June 23, 2010

PowerVerde Inc. enters into a letter of intent with Endless Energy Inc. for delivery of a Radial Piston Turbine Motor

PowerVerde Inc. enters into a letter of intent with Endless Energy Inc. to supply a PowerVerde 25/50 kw Radial Piston Turbine Motor for a joint venture project between the two Companies.

Under the terms of this venture, PowerVerde will deliver this motor to Endless Energy within 45 days for implementation into a ThermalGen™ integrated system. This system is a complete energy module replacing traditional water heating, home heating and home cooling infrastructure. As a byproduct, this technology also produces electricity. Endless Energy believes that, without compromising heating, cooling or hot water, a typical home or business using its system can save at least 70% of their energy costs. Keith Johnson, founder and President of Endless Energy stated “The PowerVerde Gas Expansion Motor™ is unquestionably the most efficient pressure driven motor we have seen. By teaming with PowerVerde we believe we can demonstrate a potentially disruptive energy technology, designed to heat, cool as well as reduce the amount of electric power consumed by homes and businesses worldwide”. George Konrad President of PowerVerde commented “It’s an honor to have our technology validated by yet another visionary collaborator. Endless Energy is servicing an exciting space, and their technology and applications are state of the art. While PowerVerde is focused on delivering commercial quantities of renewable electricity to our clients, Endless Energy has a broader approach and we look forward to working with Keith and his company to provide solutions to our customers’ energy needs”.

About PowerVerde

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel, creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste stream byproducts. For more information about PowerVerde, please visit our website http://www.PowerVerdeEnergy.com.

About Endless Energy

Endless Energy Inc. has developed the ThermalGen™ that can be described as a complete utility system, replacing traditional and separate heating, cooling and water heating technology. The ThermalGen™ utilizes the constant temperature of the earth, to provide heating and cooling, hot water and even electricity—-all from one unit. This quiet and clean energy system has been described as disruptive technology and joins the renewable green revolution, allowing more energy independence to homes and businesses everywhere. For more information, please visit our website http://www.EndlessEnergyinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the Company’s contracts, the Company’s liquidity position, the Company’s ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources, and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

April 21, 2010

Fox Business Channel – April 24, 2010.   This episode of Special Edition TV featured PowerVerde.

SPECIAL EDITION: TV

Special Edition TV Series April 24, 2010

April 24, 2010 (Miami, FL) — Global News Group (USA), Inc series Special Edition TV (USA), Inc. announces the appearance of PowerVerde Energy on Special Edition TV hosted by Ileana Bravo.

This news segment is currently available for pre-viewing at http://blip.tv/file/3025368

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI), is a leading manufacturer of high performance pressure and gas expansion products, their newly tested Organic Rankine Cycle (“ORC”), the PowerVerde 25/50 KW electric power system will be featured on the upcoming Special Edition TV segment on the FOX Business Network. The new system, a next generation design, is capable of producing 25 kilowatts of electrical power on any low grade heat (180 degree F).This renewable energy heat recovery power generation system will operate on any adequate heat source. The system was designed principally for solar, geothermal, biomass, or waste heat, the latter of which can be captured from manufacturing processes or fossil fuel driven motors.

George Konrad, founder and President, commented, “This test confirms our belief that this system, driven by our newest generation gas expansion motor, is the most efficient ORC ever created in the 100 KW or less space. Beyond solar, PowerVerde is positioning this system to capture waste heat from small diesel driven systems or manufacturing processes to create commercial grade electricity for use in factories, communities, and for resale back into the municipal electric grid.

About The PowerVerde Energy Company

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste stream byproducts. For more information about PowerVerde, please visit our web-site www.PowerVerdeEnergy.com.

The PowerVerde Energy Company segment on is now streaming at www.SpecialEditionTV.BLIP.TV

About Global News Group and Special Edition TV

The Global News Group and Special Edition TV is a team of EMMY, Telly and Peabody award winning journalists, producers and directors. Special Edition TV covers the latest in business and technology from innovators and industry leaders. The program is designed to provide a platform for companies and organizations to talk about and present their solutions, technologies and services. Select companies are provided with international exposure via customized news reports reaching industry leaders and people through various news and media outlets.

For specific market-by-market air dates and times, Please check your local listings for the FOX Business Network (FBN).  Airing times are 2:00pmEST, 1:00pm CST, 12:00pm MST, 11:00amPST.
View as a podcast on itunes by searching Special Edition TV.

December 16, 2009

A Significant Change

Why is EXXON betting $30 billion on Natural Gas?

Many of us in the renewable energy field have been asking why the United States is borrowing $2 billion dollars a day to support our dependence on foreign oil, while ruining our health, enriching our enemies, befouling our skies and oceans, and melting our glaciers.

Huge international oil companies like Exxon seemed more concerned with ridiculous profits than with helping the nation convert to an energy policy that could free us from importing $730 billion dollars of foreign oil every year.

So it was a bit of a surprise when Exxon announced it was going to spend $30 billion to buy XTO Energy. XTO is in the natural gas business. Why would Exxon suddenly want to be a major player in the natural gas business?
One reason is because three U.S. Senators recently introduced legislation aimed at increasing support for natural gas-powered vehicles. Pickens Plan proponent T. Boone Pickens was on hand to lend his support to the proposed legislation.

“This bipartisan legislation does more to reduce our foreign oil dependency crisis than any other piece of legislation in the past 40 years”, Pickens said in a press release. “”As I have said many times before and will continue to say, natural gas is cleaner, cheaper, it’s abundant and it’s American.”

Exxon is jumping on the bandwagon because they see it as good business and the future of energy. The US has over 310,000 miles of existing natural gas pipelines that serve every community and city in the nation. The natural gas supply is sufficient to last more than 100 years, even if every automobile, truck and bus is converted to run on natural gas. If just the 18 wheelers in the nation converted to natural gas, the US would not have to import a barrel of foreign oil.

PowerVerde, Inc. is planning on becoming a major player in the natural gas revolution. PowerVerde’s patented electrical generation systems are designed to produce renewable, non-polluting electricity using waste pressure on the pipelines. These systems can be placed at thousands of locations producing electricity without disrupting the flow of natural gas or without consuming any of the gas. The systems are made in the United States and would provide thousands of high paying jobs that could not be outsourced.

November 19, 2009

Press Release

PowerVerde Signs Distribution Deal with Eakins Group

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI), a manufacturer of high performance pressure and gas expansion products motors used in the production of renewable electric power, announced today that it has entered into a nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Eakins Group (“Eakins”), a Manteno, Ill.-based oil service and construction company. As per the MOU, the parties intend for Eakins to be given an exclusive Midwest territory to sell PowerVerde’s Gas Expansion and Gas Pressure Motors. Terms of the MOU reflect a joint effort between the companies to distribute, install and maintain PowerVerde’s proprietary Power System technology with the intent of Eakins developing a nationwide footprint. PowerVerde will be responsible for delivering to Eakins high quality Power Systems, including Organic Rankine Cycle and related subsystems, along with all spare parts and training for installation and repair.

George Konrad, founder and President of PowerVerde, stated, “As we work to commercialize our renewable power systems and related Organic Rankine Cycle technology, finding distribution channels positioned to service particularly the oil and gas industry as well as telecommunication and commercial properties is a major focus of our marketing strategy. The oil and natural gas pipeline industry is a primary targeted space for our thermal and pressure driven renewable products. This industry generates an abundance of both waste heat and pressure through its day-to-day operations. Being able to attract a major service company such as The Eakins Group is a significant accomplishment.”

Added Robert Eakins, President and CEO of The Eakins Group, “With all the hype and misinformation in the renewable energy space, PowerVerde’s commitment to commercializing their renewable power systems convinced us that they have the products and technology to assist our entry into the green renewable energy space. After conducting hands-on due diligence, we believe they are a groundbreaking company with leading-edge technology.”

About PowerVerde

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste stream byproducts. For more information about PowerVerde, please visit our website www.PowerVerdeenergy.com.

About Eakins Group

The Eakins Group is a full service maintenance and construction contractor servicing the Pipeline, Telecommunication, Commercial Property and now the Green Renewable Energy Industries. The company has offices in Manteno, Illinois.; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and Bend, Oregon; and soon expects to open an office in the southwest United States. For more information, please visit the Eakins Group website www.eakinsgroupinc.com.

November 11, 2009

Press Release
Source: PowerVerde, Inc.
On 12:41 pm EST, Wednesday November 11, 2009

PowerVerde Completes Successful Test of Revolutionary Renewable Electric Power System

Test Proves System Can Efficiently Run on Solar, Biomass, Geothermal or Waste Heat

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI – News), a leading manufacturer of high performance pressure and gas expansion products, today announced the successful test of its new Organic Rankine Cycle (“ORC”), the PowerVerde 25/50 KW electric power system. The new system, a next generation design, is capable of producing 25 kilowatts of electrical power on any low grade heat (180 degree F). This test was conducted at the company’s facility, Arizona Research and Development, last Wednesday. This renewable energy heat recovery power generation system will operate on any adequate heat source. The system was designed principally for solar, geothermal, biomass, or waste heat, the latter of which can be captured from manufacturing processes or fossil fuel driven motors.

George Konrad, founder and President, commented, “This test confirms our belief that this system, driven by our newest generation gas expansion motor, is the most efficient ORC ever created in the 100 KW or less space.” PowerVerde will be delivering this system to our previously announced thermal solar collaborator, a Hawaiian based leader in solar heat capture technology. Beyond solar, PowerVerde is positioning this system to capture waste heat from small diesel driven systems or manufacturing processes to create commercial grade electricity for use in factories, communities, and for resale back into the municipal electric grid.

The company believes this test is a breakthrough event from our previously tested 10 kilowatt system filmed last year by NBC Phoenix affiliate KPNX channel 12. Brian Gray, PowerVerde’s CTO, added, “When measuring how many BTU’s of heat equal 1 kilowatt of electricity this ORC system is going to set a new standard or paradigm in ORC efficiency”.

About PowerVerde

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI – News) manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste stream byproducts. For more information about PowerVerde, please visit our web-site www.PowerVerdeenergy.com

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the Company’s contracts, the Company’s liquidity position, the Company’s ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources, and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

Contact:

PowerVerde, Inc.
George Konrad, 602-316-6726
gkonrad@powerverdesolar.com

November 11, 2009

SmallCapSentinel.com: Green Energy Technology Report Released
November 11, 2009 | by GlobeNewswire

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SmallCapSentinel.com announces the release of a profile of emerging green energy company PowerVerde Inc. (OTCBB:PWVI), which will soon begin manufacturing totally green electrical power generation systems using a patented technology that has been five years in development. These new systems will never burn fossil fuels and the savings in greenhouse emissions are considerable. The profile is of interest to investors of alternative energy leaders First Solar (Nasdaq:FSLR), Cosan (NYSE:CZZ), China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), and Evergreen Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:ESLR).

The profile is available at www.smallcapsentinel.com/PWVI

Locate every blog, news item, message board and more for any alternative energy company at financial search engine www.BoardMark.com

From the report: These days, it’s hard to find an investor who hasn’t heard about green energy. Concepts like wind, solar, geothermal and biomass fuel seemed far flung just a few years ago, but these days the entire sector is talking about “going green.” Investors know about the big players in the solar sector like First Solar (Nasdaq:FSLR) and perhaps they’ve heard about ethanol issues like Cosan (NYSE:CZZ). Those are pure plays on the green energy phenomenon, but even traditional energy companies are making green overtures. And that indicates this green energy thing is here to stay.

One way to play this trend is to look at smallcap names that could deliver in a big way as their product offerings become more viable. One such name is PowerVerde Inc. (OTCBB:PWVI). Arizona-based PowerVerde is making the transition from small company to major player on the green energy scene by manufacturing totally green electrical power systems that burn absolutely no fossil fuels. PowerVerde has been able to develop this process by using a patented technology that took five years to develop.

Read the rest of the profile at www.smallcapsentinel.com/PWVI

Register to receive ongoing updates at: www.SmallCapSentinel.com/register

Statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties affecting results. SmallCapSentinel.com is property of Integrity Media Inc. (IMI:IMI). IMI provides no assurance as to the subject company’s plans or ability to effect proposed actions and cannot project capabilities, intent, resources, or experience. The subject companies haven’t always approved statements made in this report. This report is neither a solicitation to buy nor offer to sell securities but is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as basis for any investment decision. IMI isn’t an investment advisor, analyst or licensed broker dealer and this report isn’t investment advice. IMI has been paid $10,000 by Del Mar Corporate Consulting, a financial public relations consultant to PWVI, for this report and other advertising services. Paid reports constitute a conflict of interest as to IMI’s ability to remain objective in communication regarding subject companies.

CONTACT:  Integrity Media Inc.
          Kurt Divich, Editor
          702-396-1000


By GlobeNewswire

July 11, 2009

Newly updated Company Overview now available.  Click here to download PDF.

July 11, 2009

Powerverde – In the News: Stockguru Spotlight!

May 26, 2009

PowerVerde, Inc. Enters into a Letter of Intent with Keahole Solar Power LLC, a Hawaii-Based Company Utilizing Sopogy, Inc.’s MicroCSP Solar Technologies

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) (“PowerVerde”), a leading developer of thermal and pressure driven electrical power systems, today announced that it has entered into a letter of intent with Keahole Solar Power LLC (“KSP”), a Hawaii based renewable project and technology developer, under which PowerVerde will provide KSP a commercial-ready electrical power generation engine system and related accessories. This is a significant accomplishment for PowerVerde as it marks the first utility scale commercial installation demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to reducing its costs and improving its efficiencies.

This system will be installed and used for demonstration and testing in KSP’s 2MW solar thermal power generation facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, or “NELHA,” in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

PowerVerde’s President and co-founder George Konrad commented: “We believe that working with Keahole Solar Power in their state-of-the-art facility utilizing leading edge solar technologies such as MicroCSP collectors from Sopogy, Inc., will enable us to test our power systems in the most efficient and robust manner. This collaboration is validation that companies such as ours are positioned to commercialize thermal energy electrical generation and bridge the gap between zero carbon emissions and the traditional utility grid.” Tal Ziv, managing director of Keahole Solar Power, stated: “Our expertise in technology commercialization as well as a renewable energy project developer should complement PowerVerde and their unique power systems well.”

About Powerverde

PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste byproducts. For more information, please visit our website www.PowerVerdeEnergy.com

About Keahole-Solar Power LLC

Keahole-Solar Power is a Hawaii-based developer utilizing different renewable technologies, including Sopogy, Inc.’s MicroCSP solar collectors, utility scale software controls, and unique thermal storage capabilities. KSP is developing new proprietary methods for energy storage, installation, operation and controls. KSP’s combined approach of using sound technologies and solar farm solutions brings lower cost, longer production and higher efficiencies to its customers. KSP’s goal is 30 megawatts of renewable energy for Hawaii by 2015. For more information, please visit www.keaholesolarpower.com

About Sopogy Inc.

Sopogy is a leader in MicroCSP technologies that bring the economics of proven large scale Concentrating Power Systems (CSP) to distributed generation markets. MicroCSP technologies are used to create Process Heat, Solar Air Conditioning or Electrical Power. For more information, please visit www.sopogy.com.

Contacts

PowerVerde, Inc., Phoenix

Rick Davis, 305-271-3232

January 27, 2009

PowerVerde, Inc. Releases Information about a New Alternative Energy Product

Revolutionary “green” product to power progress in the alternative energy
market, creating electricity with a zero carbon footprint and generating
multiple applications for free power!

Phoenix, Arizona – January 27, 2009 – PowerVerde, Inc. announced today that
they have begun building and testing a motor that will run on natural gas
(NG) pressure to create electricity. This concept was shown on NBC
affiliates, Denver, Colorado channel 9 news and Phoenix, Arizona channel 12
news. The following was the video link that ran on these stations:
www.powerverdeenergy.com

These motors have several applications including creating electricity from
wasted pressure associated natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Another
application is using waste heat from any internal combustion engine to drive
our closed loop Organic Rankine Cycle technology. There are also solar
applications for homes and businesses as well. Testing with pipeline and
utility companies will begin soon.

PowerVerde’s motor is:

- 100% green/ 100% renewable with zero combustion and no carbon footprint.

- Customer eliminates utility company delivery charges, service charges and
taxes, all of which can total almost half of the overall utility bill.

- Return on Investment of 5 years (estimated) on the installation costs for
certain applications.

- Minimal operating and maintenance cost.

- Green Power offers protection against fluctuations in fossil fuel prices.

For more information on PowerVerde, Inc and their products visit:

http://powerverdesolar.com

PowerVerde Inc. will soon begin manufacturing totally green electrical power
generation systems using a patented technology that has been many years in
development. These new systems will never burn fossil fuels and the savings
in greenhouse emissions are considerable. The mere existence and universal
understanding of phrases and terms like Green power, Fossil Fuel
Independence, Renewable Power, Environmentally Friendly, Carbon Neutral and
Zero Emissions underscores the desire and determination that governments and
their citizens have to develop non-polluting electric generation technology.

Press Contact:
Chris Tucker
PowerVerde, Inc.
720-297-5151
Email Address: CTuckerPowerVerde@Live.com

Forward Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not statements of historical or current
fact constitute “forward-looking statements”. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown
factors that could cause the company’s actual operation results to be
materially different from any historical results or from any future results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to
statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties readers
are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as “believes”,
“belief”, “expects”, “expect”, “intends”, “intend”, “anticipates”,
“anticipate”, “plans”, “plan”, to be uncertain and forward-looking. The
forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to
other risks and uncertain that are described from time to time in the
company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

November 20, 2008

Press Release: PowerVerde, Inc. Announces Continued Progress and Anticipated Delivery of its Gas Pressure Motor (“GPM“) Demonstration Unit to the Gas Utility Industry by First Quarter 2009

Phoenix Arizona, (Business Wire) —November 20, 2008—

PowerVerde, Inc.( OTCBB: PWVI ) PowerVerde, Inc. has proposed to install patented renewable energy generation systems at various points along existing natural gas pipelines owned by two public utilities, in response to a “Request for Offer“ (RFO) by one utility and direct discussions with the other. In addition, PowerVerde has submitted an installation proposal based on direct discussions with a major natural gas pipeline company. PowerVerde believes that, if installed, these systems will produce multiple megawatt hours of green, non-polluting, renewable electricity.

Fred Barker, Vice President, Engineering of PowerVerde, Inc. and inventor of the technology stated: “We believe that our gas pressure motor technology will help natural gas pipeline companies to produce renewable, non-polluting electricity. The PowerVerde systems can be installed at locations along existing gas pipelines where the pressure in the “city gates“ or collection points needs to be metered or stepped down for delivery to customers. PowerVerde would then utilize that pressure drop to generate electricity without depleting any of the natural gas or disrupting service to end users.“

Mr. Barker added, “An analogy to how this system works would be piping a small portion of a river to a paddle wheel, using it to generate electricity, and then returning the water back downstream to the river. None of the water is lost and it is the flow of the river itself that provides the energy to run the system.“

PowerVerde believes it has addressed the problems which prevented prior technologies from successfully utilizing gas pipelines to generate electricity. PowerVerde`s patented gas pressure motors (GPM), a non-turbine technology in diverse non-centralized groups, require much less cubic feet per minute of natural gas flow. If customers downstream don`t use enough gas, the whole group of generators won`t shut down as experienced with prior technologies. The shutdowns will occur one at a time, until the gas flow builds up again.

George Konrad, President of PowerVerde added, “We believe we can manufacture and install our gas pressure motors at a much lower cost than with other alternative energy systems, as measured by an installed kilowatt hour. Compared with photovoltaic or wind turbine technologies, our systems represent great value. A gas pressure motor operates 24 hours a day as opposed to only when the sun shines or the wind blows. Most other systems require large tracts of land and long transmission lines, adding substantial expense.“

The PowerVerde systems can be safely located near population areas and require no additional land, so they are able to use existing transmission lines. PowerVerde is currently assembling and testing two gas pressure motors at Global Machine Works of Arlington WA as well as our primary facility Arizona Research and Development of Phoenix AZ. We expect to have demonstration units ready for installation and testing on a natural gas pipeline of a major utility by the first quarter of 2009.

About PowerVerde PowerVerde, Inc. (OTCBB: PWVI) Manufactures advanced renewable power generator systems comprised of gas pressure and gas expansion motors. These systems operate without combustion or fossil fuel creating electrical power from any low grade heat source or adequate pressure forum. PowerVerde is an environmentally friendly green company producing zero emissions or waste stream byproducts. For more information about PowerVerde, please visit our web-site www.PowerVerdesolar.com

General News

March 31, 2008

Solar electrical generation is an industry that has $30 billion of global revenues and may quadruple to $120 billion by 2011. Leading investors like John Doerr say clean energy is “going to be the largest economic opportunity in the 21st century.”Financial markets have seen the future: All solar companies’ stock value grew from $3 billion in 2004 to $140 billion in 2007. Solar is generating big profits in California and Europe as the industry has transformed itself. Germany has created “a job machine,” according to the government, with “1/4 million employed in renewables” growing to “1/2 million by 2020″; 50,000 are in solar. These are high-paying jobs in electrical installation, construction and high-tech manufacturing. Oil at $100 a barrel and energy security concerns caused Europe to successfully embark on game-changing initiatives to increase renewable electricity production. New German policies led to a doubling of renewable energy production, accounting for now 13 percent of all electricity produced with 27 percent foreseeable by 2020. Further, most of the renewable energy production was solar, wind or biomass, built by households and local communities” thus spreading energy production and decreasing the impact of blackouts caused by a failing transmission system or a single shut-down nuclear plant. These policies are now being copied worldwide. Germany achieved this by making entrepreneurs out of schools, churches, farmers and homeowners, who generate solar or wind power on their rooftops or land and sell it back to the local utility for profit. Solar demand soared. Germans last year built the equivalent of two coal plants’ worth of solar; this may grow by 75 percent to two gigawatts (GW) of solar in 2008, with all of the $12 billion investment funded by the private sector. California has grasped this opportunity. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger implemented a plan to invest $3 billion in solar incentives. And thanks to its more diverse venture capital industry, the state now has a strong solar manufacturing base and a thriving solar construction industry.