EREN Network News

January 3, 2001

News and Events

• First Solar Gearing Up to 100-Megawatt Production Capacity
• Utilities Deliver Energy Efficiency Gifts for the Holidays
• California Approves $17.2 Million for Clean Transportation
• California Saves Energy in University and Prison Buildings
• Third Fuel-Cell System Installed in New York City Area

• "Brightfields" Web Site on EREN Gets a New Look

• Natural Gas Prices Hit Record Highs, Stocks Remain Low
• EPA to Cut Pollution from Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses

News and Events

First Solar Gearing Up to 100-Megawatt Production Capacity
Since the news broke last year that a new company called First Solar was building the world's largest photovoltaic manufacturing plant — capable of producing enough solar panels each year to generate 100 megawatts of power — the industry has awaited further news with both skepticism and anticipation. To find out more, Kevin Eber, the editor of this newsletter, recently visited the plant in Toledo, Ohio.

The heart of the First Solar plant, and the basis for the 100-megawatt capacity claim, is its high-technology coating line. The fully automated equipment is capable of applying a coating of cadmium telluride semiconductor to sheets of glass up to 4 feet by 8 feet in size, a feat that has been demonstrated there and is itself a record. In practice, four sheets of 2-foot-by-4-foot glass are coated at one time, at a pace of four sheets per minute. Each sheet is capable of generating 50 watts, so if this line were operated continuously, the plant could indeed produce 100 megawatts of photovoltaic panels per year.

The plant is still in its startup phase, and the company is tweaking operating parameters on its coating line while it works to assure that its "finishing" line will be capable of producing 25 megawatts of finished product per year. The finishing process includes the laser scoring of the semiconductor to create separate cells, the application of conducting material, and the mounting of electrical junctions to create a finished module.

First Solar plans to maintain the centralized production of semiconductor-coated glass in Ohio, but to build other finishing lines throughout the world, close to the end markets. "Our target is to be able to build a plant anywhere in the world in six to nine months," says Greg Nelson, Executive Vice President. See the First Solar Web site.

Utilities Deliver Energy Efficiency Gifts for the Holidays
With energy costs and supply issues on the minds of many U.S. consumers, this year's holiday season was marked by energy efficiency giveaways from utility companies to their customers. In Rhode Island, for example, the Narragansett Electric Company mailed three energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs to each of its 15,000 low-income customers. See the December 7th press release from Narragansett Electric's parent company, National Grid USA, by selecting "News Releases".

In New York City, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) gained approval to purchase 26,000 super-efficient refrigerators to be installed in apartments operated by the New York City Housing Authority. NYPA is in year six of an eight-year program to replace 180,000 Housing Authority refrigerators. The Power Authority finances the purchase and installation of the refrigerators and recovers its costs by sharing in the electric bill savings realized by the Housing Authority. See the NYPA press release.

And in California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) is offering a free CD-ROM that will help its residential customers find ways to reduce their electricity use. The CD-ROMs are available until January 15th, while supplies last. See the DWP press release.

Even if you're not a DWP customer, you can now help clean up Los Angeles by buying "Green Power Certificates" from DWP. At five dollars apiece, the certificates cover the Incrementally higher cost of DWP's purchases of renewable energy from resources such as wind, solar, geothermal or biomass. See the DWP press release.

California Approves $17.2 Million for Clean Transportation
California's Mobile Source Air Pollution Review Committee (MSRC) announced last week that it is funding $17.2 million in clean-air transportation projects for southern California. The funds will place 360 new alternative-fueled transit buses and heavy duty vehicles on the road, while also training mechanics and improving the refueling infrastructure. In addition, the MSRC is funding programs to encourage electric bikes for commuting to work, employer ridesharing projects, and a "smart growth" development project. The MSRC is funded by a portion of the California motor vehicle registration fee. See the MSRC Web site.

California Saves Energy in University and Prison Buildings
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved more than $6 million in funding to encourage energy efficiency in the state's public university and prison buildings. The university funds will focus on lighting improvements and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades, while the prison funds will go toward heat pumps and energy management technologies. In a meeting in late December, the CEC also approved $8 million in contracts to encourage the use of reflective coating materials or other means to reduce solar heat absorbed by roof surfaces and ducts. Such "cool roofs" reduce building cooling needs while also helping reduce the urban "heat island" effect. See the December 20th press releases on the CEC Web site.

To learn more about urban heat islands, see the "Urban Heat Island" page in the "Buildings" section of the EREN Web site.

Third Fuel-Cell System Installed in New York City Area
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) installed its third fuel-cell system last month. The 200-kilowatt natural-gas- powered fuel cell is providing supplemental and backup power to the North Central Bronx Hospital. See the NYPA press release.

Site News

"Brightfields" Web Site on EREN Gets a New Look
The "Brightfields" Web site was recently redesigned to give it a crisp, clean look that is easy to navigate. DOE's Brightfields concept is to use pollution-free solar energy and high-tech solar manufacturing jobs for revitalizing abandoned industrial sites, often referred to as "brownfields." See the revitalized Brightfields Web site on EREN at:

For this and other recent additions to the EREN Web site, see http://www.eren.doe.gov/new/whats-new.html.

Energy Facts and Tips

Natural Gas Prices Hit Record Highs, Stocks Remain Low
Natural gas prices are continuing to make the news, with prices spiking as high as $45 per million Btu last week. The January futures contracts prices closed out at yet another record high settlement price of $9.978 per million Btu. Meanwhile, DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the amount of natural gas now in storage is 22.6 percent below the 5-year average for this point in the heating season. See the "Natural Gas Update" on the EIA Web site.

The situation led President Clinton to release an additional $300 million in funds through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For businesses, the President noted that special loans are available from the Small Business Administration to help stretch out their energy payments. See (or listen to) the President's December 30th Radio Address on the White House Web site.

EPA to Cut Pollution from Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in late December that it is enacting new emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses that will reduce emissions by 95 percent. The new standards will be phased in from 2007 to 2010. To allow the vehicles to meet these standards, EPA is also requiring that the sulfur content of diesel fuel be cut by 97 percent by mid-2006. See the press release on the EPA Web site.

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