Even the biggest global recession since the Great Depression couldn’t stop the solar market from growing in 2009. Many analysts doubted growth would be possible due to the collapse of solar’s largest market in 2008 – Spain. But Solarbuzz.com just released their annual report and the amount of solar installed in 2009 grew Continue reading
The monthly solar price survey by Solarbuzz.com just came out. And it showed retail prices fell another ~1% last month. Prices still have a ways to go before grid parity arrives, but its nice to see the continued progress. Europe is now enjoying another record low solar price for individual modules at Continue reading
As I wrote a couple weeks back was likely, gasoline prices just rose above $2.50 per gallon nationwide. And since oil prices have kept increasing, the gasoline price has a bit further to rise. This has huge implications for our whole energy Continue reading
The first quarter has been a rough one for most solar companies. Aside from First Solar whose profits tripled, most solar companies reported large decreases in their profits and, most likely, losses. But the last two reports (from Trina Solar and China Sunergy) paint the picture of a potential return to profitability in the Continue reading
2006 Chapel Hill/Carrboro Blue Bikes Launch
During the first quarter of 2009, more bicycles were sold in the US than cars and trucks. While the Great Recession is hurting bike sales, they didn’t fall as fast as automobiles. Over 2.55 million bicycle purchases were made, compared to less than 2.4 million cars and trucks that left Continue reading
The price of oil is retracing its 2004-05 climb rather quickly of late. While some of the rise in oil prices relates to supply concerns from Nigeria and a perceived stabilization in the economy, it is also linked to Continue reading
The prices of oil and natural gas appear to have bottomed now. But with inventories near record levels, a quick price spike much higher doesn’t seem sustainable in the short-term. Yesterday, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly petroleum report clearly showed that recessionary low demand continues to dominate Continue reading
Solarbuzz.com reported this morning that prices for solar modules fell another few pennies per watt. As supply has fully caught up with demand in 2009, prices are skidding down. But since fossil fuel prices remain substantially lower due to the global recession, the price of solar remains relatively high and will take many more months of decreases before grid parity becomes Continue reading
For months I’ve been talking about the potential of falling prices and rig counts to lower production. Well, in last week’s Energy Information Administration weekly petroleum report we finally saw a significant drop in crude oil output of Continue reading
Earlier this week, I shared the news of profits and growth in the wind industry. And yesterday, a key solar company reported outstanding profits as well. First Solar reduced its manufacturing cost per watt more than Continue reading