Energy Roundup: Konarka Opens Largest Thin-Film Plant, Exelon-NRG Merger, Great Ohio Goes Belly-Up, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Largest thin-film solar plant opened -- Konarka Technologies says it has opened the world's largest -- 250,000 square feet -- roll-to-roll flexible thin film solar manufacturing plant in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The company is ramping up to begin shipping its "Power Plastic," thin, lightweight photovoltaic material in commercial quantities. [Source: Renewable Energy Focus]

Exelon-NRG merger could make U.S.'s largest power company -- Chicago-based nuclear power operator, Exelon, has made an unsolicited $6.2 billion stock-swap bid for NRG Energy. If it goes through, the deal would create the nation's largest power company, powering nearly 45 million homes with 47,000 megawatts. Two years ago NRG turned down an $8 billion offer. [Source: San Luis Obispo Tribune]

Go-ahead for South Carolina nuclear ?€" South Carolina's Office of Regulatory Staff is set to recommend that the South Carolina Public Service Commission approve two new nuclear reactors for Fairfield County. The reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station are to be jointly owned by South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and state-owned utility Santee Cooper. [Source: AP via WJBF]

Great Ohio Ethanol turns out to be a short timer -- Great Ohio has filed for bankruptcy after less than four months of operating its new ethanol plant. The company filed for Chapter 11, listing more than 200 creditors. [Source: Energy Current]

HPE forms joint venture with DeWind -- The Texas wind farm firm, Higher Perpetual Energy, has formed a joint venture with DeWind, which manufactures turbines for Composite Technologies. HPE and DeWind will jointly develop 620 megawatts of wind power using 310 DeWind turbines in the Texas Panhandle. The cost is believed to be around $1 billion. [Source: Energy Current]

PG&E to use Landis+Gyr "smart meters" -- Landis+Gyr has said it will provide the bulk of the 5 million "smart meters" to be installed in the homes of Pacific Gas and Electric customers. Observers told Earth2Tech that the contract was worth some $250 million. [Source: Earth2Tech]