Off Grid Energy

program:  Evening News program date:  Fri, 12/30/2011 Short Description:  Tough Times for the Solar Panel Industry The once booming solar panel industry has hit some difficult times. According to a report from Common Dreams, supply has exceeded demand, which has resulted in factory closures and a loss of jobs. Four years ago, with surging energy prices and a looming recession, hundreds of solar panel manufacturing plants were built to meet rising demand. Now with a weakened economy and a cheap supply of natural gas, only a handful of solar panel manufacturers remain profitable.While solar panels, or photovoltaic energy as its known to industry insiders, is struggling, the market for solar thermal energy remains steady. Mike Fitzgerald, the owner of Gresham based Eco Systems explains.   1:36 minutes (1.46 MB)

program:  Evening News program date:  Mon, 12/05/2011 Short Description:  Local Trade Dispute with China Solar Panel Industry Friday, a U.S trade panel ruled that solar imports from China were harming the U.S. domestic solar industry. In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it is deeply concerned that the decision shows a strong inclination to trade protectionsism, and was reached without sufficient evidence.  2:43 minutes (2.49 MB)

Veggie bus alternative energy workshop and radical art mobile space at the the Anti-COP Anti-Cap encampment. Cop 16 Cancun

for more Cop 16 coverage see Planet Save FAIL!