By Nathanael Baker, April 29, 2011

Here are the Top 10 Renewable Energy News Stories You May Have Missed this Week:

1.  Florida: Solar Rebate Program Hits its Cap in 72 Hours - Just 72 hours after Tampa Electric began taking reservations for its solar rebate program for new photovoltaic (PV) systems the US$1 million cap was reached.

2.  Out With the Old In With the New: U.S. Consumers Are Ready to Buy Electric Vehicles - As electric vehicles trickle into the United States' automobile market, consumers are beginning to see the viability of the electric car; and, according to independent research firm E Source, 85 percent of Americans are willing to buy one.

3.  United States' Largest Nuclear Power Plant Receives License Renewal - The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the nation's largest nuclear power plant in the United States has received a 20-year license renewal for all three of its operating units.

4.  MIT Using Viruses to Assemble Solar Nanotubes - At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), researchers have taken a page from sci-fi author Michael Crichton (Prey) and are using viruses to assemble carbon nanotubes inside a solar cell.

5.  Texas Will Soon be Home to 30 MW Solar Power Facility - Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has announced it has closed financing on its Webberville Solar project, one of the largest photovoltaic solar installations in the United States, and moved from the development stage to the construction phase.

6.  Walmart Reports on Sustainability Shortfalls and Progress - Walmart is reporting that it has fallen behind on it’s goal to reduce it’s carbon emissions according to its 2011 Global Responsibility Report.

7.  New Mexico Utility Adds Its First Solar Facility - The Public Service Company of New Mexico has officially turned on its first large-scale solar plant. The installation will be Albuquerque's largest solar farm.

8.  Nissan Leaf Named 2011 World Car of the Year - Late last week, the Nissan LEAF was named the 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show making it the first electric vehicle to take home the prize.

9.  Pattern Energy and Samsung Acquire Final Land for 270 MW Ontario Wind Farm - Pattern Energy Group LP continues to expand its wind energy portfolio in Canada. On the heels of turning the key on its 138 MW St. Joseph Wind farm (the largest wind farm in Manitoba), the company has announced that the final two pieces of land have been acquired for a wind power project in Ontario.

10. BrightSource Energy Files $250 Million IPO - BrightSource Energy, Inc. a utility-scale solar developer, has filed a US$250 million initial public offering (IPO).The California-based solar thermal developer has several intriguing qualities; however, these are saddled along with a few areas of concern.

 

 

This is a cross-post from EnergyBoom.com.

 

EnergyBoom is a global leader in energy news information, offering expert analysis on the world economy’s transition to cleaner, more efficient and more secure sources of energy. 

 

Original Post: http://www.energyboom.com/policy/ten-essential-renewable-energy-news-stories-week-46