This is your SolarWakeup for November 28th, 2017

Moving Puerto Rico Forward. As Puerto Rico continues its recovery from Hurricane Maria, it is undoubtedly planning for the next step in recovery. There are less eyes and ears focused on the initial emergency response but as a solar industry, there are still great people with knowledge and resources helping create the next grid. A network of interconnected microgrids with a grid system made to maximize the distributed generation.

Join Representative Gonzalez-Colon. To further this conversation, I will be joined by Congresswoman Gonzalez Colon. She represents the Americans of Puerto Rico in the US House of Representatives. Gonzalez-Colon spent time in the Puerto Rico legislature with a clear understanding of the many factor that impact the energy market. She will be at SolarWakeup Live! DC to tell the solar industry about the current state of relief in Puerto Rico and how solar can continue to work on the effort.

Rural Utility Co-Ops. Some of the best solar deals in America will happen in co-ops that you’ve never heard of. Co-ops have boards made up by customers and don’t share the need to deploy capital for a return to a 3rd party. Given the circumstances, co-ops make sure that any transaction has long term benefit to customers. Keep your eyes on this space.

Run For Something. We focus a lot on congressional seats and utility commissions but we rarely talk about the need to run for the boards at utility companies that serve you. If you live in a co-op served geography, think about finding your way into that board room. If you need to run for a seat, make sure to let the solar industry know so we can be supportive.

Solar World Without SolarWorld. SolarWorld is spending some of its remaining capital buying ads on solar publication platforms. I’m disappointed to see publications take their money, I wouldn’t take their money because the success of SolarWorld in the 201 petition would mean a smaller solar industry and a negative market for you, the readers. As a reader, you have a choice on where to get your news, which I recognize with every new subscriber. My frustration sits with the fact that this is the 3rd time SolarWorld has come back to the trough and keeps wanting more. The solar industry is united in its opposition because this case is bad for solar and has already caused drastic impacts on business planning.

Presented By True Green Capital Our current partnership, Fund III, is actively seeking investment opportunities and channel partners to deploy capital in a scalable focused on DG and small scale projects.  Fund III has ~$350million in equity commitments to build out a ~$1billion solar portfolio.

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann