By SolarWakeup Editorial
Results will be released at SolarWakeup Live! Chicago, on June 21st. The survey is 5 questions and only takes 30 seconds to complete. This is a personal sentiment survey so all SolarWakeup readers can participate. Given the ups and downs of the solar industry, we hope this will help us gauge the overall feelings in our industry.
SEIA’S CT Thoughts. “While we are in favor of legislation that genuinely advances solar energy, we have concerns about this bill. We support stronger renewable portfolio standards, yet it is not clear to what extent the bill would open significant large-scale or community solar markets. And importantly, any approach that doesn’t also protect customer choice and provide for reasonable compensation for the value of customer-generated electricity is not acceptable.” – SEIA Press Release
I Called This. When Tom Werner wants to retire, I’m ready to step in. SunPower is leaving utility scale and focusing on distributed generation. It’s been clear to me and I believe this to be the correct move for SunPower given the market share and value proposition that the company has through its dealer network. Also with Tom Starrs leaving the SEPA board to focus on his SEIA position, this aligns the values with corporate goals. I wonder if my next strategic assumption becomes true as well.
Ratebased Utility Solar. Tampa Electric customers are seeing an increase to their bills because of a solar farm. This is part of the rate base due to the utility investing its shareholder capital for the project, a 600MW plant. Think of the developers that would come in and bid this deal, imagine TECO signing up 10, 60MW, projects. If the company signed a PPA, it wouldn’t require rate base and therefore likely not increase the bills to consumers. But then TECO shareholders wouldn’t get double digit returns either.
There’s A Better Way. I spoke with the CEO of Connexus Energy last week, he describes the better way of adding value to consumers. Maybe we need to change all IOUs to member owned cooperatives.
Everyone Wants EVs. AAA says that 1 in 5 Americans is looking to buy an EV as their next car. Tesla shorts will begin shaking in their space boots once again.
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
What Happened: It appears Florida is finally getting serious about becoming a viable solar market. Two weeks ago, the Public Service Commission decided, against all odds and the expectations of some seasoned solar observers, to allow third parties to own solar arrays without becoming regulated utilities.
In the wake of the decision, at least one major residential solar company has decided to execute a Florida market plan it’s been working on for years and waiting for precisely the right moment to go in—and they’ve decided now is that time.
To discuss this development is the the CEO of that company—Sunnova—John Berger.
Join us on June 21st in Chicago for SolarWakeup Live! to talk about all things happening in Illinois. Stay tuned for tickets and more info.
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By Yann Brandt, Managing Editor
What Happened: In this episode of SolarWakeup Live!, taped live at the Midwest Solar Expo, I speak with the CEO of Connexus Energy, Greg Ridderbusch. Connexus Energy is one of the largest utility cooperatives in the Country and serves over 150,000 members in Minnesota.
Connexus is building a 10MW solar farm which will be integrated with an AC coupled energy storage system. This project was done under a PPA and energy storage agreement which work to save money to the members.
The conversations shows the power of solar for utilities around the country and we end the conversation talking about beer brewed with solar honey.
Join us on June 21st in Chicago for SolarWakeup Live! to talk about all things happening in Illinois. Stay tuned for tickets and more info.
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