A few weeks ago the dialogue of Solar vs Utilities began.  Now a group called Alliance for Solar Choice is going to take on the battle.  What makes this a problem for Utilities? It is being funded by profitable solar companies.  One day soon, the solar industry will be able to put together a financial warchest and grassroots network well into millions of people.  As a side note, 400ppm CO2 was measured last week, let’s not forget why we do what we do.

News

• Bloomberg: Rooftop Solar Battle Pits Companies Against Utilities
• RenewEconomy: Rooftop solar owners vs utilities – the battle begins
• NY Times: CO2 Gas Passes Milestone, Raising Fears
• Reuters: The solar paradox: boom, bust or both?
• SJ Mercury News: Cleantech funding woes spark fears of industry slide
• Greentech Media: Wisdom About Clean Energy Is Still Out of Date
• Marketwatch: Germany critical of EU solar tariffs: report
• Bloomberg: Ted Turner Taking Coal Funds to Create Solar Odd Couple: Energy

Opinions

• CNN: The myth of energy independence

Have a great day!

Yann

With the EU finalizing its tariffs against Chinese modules, what is next for the manufacturers? New markets, new strategies?  In the short term, it appears that part of the plan is to head to Latin America markets.  Having spent quite a bit of time in the region, the opportunities are without a doubt available and immediate.  How will market entry happen for those that choose to enter?  Let me know your thoughts.

News

• Greentech Media: EU to Hit 100+ China Panel Makers With Anti-Dumping Tariffs
• Bloomberg: EU Said to Plan Duties Up to 67.9% on China Solar Panels
• Grist: California town of Sebastopol will require solar panels on all new homes
• Solar Industry: PV Wafer Production Expected To Recover From Last Year’s Fall
• CBS: Energy Dept. Spent More Than $11M Per Green Job Created
• Greentech Media: Solar Summit 2013: Fireworks Amongst Friends in Phoenix
• Biz Journal: NC rising to top of list of states for solar investment
• Breaking Energy: Prices and Principles: For and Against Large-Scale LNG Exports
• MySA: CPS backs away from plan to slash solar incentive

Have a great day!

Yann

The topic of SolarCity has posed some new questions for me this week.  Why are so many distributors still touting the availability of 1603 panels that are for ‘sale’.  It would seem to me that it requires much more than that.  Are the panels truly safe harbored?  Have the special purpose entities (SPEs) been approved by Treasury for 1603? Let me know what you hear from distributors, manufacturers and developers but surely this is not the last we have heard about 1603 grant issues.

News

• SolarPowerWorld: U.S. Had Nearly 750,000 Clean Job Openings Q1 2013
• Greentech Media: Study: Tiny Rate Increases From Meeting RPS
• Grist: WTO kills Ontario’s green jobs initiative
• DG Energy: May Solar Project Pricing Index
• Breaking Energy: BLM Issues Regulation to Facilitate Renewable Energy
• Greentech Media: Solar Incentives Are Dead, Long Live Solar
• Mother Nature: Solar industry is evolving — and experiencing growing pains
• Bloomberg: EU Said to Plan Import Duties Up to 67.9% on China Solar Panels

Opinions

• Solar Industry: Is Europe Losing Its Lead In The Solar PV Market?

Have a great day!

Yann