Just an FYI: I’m not going to be reporting much on the UN climate report. I figure this will be a lead story in major newspapers and on TV networks for the next few days and, well, there’s no secret to the conclusion of this report: We’re causing global warming and need to stop spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Period.

That said, once the dust settles I’m sure I’ll weigh in with some kind of analysis.

Conergy AG, the German renewable energy giant, has purchased Edmonton, Alberta-based ETI Solar for an undisclosed amount. ETI was apparently the second-largest solar firm in Canada, something that was a revelation to me. The new Conergy division will sell solar, wind and bioenergy systems in Canada and presumably the United States. This deal, while it didn’t garner much attention, shows that foreign companies may see the acquisition of Canadian companies as an inexpensive way of accessing markets in North America, particularly California but also Ontario and U.S. states with sizable purchase incentives.

Conergy AG, the German renewable energy giant, has purchased Edmonton, Alberta-based ETI Solar for an undisclosed amount. ETI was apparently the second-largest solar firm in Canada, something that was a revelation to me. The new Conergy division will sell solar, wind and bioenergy systems in Canada and presumably the United States. This deal, while it didn’t garner much attention, shows that foreign companies may see the acquisition of Canadian companies as an inexpensive way of accessing markets in North America, particularly California but also Ontario and U.S. states with sizable purchase incentives.

You’ve got to hand it to California legislators — they know how to raise the bar on energy efficiency and conservation. One particular lawmaker has introduced the “How Many Legislators Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb Act,” which aims to ban the sale of good ol’ fashion incandescent bulbs by 2012. Beyond the fact that I like this guy’s sense of humour, just introducing this bill sparks much wider discussion of a very important question: Why not ban the old bulb?

Fact is, this is how we accomplish widespread and necessary shifts in society — whether it’s through stricter building codes or outright limitations on the use of certain products deemed toxic or wasteful. A simple elimination of the incandescent bulb would cut California’s energy consumption by more than 10 per cent, according to Red Herring. But as the online magazine also points out, the industry isn’t ready. Put another way, compact fluorescent and LED lighting technologies aren’t ready as a replacement yet for the 60-watt tungsten filament bulb. At least in terms of quality. That said, a lot can happen in four years and perhaps such a law is exactly what’s needed to force innovation, quality improvements and price reductions in alternative lighting. This could, as one example, be just the motivation a company like Group IV Semiconductor needs.

This particular bill likely won’t pass, but it certainly sends a signal to the lighting industry: brighten up with new technologies or it’s lights out.