IN THIS ISSUE:

*DOE announces more than $20.5M for community renewable energy projects

*Renewable Energy Focus

..DOE to invest up to $12M to support early stage solar technologies

*California firms awarded $23M to develop lighting, solar

*California approves $350M in rebates for installing solar water heaters

*Schwarzenegger plans to exempt 'green' tech manufacturing equipment from sales tax

*Smart Grid sees venture capital investment surge early in year

*Build more turbines to improve reliability: study

*Solar power advocates hopeful for 2010

*Ocean energy could reach 200 GW of renewable capacity by 2025

*California toughens up biofuel standards

*Sacramento area aims to be green tech center

*San Diego County's green efforts lagging

*Notable Renewable Energy Projects and Deals

..First Solar begins operation of largest thin-film PV plant in California

..PG&E to help fund SolarCity installations

Please see full update for more information.