Global solar market to reach $75.2 bullion by 2016

New solar technology like concentrated solar power (CSP) and the opening of new markets are tipped to become a strong growth engine for solar moving forward, according to a new report looking at how the industry will develop before 2016.

The report, titled "Solar Power Market by PV, CSP Technologies by Installations, Price, Cost, Trade Trends & Global Forecasts (2011 - 2016)", was released at the end of August by MarketsandMarkets, a global market research and consulting company based in the U.S. It covers photovoltaics, solar thermal, CSP and concentrated PV.

Overall, it was found that the solar market will eclipse $75 billion dollars and that inst...

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Permission refused for Connemara wind farm

AN Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a major wind farm in Connemara, consisting of 27 turbines, on the basis that it would “erode the visual and environmental amenity of this area” of Co Galway.

Overturning Galway County Council’s decision to approve the scheme after it was appealed by An Taisce, Inland Fisheries Ireland and six individual objectors, the board said the Connemara landscape “is one of the principal assets of the tourism industry” in the county.

Gaoi an Iarthar Teo wanted to erect 27 turbines in a scenic ...

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Gaelectric in €18m deal with Chinese

GAELECTRIC, the Dublin-headquartered renewable energy group, has signed an €18 million development deal with Chinese energy giant, XEMC which will result in three wind farms being built in the Midlands with the capacity to power nearly 7,000 homes.

The three sites, in counties Westmeath, Offaly and Roscommon, will generate a combined total of 13.6 megawatts of wind power and should be fully operational by the middle of next year, with the capability of powering up to 6,500 home...

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Every Company is an Energy Company - and if it isn't, it will be soon

As leaders around the world begin to see the strong link between financial performance and commitment to sustainability, meeting sustainability goals is set to become a top priority. And an energy strategy is the first step towards sustainability. The sooner companies begin to understand and actively manage their energy use the faster they’ll reap benefits such as significant savings, a better bottom line, greater customer loyalty, a cost-edge over competitors, lower business risk, and a company-wide awareness o...

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