The Ten Essential Renewable Energy Stories This Week

News from America captured most of the headlines this week.  In particular, minds across the globe were fixated on President Obama's State of the Union address and Macintosh's unveiling of the très chique iPad.  Both of these events had clean energy implications, as you will soon find out.

Copious amounts of other cleantech news unaffliated with Barack Obama and Steve Jobs popped this week.  So, let's catch you up to speed.

Here are this week's 10 Hottest Renewable Energy Stories You May Have Missed:

1.  Obama's State of the Union and What it Means for Clean Energy - In his first State of the Union address, President Obama showed a distinct shift in priorities compared to the previous administration.  This can be evidenced in two words:  clean energy and terror.

2.  Apple's iPad and Other Devices May Soon Be Powered by the Sun - When your announcement of a new product almost garners more attention than the U.S. President's State of the Union address, you know your business has made it.  Yet, it appears Mac might be making another announcement in the near future that will make eco-conscious consumers smile.

3.  "Eco-Bling"--UK Engineers Come Down on Unnecessary Home Solar and Wind Installations - What's the best way to reduce your energy costs?  According to the Royal Academy of Engineers, If you answered: install a solar panel, you were wrong.  Instead, Britain's engineers say the correct answer is taking basic energy efficiency measures.

4.  Revolutionary Ride: Honda's FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle - Honda has released the FCX Clarity, its novel hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in Southern California.  Honda says this vehicle is extraordinarily fuel efficien.  A limited number of FCX Clarities are available for lease.

5.  New Report: Record-Breaking Year for Wind Energy in the United States - A new report by the American Wind Energy Association shows that 10,000 megawatts of wind power were installed in the U.S. last year.  In one year, America's wind energy capacity grew 40%.

6.  Novozymes Gets $28.4 Million Tax Credit to Advance Biofuels Production, Create Green Jobs - Bioenergy innovator, Novozymes has received this large chunk of U.S. government funding in order to construct an enzyme manufacturing facility, which will be critical to Novozymes' development of advanced biofuel. 

7.  Sol, Inc. Donates Solar Lights to Haiti Recovery Effort - Haiti's power supply was thoroughly mangled by the earthquake.  So, relief efforts have been hampered by a lack of electricity.  Solar lighting manufacturing is trying to ease this burden by donating over US$400,000 worth of solar lighting to Haiti.

8.  The Top 10 Green Energy Companies in the United States - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) runs a Green Power Partners program, which promotes the adoption of renewable energy by the member companies.  Out of 1,200 companies, the EPA released the top ten partners from last year.  The list may surprise you.

9.  EU Agrees to Cut Its Emissions 30% By 2020, But There's a Catch - The European Union continues to show the world it is committed to combating climate change and developing new energy resources.  But the EU refuses to stand alone in this endeavour.

10. Getting Serious About Energy-Saving Building Products - If you have not hear of Serious Materials, you will very soon.  This manufacturer of sustainable green building materials is not only winning cleantech awards for its products, but also becoming a media darling.

Well, that concludes another Top 10.  Remember, an easy way to stay up to date in the renewable energy universe is to follow EnergyBoom on Facebook and Twitter.