LDK factory in Jiangxi Province, as well
as the manufacture and installation of the equipment
that LDK is using in its Phase One, 75 megawatt
manufacturing line. LDK will ramp up the line to 200
megawatts by the end of 2006, and to 400
megawatts by the end of 2007. LDK's ultimate plan
calls for growth to a one gigawatt
manufacturing line, which would make it one of the
world's largest manufacturers of solar wafers.
LDK President, Mr. Light DK Peng, is quoted as
saying: "Our relationship with GT Solar Technologies
is a good example of how two companies in different
parts of the world can work together effectively to
create a quality solar manufacturing line and factory
in a relatively short period of time."
SatCon Continues Significant Sales
Growth in Largest World Markets
SatCon Technology Corporation has announced the
delivery of a 100 kW inverter for the European
market. This will enable SatCom to actively
participate in Europe’s large and growing PV market.
SatCom produces commercial grade inverters ranging
from 30kW to 500kW. Over the past two years,
SatCon has delivered over 17MW of commercial grade
inverters and is poised for significant growth. Among
pending solar projects in California, SatCon has been
identified as the inverter provider for 45 MW of
orders, representing over 40 percent of the
commercial solar projects submitted for rebates
in California. California is the largest market for PV
technology in the United States.
26 New Townhouses in Brockton, MA to
be LEED-Certified and PV-Powered
A $6 million housing project being built in Brockton,
MA will be the first all-solar, new condominium
construction project in New England, according to
the developer, Brockton-based Johnson Square
Builders. Johnson Square Village will be comprise
of 7 residential buildings for a total of 26
townhouses, each unit featuring an 18-panel, 3.24
kW solar array. In addition to meeting ENERGY STAR
standards for energy efficiency, the project will also
seek LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building
Council.
The project is being supported in part by grants from
the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, with
technical support from Conservation Services Group,
and using panels manufactured by Evergreen
Solar.
SEBANE Annual Member Meeting in June
The Solar Energy Business Association will have its
annual member meeting on June 6, 2006 in
Northborough, MA. In addition to presentations on
the New England Solar Year and Status of Federal
Support for Solar, there will be speakers on the Re-
Emergence of Solar Thermal Technology and
updates on state programs that support
installations of solar technology.
SEBANE Welcomes New Members
Alternate
Energy services all makes and models of
solar collector, photovoltaic, and wind systems.
Steve Pitney's firm has been in business for three
decades and is located in Plymouth, MA.
Cotuit
Solar designs, installs and commissions
complete turnkey systems for home or business.
They provide both installation and service work,
including systems modeling, incentive application,
and design.
M & R Electric Solar is a commercial and
residential electrical contracting firm located in
Portland, ME.
North Shore
Solar & Windpower Co. provides sales and
installation of solar systems and wind turbines in
eastern New England. Thomas Dowd is president of
the Beverly, Massachusetts firm.
July 10-14 -
Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology
presented by the Sunnyside Solar - Tinmouth,
VT
This week long workshop is for individuals
interested in exploring and learning about
photovoltaic technology, its operation and its
installation.
July 7-13 -
National Solar Conference 2006
presented by the American Solar Energy
Society - Denver, CO
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