Booming Solar Industry in California

Booming Solar Industry in California

Under the California law, there is a limit on the number of solar systems that can qualify on net energy metering. Net energy metering allows solar customers to get a credit for excess energy produced by their home solar system. Only 5 percent of a utility’s “aggregrate customer peak demand” can be credited back to customers.  But all of this will change because of the new ruling of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC has increased the number of rooftop solar installations that will qualify for credits. According to Sara Birmingham, Director of Western States at the Solar Energy Industries Association, this new ruling is “a positive step forward for clean energy jobs, for ratepayers, and for our state”. A process for completing a study of the costs and benefits of net energy metering on all customers will also be done.

GE has provided 12 LM6000-PC Sprint™ aeroderivative gas turbine-generators to the Dorad Energy power plant in Ashkelon, Israel. The Dorad Energyplant is considered as one of the largest and the first independent power plant in Israel. This plant will play a critical role in  meeting the energy demands as well as enhancing Israel’s electric system. The 50-megawatt aeroderivative units are expected to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2013.

First Fully Operational Wave Energy Power Plant Installed

A medium-scale wave energy power plant was successfully installed in the Black Sea last month, April 2012. Eco Wave Power (EWP) owns this power plant. EWP’s wave energy devices were tested on the Black Sea under uncontrolled wave heights and wave periods. Based on these testings, EWP had concluded that 2 medium-scale wave energy devices are sufficient for the production of electricity for 6 to 10 households. EWP hopes to showcase that their wave energy generation system can be easily connected to any ocean structure. Thus, testing to other coastal structures are planned. The first commercial scale Sea Wave Power Plant is also underway. According to EWP, they are developing wave energy because it is cheaper than any other renewable or traditional energy generation system.

AMSC’s new 100-MW Deal

American Superconductor (AMSC)  is a company based in Massachusettes, USA that  supplies power electronics for wind turbines. Recently, the company was embroiled in a dispute with its biggest client, Chinese wind manufacturer Sinovel. AMSC and Sinovel severed its ties and is now waiting for the result of their court battle.  And now, it seems that AMSC is recovering. The company has reached a 100-megawatt (MW) deal with growing Indian turbine maker, Inox. Inox has a 800 MW capacity and has become one of AMSC’s key customers.

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Tags: amsc, eco wave power, general electric, inox, solar energy, wave energy