first solar posts, articles, and infographics

Rather Than Compete With China on Solar, U.S. Should Incentivize Demand

January 5, 2012 by Jim Pierobon
with 524 views

Conversations with analysts and advocates on both sides of SolarWorld’s anti-dumping suit against China lead me believe the U.S. cannot beat its communist counterparts on cost. What it CAN do is set policies that convince U.S. financiers that solar energy is worth investing in. This way, fresh capital can flow to U.S. companies so they can better compete on their own. [read more]

Will Solar Bankruptcies Be Different From Ethanol's?

September 7, 2011 by Geoffrey Styles
with 1,051 views

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]

First Solar Slumps; Can it Rise Again?

August 5, 2011 by Scott Edward Anderson
with 316 views

Photo courtesy First SolarIt was hard to be optimistic listening to First Solar's earnings call yesterday. CEO Rob Gillette sounded like a guy putting on a brave face when he talked about how the company continued to execute despite a "challenging environment" and that things would improve in the latter half of 2011. "It... [read more]

China Leads in Cleantech, But Partnership Provides US Opportunties

June 10, 2011 by Scott Edward Anderson
with 349 views

Chris R. BrownThere are a number of credible voices on China and cleantech on Twitter. One you may have overlooked is Chris R. Brown (@chrisrbrown). He writes the China Solar Energy blog. I recently interviewed Chris for The Green Skeptic. Chris worked as a China policy analyst for US Naval Intelligence and the... [read more]

Will $100 Oil Help Renewables?

March 1, 2011 by Geoffrey Styles
with 1,082 views

Last week I read a blog posting discussing the prospects for First Solar, a leading US-based producer of photovoltaic modules. Among other rationales for the firm's continued growth the author mentioned $100 oil. I can't find the link, and I don't mean to pick on that particular blog, because the view it expressed merely reflects the... [read more]

First Solar: Great Expectations in the Sun

February 24, 2011 by Scott Edward Anderson
with 440 views

I've lived through the best of times and the worst of times with First Solar (FSLR). Readers of The Green Skeptic know I've been long FSLR for so long. I'm not giving up now. The company reports 4th quarter and full-year earnings after the close of the market today. Perhaps in anticipation, there was a run-up on the stock this... [read more]

Five Energy Predictions for 2011: Solar Soars As Fossil Fuel Costs Grow

December 27, 2010 by Dennis Markatos-Soriano
with 4,375 views

Five predictions for the energy sector in 2011 - on solar, oil, coal, natural gas, & wind [read more]

First Solar Primed to Blow Competition Away in 2011

October 22, 2010 by Nathanael Baker
with 2,042 views

First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR), already the market leader in thin-film solar modules, has expansion plans that will see it increase its manufacturing capacity over the next two years, further separating itself from its competition. The U.S.-based company has announced it will be adding manufacturing plants in the United States, Vietnam,... [read more]

Walmart says thin (solar) is in

September 21, 2010 by Todd Woody
with 646 views

photo: Walmart I wrote this story for Grist, where it first appeared. When Walmart announced on Monday that it would install 15 megawatts’ worth of solar arrays on as many as 30 of its stores in California and Arizona, it set out to shape the solar market in more ways than one. The reason? The world’s biggest retailer specified that many... [read more]

April Top Ten Players In Green Energy

May 6, 2010 by Terrence Murray
with 408 views

1: Cape Wind The 420-megawatt Cape Wind project is big, but the expectations for it are even bigger. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who just last week announced approval for the project amidst some stiff opposition, expects the Nantucket Sound wind farm to do no less than prove the viability of offshore wind in... [read more]

First Solar To Acquire NextLight Renewable Power

April 29, 2010 by Michael Davidson
with 185 views

First Solar has entered into an agreement to acquire NextLight Renewable Power, a developer of utility-scale solar projects in the southwestern US. The acquisition of NextLight includes: 570MW (AC) under signed power purchase agreements with western utilities and 530MW (AC) of additional PV projects in various stages of development.... [read more]

First Solar to Add 30 MW Solar Plant in New Mexico

March 27, 2010 by Taylen Peterson
with 157 views

First Solar, Southern Co. and Turner Renewable Energy inked a deal last week that will add 30 megawatts of utility-scale solar power to the New Mexico electric grid. First Solar announced the project, which will consist of 500,000 cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels made by the thin-film industry’s leading manufacturer.... [read more]

Southern Company, Turner Renewable Acquire Solar PV Project

March 15, 2010 by Michael Davidson
with 222 views

Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy have acquired a 30MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant from First Solar, an Arizona-based manufacturer of thin film solar modules. The solar project is said to be the first to result from the partnership forged by Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy in January and will supply... [read more]

Solar Power? Swe-e-e-e-t!

November 16, 2009 by Osha Davidson
with 167 views

Image courtesy of M&M® Solar Project Little known fact: Green M&Ms® are actually “green” — made by solar power! The reason it’s little known is probably because it’s not exactly, literally, 100 percent true. But it’s almost accurate. Let me explain. Last week, the Hackettstown, NJ, factory that produces M&Ms... [read more]

Solar shakeup: Ausra sells power plant to First Solar

November 5, 2009 by Todd Woody
with 311 views

photo: Ausra Silicon Valley solar company Ausra has sold its sole remaining solar power plant project in the United States, all but completing its exit from solar farming. As I write Thursday in The New York Times: Ausra is continuing its exit from the business of building solar power plants, announcing on Wednesday that it has sold a... [read more]