Chinese solar set to shine

Yingli Green Energy signed a deal to build its first on-grid solar power plant near Beijing, sending its shares soaring over 15% on Wall Street, says Forbes.com.

The 10-megawatt facility is set to begin construction in the second half of 2009.

Fast-growing Chinese solar companies still rely on first-generation technology based on wafers, according to Philip Miller, chief strategist for Strategic International Securities Research.

Nearly three-quarters of business leaders believe technology will play a crucial role in addressing environmental issues and cutting fuel costs, reports vnunet.com.

Virtual network operator TFM Networks polled over 250 senior business managers and found that 70% are concerned about rising oil prices.

"Simple steps such as IP-based video conferencing and flexible working can reduce fuel expenditure and improve overall efficiency by removing the need for unnecessary travel," said Stewart Yates, MD of TFM Networks, on reducing business's carbon footprint.

The Green Delegate Challenge is part of the American Democrats' year-long effort to make their 2008 national convention the most environmentally sustainable convention in the party's history, according to ENS Newswire.

Convention organisers estimate convention activities like air travel, ground travel, accommodations and waste will produce an average of one ton of the greenhouse gas CO₂ per person.

To offset the climate-warming effect of that ton of carbon dioxide, delegates are purchasing renewable energy from a portfolio of US projects provided by Native Energy. It includes wind power for a Colorado school district and a landfill gas-to-energy project in Illinois.