I think we need to continue to look at the role of grid operators (utilities) play in the solar business. Intersolar is an interesting place to look at that because the show promoter is not directly tied to the money coming from utilities. I think EDF is right in today's opinion story that utilities need to change, mostly on the fact that solving their solar non-problem is to own solar (behind the meter) assets as ratepayer cost recovered. UOG (utility owned generation) HAS to be focused on centralized solar farms, controlling behind the meter assets means controlling the market growth and that is bad for everyone in solar, including the bands that battled tonight at Intersolar.
Have a great day!
News
1 Toledo Blade:
Solar-panel maker shuts down
2 Business Insider:
CEO Of Sunrun
3 GTM:
Costs of Solar Were Not Passed Along to Ratepayers in Nevada
4 Las Vegas News:
Balancing solar, environment
5 RE World:
Solar’s Year of Action in the US
6 BGR:
Rooftop solar power is making coal obsolete in Australia
7 Chicago Tribune:
Chicago unveils new rooftop solar discount program
8 SF Chronicle:
Sungevity shows how solar panels will look on your house
Opinions:
9 EDF:
Dear Utilities, Change or Get Dumped
Have a great day!
Yann
The 1st day of Intersolar is behind us and things are looking good. Lots of news coming on partnerships, innovation and victories that will grow markets and opportunities for solar companies. More coverage coming from areas that currently have little solar like Florida and that worked to stop solar like Maine. Solar is working on a 50 State strategy and it will be in effect in no time at all.
Have a great day!
News
1 Portland Press:
CMP’s new rate plan would add $3 to bills
2 CleanTechnica:
Florida Utilities Working To Crush Nascent Solar Industry
3 Solar Industry:
Indiana Michigan Power Wants To Give Solar A Chance
4 GTM:
4 Residential Solar Trends to Watch in the Second Half of 2014
5 Bloomberg:
Mosaic and Enphase Packaging Solar Loans With O&M
6 CNBC:
Could your next car be solar powered?
7 Solar Industry:
Charts The Top Solar Deals Of The Second Quarter
8 Motley Fool:
Which of These 3 Solar Companies Can Make You Rich?
Opinions:
9 Grist:
“It’s raining renewable loans!” shrieks DOE, racing to the dance floor
Have a great day!
Yann
Lots of respect for GTM, but I can't agree in widening the tent for more utility involvement in distributed solar. As we gather at Intersolar, ongoing battles across the Country show that utilities will do anything to keep and grow their monopolies. In Arizona the utility will go to any length to buy political representation. Take a look at an impartial view of the situation in Arizona in the AZ Central article to see for yourself.
Have a great day!
News
1 CleanTechnica:
SolarCity and SunRun vs Arizona Department Of Revenue
2 AZ Central:
Who is it that so badly wants Justin Pierce elected SOS
3 GTM:
Way to Get Utilities to Embrace Solar and Storage
4 Solar Industry:
BayWa r.e. Buys Bankrupt Developer Martifer Solar USA
5 NY Times:
Activist Investor Helps SunEdison Change Course
6 GTM:
Why We Need a Diverse Solar Workforce, And How We Get There
7 Guardian:
Solar has won. Even if coal were free to burn, stations couldn't compete
8 NBC:
Some Go Solar for Savings, Not the Planet
Opinions:
9 RE World:
US Government Has Big Bucks To Help Jumpstart Renewables
Have a great day!
Yann
Good morning from somewhere over Georgia as I make my cross-country flight to Intersolar. Expect some new and more frequent updates from SWu throughout the week. If you are at Intersolar, make sure to say hello. If you want to make sure I see something in particular, let me know. If you are a Germany soccer fan, like me, then reach out as I will be hosting some loyal fans for a game watch on Tuesday.
Have a great day!
News
1 Vegas Journal:
No significant costs passed along as homeowners install solar
2 GTM:
Critics Say MA New Solar Bill Would Create an Unfair Exchange
3 AZ Central:
Retailers turn to solar energy slowly
4 Motley Fool:
3 Reasons Why Chinese Solar Stocks Are Still a Buy
5 PV-Tech:
Top US residential installers tighten grip on market
6 Solar Novus:
Europe Relinquishes its Role as Solar Market Leader
7 Politifact:
Sen. Whitehouse says there are more U.S. jobs in solar than coal
8 CleanTechnica:
Cuts To UK Incentives Could Slash Future Deployment 30%
Opinions:
9 Crain's Business:
Renewing solar program would help state
Have a great day!
Yann
