Solar thermal jumps one-third in U.S
WASHINGTON, DC, US, October 22, 2007. Total shipments of solar collectors in the United States increased 29% last year from 2005, reaching 20.7 million square feet in 2006 and boosting the ten-year total to 118,026 million square feet.

EU report shows potential for CSP
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, September 5, 2007. The European Commission has funded Euro 25 million for research into concentrating solar power in recent years, and the potential contribution of CSP “has still to be exploited.”

Australian party proposes ban on electric hot water units in favour of solar
KINGSTON, Australia, August 29, 2007. A federal opposition party in Australia wants solar to replace electric hot water systems within five years.

Solar water heating has potential to reduce GHG emissions in U.S.
GOLDEN, Colorado, USA, August 29, 2007. Heating water with solar thermal in the United States could save consumers US$8 billion a year in retail energy costs, according to a report prepared for the Department of Energy.

Australia to install solar thermal at every school
CANBERRA, Australia, August 22, 2007. The government of Australia will provide funding to help every school in the country to install solar hot water systems and rainwater tanks.

U.S. utility to buy 553 MW of solar power
SAN FRANCISCO, California, USA, August 1, 2007. A California utility will buy green power for 400,000 homes from a major solar park in the Mojave Desert.

Europe installs 3 million m2 of solar collectors in a year
PARIS, France, August 1, 2007. Europe installed the equivalent of 2,160 MW in solar thermal collectors last year.

U.S. selects 13 inaugural solar cities
WASHINGTON, DC, USA, July 25, 2007. The U.S. Department of Energy has named 13 cities as inaugural ‘Solar America Cities’ for their high commitment to the adoption of solar technology at local level.

Australia selects fifth 'solar city'
CANBERRA, Australia, July 25, 2007. Central Victoria will receive Aus$15 million to promote the use of solar energy among its residents.

Solar power could create 123,000 new jobs in Texas by 2020
AUSTIN, Texas, USA, July 4, 2007. Development of the solar industry in Texas would have a significant economic impact for consumers, the environment and workers in the state.

Solar Decathlon teams selected for October competition
WASHINGTON, DC, US, May 30, 2007. Twenty teams from four countries will compete in the third Solar Decathlon competition this October in the U.S. capital.

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.

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.

Utility files plan to spur investment in solar energy
NEWARK, New Jersey, US, May 2, 2007. An electric utility in New Jersey wants to invest US$100 million over the next two years to finance installation of solar systems.

Australia selects fourth solar city
CANBERRA, Australia, April 25, 2007. The government of Australia will provide Aus$12.3 million to install solar PV panels on 230 buildings and 1,000 solar hot water systems in the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs.

U.S. provides $168 million for 13 solar projects
LOWELL, Massachusetts, US, March 21, 2007. The U.S. Department of Energy has selected 13 industry-led solar projects to receive US$168 million to “significantly reduce the cost of producing and distributing solar energy.”

UK universities receive £1.5 million to reduce cost of solar power
MANCHESTER, UK, March 7, 2007. A UK funding agency for university research has awarded £1.5 million to develop new and potentially cheaper ways of generating solar power.

German company to build largest solar factory in U.S.
BONN, Germany, March 7, 2007. SolarWorld Group is building an integrated solar silicon wafer and solar cell production facility that will be the largest in the United States when completed in 2009.

New York City has large potential for solar energy, report notes
NEW YORK, New York, February 21, 2007. The unique infrastructure of New York City, combined with its high energy prices and enormous energy consumption, “have created a substantial opportunity for large-scale solar energy development.”

To receive news and features like this direct to your inbox sign-up for the Renewable Energy Focus E-News.

Simply register your details to receive a fortnightly roundup of the latest news from the renewables industries direct to your inbox.

If you would like to advertise in the enewsletter please contact our sales team.

If you have some news for the renewables industry or would like to comment on any of the articles on this site, contact our editorial team.

You can also access the full list of contacts here.