Cleantech Update

Photovoltaic Solar Modules / Germany February 4, 2009 This notice is to inform the public that the Export-Import Bank of the United States has received an application to guarantee approximately $15 million in commercial bank financing for the U.S. export of approximately $ 31 million worth of photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment and services for the construction of a new thin film photovoltaic production facility in Germany. The U.S. exports will enable the German company to produce approximately 21.5 megawatts (MW) worth of amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic modules per year on average during the 8.5-year repayment term of the loan. Available information indicates that all of this new German production will be consumed in Germany. Please note that this transaction was first posted in the Federal Register on September 25, 2007. Interested parties may submit comments on this transaction by e-mail to economic.impact@exim.gov or by mail to 811 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1238

Renewable Identification Numbers are becoming increasingly important not just for people in environmental compliance or accounting , but also for those in marketing, investing and sustainability. By Anduin Kirkbride McElroy in Ethenol Producer Magazine Passage of the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, and the dramatically increased renewable fuels standard (RFS) within it, took Renewable Identification Numbers from a necessary pain to a marketable commodity. Between December and late February, the value of RINs grew from 0.25 cents to 5 cents, according to Paul Machiele, fuels center director for the U.S. EPA. The program is in its infancy and RINs aren’t well understood, but initial indicators show they have the potential to be a significant environmental currency. RINs are mechanisms the EPA created to ensure compliance with the first RFS. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated that obligated parties, which include refiners, importers and gasoline blenders, fulfill a r

DOE announced on March 26 that it plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and tribal lands. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , will provide formula grants for projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel emissions. Funding is based on a formula that accounts for population and energy use, to ensure accountability, DOE will provide guidance to grant recipients and require them to report on the: number of jobs created or retained, energy saved, renewable energy capacity installed, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and funds leveraged. The funding will support: Energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, The development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections The creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Transp