DOE

Solyndra's demise--setting the record straight

Editor's note: This is a guest column. See the bio of Matt Feinstein below.

Nearly $1 billion in venture capital funding, a massive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee, and a disruptive technology expected to translate U.S. clean-technology innovation into economic growth--all have kept mentions of Solyndra alive in the business press and solar industry circles well past its demise. A number of interconnected conclusions have been drawn. Some are true, some are false, others lie in the middle. Among them:

Claim: Unexpected drops in polysilicon prices destroyed Solyndra's business case.

Reality: Indeed, polysilicon prices… Read more

Solar Decathlon: New tech meets old-school designs

This year's Solar Decathlon competition combines traditional architecture with cutting-edge building materials and the latest high-tech gadgetry in a village of net zero-energy homes.

The Department of Energy-sponsored Solar Decathlon is a biennial competition among 19 university student teams to build homes entirely powered by solar energy. The houses are shipped in pieces to Washington, D.C., where they are assembled and put on display for 10 days to the general public. (See coverage from 2009 and 2007.)

After a ribbon-cutting of the "solar village" yesterday, teams are showcasing the projects to the visiting public and to … Read more

Solyndra's burnout burdens other solar upstarts

news analysis The media frenzy and political circus caused by bankrupt solar company Solyndra makes it tougher for other fledgling solar companies to secure financing and risks derailing government policies to promote green technologies.

In the latest twists in the weeks-long story, government-backed Solyndra said yesterday that CEO Brian Harrison and CFO Bill Stover will exercise their Fifth Amendment rights and not provide substantive answers to questions during a scheduled Congressional hearing on Friday.

Also yesterday, the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which held hearings last week with Department of Energy officials, said that it intends to investigate proposed loan guarantees … Read more

White House tried to hurry Solyndra decision, report says

White House officials pushed reviewers in the Office of Management and Budget to make a quick decision on a loan guarantee to Solyndra, a solar panel maker that has since filed for bankruptcy, according to a report in the Washington Post.

The Washington Post obtained e-mails pertaining to a $535 million loan guarantee given to Solyndra which showed that White House officials asked for a decision to be made in time for a planned groundbreaking event with vice president Joe Biden.

One OMB official wrote, "We would prefer to have sufficient time to do our due diligence reviews," … Read more

Solyndra CEO questioned by FBI

The CEO of government-backed solar company Solyndra was visited by the FBI yesterday but agents did not search his house, according to a Solyndra representative.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that the home of Solyndra CEO Brian Harrison was searched after the FBI conducted a surprise raid at Solyndra's Fremont, Calif., solar panel plant. ABC News reported today the FBI also searched the homes of former CEO Chris Gronet and another executive, who is said to be co-founder Kelly Truman.

Solyndra spokesperson David Miller confirmed that agents came to Harrison's home but no search occurred. "FBI agents spoke to Brian Harrison at his house, they did not search it," Miller said.

An FBI representative today could not confirm or deny whether agents visited or searched anyplace other than Solyndra's headquarters, saying it is a sealed investigation. The FBI and the Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General spent the better part of yesterday in a joint search of Solyndra's offices where agents were seen taking documents.

It's still not clear what information the FBI and Energy Department are seeking, but it is expected to be related to the company's $535 million loan guarantee it secured from the Department of Energy in 2010 to build the Fremont factory. The Energy Department's Office of Inspector General conducts audits and investigations around the agency's programs. … Read more

Solyndra office searched by FBI

The FBI is searching the offices of solar company Solyndra in Fremont, Calif., this morning, the agency confirmed.

Agents began the search around 7:30 a.m. PT and were seen interviewing employees and moving in the parking lot of Solyndra's offices, the San Jose Mercury News reported today. The ongoing search is part of a joint operation between the FBI and Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General, an FBI representative said.

Solyndra last week abruptly shut down its solar panel manufacturing operation in Fremont and laid off more than 1,000 workers. On Tuesday, it declared bankruptcy … Read more

U.S. military to be largest rooftop solar customer

The Department of Energy today backed a deal to connect solar electric panels at 160,000 locations on military bases, a move which could double the number of residential solar installations in the U.S.

The DOE said it has provided a conditional commitment to guarantee a $344 million loan for the SolarStrong Project, which will help the military meet its renewable energy targets and bring solar power to a many states which now have little.

SolarCity, which specializes in residential solar installation and financing, has been tapped to install, own, and operate the panels in up to 124 military … Read more

Solyndra bankruptcy was disaster waiting to happen

news analysis Solar manufacturer Solyndra filed for bankruptcy protection today, capping a stunning reversal for the government-backed company in a drama that's raising questions about U.S. industrial policy in green technology.

The Chapter 11 filing follows Solyndra's decision last week to shut down its Fremont, Calif., factory and lay off about 1,100 employees and contractors, saying it could not compete with low-cost manufacturers in other countries.

Solyndra is being held up as a case of the federal government not doing its homework picking companies to back in an effort to create jobs.

But is there some … Read more

Philips brings home 'L Prize' with efficient LED lamp

Philips has won the equivalent of grueling car rally race for lighting.

The Department of Energy today awarded Philips' 60-watt equivalent LED bulb with the first L Prize for energy-efficiency lighting. Philips wins a $10 million cash prize. The product could be in stores as soon as early 2012, according to the DOE.

To win, the bulb needed to generate as much light as a 60-watt incandescent at 900 lumens but consume less than 10 watts. Its life has to be rated at over 25,000 hours, or 17 years of using a bulb four hours a day.

The bulb, … Read more

'Most Efficient' Energy Star rating introduced

In addition to products with the basic Energy Star rating, consumers can now choose to buy even more efficient products with the help of a new rating.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy introduced last week an additional rating it calls Energy Star Most Efficient.

Consumer electronics and appliances with the Energy Star Most Efficient seal will signify those products that have exceptional efficiency within their product category. The seal will only be awarded to the top 5 percent of models. It will initially be introduced in five categories: clothes washers, heating and cooling … Read more