Creating the Biggest Solar Company in the Northeast

The solar power industry in the northeast is poised to get a major boost as Riverside Partners, a Boston based private equity firm, announced the merger and acquisition of CT based Solar Works, Inc. and RI based SolarWrights, Inc. This merger will create the largest solar energy company in the Northeast with over 30 years of combined solar energy expertise.

As solar power becomes an increasingly viable solution to energy independence, the new merger will play an important role in leading the way for continued innovation and development of this renewable energy. The combination of the Northeast’s leading installer of commercial solar systems with the region’s largest residential solar provider will greatly enhance the growth of solar power across the Northeast.

Despite the dismal state of the current economy, clean energy has seen tremendous growth and the merger of these two leading solar companies will most likely have a positive impact on local economies and help stimulate job creation. With many big businesses struggling to keep their heads above water, this is a positive example of how some companies are continuing to prosper and grow in spite of today’s tough economic climate.

www.solarworksinc.com

www.solarwrights.com

The New Look of Solar

Solyndra, a California based solar power company, has developed a revolutionary new solar product that utilizes tubes — resembling fluorescent lights — instead of conventional panels. The cylindrical shape allows Solyndra to cover a larger surface area and capture more light resulting in greater electricity generation. The cylindrical modules can capture sunlight across a 360-degree surface capable of collecting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight.

Solyndra modules are also much easier to install than conventional panels. They don’t have to be positioned on an angle, and can be installed for about half the cost of normal solar panel installation. There are no roof penetrations needed and they can be easily moved for maintenance or relocation.

Despite the dismal state of our economy, solar technology has seen rapid growth in the past few years. This new offering from Solyndra is poised to grow the industry even more and they have just announced over 1.2 billion, yes billion, worth of new contracts. Most of the new modules however will unfortunately be heading overseas, but as solar technologies continue to mature and drop in price, expect to see more and more buildings employing them.

Further Reading

Solyndra Website
Solyndra in The Business Journal
Solyndra interview in Scientific American

e2 On Harvesting the Wind

A 3 minute trailer from the e2 series on PBS. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this particular video focuses on the story of a wind energy project taking place in southwest Minnesota. The farmers featured in the video have joined with a local developer to set up a wind farm, supplying energy to residents and businesses in their area.

According to Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, United States wind power grew by 45 percent in 2007 and $9 billion was invested. In addition, through their annual year-end report, The American Wind Energy Association noted that wind power accounted for 30 percent of all new power generation in the US. In comparison, 2006 only saw a wind power growth of 20 percent and $4 billion was spent.

Check This Out!

Offering some blue sky inspiration for the transportation industry, this particular bad boy is called “the Animaris Rhinoceros Transport”. It was conceived of and designed by Theo Jansen, an artist who creates what he calls “Animari”. They are best described as large, multi-legged creatures that come alive when hit with wind. See more of his work here…