Greentech Media

The Board of Supervisors passes solar incentives of up to $6,000 for homeowners and up to $10,000 for businesses. But the program won't be official until it wins another vote and the mayor's signature.

The Canadian company announces a deal to sell up to 5,000 metric tons of upgraded metallurgical silicon to Canadian Solar. Analysts say they still don't have proof the technology is cost-competitive, but add that the stock drop is unrelated.

Sopogy, Sapphire Energy and EdeniQ raise venture capital, while Abu Dhabi invests $2 billion in thin film and the U.S. D.O.E. commits up to $130 million to fuel cells.

The farm bill brings biofuel incentives to the market, in spite of a clerical error and resulting confusion. But the mistake could open the door to the bill being re-negotiated. Meanwhile, the House passes renewable-energy tax credits -- again -- and the San Francisco Bay area puts a tax on carbon.

Panelists at the Dow Jones Environmental Ventures conference in San Mateo, Calif., say LEED-certified buildings are valued higher than regular buildings, and are far more competitive than, say, solar is with coal.

As part of the farm bill, Congress has passed funds and subsidies to support ethanol from nonfood crops – and approved the bill with enough votes to avoid a presidential veto.

Wim Sinke, an executive committee member of the EU PV Platform's scientific working group, called the target of reaching 20 percent renewable energy "ambitious" for the country, and said major policy changes would be needed to meet the goal.

Shares of the Colorado-based residential solar installer fall during its Nasdaq debut as Akeena, one of the world's largest public installers, misses earnings and lowers its full-year forecast.

The cellulosic-ethanol company received $10 million in equity from Marathon Oil. But will companies like Mascoma suffer from the public backlash against other biofuels?

The United States has approved the use of some micro fuel cells in airplanes, removing a major market barrier. But companies still have hurdles to jump before they can make their technologies mainstream.

Among other companies, Xunlight, Infinia, SolarOne and Hydrogen Engine Center closed deals in the last week. And the U.S. Department of Energy committed $243 million to greentech.

Slovenia-based Pipistrel is taking orders for the world's first electric glider, Oregon-based Windward Performance seeks funding for a battery-powered plane and the Experimental Aircraft Association petitions for permission to bring small electric aircraft to consumers.

The EU is considering whether to investigate a complaint that the U.S. biofuel subsidy is driving European producers out of business. The European Biodiesel Board on Friday asked the union to impose a punitive tariff.

The state has designated 1,100 plus acres of switchgrass for the production of cellulosic ethanol -- but does the environment benefit?

More than half of the staff scientists at the U.S. EPA say they have experienced political interference, according to a study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Meanwhile, the California Clean Energy Fund opens a new center as its public policy arm.

In the country that hosted the Kyoto Protocol and wrote the book on solar policy, the wind-power industry has ground almost to a halt. Among the culprits: policy, cost and technology challenges.

As the last round of U.S. presidential primaries kicks off in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, also known as Earth Day, the cleantech community reflects on which candidate to call its own.

Alex Farrell's research into the full environmental impacts of biofuels is sorely needed, scientists say. He leaves a legacy of his work on California's low-carbon fuel standard and in building an energy community.

More startups and investors are coming aboard the small-wind power market. But will obstacles such as permitting and zoning laws, high upfront costs and a lack of a federal incentive blow these technologies off course?

Quiet Revolution has pilot installations, a newly opened factory, a sold-out order book and $2.3 million. It claims its turbines generate 20 to 40 percent more energy for their size, compared to conventional turbines. But will all that -- and regulatory support -- be enough to make a market?