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International Energy Agency - Photovoltaic Power Systems 2012 Annual Report

Mon, 05/06/2013 - 22:09

As a leading international network of expertise, IEA PVPS has the mission to cooperate on a global level in this rapidly evolving technology area.

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A Snapshot of Global PV 1992 / 2012 - IEA PVPS Programme

Fernando Nuno

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 19:48

After several years of the PV market’s rapid growth, 2012 has been a year of market consolidation. In total, about 28.4 GW of PV capacity were installed in the IEA PVPS countries and the major other markets during 2012 (2011: 28.9 GW; 2010: 16.7 GW). This raised the total installed capacity in IEA PVPS countries close to 89.5 GW with another estimated 7 GW of capacity installed in other major countries.

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Best Practices in Designing and Implementing Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes

webmaster

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 15:52

An energy efficiency obligation (EEO) is a regulatory mechanism that requires obligated parties to meet quantitative energy saving targets by delivering or procuring eligible energy savings produced by implementing approved end-use energy efficiency measures. The requirement to meet quantitative energy saving targets distinguishes EEOs from other similar mechanisms, such as a general requirement to acquire all cost effective energy efficiency with no target specified.

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Photovoltaic Grid Parity Monitor

David Perez

Mon, 10/29/2012 - 08:34

The Photovoltaic Grid Parity Monitor analyses PV competitiveness with retail electricity prices for residential consumers and assesses local regulation for self-consumption of fourteen cities in seven countries (Brazil, Chile, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, USA - California).

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World Energy Use in 2011: Slowdown in global energy demand

Geraldine Duffour

Fri, 09/14/2012 - 17:03

After the strong growth noticed in 2010, global energy consumption increased at a much slower pace in 2011 (2.2% to 4.9%). While this slowdown is mainly due to the economic crisis that hit OECD countries, the record oil prices also played a role, limiting the growth in global oil consumption even in energy-hungry countries such as China or India.

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U.S. Onshore Wind Energy at Record Low Costs

Aedan Kernan

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 11:29

During 2013, the cost of energy from newly installed onshore wind turbines in the US will be as much as 39% below the previous record low point set in 2003. U.S.

In early June, Vestas CEO Ditlev Engel expressed fears that the US onshore wind turbine market would drop by 80% next year if the production tax credit is not renewed. The irony is that the PTC could provide greater benefit to the wind industry than was ever possible in the past.

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Solar farm to power middle Tennessee plant

Clay Morgan

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 11:11

In a state known more for country music, an electric company is leading the way in the use of solar power to fuel energy efficiency.

This summer, Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management launched the first major solar farm in Middle Tennessee. The farm is six acres and boasts 3,500 solar panels, which will capture enough solar energy to power about 100 homes a year.

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Solar water heating in the world: Strong diffusion due to the large impact of incentives

Geraldine Duffour

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 16:38

Water heating represents about 15% of households’ energy uses in Europe, 20% in the United States and even 30% in Japan. Switching from electricity and gas to solar water heating could strongly reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

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World Energy Expenditures

Nathalie Desbrosses

Mon, 11/28/2011 - 16:26

US$6,000bn for energy consumers, and substantial revenues for governments

World energy expenditures have more than doubled in 20 years

More than US$6,000bn -10% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP)- is spent each year in the world for energy purposes (figures in US$2005ppp). This places energy second to health care expenditures in many countries; and in some cases first.

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Obstacles to Renewable Energy Funding in the US

Aedan Kernan

Mon, 10/03/2011 - 15:28

Congressional efforts are being made to revive funding for renewable energy projects in the United States, just as the death of a previous private attempt is announced.

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America’s First Offshore Wind Project Still Tackling Obstacles

Aedan Kernan

Mon, 09/19/2011 - 18:15

The Cape Wind project off the North East coast of the US has faced down challenge after challenge over the last ten years. Despite strong political support and with the start line for building in sight, it hit further obstacles.

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U.S. Veterans Affairs Department invests in energy efficiency

Clay Morgan

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 16:31

The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs has embarked on an energy program targeting its medical facilities. Currently, the department operates more than 1,400 sites of health care for veterans, including hospitals, surgery centers, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and other facilities. It serves more than 5.5 million people.

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Technology and Aging in Place

Mary Baker

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:43

A recent survey in the United States by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) indicated that over 75% of respondents expressed a desire to stay in their current home and community as they age for “as long as possible”. A well-coordinated plan for aging in one’s home, often referred to as aging in place, can take advantage of current technology to provide a safe, satisfying lifestyle.

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Removing Barriers to US Offshore Wind Development

Aedan Kernan

Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:26

Because there are no wind turbines installed in US waters, there is a shortage of critical data on the environmental and siting effects of turbines and on the installation, operations and maintenance of turbines. This lack of data drives the costs of financing US offshore wind projects to the point where financing charges account for roughly half of the cost of offshore wind energy, according to the US Federal Government’s Department of Energy.

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U.S. uses taxes to help homeowners with energy efficiency upgrades

Clay Morgan

Fri, 06/10/2011 - 15:56

In an effort to promote energy efficiency, and help with upfront costs, the United States government has several plans in place to help overcome that obstacle.

For new builders, the federal government is taking several steps to help them cope with upfront costs of installing energy efficient technologies in new homes they build.

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Alaska signs budget neutral energy efficiency agreement

Clay Morgan

Fri, 06/03/2011 - 16:20

The State of Alaska has signed an agreement that should improve energy efficiency without costing taxpayers a penny.

The agreement, with energy efficiency and renewable resources company Ameresco, Inc., is an Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) agreement.

Ameresco will perform audits over the next three years and implement various energy efficient systems across the state for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

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Education program could save millions in energy costs

Clay Morgan

Fri, 05/20/2011 - 16:25

In April, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) launched a program designed to help its customers maximize energy efficiency and save millions of dollars, with its newly launched NIPSCO Home Energy Report.

NIPSCO is Indiana’s largest natural gas distributor and the state’s second largest electricity distributor, serving 712,000 natural gas customers and more than 450,000 electricity customers.

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India surpasses U.S., China, in energy efficiency

Clay Morgan

Fri, 05/13/2011 - 00:00

A recent report by NGO The Climate Group revealed that India, a nation of more than one billion people, has surpassed the United States in terms of energy efficiency investment.

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Global PV market up 139% Tougher times ahead

Aedan Kernan

Mon, 05/09/2011 - 17:19

A record 18.2 GW of solar photovoltaics was installed across the world in 2010, according to the annual survey from the Californian solar energy consultancy Solarbuzz. That is growth of 139% in installations over 2009.

The survey reports that the PV industry generated US $82 billion in global revenues in 2010, up 105% over 2009. The top five countries by PV market size were: Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Japan, and the United States.

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Passive houses offer affordable energy efficiency

Clay Morgan

Fri, 04/15/2011 - 15:50

As the need for energy efficiency grows, Americans are becoming more interested in a European solution – passive houses.

Many measures that increase energy efficiency – solar panels, wind turbines, highly efficient appliances, and heating and air systems – carry with them significant upfront costs. Those costs may deter consumers.

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