This is your SolarWakeup for January 12th, 2018

Happy News First. Every day there is one article that is read the most. By noon my time, I can tell what you are reading as individuals and figure out what the is driving the days conversations in the solar industry. With SolarWakeup View, you’ll get my thoughts on that event and some more info if we have it. I hope you enjoy this additional memo that can help your business prosper. Check out the article from yesterday’s news.

Daily Tariff Update. Several reporters have Trump receiving the recommendation from his advisors next week. Word has it that the import license is off the table and the question remains what they will be set at. Is it per watt or a percentage? Will there be quotas that hinder import volumes? I am honestly surprised that we are here today and it makes me question what more I could have done. I will refute today, tomorrow and next week that this was based on Trump’s request for tariffs. There is a both sides aspect to this that leaves me uncomfortable but remain hopeful that advisors will keep it under 20%.

Help Michigan Manufacturing Jobs. The grand settlement was my biggest hope in the trade process. When bankrupt SolarWorld filed the first trade complaint and received tariffs, China responded by taxing US polysilicon. Amongst other things Hemlock had to close a $1.2billion plant in Tennessee and shed hundreds of jobs, things at REC Silicon weren’t much different in Washington State. So if Trump cared about jobs more than politics, the argument would be to get rid of all tariffs and make US a silicon powerhouse and grow the solar industry even faster than it has to date.

National Security Threat. Admiral James Stavridis is the current Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. His resume includes Commander of Southern Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander of Europe. He writes now that climate change is the greatest threat to America. Have a great day everyone!

Massachusetts Update. Your top article yesterday was the news of the DPU decision in MA and you can find our SolarWakeup View here. At the same time, MA DOER released the block 1 tariffs for the SMART program which came in higher than I expected and with the multipliers from energy storage these should be great deals even with interconnection upgrades. Are you doing one of these projects? Let me know.

Presented By Panasonic. When you install Panasonic HIT® high-efficiency solar panels, you’ll provide homeowners with what we believe are the most efficient solar modules available today. Let’s take your business to profitable new levels together. 

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Yann

Massachusetts DPU Adds over $4,000 in Charges To Residential Solar Customers In Eversource Rate Hike

By Yann Brandt What: Massachusetts DPU Adds over $4,000 in Charges To Residential Solar Customers In Eversource Rate Hike Summary: The MA DPU, currently in the process of creating the SMART rules, raised rates and created drastic uncertainty for solar customers in the Eversource area. The monopoly had requested increase rates and charges for its residential customers, requiring solar customers to pay as much as $9,400 over the life of the solar asset. The decision is being appealed by Vote Solar through its representative, Earthjustice. SolarWakeup View: Not only is this bad for Eversource customers, it seems to go against … Read More →

E033: E-Mobility and Energy Storage with Mercedes Energy Americas CEO and Yann’s SolarWakeup Views

By Yann Brandt What: Interview with Mercedes Benz Energy Americas CEO, Future of e-mobility and Yann’s View On The Topic Summary: In this interview, Yann speaks with the CEO of Mercedes Benz Energy Americas, Boris von Bormann. Boris was previously the CEO of Sonnen in the US and has a background in solar prior to that. The conversation includes information about how the energy and transportation sectors converge going forward. What is the value of solar to the storage industry and how does it relate to the EV sector. This is a fast paced interview with a ton of information. … Read More →

This is your SolarWakeup for January 11th, 2018

Solar From The People. Check out the Energy Future Project recently launched and run by an Obama/SolarCity alumni with a focus on building out the support solar gets from the American people. I often write about the 80%+ support we get from both sides of the aisle and tapping into that is exactly what this group is working on. Great write up from Frank Andorka, who brings some great coverage to the solar industry every day.

Cost And Value. I empathize with the sentiment. If a City wants to have 100% renewables that don’t carry any long term fuel costs and volatility, how does it weigh the cost of the upfront switch with the longterm benefits. Entering into contracts with a 3rd party is one way to do this but existing assets are sometimes beyond their breakeven point and only have to cover their fuel costs. So here is a hypothetical for you. In a City within a competitive power market, how would you provide 100% renewable energy and what would it cost if they gave you a 20 year contract.

Handout. The complaints from local solar companies eludes logic for me. I know that Florida’s solar market has been tough for them and watching a 20mw solar farm be built is painful especially if you are trying to make a living selling 50kw to the local business. Aside from the new argument that community solar is competitive with self generation, solar farms are not a business model for small contractors to work  on. Unless you have the bonding, balance sheet and safety records, you can’t compete with the general contractors that build these assets. This isn’t up to the IPP either, their lenders and tax equity investors require the contractor warranty to be something that can’t be found in a local contractor.

What The DPU. The DPU in Massachusetts is in the process of creating the new SMART program rules but is also tending to new business. Unfortunate to see Eversource ask for, and receive, demand charges for net metering customers. Step in the wrong direction according to policy advocates.

Storage In NY. Energy storage in New York is getting some traction in the news and legislation. Should it be part of the SolarWakeup Live! agenda? If so, what segment should be heard?

Sponsor New York. If you enjoy reading this newsletter, go below and support the SolarWakeup Live sponsors. Now that I’ve gotten you to see who they are, add your company to the list. Contact me to sponsor this and future events. Tickets are also available here, use code WAKEUP25 for a discount.

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Yann

This is your SolarWakeup for January 10th, 2018

Coming Up. Catch me in New York as I host SolarWakeup Live! on January 31st though I will be in town for a few days before and after. Two weeks later, I will be in DC for some solar startup activities. Where should the SolarWakeup Live! after New York go? Best ideas please.

Who’s Coming To Jacksonville. Last week the news came out that a manufacturer was looking to build a factory and hire 1,000 Floridians. A local Jacksonville outlet has it reported that the manufacturer could be Jinko Solar. I’ve been asked by many if this is due to the trade case but I generally remain skeptical that the trade case is causing a 20 year investment. Jacksonville is a strategic port for Europe and has daily arrivals from China as well. Land and labor in Florida is pentiful but the Speaker of the House is on a crusade against economic development and is running for Governor. I would like to see the manufacturer opine on the JEA net metering pullback however, that would be a great incentive for the local community.

SEIA Trade Case. The pro-solar members of the 201 testimony met with Secretary Wilbur Ross of the Commerce Department yesterday in DC. The amount of time that some executives have devoted to helping thousands of solar jobs is commendable and I hope to give you a behind the scenes of the entire process at SolarWakeup Live New York with one of the folks that has been at every meeting from the start. Ross is said to have asked good questions and listened to the solar industry make their case. Ross is a capitalist, dubbed the king of bankruptcy, who is likely to read right through Suniva/SolarWorld attempts to screw over the American public based on the financial state of those companies.

Cause of NOpr. The no on the NOPR came from the audacity of the ask. This wasn’t about policy but about political payback for a few donor companies. Case in point is the pushback by Corey Lewandowski who called the FERC commissioners part of the deep state.

Blame Anyone. I don’t publish much from the Washington Examiner but they have a somewhat entertaining editorial about the 201 case. They call for Trump to reject the tariff (I agree) because SolarWorld is backed by a Democratic megadonor. Much like the Hannity ad, I don’t care what the argument is that gets through to Trump. I only care that the right side prevails, which is no tariffs.

NJ SREC Bill. With the NJ solar market reaching its solar goal a decade early, the legislature pushed for bigger goals in a bill that has now passed the legislature. While Phil Murphy will be inaugurated on January 16th, solar advocates are asked Chris Christie to sign the bill ASAP.

Presented by Mintz Levin. Mintz Levin is an Am Law 100 law firm with a nationally recognized Energy & Sustainability Practice that has completed more than 500 transactions across energy sectors totaling over $7.5 billion since 2006.

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Yann

This is your SolarWakeup for January 9th, 2018

New Pod. See and hear my interview with Axios Reporter, Amy Harder. Amy is the author of the column, Harder Line which covers all the most relevant energy topics. She’s not a focused solar reporter and wasn’t afraid to give the feedback to the solar industry we need to hear. I asked her if the job data matters to politicians, what is going on with the coal tax credit and if the Goldman Sachs contingent in the White House would help solar in the trade case. Listen or watch the interview by clicking here and sharing it far and wide!

FERC Takes No From NOPR. You’ve probably already seen the headline and good news is that nothing will change. Nobody really knew how it would have played out if FERC went with the NOPR. On the other hand you can see how we want to cover the news over at SolarWakeup. When I read articles, I tend to get the first paragraph and move you. You aren’t much different from how you click on stories, especially when I summarize them. Everyone has a short circuit on patience to read even 300 words. I would love your feedback on the SolarWakeup View format.

Storage Data Nonsense. Solar and storage are different. Solar is easy to simply to per watt/per acre/per kWh and compare and contrast. Solar plus storage is completely different. The number of hours, cycle utilization, ratio to size of solar plant are just some of the variables that change the kWh rate. There will never be a cheapest storage cost equivalent to the cheapest solar cost headline. Reporters that don’t get this will keep writing it but nonetheless don’t buy into the simplicity that it intends to create. Storage is complicated because it is.

Two Weeks Out. SEIA sent a message out yesterday to its membership that it had met with the Trade Representative and senior White House advisors. All reporting is making it sound like a decision is coming soon, maybe before the January 26th deadline. Some have asked what happens if no decision is made by the deadline and I don’t have the answer to that.

Cost of Inaction. The cost of natural disasters is rising. Inaction is costly.

Presented By EnterSolar. EnterSolar is a leading provider of solar photovoltaic solutions to the commercial marketplace that is ranked the #1 solar developer in New York State and in the top 10 nationally.  We are currently hiring at our growing company.

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Yann

E032: Discussing The Current Energy Politics with Axios Reporter Amy Harder

By Yann Brandt What: Axios Energy and Climate Change Reporter, Amy Harder, Joins SolarWakeup To Talk Politics and Energy Markets Summary: Amy Harder joined Axios from the Wall Street Journal and writes the Harder Line, part of Axios’ coverage of the energy space. Amy is well versed on the politics of energy and has been based in DC for over 10 years. She joins Yann in this recorded interview from SolarWakeup Live! to talk about coal and nuclear bailouts, COP proceedings in Bonn and impacts of jobs in the solar debate. SolarWakeup View: Amy is not a solar reporter and … Read More →

SolarWakeup View: FERC rejects Rick Perry’s proposed rule, initiates new proceeding

By Yann Brandt What: FERC rejects Rick Perry’s proposed rule, initiates new proceeding Summary: Rick Perry had proposed a rule (NOPR) which would require regional wholesale power markets to pay subsidies to coal and nuclear power plants based on their ability to stockpile 90 day supply of fuel at the power plant. New FERC Chairman, Kevin McIntyre, had previously delayed the NOPR proceedings and with this ruling terminated it altogether. FERC has asked power markets to provide information on whether FERC needs to take additional action on resilience in build power systems. SolarWakeup View: We spoke to former FERC Chairman, … Read More →

This is your SolarWakeup for January 8th, 2018

Presented By Pfister Energy – Your only source for turnkey design-build renewable energy system solutions. We provide world-class power solutions for the commercial, industrial, and utility sectors with an emphasis on energy efficiency and energy management. Visit us at www.pfisterenergy.com.

SolarWakeup View. A few times a week, find SolarWakeup View executive memos to give you the information you need to know about the news. Nobody has time to read the fluff so we’ll give you the news and our viewpoint on a topic with background info if you want to know more. Check out EEI’s movement on Puerto Rico (finally).

Charging By US. Didi, China’s Uber, is now operating an astonishing 260,000 electric vehicles. This comes on the back of the news of an entire 17,000 bus fleet going electric while policies in China are drastically increasing access to EV charging (at every parking spot). Battery manufacturing capacity is also increasing at a rapid pace. The US is being left behind on several lanes here, from fleets to individual cars, just look at how many Uber cars are electric here.

Pigs and Hogs. I am not shocked to see coal, oil and gas companies arguing with each other to get as much as possible from the Trump White House. The energy market is often argued by politicians to not pick winners and losers but with the imminent trade tariff on solar modules, it is clear that the current administration has picked winners and is just focused on making them a fat as possible while the trough is open.

Cut The Permit Fat. Sungevity’s former CEO, Andrew Birch, whom I recently had the pleasure of meeting highlights the issue with solar in the US. There is too much time and cost in the permitting process which makes everything more expensive and less profitable for solar companies. Seems like he may be highlighting a market problem.

SEIA Docs. SEIA is out with some more standard documents, last week releasing two sets focused on C&I solar. One gives building owners an understanding of the value of solar and the other provides the documentation needed for solar companies to leverage PACE with 3rd party ownership. Solving credit in C&I is complicated and one way is to do it with PACE. Check them out.

Tickets. Get your SolarWakeup Live! NYC tickets.

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Yann

EEI Members Activate Help For Puerto Rico After 100 Days

What: EEI Members Activate Help For Puerto Rico After 100 Days, Barges With Trucks En Route Impact: Over 1million Americans in Puerto Rico have been without power since Hurricane Maria struck on September 20th, 2017. On December 11th, utility groups, EEI, NRECA and APPA, signed an MOU with PREPA to render aid for reconstruction on a not for profit basis. The MOU, signed on December 8th started the flow of equipment to Puerto Rico. Equipment from around the Country started their shipment to Puerto Rico on barges originating in ports across the Gulf and Eastern seaports. SolarWakeup View: Compared to … Read More →