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To’Hajiilee, New Mexico is where the leaders of a remote, sparsely populated American Indian community envision a field of solar panels capable of producing enough electricity for more than 10,000 homes miles away from the reservation. The To’Hajiilee solar project is one of 19 energy projects that will share $6.5 million, which was recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to spur renewable energy development on tribal lands.

Over the last decade, $36 million has been doled out for nearly 160 projects as a part of the DOE’s Tribal Energy Program. This year’s grants come as Congress considers new measures aimed at reducing the bureaucratic hurdles tribes face in developing their resources and as the Obama administration looks for ways to speed up the leasing of land for clean energy projects. With tens of millions of acres held in trust for tribes, experts say Indian Country has the potential to supply more than four times the nation’s electricity needs with solar. Renewable energy development offers some of the same glimmers of economic salvation and self-determination as the casino boom did earlier for some tribes. However, the experts say it’s much harder for sovereign tribes to break into the energy market because of capital limitations, government regulations and investor perceptions...

Tenaska, an American energy developer of fossil fuel-based power plants, has lined up $500 million in loans for its first solar power plant. Tenaska Solar Ventures has closed financing for the 130-megawatt Imperial Solar Energy Center South on 946 acres near the Mexico border town of El Centro. The solar energy plant will supply power to customers of San Diego Gas & Electric.

Nine banks provided debt financing for the Solar Energy Center South project. The Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and Union Bank, N.A. led the bank group, which includes BBVA Compass, DZ Bank, Helaba, Key Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and Santander's Sovereign Bank...

There has been recent good news for residents in Colorado looking into solar power. Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA), based in Boulder, just launched the Solar Friendly Communities Program, which is expected to make the process of investing in a solar system much easier for local governments and solar installers and less expensive for Colorado residents, across the Front Range and Eastern Plains. The 200 solar industry member organizations at COSEIA are dedicated to progressing Colorado’s role as a leader in renewable energy and creating jobs in the industry.

“This program will make it easier for Colorado residents and businesses to go solar by helping local governments learn from one another and to provide public recognition for communities that grow more solar friendly,’’ said Neal Lurie, executive director of COSEIA. “It will speed the spread of a locally powered, job-creating clean energy source with no fuel costs.’’..

The Solyndra story is reaching its final chapter.

Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate services and investment management firm has been exclusively retained to market the bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra’s headquarters. This arrangement has been approved by the bankruptcy court in charge of Solyndra’s bankruptcy case. The state of the art manufacturing facility was built in 2010 is located at 47488 Kato Road in Fremont, California. It is 411,618 square feet situated on approximately 30 acres. The manufacturing area is 287,448 square feet and the property includes plans for a 200,000 square foot expansion facility...

It’s no secret that financing has found a permanent residence within the solar industry. Solar arrays carry high up-front costs which, without financing or leasing options, make them unaffordable for the majority of home and business owners. As the solar market continues to become more competitive, manufacturers and distributors are forced to expand their services and adapt to consumer trends.

Financing a system often relieves all of the upfront costs for the consumer. In most cases, the solar array will not offset 100% of the electrical usage. This leaves the home or business owner with a monthly payment for the array along with any additional electrical usage pulled from the utility company. Though it may seem like just another bill to add to your monthly expenses, the combined total is generally significantly lower than the original electric bill...