Yesterday I mentioned on Twitter how bad it would be if the ITC is not extended, a point that was mocked and challenged. I personally think it will cost many jobs within the industry. According to Greentech Media (without taking into account State incentives) residential markets at the tipping point go from 14 States to 8, a 41% reduction. Utility scale deployment drops by an astonishing 90%. So companies will have to make a choice to lower volume (and cut workforce), lower margins (bad for EBITDA) or focus on fewer markets. I am not alone in this thinking, SEIA is pushing for an extension along with every other major solar association and some of the largest companies in the space. Don’t let “famous” people in solar give you false hope, the solar ITC should stay in place.
Yann
News
1 San Diego Union-Tribune:
Solar power shines on apartments, renters in California
2 Bloomberg:
Seven Reasons Cheap Oil Can't Stop Renewables Now
3 PV-Magazine:
China unveils 15 GW solar target
4 Utility Dive:
Washington state solar battle heats up, splitting installer trade groups
5 Solar Server:
World Bank Group launches “Scaling Solar” to create a market for solar power in Africa
6 CCTV America:
South Africa aims to power half of country with solar energy
7 Huffington Post:
How to Finance an Energy Revolution
8 Motley Fool:
Why Solar Panel Efficiency Matters More Than You Think
Opinions:
9 Indy Star:
Solar energy helps promote equality
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 SolarWakeup:
Solar Going Mainstream? 5 Projections for 2015
2 NY Times:
Worry for Solar Projects After End of Tax Credits
3 PV-Magazine:
One-third of SMA staff to lose their jobs
4 EDF:
SfunCube - Lighting the Way for Solar Innovation in California
5 Grist:
Now is the time to invest in solar, because people are stupid
6 Orlando Sentinel:
FPL announces huge solar expansion
7 Washington Post:
The best idea in a long time
8 Motley Fool:
A Surprising Move Could Save First Solar From Failure
9 Greentech Media:
‘Unconventional’ Accounting From China’s Hanergy Solar, Owner of MiaSole, Alta and Solibro
10 Renew Economy:
Why solar costs will fall another 40% in just two years
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
I absolutely love today’s top story. I am biased because I think startups and entrepreneurship is where innovation happens. Every day I try to find out what the small group of risk takers are doing to solve the problems in my world, often browsing through Angel List to see what’s new. Are you a solar startup? Tell me how you can help fix our problems on a global basis. Thanks to SfunCube for doing what they do and bringing solar to the masses from the very beginning.
Yann
News
1 EDF:
SfunCube-Lighting the Way for Solar Innovation in California
2 Grist:
Now is the time to invest in solar, because people are stupid
3 Utility Dive:
How utilities can get in on the solar job bonanza
4 Forbes:
Hanergy Investors Shrug Off Skeptical Report-CEO Sees More Third-Party Business, Solar Gains
5 PV-Magazine:
Germany approves pilot tenders for ground-mounted PV plants
6 The Guardian:
Solar power in the UK almost doubled in 2014
7 Greentech Media:
Latin America’s Solar Market Grew 370% in 2014, Installed 625MW
8 Reuters:
Indian energy firm bars foreign bids for three solar projects
Opinions:
9 RE World:
Efficiency Is Not Effectiveness-How the Cost Reduction Race Hurts the Value of Solar
Have a great day!
Yann
If my email box is an indication of interesting articles, then you will love this story about Hanergy. First off, the “owner” of the company is the 5th richest in China. But then you dig into the details of revenues, margins and production, it is really a stunning use of financial innovation. I am sure that emails have been flying across the company after FT broke the original story, because they surely did for me.
Yann
News
1 Greentech Media:
‘Unconventional’ Accounting From China’s Hanergy Solar, Owner of MiaSole, Alta and Solibro
2 Business Spectator:
Hawaii's grid to accept 250% solar penetration
3 Washington Post:
The best idea in a long time-Covering parking lots with solar panels
4 RE World:
Solar Outlook 2015-Still Growing, But No Longer Energy’s Young Kid
5 CleanTechnica:
Can Utility Regulators Provide Leadership on Distributed Renewable Energy?
6 Utility Dive:
PNM-backed poll finds little support for Santa Fe municipal utility plan
7 PV-Magazine:
China-Capital markets re-embraces PV industry
8 Investor’s Business Daily:
Solar Storage Ventures Usher In Smart Homes Future
Opinions:
9 Renew Economy:
Big Oil needs a Plan B. It hasn’t got one
Have a great day!
Yann
