STUFF

In '02, OPEC nations produced 29Mb/d. This year expecting 36.6M. Up 1M/y since '09. '13 growth expected to be stagnant. EIA expects OPEC surplus crude production capacity dropping significantly this year, to pick back up next year.

Hong Kong put 15% tax on property buys by foreigners. 15% gain in prices since 4Q11. Japan property prices down almost 10% in same period. Singapore growing less than Hong Kong. Chinese buyers in California. Last year, avg price of foreign-bought US homes 2x national avg ( > $400K.) Usually all-cash dealios (62%). Interest in commercial property too.

In '10 and '11, US supported 65 clean/renewable energy initiatives. ~5K projects. ~30% were solar. $2.3B of DOE loan guarantees for 20 initiatives, $154M from DOD for 27 initiatives.

'11 US energy consumption (elgen and transportation) 97.5Q BTU. Oil 36%, NG 25%, coal 20%, clean/ren 9%, nuke 8% (makes clean/ren 17% in my book). Of clean/ren (9Q BTU) 48% biomass/biofuels, 35% hydro, 13% wind, 2% geo, 1% solar.

EIA: US grid-connected PV solar topped 3.5Gw in '11. ~1Gw residential, 1.5Gw commercial/industrial, > 2Gw utility.

First Wind shrunk proposed Maine project to 48Mw, ~ 40% smaller than conceived 3 years ago. Turbine size increased to 3Mw. $100M project. Radar-controlled av lighting (turns on when planes approach).

FERC approved sale of Cimarron 166Mw Kansas wind farm under construction to Next Era Affiliates. PPA with TVA.

Brookfield Renewable Energy (TSX: BEP.UN) completed $175M financing for 45Mw hydro project on Vancouver I. Online in '14.

City Labs launched NanoTritium betavoltaic batt. Draws on energy from radioactive element to provide nanowatt power for 20 years.

K Road Power, Sunpower (SPWR) completed 25Mw solar plant for Modesto Irrigation District.