Legislatures and public service commissions in Wisconsin and Nevada are debating the fight against solar. A message to remember that solar is still being viewed as a threat by the status quo. Let’s help support the teams at work in those States in any way possible. Make sure to follow their progress on Facebook or Twitter and make sure to sign the #SolarPledge.
Less than a week to primaries across the Country, including Arizona. The Tucson electric article clearly points out what is at stake here. The Arizona electric utilities want the ratepayers to pay for solar while giving no more than 15% savings to the customers that host solar on their roofs. The key is that the utilities across the Country want to control the fuel hedge that solar gives them, paid for by the consumers.
My dismay yesterday about product scarcity was with the potential comeback of take or pay contracts. These contracts pray on the positive hopes of companies assuming all things go well, but the take or pay also killed a solid amount of good solar companies. Let’s be clear about something. Solar markets in the US will not have a product scarcity issue. Top tier products are getting the best price globally in the US and therefore will always move product Stateside if the demand is there. Don’t be fooled by sensationalized headlines.
The Bloomberg headline gives me chills. Over the past decade, every time there is a panel ‘shortage’ it begins the talk of the “take-or-pay” contract. Doubtful that it will come up again but having seen it take down giant companies, the discussion is frightening by itself. That being said, panels are cause for delayed projects as we are already seeing this. How far the suppliers push deposits to lock in a shipment is another question.
