Author Archives: Frank Andorka

Old Face, New Face: SEIA Adds Two New Members To Its Executive Team

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has returned to full strength, adding two members to its executive team: one who saw the association through some tough trade times and one outsider to bring a new perspective to the association as it looks to navigate the near-term and long-term futures of the solar industry.

John Smirnow will rejoin SEIA as general counsel and vice president of market strategy, and Tony Chen will serve in the newly created position of vice president of business development.

The announcement comes weeks after SEIA dismissed its previous executive vice president and general counsel (and interim CEO) Tom Kimbis and SEIA’s Vice President of Federal Affairs Christopher Mansour. The additions seem to address Kimbis’ departure. Sources tell SolarWakeup the search continues for Mansour’s successor.

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Given that the association’s focus is moving away from trade, it may come as a surprise to some in the industry that Smirnow has returned, given his previous experience with the organization was so closely tied to international trade

At a previous point in his career, Smirnow was SEIA’s vice president for international trade, where he oversaw the first and second trade battles surrounding SolarWorld and their crusade against Chinese module manufacturers. In the most recent SolarWorld battle, Smirnow represented large-scale utility clients as a well-respected trade lawyer. he returns to SEIA ready for the new challenges that lie ahead.

“Abby’s strategic vision and her laser focus on supporting a thriving solar industry is what made this job so appealing to me,” Mr. Smirnow said. “No doubt our industry faces challenges, but I firmly believe that this leadership team can knock down barriers to market entry for our members and build an unparalleled energy industry trade association through strong strategic positioning.”

Chen has more than a decade of experience in business development in the solar industry, including his tenure as vice president of sales and business development at Cool Earth Solar, and as a project development manager at SolarCity where he managed a $35 million sales pipeline. His vast experience with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations will be critical as SEIA looks to expand its offerings and reach new audiences for engagement.

“Whether through building on our traditional membership, capitalizing on our events, or developing new services and products for the solar industry, there are fantastic opportunities for growth,” Chen said. “I can’t wait to get started finding creative ways to help the industry itself and SEIA realize it’s enormous potential.”

Farmland Protection Built Into New Solar Bills In Illinois

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

The latest solar bills in Illinois – an emerging market thanks to the Future Energy Jobs Act – hopes to balance farmer concerns about land use with the development of large-scale ground-mounted utility and small commercial projects.

Under the legislation signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner on Friday, farming communities would have a uniform, set property tax assessment on newly built solar farms to ensure communities receive the income from the farms they have been promised. A separate bill also sets strict standards for the construction and deconstruction of solar farms built on agricultural land.

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Illinois decision to implement these laws comes amid increasing opposition to building solar farms on agricultural and rural land, centering on whether or not solar is the best use for the land and concerns over preserving green space in some communities.

The property tax law sets property tax revenues at between $6,000 and $8,000 per megawatt, which should reassure rural property owners afraid that solar farms won’t produce the same revenue for the town that the farmland does. With a projected capacity of more than 2,000 MW being installed by 2021, the amount of money generated by these solar farms could reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars for these communities. The legislation also stipulates that 70% of those property tax revenues must go to the schools.

As for the farmland restoration legislation:

The farmland legislation (SB 2591) ensures that solar farms can coexist with agriculture in Illinois while providing long-term benefits to soil and water quality. SB 2591 requires that solar developers enter into an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture prior to solar farm construction. The AIMA will set standards for solar construction and deconstruction and require financial assurances from developers that land will be restored to its prior use at the end of a solar farm’s life.

Illinois is rapidly becoming a Midwest leader in solar energy, and it’s legislation like this that is paving the way for solar development now and in the future. And as the issue of farmland use begins to bubble up in other states, expect them to follow Illinois lead to keep solar development moving forward. This legislation shows the way to meet the opposition and work with it in a productive manner.

The Energy Show: Upgrading Your Solar System

The Energy Show: By Barry Cinnamon

Over a million buildings in the U.S. have rooftop solar. These systems are extremely reliable: solar panels are guaranteed for 25 years, and inverters are guaranteed for 10-25 years. Our experience as a contractor since 2001 bears out the terrific reliability record of rooftop solar.

Nevertheless, when inverters are past their expected lifetime we upgrade them to new models. Often we are able to replace two smaller inverters with one more efficient large inverter. When rooftop systems get very dirty (generally in areas without regular rainfall) we provide cleaning services. And not surprising to anyone who has ever tried to troubleshoot a home networking system, our most common customer service issue is with internet-based monitoring. To that point, current cellular-based monitoring systems have been 99.9% reliable (the only problems we have ever had have been with very weak mountain-top cell service).

Like a 15 year old car that still runs, sometimes it makes good economic sense upgrading your solar system to the latest model. The same logic applies when considering an upgrade to a new solar system. Old panels were 14% efficient, and old inverters were 93-95% efficient. New panels have 20%+ efficiencies, and new inverters are up to 99% efficient. Moreover, because of our unreliable electric grid and transition to Time of Use electric rates, many customers are interested in upgrading to a battery storage system.

For more about upgrading your solar system for your business or home – including applicability of the 30% tax credit on new equipment – Listen up to this week’s Energy Show.

Q&A With Bernadette DelChiaro: California Lobby Day – What It Is And Why You Should Care

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

In a previous life, writer Frank Andorka spent his Februarys at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. attending the Legislative Day for the pest management industry. He’s always been surprised there isn’t such a national conference/day for the solar industry, but he did discover that the California Solar + Storage Association holds its own version in Sacramento on Wednesday. He asked Bernadette DelChiaro, the group’s executive director, about why she thinks “Lobby Day” is important. Here are her answers.

Frank Andorka (FA): What is Lobby Day?

Bernadette DelChiaro (BDC): Our annual Solar & Storage Worker Lobby Day is a chance for workers from across the state to educate lawmakers about the jobs our industry supports, and the value of those jobs to people and families. It also gives us a chance to push for our top legislative priorities, such as passing SB 700.

FA: Why is it important?

BDC: The state legislature sets the pace for the continued growth of solar and storage in California. Despite the state’s commitment to clean energy, powerful opponents to solar spend millions of dollars on insider lobbyists and make large contributions to political campaigns. The best way to cut through all this is for the men and women who make up our 86,000 work force to speak face-to-face with the decision makers, telling personal stories that will leave a lasting impression.

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FA: Why should people attend?

BDC: Before the end of August, California legislators will take several major votes that will drastically shape the solar & storage market. Anyone who works in solar or storage in California will be directly impacted by the decisions made by these lawmakers. Solar & Storage Worker Day is a great opportunity for average, everyday solar and storage workers to directly share their story, make a positive impression and win over votes.

FA: What is the most useful thing solar installers can do on Lobby Day (if they attend)?

BDC: Tell a story about themselves. Why did they choose a career in solar and storage? How long have they been doing this work? Why is their job worth protecting?

FA: How important is it for solar and storage professionals to get involved in the political process?

BDC: Utilities and fossil fuel companies are heavily involved in the political process, and they spend millions of dollars lobbying elected officials and influencing public policy. It’s critical for solar and storage professionals to get involved in the political process to counteract that messaging and let [legislators] know how things really are.

FA: What is the biggest issue facing California in the solar + storage industry?

BDC: In the near term, the looming expiration of the storage rebate program coupled with changing utility rates that make solar harder to pencil out. SB 700 would extend those rebates out five years [and dedicate] another $700 million to the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).