SACRAMENTO (Reuters) – The long-awaited “smart grid” for U.S. power could play a major role in rolling out renewable energy like wind and solar, the top U.S. power regulator said on Wednesday. via Smart grid good for big solar, wind: U.S. regulator | Reuters.

Dow Chemical has unveiled a residential roof shingle in the form of a solar panel designed to be integrated into asphalt-tiled roofs. Jane Palmieri, managing director of Dow’s Solar Solutions unit, said the Powerhouse thin-film shingle slashes installation costs because it can be installed by a roofer who is already building or retrofitting a roof.
[continue reading...]

AMARGOSA VALLEY, Nev. — Solar Millenium, a German developer, announced plans to build two large solar farms in a rural corner of Nevada that would harness the sun to generate electricity, creating hundreds of jobs. But it also said it wanted to use 1.3 billion gallons of water a year (or about 20 percent of
[continue reading...]

SHELTON, CONNECTICUT and TORONTO, ONTARIO — OPEL International Inc., a developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic “HCPV” and other solar products, has announced USA manufacturing for two of its utility scale high performance solar trackers developed in conjunction with its tracker partner, FEiNA, in Spain. via OPEL Solar, Inc. Announces USA Manufacturing for Two
[continue reading...]

The U.S can build all the wind turbines and solar arrays it wants, but until it does something about improving its outmoded electricity grid, renewable energy will never reach its potential. What we need is a new electricity transmission system, with the costs shared by all. Michael Noble is executive director of Fresh Energy, a
[continue reading...]

Whole Foods opens, brings new jobs to Dedham, Mass. With solar panels on the roof and 800KW fuel cells, the store will be able to generate almost all of its own power. via Whole Foods opens, brings new jobs to Dedham, Mass. | NECN.

Governor David A. Paterson has announced the award of two U.S. Department of Energy grants totaling more than $28 million that will assist school districts, local governments, public universities, and private businesses in purchasing clean fuel and alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure. via Governor Paterson announces $28 million in federal funds for alternative fuel
[continue reading...]

Job: Solar System Designer — Residential Technical Sales, Sunlight Solar | CT Environmental Headlines: Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc. is seeking a qualified candidate for a sales and residential technical position in Westchester County, NY. Job Description: 1. Follow-up with customers that have already contacted Sunlight Solar Energy2. Meet and explain solar electricity to customers3. Perform
[continue reading...]

Danbury-based Technipower grows with the sun – NewsTimes.com: “Danbury-based Technipower LLC has come out with Instant Solar, a solar photovoltaic system designed to save installers time and money, the company said.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Clean Energy Taking Root In Connecticut — Courant.com: “These Connecticut green energy projects speak to the optimism of the administration of Barack Obama, who promised while running for president last year to invest $150 billion over 10 years in renewable energy and energy-efficient growth, producing more than 5 million new ‘green collar’ jobs nationwide.” Provided
[continue reading...]

West Hartford Whole Foods Market Unveils Solar Panels | CTLCV: “This week West Hartford’s Whole Foods store became the chain’s latest location to install solar panels. Made possible in part with help from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, more than 400 rooftop solar panels will produce enough energy to light the story every day.” Provided
[continue reading...]

Study Ranks Connecticut Tops For Countering Oil Addiction | TheDay.com: "Released Tuesday, the third annual report, “Fighting Oil Addiction: Ranking States' Oil Vulnerability and Solutions for Change,” was completed by the Natural Resources Defense Council with the assistance of analysts from consultant Gardiner & Associates." Also see this NECN video report. Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Apollo solar in Bethel to help create 'smart' grid – NewsTimes.com: “BETHEL — The price of oil and natural gas is going up. Utilities using oil and natural gas to make electricity will have to raise electric rates to match the price increase of the fuel that produces it. That is one of the reasons
[continue reading...]

Solar Forest Cools and Charges Electric Cars | Alternative Energy News: “Imagine a parking lot that keeps your car cool and charges it while you do whatever you need to do after parking your car. That’s what the new solar forest designed by designer Neville Mars aims to achieve.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

A reader asks whether anyone has any experience with the Connecticut Solar Lease Program and would be willing to speak with them about it. Thank you. Please e-mail chris@environmentalheadlines.com. Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

SunWize Offers Solar Energy Financing | Cooler Planet News: "Following closely on the heels of other solar energy rebates (the lease option from SolarCity, PPAs from SunRun, and the CT Solar Lease Program in Connecticut), Kingston, New York-based SunWize Technologies, Inc. is now offering solar financing with no payments and no interest for up to
[continue reading...]

Willington Man On Cutting Edge Of Renewable Energy – Courant.com: “Using the waste from his herd of five alpacas and a llama as fuel, Norman Nadeau — who designed and built the solar photovoltaic system now standing in his front yard, almost fully powering his ranch house — plans to install a homemade power generator
[continue reading...]

Nascar Track Has Big Plans to Go Solar – NYTimes.com: “Pocono Raceway, which hosts two Nascar Sprint Cup races each year, plans to construct the world’s largest solar energy project at a sports facility.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

the July edition of the Green Chronicles | BuildingCTGreen Blog: This month’s issue includes news about Apollo Solar of Bethel, Connecticut, being one of five projets designed to advance to the next stage of development of solar energy grid integration systems, or SEGIS, through the investment of up to $11.8 million announced by Energy Secretary
[continue reading...]

EPA Webinar on Solar Power Purchase Agreements, July 28, 2009 | CT Environmental Headlines: On Tuesday, July 28, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Green Power Partnership will host a Webinar on solar power purchase agreements (SPPA). A SPPA is a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer
[continue reading...]