comparing solar with biomass power generation... installed cost for biomass in 2007 is $2.00 per W and has a plant factor of 0.85 (85%)... with a specific fuel consumption of 2kg/kWh...
Utility to build largest solar power facility in northwest U.S.
BELLEVUE, Washington, US, May 16, 2007. A California solar company will build a US$3.7 million solar generating facility in Washington state that will be the first commercial installation to use solar panels made in that state.
Puget Sound Energy, the utility subsidiary of Puget Energy, says EI Solutions will design and construct the largest solar generating facility in the Pacific Northwest. The 500 kW facility will start construction next month near the utility’s Wild Horse windfarm in central Washington, and most of the panels will be in operation before the end of this year.
Source: Refocus
U.S. retail giant to buy solar power
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas, US, May 16, 2007. One of the largest retail chains in the United States will purchase solar electricity for 22 of its stores.
Wal-Mart Stores will buy 20 million kWh per year from BP Solar, SunEdison and PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower. The green power will be used in Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs and a distribution centre in Hawaii and California.
When fully implemented, the aggregate purchase could be one of the top-ten solar power initiatives in the U.S., if not the world, the company claims. Each solar power system will provide up to 30% of the electricity for the store on which it is installed and the solar systems will reduce GHG emissions by 6,500 to 10,000 tonnes per year.
Wal-Mart is testing wind and solar generation systems in its experimental stores in McKinney (Texas) and Aurora (Colorado). The results from these stores and the pilot project will point to additional ways to achieve renewable energy goals and determine how to move forward with solar power generation at additional Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centres.
Source: Refocus
Solar PV predicted to grow 40% per year
NEW YORK, New York, US, May 16, 2007. Demand for solar PV power will grow 40% per year by 2011, “offering opportunities for investors who can ride out near-term bumps,” according to a report from one of the top investment banks.
The solar industry is implementing technology improvements that will continue to drive costs down, and the industry’s installed cost for PV will decline from an average of $7.37 per kW in 2007 to $4.40 in 2011. The industry will achieve organic competitiveness with grid electricity at $3.50 per kW, without incentives and depending on the region by 2012 - 2014.
Source: Refocus
