New Boots on the Ground is coming from construction sites. Abby and I are planning in-person interviews as we head into RE+. Want to be part of one?
Red Sea shipping risk is a real cost problem now. If the Houthi situation worsens, diesel costs rise, ships reroute around the Cape, and pressure builds on an already-overloaded Panama Canal. What does that do to your battery container timelines?
News
1 New York Times:
Rooftop solar is slumping right now, but Mary Powell sees a bright future.
2 Reuters:
India's Waaree Energies to merge Indosolar into company in near-$100 million deal
3 Utility Dive:
Efforts to curb data center speculation gain ground across the US
4 Bloomberg:
NYC Pensions Eye Private Markets in $5 Billion Green Allocation
5 Axios:
Chicago mayor proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers
6 PV-Tech:
Price of US solar module imports up more than 40% since Section 232 tariffs
7 Energy Storage News:
How transferability and US-China tensions are transforming US BESS and renewables financing
8 Latitude Media:
Exclusive - Heinrich proposes 30% credit for long-haul transmission
9 PV-Magazine:
How to make renewables auctions resilient to supply chain shocks
Opinions:
10 Heatmap News:
What’s a Utility to Do When Everyone Is Mad at Them?
Have a great day!
Yann
New Boots on the Ground. Abby and I would love your feedback and a LinkedIn post to help spread the word. solarwakeup.com/boots
Trump export ban. The logic is lower domestic prices, but some experts warn of long-term ramifications for US diesel access. We've been here before — lifting the oil export ban back in 2014-2015 is part of what got us the ITC extension. Are we coming full circle on energy policy?
News
1 Utility Dive:
California tightens oversight of data center energy use, grid costs
2 PV-Magazine:
IRA-stimulated U.S. solar manufacturing capex to reach $12.2 billion by end 2026
3 Canary Media:
Duke Energy wants to build a new gas plant. Regulators said not so fast.
4 New York Times:
A Departing U.N. Chief’s Dire Warning on Climate Change
5 Axios:
Trump backs ban on diesel exports
6 PV-Tech:
Madison Energy launches 1GW DER community initiative
7 Energy Storage News:
Sunrun and Tesla deliver record 580MW to California grid amid heatwave
Opinions:
8 Reuters:
What is in Brussels' 'Made in EU' law and why is Britain worried?
Have a great day!
Yann
New Boots on the Ground is live. Abby and I recorded Monday morning, covering diesel costs and the political battles shaping this week. Catch it now at solarwakeup.com/boots
PPA flexibility isn't real, and it matters. If your project pipeline assumes offtake prices can absorb 232, FEOC, or diesel cost increases, that assumption may not hold. Is your pipeline actually built on flexible pricing, or just hoping it is?
News
1 PV-Magazine:
U.S. solar module production reaches historic 100 GW landmark
2 Utility Dive:
Texas PUC adopts softened rules on data center interconnection
3 Energy Storage News:
Fluence and Eve Energy agree 206GWh battery supply deal
4 Canary Media:
Vistra’s Moss Landing grid battery is on fire yet again
5 Axios:
Exclusive - How Sen. Schatz is talking about climate in an affordability crisis
6 Bloomberg:
Where to Invest in Climate as AI Trade, High Rates Dominate
7 Reuters:
Virginia tightens data center restrictions amid political backlash
8 PV-Tech:
US judge overturns EPA cancellation of US$7 billion Solar for All programme
9 KQED:
Here’s What California Is Learning From Solar Panels Built Over Irrigation Canals
Opinions:
10 Heatmap News:
A Big Battery Relief in New York
Have a great day!
Yann
New Boots on the Ground is live. Abby and I dig into vehicle-to-grid, and it's already looking like we know what we’re talking about: today's headlines bring school bus fleets into the VPP conversation. Catch it now, and check us out on YouTube too. solarwakeup.com/boots
Congress bails, diesel bites — The House adjourned early amid a push to impeach Defense Secretary Hegseth, pushing government funding and 45X expansion into a post-midterm lame-duck fight. Meanwhile diesel costs are quietly hitting every line item in your solar budget.
News
1 Utility Dive:
Utilities, schools see growing value in electric buses for virtual power plants
2 Axios:
AI environmental concerns build as lawmakers grapple with tech panic
3 VOx:
The hidden $350 surcharge on American households
4 Fast Company:
This startup just raised $32 million to build solar farms using robots—and much less land
5 PV-Tech:
Over 90% of solar professionals report growing project deployment pipeline in latest PVcase report
6 Solar Power World:
First Solar ends Sec. 337 investigation into competitors allegedly infringing on TOPCon patent
7 Energy Storage news:
FCC inverter ban poses greater threat to US renewables than FEOC compliance, industry experts warn
8 Canary media:
Newsom’s last chance to tackle California’s electricity costs
9 PV-Magazine:
SEIA announces plan to absorb the Coalition for Community Solar Access
Opinions:
10 Reuters:
Why the next industrial race will be won on electricity
Have a great day!
Yann