ON U.S. NEW ENERGY SPENDING

Are We Investing Enough in Clean Energy?
Andy Mannle, August 4, 2011 (Huffington Post)

"…[The] US Department of Energy announced loans and guarantees of $32 billion, including over $10 billion for solar projects…A group of 11 wealthy US families formed The Cleantech Syndicate to invest $1.4 billion in renewable energy companies over the next five years.

"Google and SolarCity created a $280 million fund to provide solar panel leases and ppas to households - the largest residential solar financing scheme to date…BofA and partners are financing $2.6 billion in commercial rooftop solar arrays -- the largest distributed solar deal in history…GE announced a $600 million investment to manufacture solar panels -- in a factory slated to be the largest in the US."

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"…[T]here's no doubt that billions of dollars are flowing into this market from government, private investors, banks and major corporations…[But] is it enough?

"Is it enough to stimulate the economy? Is it enough to combat climate change? Is it even enough to keep up with China?..."