This is your SolarWakeup for November 3rd, 2015
More good news from DC today. Senator Wyden is bringing up the tax credit for the extenders bill that has been in discussion. Most likely this will be in the form of a commence constriction clause and will get investors appetite in US solar growing again. Thanks to a uniform chorus coming from the solar industry, Senator Wyden sees the merits of keeping the tax credit moving forward. The work is not done, together we have to keep pushing to get the language into the bill and passed.
News
1 East Oregonian:
Wyden to address solar tax credit
2 The Washington Post:
TransCanada asks U.S. to suspend Keystone pipeline application
3 Journal Now:
Duke Energy wants fines against Greensboro church's solar project
4 Technology Review:
Solar Thermal Power Heats Up Outside the U.S.
5 Orlando Sentinel:
Voters report confusion over solar amendment petitions
6 Utility Dive:
Arizona gears up for full cost-benefit solar value proceeding
7 Techcrunch:
Ev Williams’ Obvious Ventures Invests In Solar Software Company Sighten
8 PV-Magazine:
Indian solar tender to close with bids below 8 US cents per kWh
Opinions:
9 Forbes:
Next Gen Electric Vehicle Chargers Balance Solar, Home Power Demand
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for November 2nd, 2015
A year ago the Wisconsin PSC wanted to charge solar owners a fixed fee for net metering. The solar industry fought back and took the issue to court, with the decision coming back from the circuit court on Friday. The court struck down the charge due to insufficient justification for the charges. This is a big step for solar as the political fights from the regulators are going into the court system which should ultimately culminate in more case law. Good news to start the week!
News
1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Judge rejects We Energies plan to assess solar panel owners extra fees
2 PV-Magazine:
Separate utility rates for solar owners defeated in New Mexico
3 PV-Tech:
SolarCity cuts cord on growth strategy as cost reduction becomes new mantra
4 Greentech Media:
The World’s Biggest Companies on Why They Buy Renewables - Very Clear Economic Issue’
5 Grist:
Getting warmer - More Republicans are starting to take climate change seriously
6 Huffington Post:
The Key to Alternative Energy's Future - Better Batteries
7 New York Times:
Exxon Mobil Accused of Misleading Public on Climate Change Risks
8 Forbes:
Utilities And Solar Companies Jockey For Position As Community Solar Blooms
Opinions:
9 National Geographic:
Could Solar Energy Be California's Next Cash Crop?
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 SEPA:
What's Missing From Media Coverage Of Net Metering
2 Grist:
Elon Musk’s solar company used panels made by cheap prison labor for a big taxpayer-subsidized project
3 Renewable Energy World:
MEMC and SunEdison, a Tale of Two Companies
4 Miami Herald:
Mystery surrounds largest donor to Florida solar power ballot initiative
5 PV-Magazine:
New York State quietly lifts the cap on net metering
6 Media Matters:
Anti-Solar Op-Ed Writer Claims To Speak For Poor, Actually Works With Utilities
7 Seeking Alpha:
The End Of Investment Tax Credit For Solar Energy Will Not The Kill Solar Industry
8 Star Tribune:
State is set to make a big leap into solar
9 Lowell Sun:
House leaders preparing new solar-industry strategy
10 Motley Fool:
How Utilities Are Profiting From Solar Energy
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 October 30th, 2015
While there are deadlines around solar regulations, the business impact is much sooner. One such example is the SDG&E expectation to hit the net metering cap early next year, which means that ahead of the ITC cliff, sales could crater making it very risky for people looking to go solar with regard to the ITC. The same holds for the farmers in central valley, California who have to wait 9-10 months to get interconnection approvals from PG&E. Utilities are very aware and may be hoping to create enough uncertainty to kill solar companies by making their sales halt a full year before the tax credit reduces. Shame on them for nefarious corporate behavior.
News
1 San Francisco Chronicle:
Gov. Brown should take a stand on California’s solar investment
2 PV-Magazine:
San Diego utility expects to hit net metering caps in mid-2016
3 Scientific American:
Republican Frontrunners Avoid Climate Change
4 Bloomberg:
First Solar Warns of $40 Million Tax Matter as Profit Soars
5 Greentech Media:
Billionaire Tom Steyer Calls on Candidates to Push for a 50% Renewables Policy
6 Seeking Alpha:
Implications Of A Growing Distributed Solar Opposition
7 Fox News:
Taxpayer-backed solar plant actually a carbon polluter
8 Forbes:
Strong Demand Strains Solar Supply Chain, Potential Wafer Shortage In 2016
Opinions:
9 Wall Street Journal:
Solar Power Has a Role in Helping the Poor
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for October 29th, 2015
Big news from me today. I am officially a candidate for the Board of Directors of SEIA. I think that it is important for all of us to be part of the industry beyond our individual companies and through this daily newsletter I feel motivated to do more. So today I ask for your help to put me on the Board and help advocate for our industry. If your company is a member of SEIA, please find the designated voter as they received an email from SEIA yesterday. You get to choose 5 candidates and I hope you vote for me as well.
News
1 Solar Industry:
IREC To Introduce New Solar Career Map At Webinar
2 Utility Dive:
FERC - Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015
3 PV-Magazine:
Solar wins substantial contracts in Chile's energy supply auction
4 Bloomberg:
Brazil Seeks to Boost Solar Industry to Match Wind, BNDES Says
5 Think Progress:
Lindsey Graham - No, Accepting Climate Science Doesn’t Make Me A Democrat (WATCH)
6 Grist:
Elon Musk’s solar company used cheap prison labor for a big taxpayer-subsidized project
7 24/7 Wall Street:
Trina Solar Scores $1.57 Billion in New Financing
8 Lowell Sun:
House leaders preparing new solar-industry strategy
Opinions:
9 ARS Technica:
For the future of solar, we’ve got the tech—it’s the economics, stupid
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for October 28th, 2015
Greetings from Mexico! One of the next emerging markets that many of us are looking towards. Clean energy and social good are synonymous in many ways. There is value in building a clean energy infrastructure or doing things like giving energy access to families for the first time. One of the groups that is leading the charge is Echoing Green which places fellowships for some of the most innovative social good endeavors around the world. They are out with their latest application round. While super competitive, I see many future solar leaders being a great fit. So if you have an intern or know a great candidate please pass long the application link (http://www.echoinggreen.org/apply) or let me know if you'd like an intro to the team.
News
1 Miami Herald:
Mystery surrounds largest donor to Florida solar power ballot initiative
2 Greentech Media:
Thinking Differently About Where to Deploy Solar-Plus-Storage
3 Treehugger:
UK government supports solar for Africa, slashes subsidies at home
4 Stat Tribune:
State is set to make a big leap into solar
5 Yale:
African Lights - Microgrids Are Bringing Power to Rural Kenya
6 Think Progress:
What Apple’s Solar Plans In China Could Mean For Tech Laborers
7 24/7 Wall Street:
Have Short Sellers Abandoned Solar, Alternative Energy Stocks?
8 PV Magazine:
Off-grid solar market worth $300 million annually
Opinions:
9 Seeking Alpha:
The End Of Investment Tax Credit For Solar Energy Will Not The Kill Solar Industry
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for October 27th, 2015
Yesterday we looked at how utilities influence trade associations including those with solar in the name. Just look at the top story today to see what I mean. No doubt, when the membership is made up of utilities and the board that directs the public message is mostly IOUs, you see anti net-metering publications. Always framed as an educational piece, it isn’t overtly negative but the underlying arguments are clear as day. Keep in mind that this is solar’s partner in SPI claiming several millions in revenues.
News
1 SEPA:
What's missing from media coverage of net metering
2 CNN:
Dumping fossil fuels was great move for Rockefeller Brothers Fund
3 PV-Magazine:
Canadian Solar ups Q3 revenue and profit guidance
4 Renew Economy:
Australian rooftop solar PV cheapest in world, says IEA report
5 Motley Fool:
What to Look For When Solar Energy's Big 3 Report
6 Utility Dive:
Hawaii PUC chair defends landmark decision to end retail rate net metering
7 PV-Tech:
SunEdison using Solaria IP to produce 400W module
8 Media Matters:
Anti-Solar Op-Ed Writer Claims To Speak For Poor, Actually Works With Utilities
Opinions:
9 The Hill:
GOP rep - Congress should focus more on climate change
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for October 26th, 2015
There are many downsides of having electric monopolies. One of the only benefits is the quasi regulatory environment that the utilities have file many documents that are viewable publicly. In a recent CPUC filing, the California utility SCE disclosed its lobbying efforts. While they are allowed to fund up to $1million in lobbying, it appears that they could have exceeded this threshold. Questions arise and it could be that SCE helped fund the net metering disfunction in Arizona through some groups. Those questions need to be answered, Californians deserve to know. Solar also deserves to know how trade associations play into the utility lobbying. While EEI is openly against solar, many of these utilities also sit on solar trade associations. Be wary about the true motives.
News
1 PV-Magazine:
New York State quietly lifts the cap on net metering
2 The Hill:
Obama turns to climate deal
3 New York Times:
Ex-Im Bank Dispute Threatens G.E. Factory That Obama Praised
4 PV-Tech:
TASC challenges decision to end Hawaii’s net metering program
5 Renewable Energy World:
MEMC and SunEdison, a Tale of Two Companies
6 Greentech Media:
The Growth Rate of Rooftop Solar in Hawaii Hangs in Limbo
7 Rutland Herald:
Solar expansion pushing Vt. to metering cap
8 Philippine Star:
Can SMEs and homeowners save by adopting solar energy now?
Opinions:
9 Motley Fool:
How Utilities Are Profiting From Solar Energy
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 The Street:
SunEdison/Vivint Solar Deal Up in Smoke, Shares Choke
2 San Diego Union Tribune:
Solar dreams unravel in San Diego
3 Think Progress:
Florida Supreme Court Clears Hurdle Out Of The Way For Solar Power To Flourish
4 Rocky Mountain Institute:
Hawaii just ended net metering for solar. Now what?
5 Civil Beat:
PUC Commissioner Applies for Rooftop Solar Days Before PUC Cut the Credits
6 PV-Magazine:
Texas grid operator predicts 50-fold increase in solar by 2030
7 NBC Sacramento:
Fight over solar heating up in California
8 Forbes:
The Electric Energy Storage Industry Feels Like Solar Did Nine Years Ago
9 Greentech Media:
How Solar, Batteries and Time-of-Use Pricing Can Add Up to Value
10 ABC:
Corporation Commission dismisses APS request to raise rooftop solar fees, votes to hold solar review
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 October 23rd, 2015
Thanks to American Airlines and Texas weather for stranding me in wonderful San Antonio. So let's talk about solar in Texas. Besides the mega deals here and in Austin where solar is breaking cost records. With the open marketplace in ERCOT, what's ahead for consumers that get to choose their energy supply. Will more unilateral deals happen or partnerships with energy retailers? How about a Chile style merchant power plant? In the meantime I will be doing my best to get back to Florida.
News
1 Think Progress:
Florida Supreme Court Clears Hurdle Out Of The Way For Solar Power To Flourish
2 NBC Sacramento:
Fight over solar heating up in California
3 Huffington Post:
The Solar Entrepreneurs Emerging From Rural Kenya's Cellphone Revolution
4 Oilprice.com:
Is Solar Without Subsidies Now Viable?
5 Bloomberg:
Mexico's Abundant Sunshine No Help for Stalled Solar Industry
6 Business Journal:
Hawaii rooftop solar program could have ended a year ago, PUC chair says
7 New York Times:
Numerous States Prepare Lawsuits Against Obama’s Climate Policy
8 Forbes:
The Electric Energy Storage Industry Feels Like Solar Did Nine Years Ago
Opinions:
9 Breaking Energy:
Trudeau’s Election Victory Could Steer North American Energy In A New Direction
Have a great day!
Yann
