Corporate Leadership. There are now several groups that advocate for climate policy from a corporate perspective. The carbon tax has been rebranded a carbon dividend to get voters to understand that the money flows back into the economy. This is similar to the process in California where I just received a credit on my electric bill. The famous Luntz polling group is also out with public messaging warning to the republicans. They can no longer message away from climate change as the support for a dividend grows amongst voters. SEIA has been on top of this through corporate purchasing programs and nationwide advocacy for policies like community solar and the ITC extension.
More Refined Focus. Let’s be like Sunrun, wasn’t something most people were expecting to hear from SunPower 3-5 years ago but I agree that this is the right move. Making one of the most desirable and well known modules puts the company on a different starting block and it also has one of the most prominent dealer networks in solar. As the company focuses on a service business, aided by commercialization of new technologies, you’ll likely see partnerships with retail companies that want to aid SunPower in owning the energy bill.
Leadership Through Hiring. Missouri solar installer, Sun Solar, is doing what the industry talks a lot about. While the industry is openly highlighting some issues on diversity, solar is leading on hiring veterans. Big kudos to the Sun Solar leadership for doing what we always talk about.
Same Concept, Different Fuel. Chevron is partnering with EVgo to add charging stations to some of their gas stations. This is interesting given that fuel providers are looking at a future with less consumption of their product. Many of them also have robust commodity trading desks which could make them stand on par with traditional electric utilities and even provide fleet products on pricing on their systems. Also, while we’re all looking at solar, the EVgo team is absolutely crushing it. The team has a long solar pedigree and gets the financial proposition needed for infrastructure and their business model is being rewarded by the market. I can’t wait to see how they execute when you can charge your car in 10 minutes.
- Axios: The big corporate shift on climate change
- Greentech Media: SunPower Fleshes Out Future Vision as an Energy Services Company
- Energy News Network: Missouri solar installer making strides recruiting and hiring military veterans
- CleanTechnica: Chevron Dabbles In EV Charging, Installs EVgo Fast Chargers At Select Stations
- Inside Climate News: An Indiana Church Fights for Solar Net-Metering to Save Low-Income Seniors Money
- GreenBiz: Here’s why energy companies are adopting AI
- Utility Dive: New Hampshire legislators quintuple net metering cap by veto-proof margin
- Bloomberg: Can Elon Musk Still Stop Climate Change?
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann