SolFocus announced the completion of its initial phase of the world’s first full scale concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) solar power plant. This facility, owned by the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC), has been created both as a power production facility and a proving ground for CPV technology. This first 200 kilowatt (kW) phase of SolFocus’ deployment is ready to generate electricity for the local power grid.

HR BioPetroleum, Alexander & Baldwin Inc., Hawaiian Electric Company and Maui Electric Company announced that they have signed memoranda of understanding to pursue the joint development of a commercial-scale microalgae facility on Maui to produce lipid oil for conversion to biodiesel and other valuable products, such as animal feed. The Ma’alaea algae facility would be HR BioPetroleum’s first commercial facility.

Officials from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and its Center for Ocean Energy Technology (COET) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science accompanied Florida Governor Charlie Crist on a recent visit to several universities and organizations in the United Kingdom to continue discussions, exchange information and formalize agreements in areas of clean ocean energy, environmental issues and climate change. The FAU/UK trip was part of a statewide business development mission that included nearly 100 university and business leaders.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com talked with Chris O’Brien, head of market development and government relations for North America for Oerlikon solar at Intersolar North America in San Francisco, California.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com talked with Pete Singer, Editor-In-Chief of Solid State Technology Magazine at Intersolar North America/SEMICON West in San Francisco, California.

With the recent completion of a 35.4 kilowatt solar energy system at the new Hamilton Marketplace Complex in Novato, CA, Novato-based SolarCraft has a very sunny outlook on their position as Novato’s source for local solar energy experts.

EnerWorks announced today the appointment of Tony Ali as VP, Sales & Customer Allegiance.

VANCOUVER, B.C., July 31, 2008 – Xantrex Technology Inc. (TSX:XTX) will be a partner in a 50-city solar technology tour across the United States from August to November 2008. City Tour for Solar consists of two educational exhibits about solar and renewable energy that will be presented to municipal leaders, community members and utility representatives. The tour will visit cities in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado.

Image courtesy of DC Sports Bog

We aren’t even going to pretend that there is anything green about this picture – isn’t it amazing what human ingenuity can come up with these days! Gilbert Arenas, point guard for the Washington Wizards, just built a pool/mountain combo in his backyard that will cost upwards of…wait for it… One. Millllion. Dollars.

Granted, things are more expensive in the Capitol, but we’ve got to ask ourselves, does anyone need this? It’ll probably host one kick-ass party, but when is something over the top? Particularly som…

This is the fourth in a series of video blog posts about biking across America with WE ADD UP to raise awareness about how to stop global warming.

Day 4 was an 81-mile day into the mountains and, appropriately, winds of northern Pennsylvania. Luckily, before the day began, Eric and Carson ate an enormous oatmeal breakfast, complete with honey, cranberries….yum! Rather unluckily, Eric got a flat tire about 5 minutes…