July 14th, 2010
Paradise just got greener as ground was broken on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu’s first utility-scale wind energy project today.
This press release from First Wind says the wind energy company has begun construction on its 30 MW Kahuku Wind project on Oahu’s famed North Shore and could provide power for up to 7,700 homes each year:
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle led the celebration, as she, officials from First Wind, community leaders and others conducted a traditional groundbreaking ceremony using o’o (Hawaiian digging sticks).
“The Kahuku Wind project brings Hawaii another step closer to reducing our state’s dependence on imported foreign oil and increasing our energy security,” said Governor Lingle. “These wind turbines will provide another source of clean energy for Oahu’s power grid, further building on the progress Hawaii has made in becoming a world leader in clean energy.”
Construction of the Kahuku Wind project, which was spurred along by an expected 7 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will create immediate economic benefits for Oahu such as employment opportunities during design, engineering and construction including approximately 200 construction jobs. The loan guarantee is expected to close soon.
The project is part of Hawaii’s plan to have 70 percent of the state’s energy come from clean energy by 2030.
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June 11th, 2010
While First Solar announced its intent to expand its German manufacturing plant in Frankfurt an der Oder, doubling local production capacity (good timing with the low Euro), I have been growing more and more weary of their technology. With an expected annual production capacity in excess of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) in Germany, the United States and Malaysia in 2010, First Solar will flood the market with their products and hold against the strong Chinese influence of crystalline products.
Let’s for a moment not consider just how bad the sovereign debt crisis could get in Europe and keep a focus on the products. I cannot stop asking myself – why would still anybody buy thin film? Why would people instead of investing into nearly similarly priced higher efficiency crystalline modules on trackers buy a product that due to its internal chemicals (nerve gas) is potentially highly poisonous also?
I am of course impressed by First Solar’s cost efficiency roadmap, coming from a operational efficiency field. Within their niche, they are the clear market leader in cost of commodity products.
Just as an aside for the German companies – now waiting shows its disadvantage – the low Euro crosses the market boom in the U.S. Now it gets expensive to enter the U.S. market
Renewable Energy in the U.S. at 5:39 AM
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