This is your SolarWakeup for June 17th, 2015
It has been fun watching certain political candidates explain their way around the climate change debate since the Pope has come out with rather strong words warning about climate impacts caused by society. Rick Santorum actually said we should listen to scientists and not the Pope about climate change. Jokes aside, what is becoming more common is deflecting the debate of whether it is man-made or not and discussion how to deal with adaptation which could make climate change a discussion about solutions instead of doing nothing. A step in the right direction…
News
1 NY Times:
Pope’s Views on Climate Change Add Pressure to Catholic Candidates
2 Grist:
This power plant slurps up water for Arizona — and burns 15 tons of coal a minute
3 Utility Dive:
Most states on track to meet EPA Clean Power Plan, but political & legal contention remains
4 Think Progress:
Opposition Is Piling On A Proposal To Increase Access To Solar Power In Florida
5 Greentech Media:
Survey - 1 in 3 Corporate Investors Plan to Back Their First Solar Project in 2015
6 Renewable Energy World:
EU Raises Concern That UK, France Won't Meet Renewables Goal
7 CleanTechnica:
California Becomes First US State To Surpass 10,000 MW Solar Mark
8 PV-Magazine:
NREL partnerships to help the grid accommodate more renewable energy
Opinions:
9 Forbes:
Two Scenarios That Could Lead To Significant Upside For Trina Solar's Stock
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 16th, 2015
Every time a power plant is brought by a regulated utility to the public service commission, a full life cycle cost analysis needs to be presented. In the case of natural gas power plants for example, the utility has to include a cost curve for natural gas fuel costs looking out many years. It doesn’t actually have to pre-purchase the natural gas (the price would be too high) but it has to present a forecast. Since solar offers a guaranteed fuel cost, wouldn’t it make sense that natural gas power plants also have to shelter ratepayers from ALL deviations from the fuel cost forecast and the investors of the utilities should bear the risk?
News
1 CleanTechnica:
Dear Hawaii - Read Your Mail Before Your Utility Sells Out
2 EDF:
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly When Oil Giants Shift to Natural Gas
3 PV-Magazine:
US - 16 GW of 32 GW utility-scale solar pipeline to be completed by ITC deadline
4 Grist:
You probably missed this climate change promise hidden in Clinton’s speech
5 Vox:
Every country is now pledging to tackle CO2 emissions. It's still not enough.
6 Business Journal:
North Carolina holds on to fourth place in new solar construction for Q1
7 Utility Dive:
How utilities are finding new revenue streams to combat stagnant load growth
8 Bloomberg:
JA Solar Forms Committee to Evaluate CEO’s Buyout Offer
Opinions:
9 Jim Rogers:
Making the business case for solar in NC
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 15th, 2015
Every Saturday, Bloomberg New Energy Finance sends out a newsletter commenting on a current highlight in the energy space. This Saturday, I was very much surprised with the message contained in the newsletter. I have asked for clarification and don’t fully understand what the basis for the commentary is but here is the key comment that I am very much at odds with; "Archaic net energy metering (NEM) policies in the US are currently overgenerous for distributed generation.” With the consensus on the topic from impartial 3rd parties being that solar net metering is a financial benefit to all ratepayers, I fail to understand what is meant by the statement. More to come…
News
1 Slate:
The Real Solyndra Scandal
2 CNBC:
The sleeping giant of the solar industry
3 Vox:
This Nevada company wanted to break up with its electric utility. The government said no.
4 Utility Dive:
Florida utilities, AG want state Supreme Court to block solar ballot initiative
5 Business Journals:
Exclusive - Tesla snaps up former Solyndra building in huge Fremont expansion
6 Marketwatch:
High-tech solar projects fail to deliver
7 Energy Collective:
Energy Storage is Critical Issue at Utility Industry's Conference in New Orleans
8 Quartz:
Japan is building huge solar power plants that float on water
Opinions:
9 Grist:
Can the pope move the needle on climate change?
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Forbes:
Tesla's Battery May Not Destroy Utilities, But Utilities May Destroy Tesla
2 Energy Collective:
The IMF Just Destroyed the Best Argument Against Clean Energy
3 Motley Fool:
Solar Boom - Why Residential Rooftops Are Only the Beginning
4 Sacramento Bee:
How much will solar dim after tax credits expire?
5 Think Progress:
Why You Should Be Paying Attention To The ‘Other’ Form Of Solar Power
6 Renewable Energy World:
The Real Price of Free Solar
7 Denver Post:
Cost of solar power vexing to Colorado system owners, electric co-ops
8 Fortune:
The U.S. solar industry is shifting toward consumers
9 CNBC:
Elon Musk's biggest challenge yet - Recharging Buffalo, NY
10 Think Progress:
Lindsey Graham Calls Out Fellow Republican Candidates Over Climate Change Views
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 June 12th, 2015
We are hitting some nice milestones here at SolarWakeup. This month, we are now tracking to reach over a million views in the next year. When I started this newsletter it originally went out to 30 of my colleagues and today is read by thousands every day of the week. Some of you read every day, some come for the blurb and most for a quick glimpse at today’s news. You can find SolarWakeup on Twitter @SolarWakeup and Facebook. So keep on sharing with your friends, coworkers and your boss but most of all keep advocating for solar. Thanks to all of you for being part of the SolarWakeup family.
News
1 CNBC:
Elon Musk's biggest challenge yet - Recharging Buffalo, NY
2 EDF:
Residential Electricity Pricing in California - We Need an Overhaul, not a Tune-Up
3 Utility Dive:
Inside Georgia Power's move into the residential solar market
4 Renewable Energy World:
The Real Price of Free Solar
5 PV-Magazine:
Solar PV could reach 12% of total EU electricity production by 2030
6 Huffington Post:
Solar Jobs - Growing at the Grassroots
7 Grist:
McKibben to Obama - You still have time to be a climate champion — but not much
8 Bloomberg:
Can Solar Panels Help Solve California's Drought?
Opinions:
9 Yale:
Despite Hurdles, Solar Power in Australia Is Too Robust to Kill
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 11th, 2015
Picking sides isn't hard to do but playing the middle is rarely a good idea. Too often in solar, we try to be everything to everyone hoping not to have to say no. Same goes with customers that are pitched solar, they leave many of us in limbo regarding their intentions to move forward. So today we have two great stories that show where the industry needs to pick a side. Where are you with committing to fight for an ITC extension? And where do you stand with supporting companies that fight for global solar mayhem through tariffs? When you pick a side, do your best to work with like minded companies and your goals will be reached. We have the numbers, we need the conviction...
News
1 Sacramento Bee:
How much will solar dim after tax credits expire?
2 PV-Magazine:
Intersolar Europe - SolarWorld exits SolarPower Europe trade body
3 Think Progress:
Why You Should Be Paying Attention To The ‘Other’ Form Of Solar Power
4 Sun-Sentinel:
Sides square off in fight over solar sales ballot initiative
5 Vice:
Thieves Are Looting Germany's Solar Farms
6 Bloomberg:
Duke Skipping Carolina Solar Fight as Apple, Google Pick Sides
7 24/7 Wall Street:
SunPower, First Solar Joint Venture Yieldco Sets IPO Terms
8 EDF:
What do Uber and Airbnb Have in Common with Clean Energy?
Opinions:
9 Renewable Energy World:
A Closer Look at Fossil and Renewable Energy Subsidies
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 10th, 2015
I am sitting here in NYC for some meetings and I can’t help to think of an old joke while reading the coverage of the EEI conference. The joke is about a man lost at sea who turns down a raft, boat and helicopter sent to save him because he believes that God will save him. I am not comparing Musk to God but imagine a room full of utility executives studying the future of the business. For the first time in history of electric utilities, the competitor isn’t solar or self generation, the competition is the gas station on the corner. Every home will have an electric car in 5-10 years, how utilities miss this is way beyond me, don’t pass up the helicopter!
News
1 Forbes:
Tesla's Battery May Not Destroy Utilities, But Utilities May Destroy Tesla
2 Utility Dive:
EEI 2015 - Why Elon Musk thinks the future is bright for utilities
3 PV-Magzine:
IRENA roadmap calls for 150 GW of battery storage by 2030
4 Fortune:
The U.S. solar industry is shifting toward consumers
5 Vox:
Here's what it would take for the US to run on 100% renewable energy
6 Think Progress:
BREAKING - Court Throws Out Challenge To Obama’s Climate Change Rule
7 The Guardian:
Record boost in new solar power continues massive industry growth
8 Politico:
Republican pledges $175 million to push party on climate
Opinions:
9 EDF:
Cracking the Code on California’s Clean Tech Leadership
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 9th, 2015
A shift in the tides perhaps? The G7 is making deals around climate change, particularly aiming to limit temperature rise to 2 degrees. Even better is when a mainstream republican Presidential candidate comes out in favor of climate change policies. No, this isn’t some joke. I am referring to Lindsey Graham, the senior Senator from South Carolina and is far from a lefty, saying that the science is clear around climate change being caused by humans. Good for you Senator Graham!
News
1 National Journal:
World Leaders At G-7 Summit Back 2 Degree Target To Fight Climate Change
2 Think Progress:
Lindsey Graham Calls Out Fellow Republican Candidates Over Climate Change Views
4 Energy Collective:
Can We Really Decouple Living Standards from Energy Consumption?
5 EDF:
Corporate Giants Use their Power to Protect North Carolina’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
6 Breaking Energy:
US Commercial Solar Sector has Lagged, but Now Looks Cleared for Takeoff
7 Clean Technica:
Why Haven’t Cities Covered Their Buildings in Solar?
8 Motley Fool:
Solar Boom - Why Residential Rooftops Are Only the Beginning
Opinions:
9 Grist:
This is crazy, but we actually have good news about climate change
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 8th, 2015
Do you believe in solar? Does Wall Street? To start your week, just read these words which summarize 60+ pages of research from banking giant UBS.
News
1 NY Times:
The Case for a Carbon Tax
2 Financial Times:
Solar panel theft on the rise in Germany
3 PV-Magazine:
Yingli pays off some debt, releases Q1 earnings
4 Bloomberg:
JA Solar Surges on CEO Proposal to Take Company Private
5 Energy Collective:
The IMF Just Destroyed the Best Argument Against Clean Energy
6 Utility Dive:
SDG&E forming coalition to back proposal for 550 car charging stations
7 Desert Sun:
California setting new solar records at rapid pace
8 Denver Post:
Cost of solar power vexing to Colorado system owners, electric coops
Opinions:
9 Vox:
Green living is often just for the wealthy. Portland wants to change that.
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 5th, 2015
A special message to my dear friends who are current Public Service Commissioners reading this morning. Please read the op-ed from the APS regulatory affairs team about how “normal” it is for you to be texting with the representatives of the companies you oversee. It’s also fine to call and write each other. However, it is not okay for the messages to be saved for public records so they can be reviewed by the ratepayers you are supposed to represent. Let’s make it very clear, APS is going out on a limb and is preparing to bungee jump from a tiny little branch. A move that is bad for the company, the shareholders and anyone that buys this messaging while serving their community as a PSC member may want to look for a new way to serve.
News
1 AZ Central:
Solar companies only lash out because they're losing
2 PV-Tech:
China poised to cut list of solar companies in EU price undertaking
3 Renewable Energy World:
The Big Question - What Is the Most Frustrating Part about Working in Renewable Energy?
4 PV-Magazine:
SunPower files lawsuit against SunEdison, former employees for poaching trade secrets
5 Grist:
You’re obsessing about the wrong home energy uses
6 Solar Industry:
Community Solar Has Dropped Barriers For Energy Providers And Consumers
7 Utility Dive:
Inside Minnesota's legislative battle over utility rate structures and solar
8 Think Progress:
Georgetown University Votes To Divest From Coal
Opinions:
9 Energy Collective:
What’s Good for the EV Is Good for the Utility
Have a great day!
Yann
