First Solar Cancels Plans for World’s Biggest Solar PV Plant
First Solar Inc. will no longer be pursuing the construction of the world’s biggest solar plant after several years of failed pricing negotiations. First Solar planned to build the 2,000-megawatt Ordos project in Mongolia and sell the generated power to China’s power grid. Terms for selling the power generated were never agreed to, said Steve Krum, spokesperson for First Solar. The Arizona-based solar company had originally agreed to build the project in a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government on Sept. 8, 2009.
China Mandating E-Vehicles to Make Up 30 Percent of State Purchases
The Chinese government is mandating that electric vehicles make up at least 30 percent of government vehicle purchases by 2016 as it has identified EV’s as a strategic industry that can gain global leadership, reduce energy dependence and reduce smog that often reaches absurd levels in major cities. Central government agencies will take the lead on purchasing fuel-cell cars, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The ratio will be raised beyond 2016, when local provinces are asked to meet the target.
Sharp Accelerates European Solar Overhaul With End to Enel Deal
Sharp Corp., a Japanese electronics company, will revamp its solar-cell business, ending its venture with Enel Green Power SpA. Sharp will let go of its 50 percent share in Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy S.r.I., a solar-power development business set up by both companies in July 2010. A 14.4 billion yen ($142 million) charge related to the restructuring will be booked in the three months ended June 30, says the Osaka-based company. Last January, the company said that production in its Tennessee factory will be stopped. It also said in December that it will cease production at its U.K. plant in Wales.
Damaged Roads in Oil Sites Slow U.S. Energy Boom
Texas is now seeking $1 billion to maintain roads in the oil belt as the state is seeing more crumbling roads as well as increased number of accidents due to diverted traffic. Abandoning the road system will completely curtail $2 billion worth of capital investment because drillers will not be able to get their products to the market, says Daryl Fowler, county judge in DeWitt, Texas. About 87,000 barrels of oil per day were extracted within Dewitt County’s borders last year.
