This is your SolarWakeup for May 27th, 2020

30 Million Solar Roofs. A few weeks ago I linked to an article that talked about using solar to create jobs in the post-COVID recovery. The idea was bold, build 30 million solar roofs (fully funded) in the next half decade. John Farrell from ILSR was the author behind the idea and the subject of this week’s SolarWakeup podcast. I hope you enjoy, subscribe and rate the podcast on your favorite app.

Midwest Solar Rush. Alliant Energy, the Wisconsin based publicly traded utility, is looking to increase solar in Wisconsin more than fourfold. In acquiring 675MW of solar projects, Alliant will expand the 150MW of solar exponentially and looks to be taking some cues from utilities like Florida Power & Light. The announcement talks about asking the regulators to push the docket forward and (I’m assuming) letting the utility rate base the asset. Like in Florida, I am not opposed to the concept of having the utility rate base large power plant, as long as it allows the distributed market to flourish based on market conditions. It can’t be all for one and none for all.

Faster Solar Installs. Hawaii is taking a big cut to the timeline between contract signing and project install for solar. At this point in the market it is one of the most valuable market drivers that politicians and regulators can push forward. We talked about the cost of permitting in the past and how SolarAPP is the tool that enables markets and installers to provide faster solar and a more pleasant customer process for homeowners.

The FERC Fight. None of what the solar industry wants going forward is possible if FERC decides that States no longer have a say in matters affecting electricity rates and rate structures, including net metering. In the biggest attempt to remove States’ rights, the New England Ratepayers Association (NERA), is asking for FERC to remove net metering as a State by State regulation. NERA is likely fronting for someone else, though we don’t yet know who, but this is much bigger than solar alone. Vote Solar is asking you to get involved and make your voice heard, this is your call to action, Tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to immediately reject this destructive and dangerous attack on your solar rights! You can also join Vote Solar for a webinar tomorrow to learn more about this national attack on solar during this pandemic.

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Opinion

Best, Yann