Current News 2000
News Archives 199719981st
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Half of 19992000
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01/23/2001 |
California Energy Crisis Boosts Solar Energy Industry
The solar energy industry of Calfornia, USA, experiences a boom after
the latest power rate hikes and two days of rolling blackouts. This was
reported by ENN worldwire news. People inquire at solar companies, and
many contractors who do solar installations are now booked solid for the
next several months. The SolarDepot in San Rafael is hiring additional
salespeople and warehouse help. State officials say that California´s
energy crisis has inspired a fresh wave of consumers to explore solar energy,
and people that have been thinking about going solar for a long time needet
the crisis to push them over the edge. According to M C Solar owner Mike
Clifton "the PV systems tend to be more popular right now because of concerns
about blackouts."
Worldwide, sales of solar generators have become a $2.5 billion market,
said Paul Maycock, editor of "Photovoltaic News" in Virginia. Grid-connected
home power systems account for nearly one-third of the U.S. market.
Many states provide a variety of rebates and incentives to subsidize
solar power. Although many consumers are not aware of it, the California
Energy Commission offers a "Buy Down Program" of cash rebates for buying
an eligible renewable energy system. In the year 2000, the CEC received
947 requests for the rebate. "In the last three weeks we've gotten another
100 applications," said Miller, the program's account manager. (iwr) |
01/11/200 |
Solar World AG Increases Sales 2000
In the financial year 2000, SolarWorld AG increased sales by more than
200% to 32 million DM, compared to the previous year (10,5 million DM).
For the year 2000 the enterprise will pay a dividend to its stockholders
for the first time, provided the responsible board will agree. In addition
to SolarWorld AG, the development of SolarWorld subsidiary Deutsche Solar
GmbH (previously Bayer Solar) regarding turnover and returns was positiv.
Overall, SolarWorld AG and Deutsche Solar gained sales amounting to 105
million DM in the last financial year. (iwr) in early May. (iwr) |
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