A few days ago the Sunshot team added a new goal to their list or at least announced winners of grants to achieve the goal. The goal is simple, bring solar + storage to under $0.14 per kWh. Storage in the home is coming. Storage in your driving is coming. Just wait until all of this works in conjunction with your smart home and more intelligent energy efficiency. Sunshot is good at what they do, their success rate is high and their secondary funding channel is great. DOE is a well oiled machine so I look forward to not only seeing the goal met but seeing how fast it happens.
Opinion
News
1 Forbes:
The Two Things To Note In The DOE's Solar + Storage Initiative
2 Bloomberg:
New York Governor Cuomo Pledges $5 Billion for Clean Energy Fund
3 Think Progress:
What Will It Take For America To Go 100 Percent Renewable?
4 Rocky Mountain Institute:
How Much Does Storage Really Cost? Lazard Weighs In.
5 Greentech Media:
Nevada PUC to Reconsider Grandfathering Rooftop Solar Customers In New Net-Metering Policy
6 Los Angeles Times:
Utilities push a solar pricing proposal they say is fairer for non-solar users
7 PV-Tech:
Top 10 solar module manufacturers in 2015
8 PV-Magazine:
Africa - Djibouti announces 300 MW solar project as part of 100% renewable future goal
Opinions:
9 Huffington Post:
Utilities Exert Influence Through Universities to Sway Regulatory and Political Debate
Have a great day!
Yann
California is easily the largest market in the US but that doesn’t mean we should take if for granted. Solar adds tremendous value to the grid and its operators, even though nobody is doing a good job of tracking the amount that is actually being produced or asking for it to be counted towards the RPS. The value it creates has been documented in thesis and we know from other States that solar is more valuable to the grid than any perceived costs. The NEM battle continues and solar pros in the California should not take it for granted. Get involved and make your job known to regulators.
Opinion
News
1 PV-Magazine:
California regulators may consider utility proposal for net metering 2.0
2 Greentech Media:
SunShot Program Seeks to Lower Solar-Plus-Storage Costs to 14 Cents per Kilowatt-Hour
3 PV-Tech:
SolarCity CEO vows to fight Nevada net metering decision
4 Utility Dive:
REV in 2016 - The year that could transform utility business models in New York
5 Renewable Energy World:
Wind, Solar Secure $11.5 Billion in Tax Equity Deals in 2015
6 Renew Economy:
When will private sector learn that age of fossil fuels is over?
7 Vox:
Nevada’s bizarre decision to throttle its own solar industry, explained
8 Los Angeles Times:
Op-Ed Smug about your solar roof? Not so fast.
Opinions:
9 NRDC:
Circuit-Breaking Net Metering Policy for Rooftop Solar Will Leave Everyone in the Dark
Have a great day!
Yann
The New York Times editorial board takes a swing for Carbon Taxes. Society has a long tradition of taxing things it wants people to use less of or get manufacturers to be more efficient for. Cigarettes are a good example of a tax that is meant to save people lives, of course this is a behavior that is self inflicted but can also create bystander harm. The gas tax is meant to pay for infrastructure and get manufacturers to make more efficient cars, thereby saving people money and spewing less emissions, that’s why all those people bought Volkswagens. Carbon taxes work, they are generally growth neutral and make companies more conscious of their energy use.
Opinion
News
1 New York Times:
Proof That a Price on Carbon Works
2 Greentech Media:
Survey - Utilities, Regulators and the Solar Industry Actually Agree on Net Metering
3 Fortune:
Angry Nevada Solar Customers Sue Over New Fees
4 Dallas Morning News:
Solar power starts ascent in Texas
5 Grist:
Rooftop solar isn’t quite as great as you thought it was (but it’s still pretty great)
6 Solar Server:
Berkeley Lab researchers pinpoint drivers for low-priced solar PV systems in the U.S
7 Energy Collective:
DOE Announces Grid Modernization R&D Projects, Partners, and Funding
8 PV-Tech:
How Dubai will deliver sub-6¢ solar
Opinions:
9 Los Angeles Times:
Op-Ed Bill McKibben - How to drive a stake through the heart of zombie fossil fuel
Have a great day!
Yann
The first I’ve seen in global estimates for solar installed in 2015. A few firsts that I can point out (not fact checked however, so point out if I missed some highlights). Over 50GW installed globally being led by China (15GW). China now has more solar than Germany with 43GW, a stunning reminder of how much solar Germany installed to push the global industry forward. The US beat out Europe 9.8GW versus 8.5GW and Europe was led by the UK with 4GW versus Germany’s 1.4GW. From where Germany was, it is great to see the Country still installing 1.4GW which beats out almost every US State besides California.
Have a great day!
News
1 Solar Server:
PV Market Alliance estimates global photovoltaic installations of at least 51 GW in 2015
2 Greentech Media:
The Solar Tax Credit Extension Will Make Net Metering Battles Much More Intense
3 Think Progress:
Martin Luther King And The Call To Direct Action On Climate Change
4 Breaking Energy:
Obama’s Last Gasp Climate Proposals
5 Renewable Energy World:
Cook Islands On Target To Be 100 Percent Renewable
6 Solar Power Portal:
Mayor of London candidate Zac Goldsmith unveils solar pledge
7 Clean Technica:
Nevada PUC May Be Setting State On Path Toward Grid Defection
8 PV-Magazine:
Shunfeng warns of 90% profit decrease, completes Suniva acquisition
Opinions:
9 The News & Observer:
Solar panels permanently ‘ruin’ farmland, NC senator says
Have a great day!
Yann
