The world is increasingly flat when it comes to clean technology. While local and regional markets exist for Clean Tech, national and international markets contain key drivers that affect market acceptance and economic viability that provide opportunities to achieve significant business viability and scale. For entrepreneurs in Atlanta or Research Triangle, what are some key considerations in addressing markets, raising capital, hiring employees and building company infrastructure to address growing national and international markets?

On March 28, a panel discussion of entrepreneurs and NCSEA's Paul Quinlan weighed in on this important topic. For a complete list of panelist and to see Quinlan's presentation, follow the jump.

FLS Energy, a solar utility headquartered in Asheville, is about to complete the nation’s largest solar thermal farm at Prestage Foods in St. Pauls. The solar energy system, six-times larger than any solar thermal system currently in operation, will produce an average 100,000 gallons of hot water a day for use in the turkey processor’s operations. 

NCSEA's supporters, partners and members talk about clean energy in North Carolina!

Source: Bruce Henderson, Charlotte Observer

Uptown Charlotte’s first wind turbines are spinning atop Packard Place, the funky 1920s car dealership at Church and Third streets that has been renovated into a space for entrepreneurs. The two six-foot turbines don’t look like the familiar image of three-bladed windmills. They look like fans mounted on masts, vanes on either side pointing them into the wind. Like the building’s abstract paint scheme, they’re something different uptown.

A $311,000 grant from the State Energy Office helped turn the circa-1928 building into a model of energy innovation. It’s been certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, green-building program. Among its tenants are CLT Joules, an energy incubator.

The wind turbines share space on the building’s white, heat-reflecting roof with electricity-generating solar panels. Another solar array supplies hot water to bathrooms, a locker room and a restaurant downstairs.

SOURCE: News 14

WILMINGTON — City of Wilmington officials are continuing efforts to turn the Port City green.

Soon the first level of the Market Street parking deck will have a place to "fuel up" or grab a charge. Electric cars will have a charging station with two parking spaces dedicated for the vehicles.

"We do a have a commitment to sustainable growth and for sustainability you have to look at conserving energy and resources," said City Councilman Kevin O'Grady.

At Tuesday night's council meeting the board voted to support the Wilmington first charging stations and the two year pilot program with Progress Energy.

"It will allow Progress Energy to collect data on their usage. Hopefully it will demonstrate their profitability, so that in the future there can be private investment into creating electric charging stations throughout the city," said O'Grady.

Carolinas AGC (CAGC) has announced the winners of the 2011 Pinnacle Awards — the most prestigious recognition in the Carolinas construction industry. The Pinnacle Awards embody CAGC's mission statement: "Advancing the construction industry to enhance the quality of life and deliver a sustainable difference in the Carolinas"

BEST SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR AWARD: Juba Aluminum Products Company, Concord, NC

Founded in 1993, Juba Aluminum Products is a glass and glazing contractor, specializing in high-performance exterior building facades of curtain walls, panels, and glass. Juba is noted for its exceptional performance in the area of employee relations; the firm offers a wellness program and Employee Assistance Program usually found only in larger firms. Equally devoted to safety and job quality, Juba received consistently high marks across every category--the evidence of an all-around great company.

BEST BUILDING PROJECT AWARD:Jennette's Pier - the NC Aquarium Pier at Nags Head, NCContractor: Clancy & Theys Construction Co., Wilmington, NC

Jennette's Pier is a 1,000 foot concrete and wood pier with a three-story, 17,000 square foot "pier house." Built high over sand and ocean, its features include aquarium tank exhibits; coastal study arrays; an on-site wastewater treatment facility; geothermal wells; and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound. Three state-of-the-art wind energy turbines provide half the energy required to operate the full facility. One pavilion is covered in photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity, stored until needed to power pier lights at night. The entire project was designed and built to achieve LEED Platinum Certification.

BEST HIGHWAY PROJECT AWARD (1 of 2): Interstate-40 Road and Bridge Widenings in Raleigh and Cary, NC Contractor: S.T. Wooten Corporation, Wilson, NC

This design-build project, on one of North Carolina's busiest urban interstate stretches, involved drainage, grading, paving, bridges, lighting, signing, sound walls, a new travel lane, a new 12-foot shoulder in each direction, and the widening of four bridges. Multiple conveyors were used as a material delivery system through the four-mile project center, which eliminated over 12,000 truckloads entering and exiting the median in the high-speed, high-traffic interstate area. In addition, over 230 lane closures were eliminated that would otherwise have been required to deliver 85,000 tons of subgrade material and 135,000 tons of asphalt. With over 305,000 man-hours on this project by both S.T. Wooten and its subcontractors, there were zero lost time accidents.

For a complete list of award winners, click here.

As a part of the celebration of Energy Star's 20th anniversary, three organizations in North Carolina were honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2012 Energy Star award.  This award was given because of their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’s environment through superior energy efficiency.

SOURCE: Don Lee and Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times

Ratcheting up the battle over a vital energy industry, the U.S. Commerce Department decided to impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China after concluding that manufacturers there received illegal government subsidies.

The Commerce Department, in its preliminary finding over illegal subsidies, said solar panels imported from China — now dominating the U.S. market — would face a duty of 2.9% to 4.73%.

The tariff is considerably smaller than what some had hoped for but nonetheless marks another step by the Obama administration to get tougher on trade with China. It also highlights efforts aimed at supporting U.S jobs and a renewable energy future.

Additional tariffs could be imposed in mid-May when the Commerce Department is expected to determine whether China has been dumping the panels in the U.S. at below-cost prices.

Some American lawmakers and solar firms hailed the finding on illegal subsidies, saying the new tariffs will help create a more-level playing field for the domestic solar market, which has been growing rapidly despite the bankruptcy of some panel makers. The high-profile failure of solar equipment maker Solyndra of Fremont, Calif., was attributed in part to a sudden influx of low-cost Chinese panels.

The Commerce Department decision "is a signal that China's unfair trade practices in the solar energy industry may soon be remedied," said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who heads a Senate Finance subcommittee on international trade.

Click here to read the LA Times full report.

Lime Energy Co. has been awarded a two-year contract by Public Service Electric & Gas for the implementation of their Energy Efficiency Direct Install Program. PSE&G is one of the largest combined electric and gas companies in the United States and is also New Jersey's oldest and largest electric and gas utility. The Program, serving municipalities and not-for-profits, is budgeted for $25 million over the next two years.

Solar Decathlon (UNCC)

PI, Mona Azarbayjani, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture

UNC Charlotte will be among the competitors for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in 2013. This worldwide contest will showcase efforts to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence.

“The UNC Charlotte team is thrilled to be selected once againto compete in the Solar Decathlon,” said Chris Jarrett, director of the School of Architecture in the College of Arts + Architecture. He added that many lessons were learned from UNC Charlotte's collaboration with the DOE in the first Solar Decathlon in 2002. “A decade later, we have new expertise, new technology and new partnerships. We’re looking forward to the challenge of rethinking the next generation of solar housing."