This is your SolarWakeup for January 12th, 2017

EnergyWakeup. Your feedback has been incredible and hearing everyone’s positive thoughts on the podcast is great. If you haven’t caught episode 2, here it is.  You can subscribe to it on iTunes, Souncloud or Stitcher radio.

Tillerson echoes corporate talking points. Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon, has spent his entire professional career at Exxon. While Exxon is currently under investigation for covering up early climate science, the CEO was vocal at the time of the Paris climate deal signing that Exxon stood behind the international community’s deal. In a different arena, the US Senate hearing room, Tillerson did not go so far to back the accords but also failed to say that he would push the administration to withdraw. Even saying that the entire global community needs to work to fight climate change.

SunEdison drama continues. At this point it appears only the restructuring advisors and paid board members are making any money dragging this story out. Brookfield Asset Management is still interested in buying the yieldcos and replace SunEdison as the sponsor on the projects. Assuming that the offtakers and capital providers are okay with the qualified sponsor transfer, Brookfield is stepping into deals that only a few companies would be able to. That would explain the reason for offering a share price below the public market valuations.

A solar drone gets parked. Google had made an investment into Tital Aerospace to build a solar drone capable of beaming internet to the masses. That program is now shut down and most of the leadership has left the company. Facebook has also been working on a similar program actually getting a plane off the ground but not without some trouble. As battery costs come down, the efficiencies should make this sunshot a doable program.

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann