Solar Power Manufacturers and Renewable Energy Reel From Competition

Winners and losers emerge for renewable energy in 2012 (registration required)
Platts
December 19, 2011 – The sorting out has begun for the renewables industry, with some companies thriving while others fall by the wayside. At the same time, renewable energy is gaining in competition with nuclear power but faces tough challenges from natural gas.

Renewable energy over the past decade has enjoyed phenomenal success, with sectors like wind and solar power expanding installed capacity at rates of 30-50% each year.

Wind turbine makers, solar panel manufacturers, biomass pellet producers and other supply-chain companies, along with project developers, have shared in the good times, with plenty of prosperity to…(more)

Another one bites the dust: BP Solar shuts down
by Martin LaMonica            news.cnet.com
One-time industry pioneer BP Solar has completely closed up shop.

After 40 years and multiple efforts to remain commercially viable, parent company BP has decided to exit the business entirely, according to spokesperson Robert Wine.

BP Solar had already closed manufacturing in the U.S., Spain, and Australia in an effort to lower costs. In July, it said it would only pursue only larger projects, rather than residential and…(more)

FERC rules to cloud the capacity market

FERC moves to cloud the capacity market.  There are questions that the FERC rules will thwart there very activity they supposed to govern.

PJM parties continue to oppose FERC capacity market rule changes
Washington (Platts)
Changes to the PJM Interconnection capacity market rules approved by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in November continue to draw fire, with publicly-owned power utilities, industrial customers, and generators all filing requests for rehearing.

At issue is the commission’s November 17 decision approving changes to the “minimum offer price rule” in PJM capacity markets. Monday’s requests for rehearing follow previous petitions for review of the order filed…(more)