In 2002, California passed AB1207, a measure that set statewide zoning and permitting guidelines for small wind turbines. The result was significant growth for the fledgling small wind industry that year and expectations for continued growth.

The United States is viewed as one of the next big markets for offshore wind generation. Now that the Cape Wind project is considered more likely than not to proceed and the favorable political climate towards renewables, it is not a question of whether U.S. offshore wind farms will get built but how many.

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. announced the completion and grid connection of the first 10-megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar power project in China. Located in Shizuishan, Ningxia Autonomous Region, the 10-MW ground mount solar system is the first phase of a 50-MW solar plant.

REpower Systems AG has erected the first of a total of six REpower 5M turbines for the alpha ventus offshore test field. The systems each have a rated power of five megawatts (MW), with a blade tip height of 155 meters above sea level.

Eleca S.p.A. has executed an agreement with Enfinity NV for the planning and implementation of ten solar photovoltaic ground based plants of 1 megawatt (MW) power each. The systems will be built in the Region of Puglia over the next few months.

Solar photovoltaic module production world-wide almost doubled in 2008, according to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre's eighth Annual Photovoltaics Status Report.

Wave and tidal energy developers have been invited to bid for £22 million (US$33 million) in new government funding to accelerate the commercial development of marine energy in the UK.

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced two photovoltaic (PV) inverters for the North American market: a 100kW model and a 250kW model. This will make the company the first Japanese manufacturer to enter the North American large-scale PV inverter market. The inverters will be marketed in the United States by Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., headquartered in Cypress, Calif.

National Wind Assessments, a team of independent wind consultants, has adopted Second Wind's Triton Sonic Wind Profiler to add value to its wind resource assessment offerings.

One of the world's leading wind energy consultants is expanding its service portfolio with Second Wind Triton™ Sonic Wind Profiler following a year of deploying the sodar units with its clients. DNV-Global Energy Concepts (DNV-GEC) has been named by Second Wind as a Certified Triton Partner. The companies will work together to deliver Certified Triton installation, commissioning and relocation as well as planning, monitoring, analysis, reporting, and consulting services.