My dismay yesterday about product scarcity was with the potential comeback of take or pay contracts. These contracts pray on the positive hopes of companies assuming all things go well, but the take or pay also killed a solid amount of good solar companies. Let's be clear about something. Solar markets in the US will not have a product scarcity issue. Top tier products are getting the best price globally in the US and therefore will always move product Stateside if the demand is there. Don't be fooled by sensationalized headlines.
Yann
News
1 PV-Tech:
Beijing officially asks US to begin talks on solar trade suspension deal
2 Seeking Alpha:
SolarCity
4 PV Magazine:
California's utility-scale solar generation hits new peak of 4.8 GW
5 Renew Economy:
Australia's new attack may spark another solar boom
6 Solar Industry:
China Set To Reform DG Solar Policies To Boost Installations
7 MW Energy News:
After a slow start, PACE getting off the ground in Missouri
8 NASDAQ:
Unlikely Bedfellows
Opinions:
9 Dallas Morning News:
The Stupidity of Stopping Solar in Plano
Have a great day!
Yann
The Bloomberg headline gives me chills. Over the past decade, every time there is a panel 'shortage' it begins the talk of the "take-or-pay" contract. Doubtful that it will come up again but having seen it take down giant companies, the discussion is frightening by itself. That being said, panels are cause for delayed projects as we are already seeing this. How far the suppliers push deposits to lock in a shipment is another question.
Yann
News
1 Bloomberg:
Solar Boom Driving First Global Panel Shortage Since 2006
2 CBS:
Solar plant's downside? Birds igniting in midair
3 Wash. Post:
Old car batteries could make cheaper, more efficient solar panels
4 NRDC:
Order 1000 Upheld on Appeal
5 RE World:
The Power of Collective Energy Purchasing
6 Bloomberg:
Obama’s Green Dilemma
7 CleanTechnica:
Explosive US Solar Power Growth & Jobs
8 Scientific American:
Booming Rooftop Solar Power Suffers Growing Pains
Opinions:
9 NY Times:
Easy on the Environment, but Not Necessarily Neighbors’ Eyes
Have a great day!
Yann
Without data to back it up, it seems to me that the global solar industry is flattening. Globalization is becoming more and more apparent to me. Companies going overseas, expanding into new markets seems to be happening. However, the glory market remains the US, where residential rules the day but commercial remains an elusive goldmine waiting for someone to clear out.
Yann
News
1 Dallas News:
Texas law lets developers ban solar while subdivisions are growing
2 PV-Tech:
China to close polysilicon import loophole from end of month
3 Star Tribune:
Power surge in Minnesota's solar industry
4 Energy Collective:
New Report Finds California Solar Nearly Doubled in 2013
5 Think Progress:
Businesses Are Getting Hit With A $500 Fee To Kill Solar
6 RE World:
Utilities Should Take Advantage of the Transformation
7 Grist:
Meet the Wisconsin Republicans who love solar
8 Slate:
America is making lots of solar. What’s holding it back from making panels?
Opinions:
9 PV-Tech:
Trade spats continue but yield cos make everything better
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Gigaom:
SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit
2 Wall Street 4/7:
Merrill Lynch Says Solar Demand to Soar Over Next 3 Years
3 Motley Fool:
Why Are These U.S. States Fighting Solar Power?
4 Motley Fool:
SolarCity Is Eyeing a New Solar Energy Market
5 Biz Journals:
Chevron putting solar projects at its Hawaii refinery on hold
6 Nation Swell:
These 10 States Are Leading the Way in Solar. What's Their Secret?
7 Grist:
No solar, please — we’re Florida
8 LA Times:
Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight
9 RE World:
The Massachusetts Solar Carve-Out
10 Solar Industry:
Own Or Lease? Think Of Rooftop Solar As A Car That Makes Money
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
