A lot happened for solar in 2012, from some of the world's largest solar plants being built out and connected to the grid to tariffs being imposed on Chinese silicon PV imports. Here are some of the biggest stories from 2012 as we head into 2013.
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Keeping America Competitive: A Solar Manufacturing Boost In San Diego
America’s solar manufacturing base is gaining ground as the world’s largest concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) manufacturing facility prepares to opens its doors.
A Look Back at Solar Energy in 2012
2012 was a big year for solar, both domestically and globally, with some unlikely players throwing their hats into the ring and upping the ante on achievable power generating capacity. Here's a wrap-up of some of the year's most impactful events in the solar industry, with a little added perspective from some experts in the field.
Plant, projects help Napoleon earn title of 'America's Number One Solar Small Town'
Michael Peck still finds it amazing that a tiny area smack in the middle of rural northwest Ohio can have such a large solar footprint.
Granted, since last February, the city of Napoleon has been home to a solar panel-making operation headed by Mr. Peck, chairman of Isofoton North America Inc., an offspring of Spanish solar panel Isofoton.
SEIA Recognizes Mayor Behm & City of Napoleon, OH as Solar Champions
NAPOLEON, OHIO – With a backdrop of the Isofoton factory floor, the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®) today presented a plaque of recognition to Mayor Ronald Behm and the City of Napoleon as American Solar Champions.
With two major solar installations and a growing solar manufacturing facility embedded in a city of less than 10,000 people, Napoleon, Ohio is a hub for solar energy and job creation across the Buckeye State.
[RELATED: Solar Policy in Ohio]
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Obama's Nellis Announcement Shows Solar is Creating Jobs Now
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Rhone Resch today released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s tour of the solar installation at Nellis Air Force Base and announcement of the amount of economic stimulus funding for solar and geothermal projects.
President's Energy Budget Request Will Help Create Solar Jobs, Grow the Industry
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released the following statement from Chairman Roger Efird, SEIA chairman and president of Suntech America, in support of President Obama’s Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2010 budget request, which includes $320 million in solar energy funding and $42 million for clean energy transmission and reliability.
Solar Energy Industry Group Reports US Solar Market Hit Record Growth In 2008, Despite Economic Crisis
Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association released its 2008 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, highlighting a third year of record growth.
Obama Signs Economic Recovery Legislation; Solar Industry Poised to Create 110,000 Jobs over Next Two Years
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President & CEO Rhone Resch today commended President Obama for signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law in Denver, Colorado and commented on how it will help stimulate the solar industry immediately.
Solar Energy Poised to Put Americans Back to Work
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today outlined the key policies that President-elect Obama and the Congressional leadership must address to expand the use of solar energy and help put over 1 million Americans back to work by 2011.
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Solar power fuels home, store on Valencia farm
T. Lyle Ferderber of Frankferd Farms in Valencia has been harvesting grains such as corn, oats, and barley for more than 30 years. Recently he has taken to harvesting another crop -- sunshine.
State plan puts solar in all public schools
In what could become the largest solar power project of its kind in the nation, the Department of Education is proposing to install photovoltaic panels on every public school in Hawaii over the next five years in a bid to cut electricity costs and move the state closer to its renewable energy goals.
The case for a distributed, smarter, cleaner power grid post Hurricane Sandy
Monday night as I was camped out in front of my Twitter feed — safe and dry in San Francisco — friends and family in New York started tweeting about power failures all over lower Manhattan. Their cell phones, running on batteries and tapping into their carrier’s high speed wireless networks — many that are backed up with diesel generators — were still up, even as the power grid went down across many parts of the East Coast.
Bill Clinton Throws His Support Behind Michigan’s Renewable Energy Ballot Initiative
Michigan is playing host to a major battle over renewable energy this fall. On one side are clean energy proponents promoting a ballot initiative that would increase the state’s renewable electricity targets to 25 percent by 2025. On the other side are large coal-dependent utilities fighting to prevent any new increases.
New Solar Project at Great Falls High Prepares Students for Jobs in Renewable Energy Fields
Great Falls High decided to expand their science solar project after the first installation of two solar panels went so well. Now there are 72 solar panels on the roof of south campus, helping to power the entire building.
