WRAL Tech Wire

 Pending bills could boost NC's clean energy sector

Opinion: If you're looking for answers to some our state's daunting problems, just look up. Solar power has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in North Carolina while delivering safe and affordable electricity.

solar power

 State commission approves giant wind farm in eastern NC

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Atlantic Wind's (AW) application to build a commercial-scale wind farm in Perquimans and Pasquotank counties on Tuesday.

Energy Literacy

 Regulators to host hearing for NC wind farm

A company wants to construct as many as 150 turbine towers near Elizabeth City.

 Cree, NCSU, ABB land $5.15M federal 'smart grid' grant

NCSU researchers will focus on development of a substation that doesn't have a transformer and links renewable energy sources directly to power grid.

 Study calls for faster offshore wind power development

National Wildlife Federation report says initial proposals for projects off Atlantic Coast, including North Carolina, could provide enough power for 1.5 million homes.

NWF wants more wind power.

 N.C. offshore wind projects could produce 20,000 jobs, report says

A report from the National Wildlife Federation says North Carolina has "great potential" as a source for offshore wind power.

 Analysts: Cleantech is 'growing up' but few exits will be IPOs

Analysis firm R.W. Baird says most startups will exit through acquisitions, not stock offerings.

 High-tech composites manufacturer to add 178 jobs in N.C.

Saertex receives $110,000 state grant to expand its plant in Mecklenburg County.

 Google backs offshore wind farm project from New Jersey to Virginia

"We believe in investing in projects that make good business sense and further the development of renewable energy," Google exec says.

 Duke Energy, UNC-CH call a halt to Pamlico Sound wind turbine project

Instead, the focus shifts to a potential “large-scale” offshore development project

 Cleantech investments surge 43% in second quarter with solar leading way

New report says investments in first six months of the year set a record at $4.04 billion.

 Progress Energy to invest $300,000 in UNC-CH offshore wind study

The Raleigh-based utility is matching a $300,000 federal energy grant to help fund the $1 million project. Duke Energy is already working with UNC on a pilot project in Pamlico Sound.

 N.C. joins nine other states in offshore wind consortium

 Job creation - Ballancing growth and the environment

“I think the state certainly wants to look at all options,” says North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden.

 Hewlett-Packard to slash 9,000 jobs in services group

The IT giant plans to invest $1 billion in new automated data centers. Many of the positions affected by the layoffs will be replaced with sales, delivery positions, HP says.

 Duke Energy lines up $375 million in backing for wind farms

The energy firm lands $325 million in loans and $50 million in a line of credit for its alternative energy efforts.