The Other Factors. It’s not all tariffs and duties when it comes to markets. CFIUS and other regulatory approvals can shape markets as well. This isn’t just a China topic, this is all foreign investment in renewables that could be impacted if CFIUS review takes too long. I don’t expect this to become n too big of a topic but keep your eyes on similar things that happen to your business and supply chain.
Tesla’s New Investor. Lost in the ‘funding secured’ tweet was the other story of Tesla’s day. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund has taken a significant position in Tesla, somewhere north of $2billion. Considering that the money was made on selling oil, you have to acknowledge the success that Tesla has had to show the world that electric cars have a future and oil exporters need to create a hedge by taking a stake in the market segment that will disrupt oil.
Making Local Decisions Count. When I asked Jon Carson how his solar development business was similar to the days when he activated local voters for Obama, he told a riveting story. In a classic way, he tells the story of the local ironworker sitting in an open house held regarding the solar farm. The solar project is the political candidate and getting local support means telling a local story. Thank you, everyone, for the feedback on this podcast, I am glad you enjoyed it thus far.
Opposition To Municipal Solar. This has probably happening in the past but it’s the first time I see it in writing. A utility lobbied a municipal government not to sign a solar contract that would save money. It’s the inside baseball that shows how local incumbent markets will get.
Bad Solar Exhibit A. Keep them coming! I got some great submissions yesterday on bad solar, have you seen bad installs and want to share? Send them my way and send a caption for this solar sail!
- Reuters: China power company drops bid for U.S. solar assets due to regulatory hold-up
- Think Progress: World’s biggest oil exporter is betting $2 billion on electric cars
- SolarWakeup: SolarWakeup Podcast – Jon Carson, Obama’s 2008 National Field Director, Brings Solar To Illinois
- SolarWakeup: Utility Tries To Scuttle Knoxville, Iowa, Solar Plan At The Last Second, FAILS
- Greentech Media: Stakeholders Across the Spectrum Ask FERC to Reconsider Its PJM Capacity Market Ruling
- Utility Dive: Solar growth continues in US, though EIA trims its 2019 forecast 45%
- Bloomberg: Branson’s Virgin Group Buys Storm-Damaged Caribbean Solar Farm
- SolarWakeup: You Know Who’s Still Betting Heavily On Solar? Corporations, That’s Who!
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann