bankruptcy

cleantech setbacks/shutterstock

Neither the failure of Better Place, which might yet find a bargain-hunting savior, nor the retreat of DESERTEC looks like a mortal blow to the long energy transition now underway.[read more]

(Photograph by Graham Smith/Flickr)

Chinese auto parts manufacturer Wanxiang Group agreed to purchase battery maker A123 Systems for $256.6 million Sunday, pending approval from U.S. bankruptcy court and the federal government.  A123 makes lithium ion batteries and storage systems for the utility and transportation sectors.The deal ends an ownership roller coaster for...[read more]

Lithium Ion Battery via Shutterstock

Over the past three years A123 Systems made great progress in developing lithium iron phosphate cells and manufacturing complex battery systems. It is a shame that A123 stockholders will not see the benefit of those efforts. But if the country eventually sees the benefit, because a successor company is able to build successfully on the initial work of A123, taxpayer money will have been well spent.[read more]

Bankruptcy Filing via Shutterstock

The theory was that the federal government could guide an entire US electric vehicle (EV) industry into existence by providing generous incentives. That vision was attractive, because EVs have the potential to counter climate change and bolster energy security. However, yesterday's bankruptcy of battery-maker A123 Systems, Inc. provides a costly reality check.[read more]

The solar equipment business appears to be undergoing a shakeout, as three US solar firms have declared bankruptcy in the last few weeks. The most prominent of these was Solyndra, which was notable for its receipt of a $535 million federal loan guarantee. Joining Solyndra in bankruptcy filings were Massachusetts-based Evergreen Solar,...[read more]

President Obama Visiting Solyndra, May 2010 (Solyndra)The sun has set on Solyndra. The solar panel manufacturer, once the darling of the US Department of Energy, which bestowed its blessings in the form of a $535 million loan guarantee, is shuttered. Despite this guarantee, which some sources say was almost completely drawn down,...[read more]

If you have not heard by now, Choren Industries has begun bankruptcy proceedings. For those who don’t know, since 2009 I have worked as the technology advisor for the major investor and primary funding source for Choren. I have just returned from a visit to their plant in Freiberg, Germany. Due to the nature of my relationships with my...[read more]

I just caught up with last week's bankruptcy filing by Raser Technologies, Inc., a small developer of geothermal power plants. Burdened with excessive debt, Raser is filing for Chapter 11 protection to restructure its liabilities and continue operating under new ownership. In the process the current shareholders will see their much-...[read more]

On MichaelMoore.com, Michael Moore (who else?) lays out his (idiotic?) plan for what the government should do with GM.  Here's an abridged version of his plan (and my econosnark-filled response): 1. Just as President Roosevelt did after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the President must tell the nation that we are at war and we...[read more]