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.
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Yann
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: I'll tell you all what: David Roberts, aka Dr. Vox, knows how to capture your attention. Last I saw him, he was claiming battery storage had a "dirty secret," about which we, well...you might say we disagreed. But he's back, and this time I agree with him.
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: I'll tell you all what: David Roberts, aka Dr. Vox, knows how to capture your attention. Last I saw him, he was claiming battery storage had a "dirty secret," about which we, well...you might say we disagreed. But he's back, and this time I agree with him.
What our world will look like not that long from now (in the grand scheme of things) if we don't attack climate change aggressively, like yesterday.[/caption]
SolarWakeup’s View: Hey, when Dr. Vox is right, he's right.
David Roberts, also known by his Twitter handle @drvox, penned an overview article today on three recent studies on climate change and discussed ways humanity might save Earth from actually becoming the burnt-out hellscape so many people already think it is.
First, Roberts dispenses with the idea that we can simply wait for carbon extraction technologies - technologies that will manage to capture carbon from the air and bury it - to become a thing. Right now, those technologies aren't even in the infant stages, and we simply can't wait. Failure, as they say, is not an option.
"So the only rule of climate policy that really matters is: go as hard and fast as possible, forever and ever. Amen."Amen. More: What genuine, no-bullshit ambition on climate change would look like Nice Headline, Doctor – But That Doesn’t Make It True
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: The Connecticut Senate voted on the horrifically anti-solar SB 9 yesterday and passed it. It now moves on to the House today, with a vote scheduled for tomorrow.
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: The Connecticut Senate voted on the horrifically anti-solar SB 9 yesterday and passed it. It now moves on to the House today, with a vote scheduled for tomorrow.
SolarWakeup’s View: Here's Part 3 of our ongoing series on "The Connecticut Catastrophe."
See that tweet up there? That is Democratic Representative Lonnie Reed, back when she supported the solar industry on April 26.
"Honored to speak before amazing Rally of Solar Workers at capitol," Rep. Reed said way back two weeks ago. "Working with Solar Pros to fix SB 9 - making it a bill that helps Solar flourish - bringing clean air, job growth, more economic opportunities."
Someone should have reminded her that the Internet is forever before she went on to trash the industry ahead of today's House debate on the bill, one in which she will play a vital role or, as we like to call it, Part 3.
Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, who watched the debate and co-chairs the Energy and Technology Committee with Winfield, said the solar industry is exaggerating the changes the bill makes. Reed said net metering is back in the bill, which would allow homeowners to sell any unused portion of the energy they generate back to the grid. “We protected net metering,” she said. “Otherwise why would you do it? I mean they’re ugly.” She said some of the smaller solar installers are nervous because “it’s different and they can’t stand change.”I'll give you a minute to let that reductive, smug garbage sink in to your veins for a moment. So this woman who was supposedly "honored" to speak before a rally of solar workers two weeks ago now thinks solar modules are "ugly" and that solar installers are just being sore losers who "can't stand change." As the solar industry takes the knife out of its back, I'd like to say something to Rep. Reed: I hope all that sweet utility cash, or cushy post-political job, or whatever the utilities/fossil-fuel interests paid for your vote is really worth compromising any principles you might have claimed. I mean, Sweet Mother of God, it's only been two weeks, for crying out loud. OK, so now that the sting of her words is subsiding, get out your phones and make the calls. Here is a list of all the Connecticut representatives voting on this tomorrow. Go make some calls - the future of Connecticut solar is at stake. Only we can stop Part 3 from being the unseemly end of solar in Connecticut. UPDATE: Our friends at Sunrun also have a link that allows you to take action. Please do it now. More: Energy Bill Heads To House, Solar Installers Object Connecticut Catastrophe, Part 2: Solar Consumers Are NOT Utilities How To Screw Up Solar With One Horrid Bill (Connecticut Edition)
Hello? Anyone Watching CT? The CT Senate has passed the controversial net metering bill that will turn the NEM policy into a sell all scheme. It is now up to the CT House to do the right thing and kill this portion of the bill. One State Senator had the audacity to call solar “ugly” after speaking on solar’s behalf at the solar rally just a few weeks ago. This is becoming a frustrating situation given the lack of attention this is getting nationally with the local companies struggling to show the national outrage that this should cause. There is a press release issued by active solar companies and trade groups with notable entities missing from this release or having their own. I will repeat myself. Net metering is the most important issue for solar nationally, regardless of the market you participate in. If you develop PURPA or RPS deals, you want a net metering policy in place because that is the grassroots support for solar you need from customers.
Was It All For Nothing? There are several reports of Suniva asking the bankruptcy court to allow it to sell the equipment it owns. This essentially spells the end of the manufacturing entity that could have been acquired to make premium cells within the US. With a large need for tariff free cells, this was believed to be the avenue to relief for SQN. If anything, it now seems that interested buyers will be looking to buy the capability without the corporate entity. At this point it seems like none of those exits are going to happen and it will all have been for nothing except for causing heartache to the solar industry.
Solar On Every Home. California is implementing its new building energy codes which push the envelope on net zero homes. All new homes will have to include efficiency and solar features to push cumulative consumption to zero. Some builders had voiced concerns that on efficiency alone, the code could be met but alas the solar requirement will remain. As we pick up speed on residential solar, we must remember the key for installers and financiers and that is a happy homeowner. Positive reviews and customer referrals are the best marketing and if you install it improperly, causing roof leaks, you will not have a happy customer and you will spend money fixing the leak. Going cheap on the install will always come back to bite you, install the right products the right way and ensure no roof leaks.
Don’t Assume The Inevitable. It was long thought that net metering changes would drive value towards the fixed demand charge section of the energy bill. For years, the general thought was that if NEM changes are made, energy storage would become that much more cost effective. Of course that is much more nuanced now that storage is cost effective and NEM changes are either focused on non-bypassable charges or time shifts that require too much storage to make financial sense. The solar adversaries play a long game, don’t underestimate them.
The Florida Story. It’s not going away, there is a lot going on with multiple story lines that will intersect. If you have any documents or information about the various solar RFPs in Florida, please send me an email.
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Yann