Tariff Slowdown. Here’s a hot take. A slowdown doesn’t require the market to actually go down in size. The tariffs can have an impact that drags the market in the negative direction while still allowing the market to grow because solar is doing very well. On the other hand if tariffs weren’t in play, AD/CVD tariffs were gone, and the trade war wasn’t happening, solar would be growing much larger and faster. Anytime these things happen, make sure to listen to people that are actually in the market doing things. Punditry is fun and all but being a full time pundit doesn’t help you with your business. Tariffs are causing executives to have to spend time and money on changing manufacturing locations, figure out new supply chain logistics and dealing with new partners in new places. This drags the market in a direction that none of us like. On the upside, this is the first December that I don’t see a cliff on December 31st. No NEM cap, incentive pool or other regulatory barrier ahead that would hurt a big market right now and that is a positive sign for everyone.
Live! Rewind, Abby Hopper. How much is the right amount of budget for SEIA to do everything they would like to do? Abby answers this and more. Full episode here
Live! Rewind, President Fiordaliso. The New Jersey SREC cap is going to reach the goal sometime in the first quarter of 2019. What does the BPU think is the right approach as the market heads to a brick wall? Fiordaliso answers my question and makes a bold statement. The Conversation Starts Here.
SMA Job Cuts. SMA continues the corporate restructuring including 100 job cuts in Germany, 300 in foreign locations and the sale of the China business unit to the local team. The consolidation in inverters is real and I worry a bit about the market over consolidating while still sustaining massive price pressures.
Weekend. We’ll be heading to the aquarium this weekend, I hope you enjoy your weekend as well! Keep calm and solar on!
- SolarWakeup: Tariffs Squeeze Utility-Scale Solar In Third Quarter Of 2018
- SolarWakeup Live!: Abby Hopper, CEO of SEIA, Gives Update On Solar Industry Including Tariffs, Policy and DC Politics
- PV-Tech: SMA to cut 425 jobs and ditch China location under restructuring
- Greentech Media: To Expand Clean Energy Access to All Californians, It’s Time to Expand Net Metering
- SolarWakeup Live!: NJ BPU President Fiordaliso Talks About Climate Change and NJ Clean Energy Policy Implementation
- Utility Dive: As PacifiCorp and other analyses point to more coal shutdowns, replacement questions rise
- Star Advertiser: Hawaii solar installations soared in third quarter
- Scientific American: Experts Aren’t Taking a Shine to California’s Rooftop Solar Rule
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann