The use of solar energy and wind power has grown by more than 30 percent annually over the past five years - Brief Article

The use of solar energy and wind power has grown by more than 30 percent annually over the past five years (compared with 1 to 2 percent for fossil fuels) in countries such as Germany, Japan, and Spain, according to the 2003 edition of the World-watch Institute's State of the World books. The Netherlands has achieved an 86 percent recycling rate for cars, and Denmark has put a total ban on aluminum cans in favor of reusable glass bottles.

FOE U.K. Urges Government to Continue Funding for Solar Energy

Friends of the Earth (FOE) U.K. recently announced that the U.K. government plans to terminate the solar photovoltaic (PV) Major Demonstration Program (MDP) and the Clear Skies Program earlier then originally planned.

According to FOE U.K., Phase 1 of MDP, which was scheduled to proceed between 2002 and 2005, was expected to produce nine megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2005, however only six MW have been installed to date.

FOE U.K. is urging the government to extend its solar energy funding programs for another year in order to help support PV technology and provide ample time to re-examine and develop its new solar energy scheme, due to commence in winter/spring 2005/6.

"Whilst Tony Blair stands on the world stage, championing the fight against climate change, the U.K.'s domestic solar power industry is under threat because of a lack of government funding," said FOE U.K. climate campaigner Catherine Pearce. "The Prime Minister must put his money where his mouth is, and help the U.K. take a lead in developing a range of renewable technologies that will help combat global warming."

What is it?

The Solar power energy is the technology of obtaining usable energy from the light of the Sun. Solar energy has been used in many ordinary technologies for centuries and has come into widespread use where other power supplies are absent, such as in remote locations and in space.

FPL Energy recently announced that it, together with certain FPL Energy affiliates and Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund II, has purchased a majority interest in five 30-megawatt (MW) solar energy generating system (SEGS III-VII) assets in the Mojave Desert, CA.

FPL Energy said it will operate the SEGS plants and hold a 45-percent ownership interest in the projects, with Carlyle/Riverstone owning a 49-percent interest and the remainder being held by a group of limited partners.

"The acquisition of the SEGS projects is a continuation of our strategy to own and operate high-quality power generation facilities and further solidifies our position as the leader in clean renewable energy generation," said FPL Energy president Jim Robo. "With these new projects, we are now the largest generator of solar power in the U.S. with 310 MWs.