Yesterday I told a story about a little blue truck. The little blue truck is a book I read to my kids but it's a lesson to be used in solar especially over the next year as we overcome some obstacles. The little blue truck drove through town and always said hello and waived to his neighbors he passed by. As the dump truck barrels through town he ignores everyone because he is so big and important. By chance, the dump truck got stuck in mud and needed help but nobody was there to help except for the little blue truck. When the little blue truck gets caught in the mud as well, all of his friends come out to help him which also helps the big dump truck. We may compete and try to beat each other in business but we have to do it in a way that when we need to, we come together as an industry. Solar won't out fund the utilities and anti-solar groups but we can show how big and strong we are as a group.
Yann
News
1 Las Vegas Journal:
Rooftop-solar coalition wants to keep existing rate through Dec. 31
2 The Buffalo News:
Schumer to seek change in solar tax credit in SolarCity visit
3 Business Journal:
Solar installers ask Duke Energy CEO for help - Duke says no
4 Michigan Radio:
Consumers Energy launching new solar energy program
5 Market Watch:
Opinion - Why Republicans can’t pit Hillary Clinton vs. Warren Buffett over solar
6 Bloomberg:
Chinese Banks Shunning Small Deals Pushes Solar to Crowdfunding
7 Power Mag:
Sites Shift from Coal Power to Solar Power
8 CIO:
Rain could make your solar panels dirtier, not cleaner
Opinions:
9 EDF:
Clean Energy Partnerships Grow between the U.S. Military and Rural Cooperatives
Have a great day!
Yann
While I seem to get involved in a lot of issues around the Country, it may have been noticed that I have stayed somewhat quiet in Florida about the dueling ballot amendments. While the solar groups have gotten framed into a false debate, their comeback today is great. Asking the utility backed groups to help the conservative energy groups get rid of Florida’s biggest corporate subsidy, early cost recovery for nuclear power plants. Florida ratepayers essentially loan the money to IOU shareholders with no recourse and also provide a costless hedge for natural gas costs long into the future. An interesting move for sure, let’s see where it goes.
News
1 Utility Dive:
Conservative solar leader plans to fight Florida utilities' 'early cost recovery' privilege
2 Arizona Central:
California utilities copy Arizona utilities’ solar-panel fees
3 Forbes:
5 African Cleantech Startups You Need To Watch
4 EDF:
Desperately Seeking Monopoly Protection
5 Vox:
Are solar panels right for you? Google's new mapping tool can help you decide.
6 PV-Magazine:
16 U.S. states consider changes to net metering
7 Energy Collective:
Understanding IRPs - How Utilities Plan for the Future
8 Palm Beach Post:
Duel of amendments clouds Florida’s solar future
Opinions:
9 Renew Economy:
Could the solar vote be Abbott’s undoing?
Have a great day!
Yann
Nevada is in the news today. Vivint Solar had plans to expand its presence in the State and create hundreds of news jobs to add to the 6,000 already in the State. The plan is now put on hold due to the anti-competitive behavior by NV Energy. To show that the debate is bi-partisan, the local GOP is trying to get Hillary Clinton to chime in since NV Energy is a Berkshire Hathaway company. All of these topics need answers and that is why I am flying to Las Vegas tomorrow to give the keynote address at the SOMO Conference. I will be going through the top stories in solar today and what the impact to solar contractors is today and in the future.
Yann
News
1 PV-Tech:
Vivint Solar halts Nevada expansion after one month citing net metering uncertainty
2 Las Vegas Review-Journal:
GOP dares Hillary to talk net metering in Las Vegas
3 Energy Collective:
Renewable Microgrid Value Creation - A Real Estate Development Example
4 Clean Technica:
Brazil Will Contract 2–3 GW Of New Solar Energy Projects During Auctions In 2015–2018
5 PV-Magazine:
EU doubles duty levels on solar glass from China
6 24/7 Wall Street:
Are Solar Energy Yieldcos Worth More Than Investors Think?
7 Reuters:
Solar is having a great year, except on Wall Street
8 Arizona Central:
New Arizona utility regulators to face first APS case on solar rates
Opinions:
9 New York Times:
How California Is Winning the Drought
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Clean Technica:
These 20 Cities Account For 6.5% Of US Solar PV Capacity
2 Architectural Digest:
These Colorful Solar Panels Could Be The Wave Of The Future
3 PV-Magazine:
USDA to invest $63 million in rural renewables
4 Las Vegas Sun:
Solar company Sunrun signals lawsuit against state for public records
5 Phys.org:
US distributed solar prices fell 10 to 20 percent in 2014, with trends continuing into 2015
6 Boston Globe:
Governor Baker files bill to encourage expansion of solar power
7 PV-Magazine:
Installed prices continue rapid descent
8 WWLP:
Critics argue Baker’s solar legislation will slow growth
9 Las Vegas Sun:
Reid says NV Energy ‘violating Sherman Antitrust Act,’ blasts Koch brothers and Donald Trump
10 Seeking Alpha:
MLM And Rooftop Solar Sales Abuses, Lessons In Regulatory Capture
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
