Clean Tech Worries over BearSterns Collapse 

What does the collapse of a Wall Street firm with a particularly high tolerance for risk have to do with solar panels?

Financing.

As credit markets tighten, and lenders evaluate projects with ever-shrinking resources, large-scale infrastructure projects, even green ones, may be pushed to the sidelines.  In a recent article in BusinessGreen, Stuart McKnight, managing director of investment consultancy Ascendant says, “Big infrastructure projects depend on substantial levels of capital being made available.  The larger projects, and in particular those about to come on line, will be impacted by Bear Sterns.”

Kevin Arthur, the chief executive of solar cell specialist Quantasol has also voiced concerns about project finance and the availability of credit in the marketplace.

The overall outlook for the industry is still positive, with as many pressures to implement renewables as there are on obtaining funding for it.  Government regulation, especially in the Southwest US assures some continuity in operations for clean technology firms.  In fact, some analysts say that the coming crunch will benefit the industry by easing down “some of the froth” that is evident in the market.

Source: www.businessgreen.com

 

 

Green Pepsi

Sterling Planet and Kenke Sports Enterprise (KSE) have teamed up to create another eco-first:  the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado will be the first major sports and entertainment arena to go 100% green with a multi-year renewable energy purchase.

The facility generates 11,000 megawatt hours per year from conventional electricity and will offset this via 52 rooftop solar panels and enough renewable energy certificates (RECs) to represent the power needed to fuel to 1,600 cars for a year.  These RECs are commodities that represent proof that 1 megawatt hour of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source.  They act as a subsidy to electricity generated from renewable sources.

"This greenup is part of a broad environmentally friendly makeover for Pepsi Center,” said Dave Jolette, KSE Vice President of Venue Operations, in a recent interview with CSRwire. "We've identified many ways to conserve energy, recycle materials and reduce the building’s environmental footprint. And this is just the beginning. This is a sustained, ongoing effort to protect the environment."

The 19,000-seat Pepsi Center is the home of the NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche, NLL Colorado Mammoth and AFL Colorado Crush. The arena is the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and host to over 200 events per year.

"Renewable energy has already become mainstream in this country, and this high-profile greenup of a premier sports and entertainment complex underscores the viability of renewable energy," said Mel Jones Sterling Planet President and CEO. "We applaud KSE for its vision and leadership in raising the bar for corporate social responsibility."

CSRwire.com - 3/26/2008