Presented by T-Top Buddy, a perfect gift for Father’s Day
Two weeks into the energy storage road show and we are learning a lot of things. I’d like to thank the many people that met with us and shared your experiences. There are big things happening in energy storage for sure, but things are still nuanced. More to come as we head to the Bay Area next week.
Market Segmentation Is In Focus. With the bankruptcy filing from American Solar Direct, you have to wonder where the market focus is going to be now. Growth is slowing, yes, but residential solar will continue forward. From my perspective, as a solar strategist, I would take a single market segment and make that profitable. It goes against most executive’s grain to have a single revenue stream but lack of focus lacks profits.
Judging Solar On Jobs, Alone. The trap is being set, I can see it coming. If the solar industry is only successful by growing the total number of jobs, then eventually we will have a year of decline. We do have hyper growth right now and 2016 was the ITC sunset year. Solar isn’t successful because we have the jobs, that’s only part of the story. Solar is good for consumers and ratepayers as well. Fixing the cost of energy for decades benefits businesses that don’t like the unkown of operating expenses and ratepayers on fixed income. If you budget $100 for electricity, wouldn’t it be nice to know that you can get the same amount for your money next year than you do right now?
The Solar Eclipse Debate. A few years ago there was a debate about how Germany would handle a solar eclipse while solar production was in peak output. California has enough solar to have a similar impact, a side effect of success I guess. The point is that a grid with the right pricing signals can manage energy needs, capacity forecasts and regulate frequency in any condition.
- PV-Magazine: American Solar Direct swerves into chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Washington Post: The U.S. solar industry is doing just fine under Trump — for now
- Los Angeles Times: Op-Ed No, Rick Perry, California’s renewable energy policies aren’t dangerous for the grid
- CleanTechnica: No, Virginia, There Is No Nuclear Santa Claus
- PV-Tech: UK’s surprise hung parliament result raises concerns over further Clean Growth Plan delays
- Las Vegas Sun: Return of net metering expected to boost rooftop solar industry in Nevada
- Utility Dive: PG&E-BMW pilot successfully deploys EVs as flexible grid resources
- Forbes: This Startup Uses Social Gaming To Help Utilities Build A Clean Energy Future
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann