Mr. Mark Burger

GLG News^SM Analyses by Mark Burger

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The Uneasy Relationship of Fossil and Renewable Energies

June 14, 2011

Analysis of:Big losses for Chevron's solar EOR project | www.upstreamonline.com

The fossil fuel industries have always looked askance at solar and other renewable energies.  Conspiracy theories aside,  there are significant economic and, yes, cultural issues at play in harvesting solar power versus mining petroleum.  The Chevron solar EOR project can lead to success if it's realized that this is a demonstration project whose cost overruns can be solved by experience and replication.

Sustainable Solar Markets Post Fukushima

May 25, 2011

Analysis of:Japan May Require Solar Panels on All New Buildings By 2030 | cleantechnica.com

One challenge to the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster is coming up with replacement electricity, both new and long term. Short term answers will not be popular, like power curtailment in a humid Tokyo summer. Longer term policies, like a proposed mandatory solar requirement for new construction, can supplement new centralized power plant development and enable a more stable solar market with less reliance on subsidies..

Will this version of oil and silicon mix?

April 29, 2011

Analysis of:Total to Take Controlling Interest in SunPower | www.greentechmedia.com

The acquisition by French oil/energy company Total S.A. of a major portion of SunPower Corporation's shares may mark a new phase of involvement by a fossil-nuclear company in photovoltaic power. This phase is more passive and mundane. It might also result in greater staying power for the PV industry.

Get 3kW of PV with a Gallon Jar of Maraschino Cherries

April 20, 2011

Analysis of:Costco to Sell Home Solar Panel Kits | www.treehugger.com

Two interesting variations on the US residential photovoltaic market have come about. Costco, the land of bulk purchases and discounts, is selling PV kits of various sizes online and at various stores, with the panels coming from a contractor label, as opposed to the leading solar brands. Will this commercial institution persuade a more mainstream segment of American society to go solar?

Another example of the perfect being the enemy of good green

April 10, 2011

Analysis of:Rush to Use Crops as Fuel Raises Food Prices and Hunger Fears | www.nytimes.com

The US and world economies are shifting to a renewable based energy source gradually and griudgingly. Opposition to the reality, if not the abstract principle, of renewable sources like bioenergy create a wellspring of red herrings. The challenge is to navigate the course between "conventional wisdom" and business as usual, with my comments focused primarily on the US based situation.

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