This report from Kanal Consulting focuses on practical ways that organizations can implement sustainability to improve the bottom line and the environment. 

Nike resigned its position on the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, the day after a small group of investors began urging the company to withdraw from the group over its opposition to climate change legislation. Nike will remain a member, but said it will evaluate its membership going forward.

DANBURY, Conn., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Technipower Systems, Inc. (Other OTC: TECZ), formerly Solomon Technologies, Inc., announced today that its Energy Solutions group recently received $200,000 of military power product orders from a new international customer. These highly engineered and ruggedized products have been used regularly in challenging military communications applications.

Dan Connors, President of Technipower’s Energy Solutions group said, “While this order is indicative of the relatively consistent order flow of our base power systems business, it also represents a milestone in our increased penetration of the international markets. Our efforts in identifying parallel applications for our existing products while we continue research and development efforts on new technologies and products, is an important facet of our core business and a key component of our growth strategy.”

Connors continued, “In combination with our enhanced channel presence both domestically and internationally, we believe that our recent additions of key resources will be an immediate and long term benefit in achieving our objectives.”

CHANGZHOU, China, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) (“Trina Solar” or the “Company”), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that it has extended its eight year long-term supply agreement with Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (“GCL-Poly”) (SEHK: 3800) by another five years. Initial delivery of polysilicon to Trina Solar started in April 2008.

Under the adjusted terms of this agreement, the total consideration will remain unchanged from the combined total of the original and supplemental agreements signed in 2008, whereas additional polysilicon and wafer deliveries will be provided starting in 2016 for a five year period at pre-determined shipment volumes and prices. The agreement also contains a price adjustment clause that offers a market-linked price formula. GCL-Poly will supply the Company with high-quality polysilicon and wafers sufficient to produce approximately 8,500 MW of solar modules over 13 years. Wafer deliveries to commence in 2010 are expected to support production above the Company’s in-house integrated manufacturing capabilities to address growing customer demand.

“We are very pleased to strengthen our long-term relationship with GCL-Poly by further extending the tenure of the agreement,” said Jifan Gao, Trina Solar’s Chairman and CEO. “This extension will provide a stable source of high-quality materials as well as support our cost reduction initiatives to solidify our position as a high-quality global integrated PV manufacturer.”

“We are pleased to extend our business relationship with Trina Solar whom we value as a strategic long-term customer,” said Mr. Zhu Gong Shan, Executive Director, Chairman and CEO of GCL-Poly. “We look forward to continue delivering high-quality polysilicon and wafers on schedule through 2020.”

WUXI, China, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world’s leading manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced the completion and grid connection of the first 10MW utility-scale solar power project in China. Located in Shizuishan, Ningxia Autonomous Region, the 10MW ground mount solar system is the first phase of a 50MW solar plant that is targeted to be completed by 2011 in conjunction with Suntech’s strategic partner, China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC). In addition to supplying high quality solar modules for the system, Suntech designed, installed and managed the development of the solar system and holds a minority share of the project.

Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO said, ”Suntech is very pleased and honored to play a leading role in the development of the first on-grid 10MW solar PV power plant in China, which represents a major milestone in the development of China’s renewable energy industry. We applaud the decisive steps taken by China’s central government and local government to support sustainable energy development and establish a greener economy in China. With closer cooperation between strategic energy investors, power developers and solution providers, I am confident that solar energy will become increasingly cost effective and achieve grid parity in many locations over the next few years.”

Mr. Longsheng Li, Deputy General Manager of CECIC commented, ”We believe that plentiful, large-scale solar resources, powered by Suntech’s premium quality solar systems and system integration capabilities, can deliver decades of clean, renewable electricity throughout many regions in China. We will continue to actively promote the adoption of large-scale solar PV projects and solutions for reducing carbon emissions and solving problems associated with climate change.”

The 10MW solar system, which was approved by the Ningxia Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission in June, 2009, is powered by more than 37,000 Suntech solar panels and is projected to displace approximately 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Under a strategic agreement announced in 2009, Suntech and CECIC plan to focus on the development of large scale on-grid solar projects, urban building integrated PV projects, rural off-grid solar projects, and wind-solar hybrid projects. For such projects, CECIC will primarily be responsible for project investment and solar project development and Suntech will supply solar products, system design, installation and technical support.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Ausra, Inc. has been selected as the solar steam boiler supplier for the proposed 100-megawatt JOAN1 concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) project currently under development in Ma’an, Jordan. The selection of Ausra is an important milestone in the development of JOAN1, which will also include a back-up fossil-fuel boiler to guarantee 24-hour dispatchable electric power. The project is expected to enter operation in 2013 and will be the largest CSP project in the world using direct solar steam generation.

Ausra’s selection as the solar boiler provider was announced in Berlin during SolarPACES, the CSP industry’s largest conference. Ausra was selected as the solar steam system provider after a competitive tender offer.

Samer Zureikat, Managing Director of Germany-based MENA Cleantech AG, announced the selection of Ausra at SolarPACES.

“Ausra’s robust and cost-effective solar boiler technology, its team of experienced power industry veterans, as well as its OEM business model make it the most suitable solar steam boiler company to provide equipment for this landmark project,” stated Zureikat.

Regarding the choice of Ma’an as the site for the world’s first large-scale direct steam CSP plant, Zureikat noted that, “Jordan’s modern investment laws and progressive regulatory climate coupled with its unparalleled solar resource make Ma’an one of the best locations in the world to build a Concentrating Solar Power plant.”

JOAN1 will rely on Ausra’s Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology to power the plant’s solar steam cycle and generate up to 100 MW of electricity. JOAN1 will use dry cooling to conserve water. Ausra plans to install an advanced manufacturing facility in Jordan in order to supply JOAN1 with its solar steam boilers. The project is scheduled for financial close in the fourth quarter of 2010, with construction beginning in early 2011.

About Ausra’s Technology and Solar Steam Systems

Ausra’s Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam systems are designed for existing fossil-fired plants, new standalone solar and solar/fossil hybrid plants, and a diverse range of industrial customers. Ausra is the first solar steam boiler manufacturer to be awarded the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) ‘S’ Stamp, the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification.

CLFR is the most land-efficient solar technology in operation, generating 1.5-to-3 times more peak power per acre of land than competing solar technologies. This high energy density translates into lower costs, a smaller environmental footprint and greater access to existing power plant and industrial sites. Additional information on Ausra’s CLFR technology is available at http://www.ausra.com/technology.