It has been fun watching certain political candidates explain their way around the climate change debate since the Pope has come out with rather strong words warning about climate impacts caused by society. Rick Santorum actually said we should listen to scientists and not the Pope about climate change. Jokes aside, what is becoming more common is deflecting the debate of whether it is man-made or not and discussion how to deal with adaptation which could make climate change a discussion about solutions instead of doing nothing. A step in the right direction…
Yann
News
1 NY Times:
Pope’s Views on Climate Change Add Pressure to Catholic Candidates
2 Grist:
This power plant slurps up water for Arizona — and burns 15 tons of coal a minute
3 Utility Dive:
Most states on track to meet EPA Clean Power Plan, but political & legal contention remains
4 Think Progress:
Opposition Is Piling On A Proposal To Increase Access To Solar Power In Florida
5 Greentech Media:
Survey - 1 in 3 Corporate Investors Plan to Back Their First Solar Project in 2015
6 Renewable Energy World:
EU Raises Concern That UK, France Won't Meet Renewables Goal
7 CleanTechnica:
California Becomes First US State To Surpass 10,000 MW Solar Mark
8 PV-Magazine:
NREL partnerships to help the grid accommodate more renewable energy
Opinions:
9 Forbes:
Two Scenarios That Could Lead To Significant Upside For Trina Solar's Stock
Have a great day!
Yann
Every time a power plant is brought by a regulated utility to the public service commission, a full life cycle cost analysis needs to be presented. In the case of natural gas power plants for example, the utility has to include a cost curve for natural gas fuel costs looking out many years. It doesn’t actually have to pre-purchase the natural gas (the price would be too high) but it has to present a forecast. Since solar offers a guaranteed fuel cost, wouldn’t it make sense that natural gas power plants also have to shelter ratepayers from ALL deviations from the fuel cost forecast and the investors of the utilities should bear the risk?
Yann
News
1 CleanTechnica:
Dear Hawaii - Read Your Mail Before Your Utility Sells Out
2 EDF:
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly When Oil Giants Shift to Natural Gas
3 PV-Magazine:
US - 16 GW of 32 GW utility-scale solar pipeline to be completed by ITC deadline
4 Grist:
You probably missed this climate change promise hidden in Clinton’s speech
5 Vox:
Every country is now pledging to tackle CO2 emissions. It's still not enough.
6 Business Journal:
North Carolina holds on to fourth place in new solar construction for Q1
7 Utility Dive:
How utilities are finding new revenue streams to combat stagnant load growth
8 Bloomberg:
JA Solar Forms Committee to Evaluate CEO’s Buyout Offer
Opinions:
9 Jim Rogers:
Making the business case for solar in NC
Have a great day!
Yann
Every Saturday, Bloomberg New Energy Finance sends out a newsletter commenting on a current highlight in the energy space. This Saturday, I was very much surprised with the message contained in the newsletter. I have asked for clarification and don’t fully understand what the basis for the commentary is but here is the key comment that I am very much at odds with; "Archaic net energy metering (NEM) policies in the US are currently overgenerous for distributed generation.” With the consensus on the topic from impartial 3rd parties being that solar net metering is a financial benefit to all ratepayers, I fail to understand what is meant by the statement. More to come…
Yann
News
1 Slate:
The Real Solyndra Scandal
2 CNBC:
The sleeping giant of the solar industry
3 Vox:
This Nevada company wanted to break up with its electric utility. The government said no.
4 Utility Dive:
Florida utilities, AG want state Supreme Court to block solar ballot initiative
5 Business Journals:
Exclusive - Tesla snaps up former Solyndra building in huge Fremont expansion
6 Marketwatch:
High-tech solar projects fail to deliver
7 Energy Collective:
Energy Storage is Critical Issue at Utility Industry's Conference in New Orleans
8 Quartz:
Japan is building huge solar power plants that float on water
Opinions:
9 Grist:
Can the pope move the needle on climate change?
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Forbes:
Tesla's Battery May Not Destroy Utilities, But Utilities May Destroy Tesla
2 Energy Collective:
The IMF Just Destroyed the Best Argument Against Clean Energy
3 Motley Fool:
Solar Boom - Why Residential Rooftops Are Only the Beginning
4 Sacramento Bee:
How much will solar dim after tax credits expire?
5 Think Progress:
Why You Should Be Paying Attention To The ‘Other’ Form Of Solar Power
6 Renewable Energy World:
The Real Price of Free Solar
7 Denver Post:
Cost of solar power vexing to Colorado system owners, electric co-ops
8 Fortune:
The U.S. solar industry is shifting toward consumers
9 CNBC:
Elon Musk's biggest challenge yet - Recharging Buffalo, NY
10 Think Progress:
Lindsey Graham Calls Out Fellow Republican Candidates Over Climate Change Views
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
