State-Level Solar Data Provides Hours Of Fun
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: The Solar Foundation released its follow-up to the National Solar Jobs Census 2017 in the form of its interactive state map, which: provides a remarkably detailed look at how solar is affecting the lives of people in your Congressional District. offers a historical look at the data for the same area. gives more granular detail on how solar is providing jobs and economic impacts on people – which can be used to inform lobbying efforts. SolarWakeup’s View: Well, I know how I’ll be spending every waking moment this weekend – looking at The Solar … Read More
This is your SolarWakeup for March 28th, 2018
Proterra Electric Buses, Podcast. Sometimes a 30 minute interview goes an hour, and it could go another 3 hours. That’s when you know you have the right conversation on track. This is what happened when I interviewed Ryan Popple, the former Kleiner Perkins partner and CEO of Proterra. Proterra makes electric buses, which if you think about it, has the potential of changing transportation. Buses are the most predictable vehicle in the Country, same routes every day. Engineer them to perfection and you have a golden ticket to removing idling diesel vehicles from this segment. Frank breaks down the conversation and I hope you enjoy this episode.
What’s New At Suniva? Filings are fun, sometimes tidbits are dropped about issues that impact our industry. SQN Capital gave a cryptic update that could give some hints as to what is next for the Suniva assets. Frank has the story and we’re keeping a close eye on for you.
Postcard From Down Under. When Audrey Zibelman left NYSERDA to head to Australia, I was hopeful that this day would come, and her point is spot on. She says it makes no sense that a grid built before the internet would have the right rules for the grid of tomorrow. In the 90’s it was okay to use a dial-up modem and have rolls of fax papers while using trunk mounted cell phones. Now is time to create rules that enable today’s technologies from using their full potential.
Come On AZ. If you ever think our industry is without really powerful adversaries, you are mistaken. Our adversaries are embedded all over the place, legislatures and Governor’s mansions. That’s why nuance matters and why legitimizing opposition is something I call out. When I see someone posting on LinkedIn that sitting on a panel with EEI’s Tom Kuhn is an honor since he’s an icon, I cringe. Especially when this person is supposed to look out for the best of the solar industry. It’s important to remember these aren’t peace times in policy, solar, storage and renewables are threatening an industry worth trillions of dollars and have been untouched for a century.
There Will Be Opposition. Why are EVs bad for unions? The Hyundai union head has some harsh words about the disaster they represent to the existing workforce. Labor that builds transmissions and engines are going to find themselves looking for new parts of the supply chain to work on. Good prospect is that we can see this coming and it won’t be abrupt from one year to another.
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Yann
Proterra CEO Predicts EV Adoption Timeline
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The whole interview is worth listening to, but as you can see from the bullets above, three things really captured my imagination:
First, Popple talks about what it was like to be present at the creation (or at least the early years) at Tesla. What I was most interested in, honestly, was his contention that you don’t necessarily have to have the best technology when you first start a business as long as you have the top intellectual talent throughout the company to get you there eventually.
It’s a sentiment Popple shares with Jim Collins, former Stanford Business School professor and best-selling author of the book Good to Great: Put the best people you can hire in key positions first; then the products will follow.
Second, Popple talks about why China is so far ahead of the United States in EV development. His explanation will be obvious to anyone who ever sat in their college dorms at 2 a.m. discussing the merits of communism vs capitalism and coming to the conclusion that ultimately, capitalism wins – eventually.
Third, Yann asks Popple when he thinks EV development, at least on the mass transit front that Proterra serves, will hit 50% of all the purchases of those types of vehicles. Your jaw may well drop when you hear his answer (I know mine did).
Oh, and he has a prediction of what long-haul trucking will look like in 20 years that will blow your mind.
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Can EVs Save The Utility Model?
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: In this edition of the SolarWakeup Live! podcast, Yann Brandt sat down with Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra, an electric vehicle manufacturer currently focused on building buses and driving and discussed: why China is so far ahead of the United States in EV development, how Tesla made it from being a small startup to the electric vehicle behemoth it is today (Popple was present at the creation), and how soon will there be an EV in every driveway (OK, that last one’s made up, but they do talk about how quickly mass-transit EVs will … Read More
Could We Finally Be Rid Of Suniva?
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened:Remember Suniva? The company whose bankruptcy last April set off the swirling cesspool that became the solar tariffs this January? Well, there have been some interesting developments with its bankruptcy lately, to wit: The company’s biggest creditor, SQN Financial, has asked the judge to extend its exclusive right to Suniva’s assets, and the reasons they give could be an indication that the creditor is close to negotiating a final dissolution of the company. It should be noted that SQN tried to dump Suniva one month into their bankruptcy to make the tariff case go … Read More
This is your SolarWakeup for March 27th, 2018
Corporate, Startup, Research Partners. Great coverage of a corporate incubator being run by Wells Fargo. Wells was one of the first and remains an active tax equity investor in the solar space. It’s a quiet group but they get their MW done year after year. This incubator has an interesting tweak. It provides a grant to startups, most of which is used to leverage the team at NREL to provide research to the startup. No equity exchanges hands and the side effect is revenue to NREL which is always suffering from potential budget cuts.
Net Metering Works?! During net metering fights, we present studies and engineering reports that show distributed generation helps lower costs to all ratepayers. Studies are one thing, reality is another. CAISO is canceling over $2.5billion in transmission based on efficiency and distributed resources like solar. This saves all consumers money and proves our point. This also shows by net metering is fought against because it stops utilities from investing more into the rate base.
States And Cities. You can make the case that even when the Federal government is on your side, the States make the markets. Within the States you can argue that the Cities decide how good the market can be. Whether the market is within an IOU or a City owned municipal power company. If the muni is pro-solar or decides to go the opposite route. That is why I always argue that solar needs to focus on legislators that go from County boards to State seats, or attempt to. If they get away with being anti-solar at the local level to make friends with corporate influencers, they’ll do it even bigger. I’ve mentioned reaching out to your legislator, this doesn’t have to be your Congressman. Go meet with your City council member or County Commissioner, they’re very accessible to you and love to learn about local businesses, your issues and how they can help.
Gas, A Hope Or Pattern? Sometimes I write based on personal thesis especially when the headlines match my macro themes. Taking a step back, when facts fall into place several times over a pattern emerges. Everything around natural gas is moving so quickly, California pushes back on replacing peakers, Arizona moratorium, and suits moving forward. This isn’t about making a prediction around timing but I’d be hard pressed to see a future where gas isn’t replaced by renewables. I hope the regulators pause and review the trends.
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Have a great day!
Yann
Will Natural Gas Lose Its Place As A Transition Energy?
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened:Our friends at the Environmental Defense Fund penned a fascinating blog post on the future of energy production in the Northeast, with particular focus on: whether the lack of natural gas pipelines in the area will harm fuel stability in the region, and outlines the challenges for regulators in the region as they look to keep their energy supplies stable. SolarWakeup’s View: The central question facing the Northeast, at least according to N. Jonathan Peress of the Environmental Defense Fund is how the Northeast will continue to keep its fuel supplies secure if it … Read More
CAISO Could Save $2.6 Billion Thanks (In Part) To Solar
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened:Thanks in part to solar penetration in Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) territories, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) proposed canceling $2.6 billion in transmission projects. The 39 cancelled projects in the two utilities’ service areas include transmission projects rendered unnecessary in part because of solar’s increased penetration in those areas. The 2017-2018 plan also includes special studies on the impact of a 50% renewable resources policy, the early retirement risks of the gas fleet and updates to previous studies on the benefits of large-scale storage. C … Read More
This is your SolarWakeup for March 26th, 2018
In a rude turn of events, I have taken the lead in the SolarWakeup March Madness challenge. GE’s Ian Manchester and kWh Analytics’ Jason Kaminsky had a tough break with Duke’s loss. I am trailed closely by DSM Advanced Solar’s Nathan Arbitman and we have differing national champion selections.
Capital And Projects. Now that the uncertainty has been lifted from our industry from 201 and tax reform, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from you about project deal flow and seeking capital. Putting projects and capital together is the main way that this platform is able to sustain itself. If you are in the market for projects, some completely papered, or have projects looking for capital, then send me an email so I can try to connect the right people together.
SolarWakeup Live. Having met with the speakers from SolarWakeup Live! San Francisco last week, I am excited for the conversation. Marin Clean Energy is seeking more solar energy as well as storage contracts. CalCEF continues to create markets for innovative startups and giving them access to capital. Of course, CalSSA is hard at work to drive solar and storage policy forward in California. This is going to be a intimate gathering with California solar leaders that you don’t want to miss. Use WAKEUP20 as a way to get your ticket for 20% off. Register Here.
Are You In Illinois? Frank covers some of the Illinois news from Friday and I have the follow up. What are you focused on in Illinois? Grabbing land and securing interconnects? Working on the regulations for community solar? Or something altogether different? Help us guide the discussion about the market by letting us know.
EV Future. Most of the EV news have been positive, endless growth and investments. BMW is delaying their output however, which is likely just a bit of honesty in the cutthroat world of auto. Stay tuned for more podcast talk this week about electric vehicles.
A Right To Store. Congrats to the policy folks in Colorado for what I can only call the net metering of storage. More breakdown from Frank in the rundown.
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Have a great day!
Yann
Illinois Is Coming For You, Minnesota
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened:Illinois is inching closer to finalizing its Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan next month as the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) begins its final deliberations. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Manager for Clean Energy Regulatory Implementation Christie Hicks says could jumpstart renewable energy in the state. The Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan arose out of the Future Energy Jobs Act of 2016. Currently before the ICC, the final plan should be approved on April 3. SolarWakeup’s View: When Illinois lawmakers, utilities and clean energy advocates joined forces in 2016 to sign the Future Energy Jobs Act into … Read More
New Colorado Law Encourages Energy Storage
By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 9, which explicitly provides the state’s citizens the right to install energy storage. It also calls on utilities to streamline the interconnection processes for adding storage to existing net-metered systems. It instructs the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to create a regulatory framework surrounding such installations. Under the new legislation, Colorado utilities can’t require the installation of new meters to monitor energy storage. The law will go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns, which is expected to be on or about August … Read More