By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

Community solar is one of the fastest growing segments of the solar industry right now despite only 19 states having active governmental support through policies and incentives to encourage community solar projects. Massachusetts is one of those states, however, with its SMART incentive program having specific enticements to bring community solar to the Bay State - and it's attracted one of the strongest national firms in the country to build a series of projects there. CleanChoice Energy, a renewable energy company that provides wind and solar energy products to customers across the country, has launched CleanChoice Energy Community Solar in Massachusetts with 3.489 MW of proposed community solar capacity. The launch opens hundreds of new subscriber allocations for Bay State residents that live in the National Grid service area. CleanChoice Energy Community Solar customers have the opportunity to save up to 10% on their utility bills with no upfront costs while supporting local solar projects. Customers outside of the National Grid service area that want to make the switch to clean energy can sign-up for a Community Solar waiting list or choose one of the company's other clean energy options. "We know that Massachusetts residents want to do their part on climate and the environment. Community solar allows people to make an impact by supporting local solar projects and helping reduce carbon emissions," said Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy. "CleanChoice Energy Community Solar makes it easy. Bay State residents can sign-up online in just a few minutes and save money on their utility bills." Community Solar offers landowners, farmers, and others the opportunity to receive additional revenue to install solar panels, while opening the benefits of solar to the hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents and businesses that either do not own their own home or do not have a roof that works for solar. The CleanChoice Energy Community Solar platform connects people to local Community Solar projects, allowing residents and businesses to sign-up to support local solar in minutes and to see up to 10% savings on their utility bills with no upfront investment, setup fees or installation.

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

While the rest of the world was trying to solve global climate change last week at the COP24 talks, the United States held a forum to discuss how the rest of the world should use more "clean coal" and nuclear energy. To say the current U.S. administration is skeptical of climate science (even when it's produced by its own scientists) would understate the case by a factor of 200. But to date, the record on funding clean energy research appeared to continue apace. The Sunshot Initiative continues to release funds to research projects both on new technology on the solar and the energy storage front. So it seemed that despite their public feud with the solar industry, behind the scenes cooler heads would prevail. Or so we thought. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), however, begs to differ. In a press release, the NRDC calls upon Congress to investigate why more than $600 million of funds earmarked for clean energy research hasn't been already spent. They say that for the past two months - ever since the end of the fiscal year 2018 - the funds have not been forthcoming. An NRDC official says the delays are "uncharacteristic and concerning." “The consequences of the funds remaining unspent with no apparent plan for utilization is not only an insult to congressional direction but undermines U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs in developing the next generation of clean energy technologies,” she said.

Specifically, the NRDC points to the following shortfalls to support its point:

• DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) office – which the Trump administration tried twice to eliminate – has not spent more than 79% of its $353 million FY18 research budget ($280 million); and
• The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) – which the Trump administration tried to gut by about 70% - has failed to spend more than $319 million (14%) of its $2.32 billion FY18 research budget.

The world needs clean energy research now more than ever. If the NRDC numbers are correct - and there's no reason to think they're not - then they're right. Congress needs to investigate and examine why on Earth the Trump Administration is defying its will. They must demand that they follow the law and spend the money appropriated to these programs.

2019. I’ve decided that you’re early Christmas present is a binging of the SolarWakeup Live Jersey City conversations which will drop at some point this week. All 7 conversations will be available on the SolarWakeup Live podcast this week. More importantly, in 2019 I will be mixing my day job and SolarWakeup a bit more by opening the studio for conversations at the Quick Mount offices. I’ve been spending the past 6 months inviting solar leaders to our manufacturing plant and many are coming in the new year. At the same time we plan on recording those conversations on site. This is an exciting combination of both of my passions and look forward to hearing about the good ideas you have to discuss. Come visit me in Walnut Creek, California!
You Are Not Welcome. The US joined Russia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia not to join the UN climate report at COP24. This is a statement of the era we are in that is hoping to return to the 20th century as opposed to the reality that is required for the rest of the 21st Century. 
No Clean Air For You. Newly situated EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler, is doing the important work of lifting environmental regulations for coal plants. This is part of the Trump plan to bring coal back to life but in reality will do absolutely nothing to do such a thing given that the cost to operate coal plants is no longer viable. The EPA should ask this question to the VP’s staff with contacts in Indiana. 
GM Blowback. Trump tweeted last week that GM should lose its EV tax credits for closing the manufacturing plants. Last night, Elon Musk told 60 Minutes that he may be interested in acquiring those plants. Elon also spoke some hard truth to the SEC in this clip. 
PG&E Legislative Forecast. It is almost certain that PG&E will be in Sacramento this year asking for a bailout for the fires in Paradise/Chico which also caused my kids to visit the doctor. The more relevant question is what will the solar industry be asking for when PG&E advances their bailout bill. Our job isn’t to have a feeling for their ask but to put a price on the legislation for the solar industry. I have my price, would be interested to hear what you would ask for. 
Labor In Solar. Minnesota (and other States) solar companies are restricted in growth by their ability to hire qualified labor. It is a great opportunity to open the solar industry to others that are training or can be trained to be helpful to the solar industry. 
Facebook Not Building Community. Another sample of the corporate Facebook focus on their data center energy supply without growing the market where they are investing. More importantly, their employees aren’t increasing their ability to go solar while working at the local building either. 
Huawei Situation. Don’t under appreciate the impact of the Huawei CFO situation as it pertains to the trade negotiations between the US and China. There are very real tariffs on the table that are increasing the cost of your racking, inverter and modules supply. 
Diversify Now. Abby Hopper of SEIA is leaning in on diversity with good reason. While solar is doing a good job on diversity and veteran hiring, it could be doing so much better. More importantly, we are more open to being better than the status quo. I go back to the Vote Solar Equinox event in DC when a very non-diverse room welcomed speakers on the environmental justice topic. As the solar industry diversities it will also grow the market, both are undoubtedly linked. 

Have a great day!

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Have a great day!
Yann

Have a great weekend, no column today as I hosted a Hannukah party last night and Decoy won out! See you on Monday. 
Make sure to check out the Q&A from Frank about the California solar home mandate and some of the top stories of the day!

Have a great day!

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Have a great day!
Yann