First Solar, Inc. is developing a 550-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic power plant in Southern California, slated for completion in 2013. The project is one of a number of large solar photovoltaic projects unfolding in California.

Chevron Technology Ventures will build the largest concentrating photovoltaic (PV) installation in the United States on a tailings site at a molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico. The 1-megawatt solar installation is considered a demonstration project.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has redesigned its Web site to make it more user-friendly. The revamped Web site includes a new "Energy Empowers" section with stories from energy innovators across the United States.

The U.S. Department of Interior has awarded $3.7 million to 13 tribes to support their development of geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric power resources. The tribes are located in the states of California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing that EnergyGuide labels be required on televisions sold in the United States to help consumers know more about the products' energy consumption. The proposed change is open for public comment until May 14.

Utilities in California and Ohio are embracing new energy storage technologies, such as large-scale batteries and ice cooling devices, as ways to cut peak power loads and help integrate renewable energy into the grid. The innovations are part of the move towards Smart Grid technologies.

A new poll of 9,000 people in 22 countries found that roughly two-thirds of respondent favored low-carbon sources of energy as a solution to energy and climate change issues. About 85% believed that more government control and intervention is needed to address these energy challenges.