The White House continues to push forward. In a timely move, meaning that the Government is jumping on community solar at a pace unknown to be usual for government, the administration pushes for more solar access to renters, low income and credit challenged Americans. Innovation in financing is an important topic, which I will be discussing on two panels next week in San Francisco during Intersolar. On Monday at the Sunspec panel on the innovations in C&I and on Tuesday at the PVMC moonshot event about how we can solve some of the issues around distributed solar. Great people coming together to teach me a few things, always a good time.
Yann
News
1 New York Times:
Obama Plan Would Give Poor Easier Access to Solar Energy
2 Think Progress:
Bernie Sanders’ Plan To Make Solar Power More Accessible
3 Greentech Media:
Solar Bill Passed in Maine Sets the Stage for an Innovative Alternative to Net Metering
4 PV-Tech:
Seismic shift - No new solar PV manufacturing expansion plans announced for China in 1H 2015
5 Solar Industry Magazine:
New York Looks To Well-Tuned Incentives To Sustain Solar Growth
6 Huffington Post:
4 Things to Know Before You Take the Solar Energy Plunge
7 Energy Collective:
California Grid Expected to Maintain Reliability despite Drought
8 Charlotte Observer:
Challenge of NC law aims to open solar markets
Opinions:
9 Forbes:
For Investors, India's Solar Push Could Signal A Gold Rush
Have a great day!
Yann
Last year I was asked by many readers to post more global news. In finding some interesting sites that cover other markets such as the UK and Australia, I have become interested in those market dynamics. With my work also taking me abroad, I usually find that the conservative political party in other Countries is still solar friendly (not always). The strangest of all politicians is Prime Minister Abbott in Australia. The headlines that come from his office are usually interesting but the today’s sarcasm tops it. I am sure a scientist somewhere will make it clear that taking all fossils out of the ground is a very, very bad idea for the earth.
Yann
News
1 Renew Economy:
Abbott imagines a fossil-free future …after it’s all been burnt
2 Quartz:
Japan is building solar energy plants on abandoned golf courses—and the idea is spreading
3 PV-Tech:
California electricity rate changes suggest ‘net benefit’ for rooftop solar
4 Breaking Energy:
New York Set To Revive Renewable Energy Industry
5 PV-Magazine:
Trina Solar refutes reports of Malaysian fab rejection
6 USA Today:
Calderon and Stern - Fight climate change, boost economy
7 Utility Dive:
Dominion questions solar, praises coal, decries carbon rules in IRP filing
8 Toronto Globe and Mail:
Ruling says Chinese solar panels pose risk to Canadian industry
Opinions:
9 NRDC:
Steady As She Goes - Lessons for the Clean Power Plan
Have a great day!
Yann
Today’s top story is about a man that lived off-grid using nothing but solar energy for nearly 118 hours. Not that impressive except for the fact that he flew an airplane from Japan to Hawaii for over 4400 miles. The irony comes that while Hawaii is a solar leader and looking to get to 100% renewables, HECO filed to revamp the net metering rules on the day that the plane lands showing what the future could look like. Old versus new, the status quo is changing.
Yann
News
1 New York Times:
Solar Plane Lands in Hawaii After Record-Breaking Flight
2 Utility Dive:
HECO files with regulators to cut solar net metering rates in half
3 Vox:
There's a lot more solar power in the US than we thought
4 PV-Tech:
Third-ranked Advanced Energy’s exit leaves 17% share to fight over in US inverter market
5 Clean Technica:
Could Third-Party Ownership of Solar Be Taking Root In The Southeast?
6 PV-Magazine:
Spain's solar tax 'almost complete'
7 Renewable Energy World:
California Power Bill Overhaul Threatens Home Solar Growth
8 Renew Economy:
Solar revolution can’t be stopped, but it can be slowed
Opinions:
9 Grist:
Talking about jobs isn’t the only way to lure voters into the climate movement
Have a great day!
Yann
You’ve probably already heard all about it. Austin Energy went out for large scale solar and presented the results at an oversight hearing late last week. It’s worth a listen because it represents an interesting milestone in solar as some of the bids came in under $0.04/kWh. Many questions to be asked about the bids but Austin Energy calls them credible. Here is my fundamental takeaway. If $0.04/kWh works in Texas, where else does solar work or more importantly where doesn’t it? As you see utilities get more involved in solar, you can see why. The ‘solar is too expensive’ talking point is fading, quickly. Here is the presentation, around the 5 minute mark
Yann
News
1 Austin Energy:
City Council Committee Meeting
2 PV-Tech:
If you can’t beat them… US utility launches residential solar service
3 Business Journals:
Hawaii solar-energy industry leaders question HECO's cost-shift plan
4 Solar Server:
ENGIE acquires majority stake in Solairedirect, becomes French leader in PV industry
5 Renew Economy:
South Australia pushes battery storage in government buildings
6 PV-Magazine:
Sunrun to raise USD111 million in first residential securitization
7 Bloomberg:
China’s Climate Goal Calls for Aggressive Push on Solar, Wind
8 Vox:
Solar power still needs to get much cheaper. Are perovskites the answer?
Opinions:
9 Energy Collective:
Winners and Losers from Flattening Tiered Electricity Prices
Have a great day!
Yann
