However, when it comes to driving holidays, it is still very difficult to rent a car that won’t damage the environment.

Fiona Foster finds out how long it is likely to be before we see more electric cars on the forecourts of rental offices around the world.

“A demonstrated leader of Brian’s caliber is an excellent addition to Solyndra’s existing management team,”said Dr. Gronet. “Brian’s strong understanding of sophisticated manufacturing operations, history of achieving significant product and manufacturing cost reductions, and experience in building an international sales and marketing organization make him the right person to lead our growth.”

Steve Mitchell, Managing Director of Argonaut Private Equity and a member of the Board of Directors said, “Brian has proven he can ramp operations while aggressively driving down costs in a very competitive global industry.”

Mr. Harrison said, “I am extremely excited about joining Solyndra. Solyndra’s rooftop photovoltaic system is highly differentiated, and the market opportunity for the company is tremendous.  I look forward to leading Solyndra to be the pre-eminent solar system provider for commercial and industrial rooftops.”

SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwire – February 24, 2010) – Bus travelers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, are riding greener because of 20 zero-emission, fuel cell hybrid buses produced by California-based ISE Limited (TSX: ISE). ISE’s hybrid drive system technology is helping BC Transit progress into a low carbon future.

Rick Sander, CEO and President of ISE, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for visitors from all over the world to see the commercial strength and viability of these hybrid buses. This represents another milestone for ISE as a global leader in zero-emission hybrid technologies for a cleaner world.” The BC Transit fleet is comprised of 20 hybrid buses that use ISE’s core technologies in the complete hybrid propulsion system: energy storage, controls software and power electronics. The hybrid buses also use Ballard fuel cells and New Flyer chassis.

ISE Limited Conducted Rigorous Performance Tests

Since ISE was first selected to provide the drive systems inside these state-of-the-art vehicles, ISE has conducted hundreds of complex and rigorous performance tests over more than 12 months to ensure their safety, reliability, and performance in extreme conditions.

To assess operational performance ratings in freezing weather and on tough terrains, cold chamber testing was conducted on each hybrid fuel cell vehicle. The low temperature assessments test safety as well as optimal functionality in temperatures as low as -20C. These tests provide real-world data regarding operation and reliability of the hybrid fuel cell vehicles in environments that simulate the coldest winter temperatures in Vancouver.

Road testing was conducted over tens of thousands of accrued miles/kilometres, generating critical durability, reliability, and operational performance data. A significant amount of this performance data was collected via ISE’s proprietary Remote Diagnostic Unit (RDU).

ISE intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for research and development, capital equipment purchases, secured convertible promissory note repayment, and sales and marketing expansion.

“We are proud to become a public company on Toronto Stock Exchange,” stated Rick Sander, CEO and President of ISE Limited. “This new corporate milestone enables us to continue building upon a strong foundation of hybrid-electric drive system products and energy storage system products for the heavy duty vehicle market. In December 2009, Long Beach Transit, our customer since 2001, reached 10 million miles in revenue service with its fleet of gasoline hybrid-electric buses powered by our hybrid-electric drive systems. In Fall 2009, we booked sales of our lithium energy storage systems to two major global manufacturers of heavy duty vehicles. We are excited to have successfully completed our initial public offering, which will enable us to expand sales globally and invest further in our energy storage system technologies, controls software and power electronics.”

“The sun is shining on Morris County, New Jersey, and we have an ingenious model of solar financing to thank for capturing that energy,” said Morris County Freeholder William Chegwidden, liaison to the Improvement Authority. “This ambitious project demonstrates a true feat of collaboration and innovation between the public and private sector. Tioga and SunDurance brought to the table unparalleled expertise in piecing together the finance and operations of solar development. County officials and stakeholders secured responsible financing and demonstrated unwavering commitment.”

“New Jersey can be a leader in energy as an industry if we continue to harness our innovation, resources and workforce,” said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. “Powered by smart businesses and communities, as exemplified today in Morris County, and strategic financial incentives, this new marketplace is opening up jobs and revenue for the state at a rapid pace.”

Today’s event will ceremonially unveil the first of the 14,000 solar panels to be installed at 19 schools and county government buildings throughout the County. When completed, the total project will result in an energy savings of more than $3.8 million. The Mennen Sports Arena solar system—which comprises installations on all three ice rink rooftops plus elevated solar structures covering more than 500 parking spaces—will produce 30 percent of the facility’s electricity.

SAN MATEO, CA- July 14, 2010—Tioga Energy, a leading supplier of renewable energy services to commercial, government, and non-profit institutions, today announced the completion of a solar installation at the Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) Animal Community Center, one of the first LEED Gold certified centers in the United States.

The 274 kW solar shade structure and rooftop systems are composed of 1,335 photovoltaic (PV) modules that will provide an estimated 33 percent of all energy used at the facility. Under the terms of the SurePath™ Solar Power Purchase Agreement from Tioga, HSSV was able to avoid the large upfront costs typically associated with solar projects, creating significant savings from day one and over the life of the system.

The solar system is one aspect of the center’s many green attributes: The first-of-its-kind facility was constructed using 90 percent of the concrete from the old building’s foundation and incorporates a number of energy and water efficiency technologies, including an advanced heat recovery system, dual pane windows and a reflective “cool” roof to minimize solar heating of the building in the summer and reduce air-conditioning costs.

“Our Animal Community Center is an inspiring model of humane care, community involvement and environmental design, reducing energy costs while simultaneously creating a better environment for the animals. This feat could not have been achieved without smart partnerships with experts in renewable energy development, such as Tioga Energy,” said HSSV President Christine Benninger. “With Tioga’s deep knowledge and experience in solar finance, design and construction, we are able to capture the economic and environmental benefits of solar power, without the hassle.”

BARRE, VT – January 25, 2010 – Northern Power Systems, Inc. (www.northernpower.com), a next-generation wind turbine company, today announced the opening of a new office in the Boston, Massachusetts area.  The new office, located at 222 Third Street in Cambridge, will serve as a commercial and engineering center for its growing global wind business.

The company’s next generation wind turbine technology is based on a vastly simplified architecture that utilizes a unique combination of a permanent magnet generator and direct-drive design. This revolutionary new approach delivers higher energy capture, eliminates drive-train noise, and significantly reduces maintenance and downtime costs. The company currently manufactures the Northwind® 100 turbine, designed specifically for community wind applications such as schools, universities, businesses, commercial farms, and municipalities. Later this year, the company plans to launch a 2.2MW turbine into the utility-scale marketplace for wind farm applications.  .

“Boston is a leading center for green technology innovation. It’s an ideal place for us to expand our footprint and we look forward to advancing our technological leadership in the industry by drawing on the area’s exceptional talent and accessing world renown research institutions” said John P. Danner, President and CEO of Northern Power Systems.

Northern Power Systems has installed Northwind 100 community scale turbines across the globe in fourteen states and four countries from Alaska to Italy.  In Massachusetts, Northern has five Northwind 100 turbines in operation at two schools, a commercial garden center, a convent and the Wood’s Hole Research Center.  In addition, multiple new projects are underway for 2010.

“EcoSMART is experiencing rapid national growth of our proprietary line of safe and effective pesticides. Adding The Home Depot to our distribution will really take it up another notch,” states Vern Kennedy, CEO of EcoSMART. “The Home Depot is the go-to retailer for many lawn and garden enthusiasts. Now their customers can choose to use our all natural, plant-based pesticides, which will mean putting fewer synthetic chemicals into the environment.”

Scott Manning, Merchandising Vice President at The Home Depot, added “We recognize that consumers are shifting to safer, more environmentally friendly products. In the lawn and garden area, EcoSMART presents one of the most complete product lines available, and one that has years of proven success in the commercial and agriculture industries.”

EcoSMART is partnering with Central Garden & Pet Company, one of the nation’s leading suppliers of consumer lawn & garden products, to leverage Central’s large scale distribution and merchandising organization. David Marler, Business Development Manager for Central added, “We have one of the largest, most professional in-store service teams in the industry and expect to keep them busy with this new line.”

The ten products that The Home Depot will be adding include: Ant & Roach Killer aerosol, Flying Insect Killer aerosol, Mosquito Fogger aerosol, Home Pest Control, Weed & Grass Killer, Garden Insect Killer, Garden Fungicide, Insect Killer Spray for Lawns, Mosquito & Tick Spray for Lawns, Insect Killer granules.