We in the U.S. all owe Adam Browning a big “Danke” for his work in support of solar energy both in California and around the country. The California Solar Initiative (CSI) is the largest solar program so far in the U.S. and his work at Vote Solar helped pass this legislation. In addition, he has been instrumental in helping pass pro-solar laws in many other states. But in response to Adam’s analysis in his earlier article on feed-in tariffs (FIT) in the U.S., the Californians for a Feed-in Tariff Working Group will have to say: “Nein.”

Phoenix Solar AG has signed a framework contract with module manufacturer Signet Solar, to run until 2011, for the supply of thin film solar modules with a peak output of approximately 50 megawatts (MW). Production of the solar modules is scheduled to start in mid-2008.

Enel SpA, through its subsidiary Enel North America, Inc., has announced the completion of a 101-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Kansas. The Smoky Hills Phase I project will produce energy sufficient to power more than 37,000 average Kansas homes annually and it is the largest operating wind project ever set up by Enel.

aleo solar AG has signed a joint venture agreement with Sunvim Group Co. Ltd. for the construction of a solar module production plant in Gaomi in China’s Shandong province. The module production plant is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2009.

China Solar & Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. has announced that it has entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with institutional investors pursuant to which China Solar agreed to issue and sell up to 4.7 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of $2.40 per share, for gross proceeds of up to $11 million.

Nordex has announced that it has signed a new contract with Eolia. The contract calls for up to 86 large scale turbines to be delivered for a wind farm under development in Spain.

The nation’s first hydrokinetic pilot project proposal has come in an unexpected place — the Yukon River.