...II. Contemporary Energy Use Frederic Menz, a professor of Economics and Finance at Clarkson University, analyzed the impact of renewable energy policies and the relative adoption of those types of energies. He notes that at one time, conventional wisdom suggested that renewable energy sources would gain primacy due to the “rising costs for fossil fuels, growing concern about environmental issues, and national security concerns with imported oil” (Menz, 2005). However, the reality has been “virtually constant” production of electricity from renewable sources, with “coal and nuclear responsible for about two-thirds of net electricity generation in the United States for the last several decades” (Menz, 2005). As regards adoption of solar photovoltaic technology, some argue that its deployment has been tailored towards “a conglomeration of regional markets and special applications” for which significant production will remain elusive until standardized practices of connecting it to existing grid technology are established (Shum & Watanabe, 2007). The stunted deployment of renewable energy technology and failure to meet expectations for growth to surpass fossil fuels, are argued to be due to conventional fuel subsidies that “actively discourage consumers from seeking cleaner alternatives, encourage the overconsumption of resources… and lead to capacity development and consumer patterns in excess of true needs” (Sovacool, 2009). With significant conventional fuel subsidies intact...
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...by Dr. Chris Granet, in the Fremont District of California, Solyndra is a company that deals in Solar Energy. Involved in the manufacturing process of Tubular Solar Panels, it’s an unrivalled player in this business. The company also offers a variety of other Solar Product options, as it’s been in the books of most solar manufacturing companies to use Flat panels which are traditional to Solyndra’s PV Solar System. Contrary to the Standardized solar panels as used in Ballast, the Solar Products manufactured by Solyndra are not entitled to be Standard specific. (David 2008). The manufacture and exercise of solar panel have a true ethical implication. There are issues wherein the admission to solar panel and the economic development has led to the distribution of resources that has affected the environment and also due to the usage of exhaustible resources with the purpose of certain kind of ethical values. As the Solyndra’s problem gradually started since 31st August 2011 onwards as the filling of legal plaintiff in the bankruptcy case (chapter 11). It had to receive the payment of more than half a billion which was basically a loan funding from the energy department of US after 2 years, $25.1 million dollars were also added which was generally tax exempt from the California’s Alternative Energy & Advance Transportation Authority (CAEATA), they were also given the permission to provide a helping hand to the Solyndra finance in the process of manufacturing of solar panel development...
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...Solyndra: Its technology and why it failed Don Scansen, IP Research Group- November 22, 2011 inShare0 Save Follow Save to My Library Follow Comments Follow Author PRINTEMAIL Solyndra was a darling of clean tech but filed for bankruptcy. Department of Energy loan guarantees of $535M sparked an investigation. No wrongdoing has yet been uncovered despite a huge waste of government money. Lower production costs in China have been singled out as the critical factor in Solyndra's demise. Will this story become a parable for America's waning competitiveness? With its clever combination of solar and cylinder, the "O" with rays striking it, and the tag line, "The new shape of solar," marketing for Solyndra's unique tubular module design was at the top of the class. It is reminiscent of making oats cereal in small toroids, the shape of the letter O. We need to determine if there was more to Solyndra than just good public relations. Figure 1: Solyndra's elegant design is evident in this 200 series panel with well-spaced cylindrical modules and simple mounting system. Tubular module design The design for Solyndra panels was based on a series of tubular modules mounted parallel to each other inside a frame. The generously spaced tube structure allowed airflow through the panel thereby reducing wind loading. Where large-area flat panels might fly off a roof in strong winds, Solyndra claimed its panels could withstand 130-mph winds without specialized mounting. With no...
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...Solyndra; The Problems, Legalities, & Ethical Frameworks Background Solyndra was a Fremont, California based manufacturer of cylindrical solar panels, founded in 2005. The solar panels that Solyndra manufactured could be used on top of flat rooftops, such as Target©, without needing additional land to set up the panels. (Grabell, 2012) Prior to any political and legal issues, Solyndra was well known globally and had hundreds of solar assemblies around the world. Solyndra had over $1 billion in private investments and over $2 billion in backlogged orders. (Grabell, 2012) Now, we fast forward to the American Recovery Act and Reinvestment Act of 2009, where Solyndra was granted a $535 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy (DOE), to build a 300,000 square-foot factory near the existing manufacturing site, in an effort by the Obama Administration to go “green”, and create 1,000 jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is also known as the Stimulus Act. It was intended to save and create jobs and provide relief to programs like education, health, and renewable energy. Solyndra defaulted on the loan from the stimulus and eventually filed Chapter 11, Bankruptcy. After the Solyndra debacle, efforts to promote going “green” were considered scandalous. (Markham, 2013) Legal Troubles and Applicable Laws Many businesses and countries were all attempting the green efforts during the 2009 time period and China, specifically, was blamed for the...
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...& Society MANA 4352.02 January 29, 2014 Topic: Solyndra Solyndra Scandal Solyndra designed, manufactured, and sold solar rooftop photovoltaic panels to commercial businesses, with the promise of “setting the new standard” for solar panels. Solyndra, formed in 2005, was an up and coming company who was on the verge of changing the way commercial businesses consumed energy. The system didn’t require any tools, and thus, would be four times faster to set up than any other panel. The issue with Solyndra from the start was that they didn’t have a steady fund. After financiers made several estimates, they came to the realization that Solyndra would be moneyless in a couple of years. In 2006, Solyndra applied for a government guaranteed loan, and just a couple of weeks before the company almost went bankrupt in 2009, Obama disregarded all red flags of this company’s viability and gave them $535 million in federal loan guarantees. Records, countless e-mails and advice given to President Obama by government staffers didn’t matter, because there had been signs of corruption all along the way. In July 2009, Solyndra founder, George Kaiser, gave a grant to a foundation close to Michelle Obama, who held a leadership post. The fact that the “Urban Health Initiative” foundation received $10,000 the same year Solyndra received their loan, adds to the pattern of possible connections between the Obama administration and the solyndra scandal. That same year, Steven Chu, secretary of...
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...RUNNING HEAD: SOLYNDRA AND BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS 1 Solyndra and Bad Business Decisions Annette Frazer American Public University SOLYNDRA AND BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS 2 In 2005, President George Bush’s administration created a loan guarantee program to help fund and grow energy projects specifically. The program was overseen and decisions were made by the Department of Energy. The program was continued on during President Obama’s administration with very few changes. Under the Bush administration, Solyndra applied for and was denied financial assistance when they applied. Solyndra is a solar panel company that was issued more than $500 million in federally guaranteed loans during and by the Obama administration. (Report, 2015, p.1.) According to many, Due Diligence was not exercised by the Department of Energy in investigating this company and their request for funding. During the investigation, the people who were involved in investigating and eventually backing the loan stated that there was “political pressure” from the Administration to push through the loan. (Howell, 2015, p.1) It is speculated that one of the reasons that the loan was pushed through was that many of the investors of the company were major political contributors to President Obama’s campaign fund. This is would be considered a conflict of interest and could cause undue pressure to the loan investigators. Solyndra, however, also lied to the many agencies involved. They were not...
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...Chapter 15 Question 11 11. The table below lists gross domestic product (GDP), consumption (C), gross private domestic investment (I), government spending (G), and net exports (X - M). Each computed as a percent of GDP for the 5 years presented with the following equation: C (%) = (C/GDP) x 100% I (%) = (I/GDP) x 100% G (%) = (G/GDP) x 100% X –M (%) = ((X-M)/GDP) x 100% Year GDP C I G X - M C (%) I (%) G (%) X – M (%) 1965 719.1 443.8 118.2 151.5 5.6 61.72 16.44 21.07 0.78 change (1.42%) (-2.39%) (0.76%) (0.19) 1975 1638.3 1034.4 230.2 357.7 16 63.14 14.05 21.83 0.97 change (1.32%) (3.39%) (1.00%) (3.7%) 1985 4220.3 2720.3 736.2 879 -115.2 64.46 17.44 20.83 -2.73 ...
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...Running head: ETHICS Ethics Paper Stacey Avery University of Phoenix MGT/498-On-line Rob Inglis May 21, 2012 This paper is written in fulfillment of the MGT/498 class at the University of Phoenix. The assignment calls for a paper in which explains the role of ethics and social responsibility in developing a strategic plan while considering stakeholder needs and agendas. Include at least one example of a company overstepping ethical boundaries for stakeholder agendas, and what type of preventative measures could be taken to avoid this type of situation. When a company is developing their strategic plan, ethics and social responsibility will play a major role in how the company’s plan is devised. The company will also need to take into consideration all the major stakeholders of the company and their needs as well. By doing so, a company will be able to develop a strategic plan that is socially responsible, ethical and approved by all stakeholders, which should lead to a successful strategic plan. As companies develop a strategic plan, ethics and social responsibility will drive the company’s vision, mission and values. These three parts of a strategic plan are the foundation on which to build policies and procedures that will drive the plan through to success. When a company is developing their vision, mission and values, they will need to take into account all stakeholders involved, such as the employees that will be living the...
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...Daniel Atilla Helderman October 16, 2015 reflection paper 3: Shaping the future of solar power (Solyndra) After reading the case on “Shaping the future of solar power: climate change, industrial policy and free trade” I gained much clearer insight to the history and working of the solar energy industry. From personal experience, I have seen the recent increased use renewable energy, particularly wind and solar energy. Internationally, in Europe wind and solar energy as source of energy is not new revelation too me, many European countries, such as the Netherlands, my birthplace, are not new in utilizing wind and solar energies. What this case brought me to really learn was the involvement and the relationship of the U.S and China government in the solar energy industry. It came as no surprise to me that the U.S government was subsidizing the solar energy, however what came to light to me was the level of international competitiveness and political gridlock between China and the U.S in the solar energy industry. It was interesting to touch on the issue if governments should intervene in the market place. It became clear, that it was tough issue for the government to tackle, with one side of the government arguing that government intervention in the solar energy industry is hurtful and detrimental to business, highlighting the case of Solyndra bankruptcy. The other side, Obama administration, argues that the U.S needs to continue to subsidize and give tax break to solar...
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...The Anonymous Caller: Recognizing It’s a Fraud and Evaluating What to Do The ethic case study was about an anonymous caller who is the controller of a privately-held, small, start-up company. The company was experiencing a severe cash shortage and was required to present the quarterly financial statements to the local bank, in order to begin receiving funds for the line of credit again. She had concerns that the senior executives of the company provided the local bank with misstated financial statements. The caller was later informed that the accounts payable clerk was instructed to record sales transaction generated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. As a result, the sales and receivables accounts were overstated in the financial statements. Before returning to work Monday morning, the caller decided to contact her former accounting professor, Dr. Mitchell seeking advice on how she could possibly handle the situation. After listening to the anonymous caller’s situation, if I were Dr. Mitchell, I would first advise the caller to conduct a meeting with the senior executives of the company, in order to explain her concerns in reference to the submission of quarterly financial statements to the bank that overstated the sales and receivables account. Also, I would advise the caller to reiterate the consequences to the senior executives during their meeting, warning them of what could happen if their illegal procedures were noticed; such as pay a large fine or...
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...To Drill or Not to Drill Where does one stand on the political debate surrounding clean energy. What does America have to gain in a future free from foreign oil? Though the possibilities are endless, and the optimist in wants to believe that the country is headed in a green direction, I give pause to consider the circumstances. The promised growth of green jobs has come and, in the Bay Area, faded. In 2009, when Solyndra received $535 million in government loans to produce its manufacturing facility in Fremont, California, the Bay Area was ecstatic with the promise of new jobs and revenue. Fast forward to August, 2011, just one year after the plant construction was completed, Solyndra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. All signs of life at the plant cease. There was nothing clean about millions of taxpayer dollars funding a project that lasted less than the warranty on a used car. Therefore, although I am leery of the government’s attitude in supporting the cause, I agree with President Barack Obama. Green energy is the way of the future and any sidestepping not only prohibits ingenuity and job growth, it burdens the environment. The key habit that colors my thought process is “mine is better.” Though I recognize that there are benefits to the use of fossil fuels, large amounts of energy can be created cheaply and transporting oil and gas to power stations is relatively easy, the facts outweigh the benefits. Fact is, offshore drilling produces toxic waste in the form...
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...Election year is always a difficult time for those who expect politicians and pundits to remain rational. The political maneuvering started a while ago and clean energy became another point of contention between various political factions. “ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, THE SOLAR MANUFACTURER SOLYNDRA FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER RECEIVING A $527 MILLION LOAN GUARANTEE. THE BANKRUPTCY SET OFF A POLITICAL FIRESTORM IN CONGRESS, AND EVENTUALLY WORKED ITS WAY INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. TODAY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS USING SOLYNDRA AS A KEY TOOL IN ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST OBAMA — SMEARING THE ENTIRE CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY IN THE PROCESS.” (Lacey, 2012) Campaigns of this magnitude have a significant impact on the international political scene, and economic decisions. Considering that currently China has a very large and inexpensive manufacturing capabilities, as comparing to those in the U.S.; it should not come as a surprise that they can outperform Western (U.S.) manufactures. “PRICES OF SOLAR PANELS HAVE PLUMMETED, CAUSING A SUPPLY GLUT AND SLICING COMPANY REVENUES. SOLYNDRA'S COLLAPSE MARKED THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY WEEKS THAT A SOLAR COMPANY DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. EVERGREEN SOLAR INC. OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SPECTRAWATT OF NEW YORK ALSO FILED FOR PROTECTION. (Mulkern, 2011). Clean energy is not only appealing to the United States, “THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS [also] INVESTING IN SOLAR PRODUCTION, WHICH HAS LED TO A BURST IN PRODUCTION THAT HAS BOOSTED SUPPLIES AND FORCED DOWN PRODUCT PRICES...
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...As the 2012 Presidential Elections draw near the campaigns are now in full swing. In addition to the Republican primary race, Obama has begun campaigning and fundraising as well in an effort not to be out-done by his Republican opponents. In Michigan, Obama has recently launched his first TV commercial and also paid a visit to Ann Arbor to give a speech about his plans for 2012. Michigan is one of six states where Obama’s 30-second ad will play, according to the Detroit News. Beginning in mid-January, the ad entitled “Unprecedented” touts the President’s job creation, ending dependence on foreign oil, and expanding clean energy. In an attempt to deflect criticism over Solyndra and possibly ride the momentum from the Occupy Wall Street movement, the ad also says that “oil billionaire’s attacks on President Obama are not tethered to facts”, and claims that his record on ethics has been described as “unprecedented”. The commercial goes on to say that Obama created 2.7 million jobs through supporting and growing clean energy projects. It goes on to say that “for the first time in 13 years our dependence on foreign oil is under 50 percent”. It finishes by taking on a common attack on Obama, that he failed to fulfill his campaign promises, by saying that he tightened ethics in government. Interestingly, the ad came out around the time that the President denied permits for the Keystone XL pipeline, designed to carry Canadian oil to refineries on America’s Gulf Coast. Opponents...
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...Functions of Management Paper In my personal opinion Management plays a strong rule in Company’s performance. The most important responsibilities of management are to plan, organize, lead and control despite of their level or status. Below are the four most important functions of management. Planning Planning is the basic function of management. A manager must know their department goal in order to plan properly. A goal cannot be achieved if there is not any proper plan. Planning is deciding in advance how to do, when to do and what to do. A plan is a future action which tells you where we are and where we want to be. Proper planning helps management achieve their goals. It also, helps employees understand their rule and their manager’s expectations. A future goal cannot be accomplished if there is no plan. Planning plays a strong rule in management as it provides a solid goal to the rest of the team and it helps utilize of human and non-human resources. It is an excellent tool as it improves efficiency, reduce cost and reduce confusion. Based on my personal experience Company without proper plan cannot compete with other companies as it does not know what the company goal is, where the company stands and what needs to be done in order to achieve the goal and compete with other successful companies. Organizing In order to achieve organizational goals Management must bring financial and...
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...On its own sunny path The article talks about how the state of California in USA is going about executing its plans of using alternative sources of energy to as large an extent as possible to meet the coastal state’s energy needs. As the governor of California in 1970s, Jerry Brown started propagating the option of solar power as a major source of energy for California, this idea was however unwelcome at that time & was rather shot down without any considerations to the merits it could offer. This however changed with time as people realized the importance of renewable resources of energy. California having a sunny climate for most of the year, along with a long coast line also helped in generating interest & confidence in the scheme of things planned for alternative source energy generation in California. The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger set a goal in 2006 to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and this goal was recently transformed into a law by Mr. Brown who has become the governor of California once again. The law includes a controversial but crucial component: a cap-and-trade system A cap-and-trade system limits the emissions of dirty industries and puts a price on their remaining pollution, in theory, provide an incentive for reductions. As per the law, starting in 2013 the government will “cap” the amount of gases (such as carbon dioxide) that industry may emit, and gradually lower that cap. It will also issue permits to...
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