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Echelon’s Modular Smart Grid Lands Big Asian Partners

Echelon’s Modular Smart Grid Lands Big Asian Partners

Jeff St. John: May 8, 2012

First, smart meters; next, control nodes for the inverters, sensors, chargers and other grid devices to come

Lightfair 2012: Fear and Glowing in Las Vegas

Lightfair 2012: Fear and Glowing in Las Vegas

Eric Wesoff: May 8, 2012

GE shows its 100-watt LED bulb and lots more. Here’s a roundup of some of the more interesting news coming out of the huge lighting fest in Las Vegas this week.

Surviving as a Solar Manufacturer in Today’s Market

Surviving as a Solar Manufacturer in Today’s Market

Herman K. Trabish: May 8, 2012

It’s about finding the right combination of competencies to “weather the storm.”

Green Jobs: First Solar’s New CEO and CTO; Amyris, SEPA Staff Shuffles

Green Jobs: First Solar’s New CEO and CTO; Amyris, SEPA Staff Shuffles

Eric Wesoff: May 8, 2012

Jeffery Wolfe steps down as CEO of groSolar, plus new blood at SEPA

Update—Unfortunate Solar Installation of the Month: Utility-Scale Edition

Update—Unfortunate Solar Installation of the Month: Utility-Scale Edition

Eric Wesoff: May 7, 2012

It turns out that vegetation management on solar farms is a big deal.

Coulomb Raises $47.5M to Rev Up Plug-In Charging Network

Coulomb Raises $47.5M to Rev Up Plug-In Charging Network

Jeff St. John: May 7, 2012

The startup raises a Series D round to compete with the likes of ECOtality, AeroVironment and others in linking partnerships for the still-nascent EV charging market.

Tendril Raises $25M for Utility-Home Energy Software

Tendril Raises $25M for Utility-Home Energy Software

Jeff St. John: May 7, 2012

The Boulder, Colo.-based startup says some big utility customers are finally moving from pilot projects to larger deployments.

Cogenra’s PV and Hot Water Business Heating Up

Cogenra’s PV and Hot Water Business Heating Up

Eric Wesoff: May 7, 2012

Khosla Ventures-funded cogen system harvests the sun for hot water, as well as electricity

Schneider Buys M&C for Energy Services in Europe, Asia-Pacific

Schneider Buys M&C for Energy Services in Europe, Asia-Pacific

Jeff St. John: May 4, 2012

Schneider’s purchase of UK-based M&C Energy Group adds to its growing portfolio of energy services. When will the smart grid connections come?

First Solar Q1 Earnings: Posts Second-Ever Loss, New CEO, New Plan

First Solar Q1 Earnings: Posts Second-Ever Loss, New CEO, New Plan

Eric Wesoff: May 4, 2012

New plan is emerging markets, emerging markets, emerging markets

Blue Pillar Raises $7M for Hospital, Military, Data Center Demand Response

Blue Pillar Raises $7M for Hospital, Military, Data Center Demand Response

Jeff St. John: May 4, 2012

The startup specializing in energy management microgrids for hospitals raises money to expand to other customers with critical power backup needs.

SunPower Q1 2012 Earnings: Losses Continue but Business Is Expanding

SunPower Q1 2012 Earnings: Losses Continue but Business Is Expanding

Eric Wesoff: May 4, 2012

The solar efficiency leader holds steady in its strategy and resolve.

Breaking News: First Solar Gets New CEO, New CTO

Breaking News: First Solar Gets New CEO, New CTO

Eric Wesoff: May 3, 2012

James Hughes, the Chief Commercial Officer, is now CEO. Interim CEO and founder Mike Ahearn continues as Chairman.

San Diego’s 2011 Blackout Caused by Poor Planning, Runaway Errors

San Diego’s 2011 Blackout Caused by Poor Planning, Runaway Errors

Jeff St. John: May 3, 2012

Knowing what your neighboring grids are doing and preventing safety switches from compounding problems are key ways the smart grid could help prevent blackouts.

Update: Tom Doyle of NRG: Reasons to Be Cheerful in Solar in 2012

Update: Tom Doyle of NRG: Reasons to Be Cheerful in Solar in 2012

Eric Wesoff: May 3, 2012

“We are changing the energy industry—and we’re changing the world.” (Updated with news from NRG Q1 earnings report)