With oil commodity pricing at some of the lowest numbers, the refineries are operating at some of the highest levels. I have been driving an electric car for the past 3 years, averaging 100 mpg with my 10kWh battery pack. Most days, I use all of the energy that I bought from my utility, FP&L. On the other hand I only visit the gas station every 6 to 8 weeks. The fact that refineries are operating at such a high level shows me that the utilities still don’t see the future. They can take market share from oil companies for the first time in history and drastically increase customer demand. Meanwhile EV owners are complaining that there are not charging stations in their neighborhoods.
Opinions
News
1 Energy Collective:
U.S. Refineries are Running at Record-High Levels
2 Utility Dive:
Is New Hampshire solar racing toward a brick wall?
3 Solar Love:
Minas Gerais Implements Tax Exemption For Large Solar
4 Grist:
Climate and energy feature heavily in national debate — in Canada
5 Sydney Morning Herald:
Power networks accused of seeking to slow solar growth
6 Boston Globe:
Governor Baker files bill to encourage expansion of solar power
7 NRDC:
Power Companies Respond Positively to EPA's Final Carbon Pollution Standards
8 Clean Technica:
SunEdison + NASCAR = Solar Hi-Tech Teamup
Opinions:
9 Las Vegas Sun:
New plan for solar users needs careful, expert review
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 New York Times:
Solar Deals Are Hot, but Investors Fret; Sunrun IPO Fizzles
2 Slate:
The Miracle of SolarCity
3 Bloomberg:
Wind, Solar Cheer as Coal Vows Battle on Obama’s Energy Plan
4 Greentech Media:
California Utilities Release New Plans to Replace Net Metering - Conflict to Come?
5 New York Times:
Obama to Unveil Tougher Environmental Plan With His Legacy in Mind
6 News & Observer:
Unintended negative consequences of NC solar farms
7 Motley Fool:
Are Utilities Finally Falling in Love With Solar?
8 Think Progress:
This Kind Of Electricity Provider Is Already Integrating Renewables
9 Solar Love:
Clean Power Plan Will Lower Electric Bills, Study Says
10 Forbes:
3 Things To Know About SolarCity's Financial Health
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
Look into every Governor’s mansion and then look at the most connected friends, advisors and lobbyists. In many, many instances, the closest to the Governors are also very close to the regulated utilities in the State. Nevada is a great example of it. Here is the greatest irony in energy today. When a regulated IOU asks to build a natural gas plant the present a cost study to build and operate the plant including a forward cost curve for the fuel costs that are expected. But who takes the fuel cost risk? Not the utility or the shareholders but the ratepayers. This, my friends, is likely the largest energy subsidy in the energy markets.
Opinions
News
1 Greentech Media:
Conflict Over How to Value Solar Flares Up Again in Nevada
2 Bloomberg:
Israel Solar Industry on Hold While Awaiting Government Policies
3 Utility Dive:
The other death spiral utilities are beginning to deal with
4 News & Observer:
Unintended negative consequences of NC solar farms
5 Deseret News:
My view - It could be the beginning of solar boom in Utah
6 Forbes:
How Obama's Clean Power Plan Will Fuel The Solar Industry's Rapid Growth
7 Atlas Obscura:
From Above Solar Farms Look Like Tetris Pieces Left Behind By Giants
8 PV-Magazine:
Germany’s second PV tender oversubscribed three-fold
Opinions:
9 USA Today:
Obama’s power plan worth cost. But is it enough? #tellusatoday
Have a great day!
Yann
Sunrun goes public and SolarCity goes South of the border. Solar IPOs have been following a trend. From SolarCity’s last minute save by lowering the pricing to $8 per share (now trades over $50) to today’s IPO pricing in the middle of the range and then an early drop. What seems to be happening is that solar savvy investors understand solar while the retail market is still struggling with it. Remember that almost all solar companies show a loss per share due to increased investments in assets to put on balance sheet. Over time this will even out when companies are able to rephrase what is actually happening. It’s all about marketing at the end of the day.
Opinions
News
1 New York Times:
Solar Deals Are Hot, but Investors Fret - Sunrun IPO Fizzles
2 Fortune:
SolarCity eyes global expansion with acquisition of Mexican solar company
3 NRDC:
10 Ways the Clean Power Plan Protects Electric Grid Reliability
4 EDF:
Lights will Stay on with New Power Plant Pollution Rules. Find out Why.
5 Renew Economy:
Networks propose compulsory fees for all – to stop grid defections
6 Energy Digital:
Step-by-step guide to understanding Obama’s Clean Power Plan
7 Utility Dive:
Rushing to bring solar online, Hawaii approves 4 utility scale projects
8 Texas Tribune:
New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar
Opinions:
9 Los Angeles Times:
Editorial Obama's Clean Energy Plan doesn't go far enough
Have a great day!
Yann
