Westinghouse Solar, CBD Energy to merge

In a move that’s sure to require some shrimp on the Barbie. U.S.-based Westinghouse Solar Inc. and Australian-based CDB Energy have signed a letter of intent to merge. The agreement will allow both companies a chance to expand their reach internationally.

Westinghouse Solar is a PV manufacturer that specializes in AC PV modules—modules with microinverters. And CBD is a renewable energy company that specializes in wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy.
The proposed merger builds on the relationship established late last year, when CBD Energy invested $1 million in Westinghouse Solar. (more…)

Where the U.S. Solar Industry Is Shining

U.S. companies that lease panels to homeowners thrive

There’s at least one bright spot in the troubled U.S. solar industry. After a plunge in prices sent panel manufacturers reeling, consumer demand for the alternative energy is soaring. That’s a boon for California companies such as SunRun, SolarCity, and Sungevity. These startups are buying panels at depressed prices and leasing them to homeowners at little or no up-front cost. (more…)

WASHINGTON, Feb 01, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit working to eliminate energy poverty through the use of solar power, today announced that it is launching “Energy is a Human Right,” a campaign to provide a voice to the nearly 1.5 billion people around the world living without access to electricity and other forms of modern energy. It is also calling upon the international development community and general public to join the campaign by visiting www.EnergyIsAHumanRight.com to show their support for those living in energy poverty, and to learn how they can help provide energy access to assist in their economic, education, health and agricultural development. (more…)

A letter from one of our owners:

Dear Solar Advocate,
I’d like to first off thank you for all your interest and support for the solar energy industry, especially here in South Carolina over the past few years. We have now reached a pivotal crossroads. The solar industry in SC will either achieve unprecedented growth or continue to take baby steps while we watch our neighbors in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic continue to put themselves leaps and bounds ahead with clean energy policies that have created tens of thousands of jobs in their states. The state senate finance committee is debating house bill 3346, which would increase the state income tax credit for solar investments. This will facilitate projects like never before in SC. With the added incentive, raised tax credit cap and equipment prices at an all-time low, residential and commercial projects alike will offer ROIs that have never been experienced before in SC. (more…)