Big Players Taking Lead In Solar Partnerships

June 24, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Some say interest in solar technology from the world’s largest corporations gives credibility to the industry and proves that it is not just a “fad” and that new players might even be too late to join the game, Reuters reports.

– Intel is spinning off solar technology it developed into a start-up called SpectraWatt Inc., which will begin shipping its solar cells next year.

– IBM and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo are developing more efficient solar power technologies and plan to license their thin film solar technology in the next two to three years.

– Bosch, the world’s biggest automotive supplier is planning to buy German solar cell maker Ersol for $1.67 billion.

– Hewlett-Packard is licensing its clear transistor technology to solar power company Xtreme Energetics.

Piper Jaffray analyst Jesse Pichel said in a note to clients that the Intel, IBM and HP announcements “validate solar’s long-term opportunity.”

Another analyst says other companies may find they’re “a day late and a dollar short,” when trying to forge similar partnerships.

The U.S. EPA has announced a guide it developed in consultation with Businesses for Social Responsibility that might light the way for newcomers. “A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs” includes profiles on 35 EPA climate-change related partnership programs and describes the benefits of partnering with EPA.

More than 13,000 firms and other organizations participate in EPA climate-related partnership programs, according to the EPA.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger touted the benefits of partnerships in the solar industry recently saying if commercial buildings in that state partnered with utilities, it would result in a “huge wave of renewable energy growth.”

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Stevenson on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"All of us should think of ways to save energy now. It is not a myth,..."

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

Environmental Leader