Over the weekend, Berkshire Hathaway’s Chairman, Warren Buffett, released his annual letter to shareholders. Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) is quite diversified in terms of utilities but it is solar and wind that is making the dent on both sides of the argument. The group now owns 7% of US wind and 6% of US solar capacity but at the same time calls it Federally-subsidized with tax credits. This goes to the argument that Buffett enjoys renewables as long as its utility owned aligning him with the likes of EEI. Read the important page of the letter here.
Opinion
News
1 Bloomberg:
Buffett - Wind and Solar Power Competition Challenges Utilities
2 Vox:
Rural electric co-ops, traditionally bastions of coal, are getting into solar
3 AEE:
NEWS - Solar Plus Storage Goes Small – and Big
4 Greentech Media:
Nevada Solar Ballot Initiative Faces Utility-Backed Legal Challenge
5 Post-Bulletin:
Solar boom is boon for Minnesota landowners
6 Boston Globe:
Solar advocates tell lawmakers inaction clouds future of sector
7 BBC:
Is the US undermining India's solar power programme?
8 St Augustine Record:
'Solar Priest' challenges church to lead way in use of renewable energy
Opinions:
9 Greenbiz:
With the Clean Power Plan stalled, go regional on renewables
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 David Crane:
The energy world's 50 shades of brown
2 USA Today:
Utilities get aggressive against solar industry
3 Fortune:
Here's Why SunEdison's Stock Is Jumping 30%
4 Bloomberg:
Sunrun More Likely Solar Buyer Rather Than Seller, CEO Says
5 Think Progress:
How Clean Energy Became A Code Word In Washington
6 Fortune:
How a Single Tax Credit Dominates U.S. Solar
7 New York Times:
Bill Gates’s Clean-Energy Moon Shot
8 PV-Magazine:
New report finds net metering under attack across the United States
9 EDF:
Despite Overwhelming Support for Clean Energy, Poll Shows Disconnect
10 Greentech Media:
Negative Prices Require Positive Changes in Community Solar
The Top 10 is ranked by the number of SolarWakeup.com readers that clicked on the news article during the previous week. It is the poll of the most relevant solar news of the week as judged by your colleagues and competitors.
Have a great day!
Yann
Big news is that a judge cleared the way for the Vivint acquisition by Sunedison to proceed. If you recall, this was challenged by Hedge Fund Manager David Tepper. The Vivint shareholders led by majority shareholder Blackstone quickly approved the deal causing Sunedison stock to rise on the news. The next step is the drop down of those project assets into Terraform which may or may not be easier than it sounds or originally intended. The solarcoaster continues for the companies as the public markets create more pressure.
Opinion
News
1 Fortune:
Here's Why SunEdison's Stock Is Jumping 30%
2 Bloomberg:
Judge Clears Way for SunEdison's $1.9 Billion Vivint Deal
3 EDF:
Regulators Take First Step to Ensure New York’s Distributed Energy Future is Clean
4 PV-Magazine:
Update - Foxconn deal for Sharp delayed, tolls death knell for its solar business
5 Renew Economy:
The 40 Australian towns that could, and should, quit the grid
6 Greentech Media:
46 States Took Policy Action on Solar in 2015
7 Utility Dive:
Compromise in Mississippi partially restores state regulators authority over co-ops
8 VICE:
The US Said India's Solar Power Plan Discriminates Against American Companies — And the WTO Agrees
Opinions:
9 Portland Press Herald:
Ratepayers save big, jobs triple under dramatic solar plan for Maine, advocates say
Have a great day!
Yann
I’ve been waiting for today for some time. Ever since David Crane was announced as having a column about power on greenbiz.com, I have been waiting for the column. 50 shades of Brown is a nice pop culture reference to the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. With NRG in mind, what can the new CEO do if ‘going green’ is not an option. "So if green is out at NRG, then the color of its new strategy will fall somewhere within the range of 50 shades of brown.” As a big producer of greenhouse gases, I am saddened by this reality and hope that David is right in the shade of brown the company picks going forward.
Opinion
News
1 David Crane:
The energy world's 50 shades of brown
2 Greentech Media:
McBee Insists a Next-Generation Energy Provider Is Coming to Market, NRG Notwithstanding
3 Rocky Mountain Institute:
DERs Find a Market Opportunity in Texas Through Locational Pricing
4 Fortune:
How a Single Tax Credit Dominates U.S. Solar
5 Think Progress:
Oregon Set To Pass One Of The Most Ambitious Environmental Bills In Decades
6 PV-Tech:
Nevada governor brings back New Energy Industry Taskforce
7 Utility Dive:
Washington state solar incentive bill set for Senate hearing after House passage
8 Huffington Post:
The WTO Just Ruled Against India's Booming Solar Program
Opinions:
9 EDF:
Protect Our Families - Bring Back Ohio’s Clean Energy Standards
Have a great day!
Yann
