This is your SolarWakeup for March 17th, 2016
Today is National “Thank a solar policy professional and solar grassroots supporter” day, otherwise known as Vote Solar Equinox Party day. I am in San Francisco for the day to participate in the fundraiser. It doesn’t matter how you participate in policy, through time or money, but hopefully you are doing at least one. The threats don’t stop, won’t stop, and the battles continue. As an industry we are lucky to have dedicated women and men working on policy. Join me at Vote Solar Equinox tonight, come up and say hello.
News
1 USA TODAY:
SunEdison identifies 'weaknesses' in accounting
2 Forbes:
SunEdison Offers Another Excuse For Its Missing Financials
3 Renew Economy:
Barclays - German coal generation to be worthless by 2030
4 Think Progress:
Surging Renewables Keep Global CO2 Flat As Economy Grows
5 Greentech Media:
Utah Passes a Major Clean Energy Bill That Elicits ‘Mixed Feelings’
6 GreenBiz:
Report Report - A business guide to the energy revolution
7 Utility Dive:
Ohio's new clean energy ballot initiative sparks concern among utilities
8 Wall Street Journal:
Ivanpah Solar Plant May Be Forced to Shut Down
Opinions:
9 Press Herald:
Republican initiative casts shadow over solar power bill
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 16th, 2016
Seems like there could be a bit of movement in Massachusetts. For the most part the net metering caps have been met for virtual net metering which has been one of the key drivers for growth in the C&I space. Much like the community solar discussion, virtual net metering gives a credit default buffer if the offtaker goes away with the term. Also one of the most expensive markets to work in, it needs a robust system in order to make sure solar keeps growing.
News
1 Boston Globe:
Solar debate heats up as two-thirds of Mass. House push for pro-solar bill
2 Think Progress:
U.S. Electricity Sales Dropped In 2015 For Fifth Time In 8 Years
3 GreenBiz:
Residential solar's new boom market? Not wealthy enclaves
4 PV-Magazine:
Calls for UK renewable energy policy reform before the release of the budget
5 Renewable Energy World:
Germany Sparks Opportunity for US Exporters of Renewable Energy
6 PV-Tech:
Australian renewables jobs still decreasing due to employment efficiencies and policy attacks
7 New York Times:
The Financial Alchemy That’s Choking SunEdison
8 Bloomberg:
$2 Billion Loss for Generators as a Million U.S. Roofs Get Solar
Opinions:
9 Los Angeles Times:
Solar powering your home? An accountant and an economist weigh in
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 15th, 2016
The Low and Medium income solar customer is the new frontier and community solar can lead the way. LMI, as goes the acronym, is reached by community solar by taking away the credit risk. It also allows renters to take advantage of the low cost of solar for whatever time they are in the area. This concept is part of where solar really should be going because the overall concept of selling a 20 year contract is going to be outdated. Imagine if AT&T only sold cell phone for a 20 year contract.
News
1 Greentech Media:
Making Community Solar Work for Low-Income Customers
2 Bloomberg:
Solar Securitization Deals Picking Up, Poised to Top 2014 Record
3 Renew Economy:
New modelling shows renewable-based system cheaper than fossil fuels
4 Think Progress:
Kasich Bashes Clean Energy And Climate Action At Ohio Town Hall
5 Solar Industry:
Ontario Reveals Winning Bids Under Large Renewable Procurement
6 Utility Dive:
New Hampshire House passes bill to raise net metering cap to 100 MW
7 BBC:
World Business Report - Solar power 'can compete' with conventional electricity generation
8 WWLP:
New guide aims to help steer solar energy into low-income communities
Opinions:
9 Seeking Alpha:
Bleak Future For Vivint Solar After Acquisition Termination
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 14th, 2016
Tomorrow is election day in Florida. One topic that is getting a lot of local and some national press is climate change. Local politics in Florida is highly partisan but when you look at climate change it is becoming less partisan which I see as a good sign. Marco Rubio is having a tough time juggling both sides of this debate and keep his South Florida supporters happy while maintaining the right GOP tone on a national basis.
News
1 Think Progress:
Rubio Rejects Plea From Republican Mayor Of Miami To Accept Scientific Consensus
2 Forbes:
When You Spring Forward For Daylight Saving Time, It's All About Energy Policy
3 PV-Tech:
US, Canada reaffirm commitments to renewables during Trudeau’s visit to White House
4 Boing:
USA uses TPP-like trade-court to kill massive Indian solar project
5 NRDC:
Oregon's Groundbreaking Clean Energy Bill Becomes Law
6 Renewable Energy World:
Argentina Preparing Law to Boost Consumption of Clean Energy
7 Rocky Mountain Institute:
Renewable Transitions for Mines, Industrial Facilities, and the Military
8 Ecowatch:
Duke Energy vs. Solar Energy - Battle Over Solar Heats Up in North Carolina
Opinions:
9 Huffington Post:
Only Renewable Energy Revolution Can Reverse Runaway Climate Change
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Greentech Media:
SunEdison - A Timeline of the Biggest Corporate Implosion in US Solar History
2 Desert Sun:
Edison, PG&E, SDG&E take another crack at rooftop solar
3 Forbes:
Vivint Solar Cancels $2.2 Billion Sale To SunEdison, Claims Breach Of Contract
4 Fortune:
Why Big Retailers Are Going Solar
5 The Hill:
Solar industry predicts ‘staggering’ growth this year
6 Pensacola News-Journal:
Gulf Power offers solar offset program
7 Boston Globe:
Want to run the country’s biggest solar company? You better know politics
8 Think Progress:
Canada And The U.S. May Be About To Do Something Big On Climate
9 EDF:
New York Moves to Properly Value Clean, Distributed Energy
10 Renew Economy:
Want more renewable energy? Put more women in power
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
This is your SolarWakeup for March 11th, 2016
A new poll about solar net metering was just released. Before I give you background on the poll, let me tell you the results. 80% of those polled believe that solar should be encouraged, through subsidies, by regulators. 82% of those asked believe that solar energy should be compensated at or above retail rates. This poll was commissioned by SEPA and E-Source and prior to asking the questions, the respondent was educated about rate structures and need to pay for fixed costs. This means that utilities can’t push bad rules through even after giving their talking points. A white paper on this poll is the top story today.
News
1 E-Source:
Net Metering Wars - What Do Customers Think?
2 Solar Industry:
SEPA To Rebrand As Smart Electric Power Alliance
3 Bloomberg:
Sunrun Expects Residential Solar Growth to Slow This Year
4 Utility Dive:
5 things you should know about community solar programs
5 Boston Globe:
Want to run the country’s biggest solar company? You better know politics
6 National Geographic:
Will We Soon Be Riding on Solar Roads? The Idea Gains Traction
7 The Verge:
Can crowdfunding bring solar energy to small businesses?
8 Mother Jones:
Our Long-Awaited Solar Power Future Is Finally Here
Opinions:
9 Christian Science Monitor:
Can Republicans learn to love clean energy?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 10th, 2016
Yes, the 2016 forecast for solar in the US is staggering. This is a leftover from the many utility RFPs that expected an ITC stepdown. 2017 will normalize the growth back to where we would be. The peak in 2016 is causing some issues in the smaller markets especially around tax equity. Going from 7.3GW to 16GW requires more than double the tax equity and more residential with higher appraisals is adding to the strain. Corporations are looking at solar for their roofs, but the discussions I am having with many of you is making those corporations the tax investors as well. Because who doesn’t like making money on money that you were going to give to the IRS anyways.
News
1 The Hill:
Solar industry predicts ‘staggering’ growth this year
2 PV-Magazine:
E.ON and RWE report losses in fossil power generation as they turn to renewables
3 PV-Tech:
PV manufacturing capex to top US$5.3 billion in 2016
4 Utility Dive:
Florida Supreme Court skeptical on utility-backed solar amendment
5 NRDC:
Big plans for integrating renewable energy into China's electricity grid
6 EDF:
Rural Electric Cooperatives Improve Energy Efficiency with On-Bill Financing
7 Greenbiz:
4 ways to strengthen Bill Gates' energy innovation push
8 Buffalo News:
‘Massive’ opportunity ahead for residential solar
Opinions:
9 Greentech Media:
Can Data Rescue Solar Stocks? Google Is Leading the Way
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 9th, 2016
It’s that time of the year. The time to give to those that give to us all year around. I am talking about my good friends at Vote Solar. The Equinox party is next Thursday, March 17th, in San Francisco and is always the best party of the year. More importantly, it is an event that celebrates solar and our ongoing policy and regulatory effort to help our businesses thrive. Tickets are only $100 and you should buy one if you can’t go. If you buy 10 tickets, you get to write this daily blurb which may be the cheapest marketing you could buy at $1,000. Show me your receipt for 10 tickets or 5 VIP tickets and it’s yours and there is no limit to how many paragraphs are up for grabs.
News
1 Vote Solar:
Vote Solar's Annual Celebration & Fundraiser
2 Forbes:
Vivint Solar Cancels $2.2 Billion Sale To SunEdison, Claims Breach Of Contract
3 EDF:
New York Moves to Properly Value Clean, Distributed Energy
4 Fortune:
Why Big Retailers Are Going Solar
5 The Hill:
Seizing the clean energy revolution
6 Utility Dive:
As ITC extension promises growth, storage developers look to define position under tax code
7 Greentech Media:
Arizona Study Claims Solar Leasing Companies Can Afford to Make Net Metering Changes
8 Desert Sun:
Edison, PG&E, SDG&E take another crack at rooftop solar
Opinions:
9 Greenbiz:
How to close the energy innovation gap
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 8th, 2016
The tech sector gets a lot of pushback on its lack of diversity. As the solar industry we should be a bit more self reflective on this topic. Statistically, solar does okay but if you have been to the latest solar conference, I wouldn’t say we are doing that great. We have to do more as an industry to empower women and minorities to join our sector and welcome everyone to be passionate promoters of producing more solar energy. Do what you can to support the groups like WISE and promote within your company that diversity matters.
News
1 Renew Economy:
Want more renewable energy? Put more women in power
2 Greentech Media:
SunEdison - A Timeline of the Biggest Corporate Implosion in US Solar History
3 Think Progress:
Buffett Says He Loves Renewables, So Why Is His Company Trying To Kill Solar Energy?
4 The Guardian:
Las Vegas casinos seek to power their bright lights with renewable energy
5 Solar Power Portal:
London mayor candidates unanimous in support for more ambitious solar vision
6 Grist:
There an important ballot fight in Florida between big power companies and the solar industry
7 Fox:
Solar industry advocates claim STEP bill will kill solar in Utah
8 CleanTechnica:
Just How Democratic Are Rural Electric Cooperatives?
Opinions:
9 Lynn Jurich:
Why Warren Buffet Is Right About U.S. Innovation
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 7th, 2016
There are many opinions that say that the 20th century electric monopolies aren’t the best thing for consumers. Opinions are no longer needed because some monopolies are proving the point with their actions. First with Buffett’s joke about charging consumers, in some case seniors and low income households, to make a profit by renovating the CEO’s office and now Gulf Power with their solar choice program. By solar choice, Gulf means you can save $36 per year for a fee of $89. Imagine if the private sector in a competitive environment offered something like this.
News
1 Pensacola News-Journal:
Gulf Power offers solar offset program
2 Greentech Media:
Oregon Passes Bill to Cut Coal Purchases, Double Renewable Energy by 2040
3 Think Progress:
Canada And The U.S. May Be About To Do Something Big On Climate
4 PV-Tech:
Japan’s government confirms plans for solar tender
5 Greenbiz:
The urban revolution
6 PV-Magazine:
Europe - future of large scale PV in doubt
7 Bloomberg:
`Made in Germany' Means Money for Solar Panel Makers Eyeing Iran
8 Vox:
The real war on coal is happening in China right now
Opinions:
9 Utility Dive:
Diary of a Grid Defector - Waiting for spring and a community solar group that wants to get into your basement
Have a great day!
Yann
