Get the Dirt on Clean with this week’s breakdown from Cleantech Authority: Week of November 13, 2011.
Big Oil releases its Q3 profits… Wow!
Despite the Libyan rebellion causing production slowdowns, the world’s oil companies have posted huge earnings for Q3. Oil execs credit higher crude prices for this year’s bonus. Topping the list is Exxon Mobil at $10.33 billion, a 40% increase from 2010. Full story
Energy Secretary Chu answers to Republicans about Solyndra loan
House Representatives lashed out at Chu at the first hearing into the Solyndra bust, accusing him of breaking the law for not guaranteeing a half a billion dollars in government loans. Chu defended himself, explaining how Solyndra and others “got caught in a very, very bad tsunami” caused by the global economic slowdown, declining European demand, and increased Chinese investment that caused solar panels to plummet in value. Despite the politicking, a poll released by SCHOOT Solar Barometer found that nearly 90% believe it is important for the United States to develop and use solar energy. Full story and More
GE Enters Asian Renewable Energy Market
General Electric announced that they’ll supply 31 wind turbines at a cost of $100 million to a wind farm in Mongolia, marking the company’s entry into the Asian renewable energy market, one that North American and European companies have increasingly been jumping on board. Full story
Occupy Rooftops
The Occupy movement’s most recent foray is not on the street but on rooftops. Solar Mosaic, a community solar power financing organization, has declared this Sunday, November 20th “Occupy Rooftops” day. They suggest taking action by getting a solar project going in your community, gathering those involved and taking a picture of the event. In turn, the company will support your solar installation through crowdfunding, an online investment opportunity that gives individuals the opportunity to invest in solar installations. Full story
Japan Stimulates Growth of Massive Solar Farms
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry made changes to a law that will minimize land use restrictions to promote construction of massive solar farms. Japan’s increased solar demand comes in reaction to power shortages the country has been facing. Full story
Study Finds Weather Becoming More Erratic
By studying daily climate variations, scientists have found that the number of exceptionally sunny and cloudy days as well as the number of dry and stormy days have been rising sharply in recent decades. “This day-to-day variability in sunshine and in rainfall strongly controls plant photosynthesis and respiration,” says David Medvigy, the study’s lead author. “And so if you change this atmospheric variability, you will change the ability of vegetation to take carbon out of or to release it to the atmosphere.” Full story
Apple Responds To Chinese Environmentalists’ Demands
Chinese environmental activists announced that Apple is making progress in dealing with the negative environmental impact their supply chain has been having on China’s environment by agreeing to audit their highly polluting suppliers. The electronics manufacturer has a long way to go before it can be called green, however, as Greenpeace handed the company a four out of 10 in its greener electronics rankings last week. Full story
