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
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Las Vegas Sun:
Warren Buffett discusses NV Energy, solar rates and Elon Musk in CNBC interview
2 Nasdaq:
NRG Energy Posts Hefty Loss, Reintegrates NRG Renew; Cuts Annual Dividend
3 Bloomberg:
Buffett - Wind and Solar Power Competition Challenges Utilities
4 Bloomberg:
Buffett's Cash Overshadows Solar
5 Wall Street Journal:
SunEdison’s Takeover of Vivint Solar in Jeopardy as Banks Balk
6 Fast Co Exist:
These Lego-Like Batteries Plug In To Store Solar Power At Home
7 Rocky Mountain Institute:
Top 10 Reasons Why Solar PV Has Reached Escape Velocity
8 Washington Post:
Solar energy is poised for an unforgettable year
9 Greenbiz:
Companies are getting creative about clean energy
10 Arizona Central:
Study says rooftop solar good for all utility customers
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 4th, 2016
Unlimited cash is a good definition of where utilities stand today. I have to give that to Warren Buffett. I do however think that if utilities don't start thinking beyond resi solar and focus on stranded assets and EVs, the era of unlimited cash may end. The regulatory pressure that is on solar is also on utilities as state regulators have a hard time guaranteeing double digit returns to shareholders. Comments like making a profit on renovating offices and taking helicopter rides always make regulators uncomfortable.
News
1 Bloomberg:
Buffett's Cash Overshadows Solar
2 Greentech Media:
Grid Edge Customer Wish List - Solar, EV Charging and Intelligent Rate Design
3 Fast Co Exist:
These Lego-Like Batteries Plug In To Store Solar Power At Home
4 Deseret News:
As Utah coal slumps, solar energy booms
5 PV-Tech:
One in three off-grid households will use solar products by 2020
6 PV-Magazine:
Mexico remains the leading distributed solar market in Latin America
7 Renewable Energy World:
Jewell Pushes US Interior Budget that Stresses Renewable Energy
8 Rocky Mountain Institute:
Spark - 5 Ways to Sustain the Corporate Renewables Market
Opinions:
9 David Crane:
Trump goes to Paris?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 3rd, 2016
Money and people drive politics. We know that solar doesn’t spend a lot of money so we always have to rely on our people and the people that support us. The good thing is that our supporters are plentiful and carry no party labels because the industries that try to kill solar are stacked with money. My friend goes over the top hits of attacks against solar in today’s top story. Don’t be fooled, we win some battles because of our continued focus on bringing the people to the discussion.
News
1 Utility Dive:
Solar fight turns to presidential-style bare-knuckle campaign tactics
2 Wall Street Journal:
SunEdison’s Takeover of Vivint Solar in Jeopardy as Banks Balk
3 Washington Post:
Solar energy is poised for an unforgettable year
4 Bloomberg:
Almost 100 Million Homes May Run Only on Solar by 2020
5 Renew Economy:
“Base load” power - a myth used to defend the fossil fuel industry
6 Greentech Media:
Community Solar Versus YieldCos - What’s the Best Option for Investing in Clean Energy?
7 Sentinel Enterprise:
Solar advocates push for end to impasse in House and Senate on net metering
8 Arizona Central:
Study says rooftop solar good for all utility customers
Opinions:
9 Christian Science Monitor:
Can US solar energy survive without incentives?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 2nd, 2016
All those headlines about the Buffett vs Musk feud? They appear to have been correct. Musk called Buffett to go over the fiasco in NV. On CNBC, Buffett confirmed the call and went way over the line in my opinion. He needs to get the facts straight about what subsidy net metering is in NV. Moreover, the real subsidy is the guaranteed return that NV Energy gets from the consumers. Buffett is a true capitalist and is using his pedestal as the oracle to spew crap about our industry. I hope that Clinton and Podesta have something to say about this.
News
1 Las Vegas Sun:
Warren Buffett discusses NV Energy, solar rates and Elon Musk in CNBC interview
2 PV-Tech:
Internal investigation delays SunEdison annual results
3 Yahoo:
Future of U.S. solar threatened in nationwide fight over incentives
4 Gizmodo:
China's Wind and Solar Energy Capacity Is Soaring
5 Greentech Media:
US Utility-Scale Solar Market Fueled by Growth Beyond Renewable Portfolio Standards
6 PV-Magazine:
Chinese polysilicon imports hit a record high in January
7 Renewable Energy World:
Grading 2016 US Presidential Candidates on Renewable Energy Policies
8 CleanTechnica:
100% Renewable Energy
Opinions:
9 EDF:
Why Isn’t Texas Saving Energy and Water through Solar Floatovoltaics?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 1st, 2016
I really want to know if David Crane is happy, confused or upset. NRG Energy announces a whopping loss of over $19 per share or $6billion net loss. That’s a crushing blow to Crane’s portfolio of stock. My guess is that the following announcement may be even more confusing or upsetting. NRG Energy will be reintegrating NRG Renew into the company. NRG solar has large scale and distributed generation exposure. If going green was the plan, why was Crane fired; that’s the question I’d like an answer to now.
News
1 Nasdaq:
NRG Energy Posts Hefty Loss, Reintegrates NRG Renew - Cuts Annual Dividend
2 Bloomberg:
Tepper Seeks Fast-Track Trial in $1.9 Billion Solar Fight
3 Greenbiz:
Companies are getting creative about clean energy
4 Rocky Mountain Institute:
Top 10 Reasons Why Solar PV Has Reached Escape Velocity
5 Utility Dive:
Montana-Dakota Utilities drops demand charge push after deal with solar advocates
6 PV-Tech:
Parent company owes Hanergy Thin Film over US$630 million
7 Greentech Media:
Report - Consumers’ Growing Appetite for Solar, Storage and Bundled Home Energy Services
8 CleanTechnica:
MENA Region To See 4 GW Solar Power Tenders This Year
Opinions:
9 Vox:
Why America abandoned nuclear power (and what we can learn from South Korea)
Have a great day!
Yann
