This is your SolarWakeup for August 15th, 2014
Thinking ahead to SPI and I found an incredible article from 2008. So today, begin your day with a look back in time to October 2008 and read, "10 Solar Startups to Watch at Solar Power International." A wonderful look back to a time when SolarCity ended up #3 on a list and touts an innovative 15-year financing structure. Some other cool names on the list like Sungevity and Solyndra.
News
1 NY Times:
(Flashback) 10 Solar Startups to Watch at Solar Power International
2 Solar Industry:
Own Or Lease? Think Of Rooftop Solar As A Car That Makes Money
3 Motley Fool:
Why Are These U.S. States Fighting Solar Power?
4 Watchdog:
Enviros unhappy as FL utility commission approves flawed solar plan
5 IREC:
The Proof of Interconnection Reform is in the…Data
6 Solar Power World:
NRG Energy Acquires Goal Zero
7 PV-Magazine:
Mexican energy reforms to benefit solar
Opinions:
9 Energy Collective:
How Much Longer Until Solar Eliminates the Utilities?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 14th, 2014
A few months ago, Bill Gates called for a clean energy miracle based on technology R&D. Having worked through "bankability" issues myself around technologies, I assure you that a clean energy miracle based on technology isn't the path to prosperity. You see, the term 'bankable' has been in use since 1818 and means 'acceptable to or at a bank.' I do see a way that Bill Gates can create a Clean Energy Miracle, my challenge to the world's richest person.
News
1 SolarWakeup:
A Clean Energy Miracle
2 RenewEconomy:
Citigroup
3 PV-Tech:
US solar tariffs prompt module quality warning
4 CleanTechnica:
Saudi Arabia Could Beat US To Low Cost Solar Punch
5 PV-Magazine:
Brazilian local content rules could spur domestic industry
6 KCET:
How Much Has The Dialog Changed on Desert Solar? Here's How Much
7 MLive:
Solar-maker Suniva finishing first round of hiring, starts construction
8 CleanTechnica:
US Clean Jobs Market Surges Past 2.6 Million
Opinions:
9 PV Solar Report:
Five Things To Keep In Mind About Solar Politics
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 13th, 2014
Solar data can be quite the talk on social media sometimes. And some of the time, the data seems real off. Yesterday, it was said a total of 400,000 homes had solar in 2013. I think that number is low and way off. Here is my math. SolarCity announced 92,998 contracts at the end of 2013. GTM had SolarCity at 32% market share of 3rd party owned solar. Which means 2013 installed 290,000 systems alone. Let's help get our research teams put some better data together, it's good for all of us.
News
1 Wall Street 24/7:
Merrill Lynch Says Solar Demand to Soar Over Next 3 Years
2 Grist:
No solar, please — we’re Florida
3 RenewEconomy:
Why solar may not be biggest threat to energy utilities
4 GTM:
CA Takes Its First Step Toward Creating the Distributed, Intelligent Grid
5 Solar Industry:
Minnesota PUC Passes On Value Of Solar, But Likely Not For Long
6 Nation Swell:
These 10 States Are Leading the Way in Solar. What's Their Secret?
7 Think Progress:
Germany Added A Lot Of Solar, And Grid Became More Reliable
8 MW Energy:
While Michigan utilities balk on solar, Lansing has big plans
Opinions:
9 RYOT:
Power Companies Are Sabotaging Solar Power in the Sunniest States
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 12th, 2014
When attending family functions, folks often ask what I do. When they hear solar, I still get the stares and comments like "That's really expensive right?" or "How is that going without the subsidies?" Part of me is really frustrated that we haven't made the leap yet, part of me understands why that is. All of laughs out loud when some overpaid petrochemical engineer tells me that Chevron is scrapping a solar project in Hawaii because it is too expensive!!! If Chevron is short on cash, I am sure about 50% of SolarWakeup readers would be happy to present a no upfront cost option to Chevron.
News
1 BizJournals:
Chevron putting solar energy projects at its Hawaii on "indefinite hold"
2 PV-Magazine:
Mississippi Power unopposed to net metering, eyes 100 MW
3 PV-Tech:
China working on settlement in US solar trade case
4 Breaking Energy:
Solar Duties on China and Taiwan Put Squeeze on U.S. Projects
5 RE World:
The Massachusetts Solar Carve-Out
6 CleanTechnica:
Solar Power’s Growth
7 Business Insider:
Brazil Readies Big Push On Solar Energy But Companies Are Wary
8 PV-Magazine:
Solar poised for rapid growth in Mexico and Central America
Opinions:
9 MinnPost:
MN could be a solar leader if we move forward with smart policies
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 11th, 2014
Great to get everyone's feedback about the PR tactic to make solar seem like a reverse Robin Hood scenario. Quite the contrary as we all know, markets are growing and one-upping each other which is great for all of us. As we see at the top, we are now transitioning into larger profitability margins. Sustainable markets + profits = an amazing solar market.
News
1 Gigaom:
SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit
2 LA Times:
Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight
3 RE World:
MA Action Significantly Improves Interconnection
4 Solar Industry:
States Dangle Tax Abatements To Draw New Solar Customers
5 Think Progress:
China Will Install More Solar This Year Than The U.S. Ever Has
6 Forbes:
Arizona Public Service Finds Prime Real Estate For Solar
7 RE World:
Chill from Ohio RPS Freeze Extends to Neighboring Solar Markets
8 Run on Sun:
Do Solar Policies Hurt the Poor?
Opinions:
9 RE World:
The SfunCube Incubator
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Motley Fool:
SolarCity Is Eyeing a New Solar Energy Market
4 Bloomberg:
Sungevity Eschews Solar Lease as Loans Become More Common
5 Motley Fool:
How Solar Energy Is Taking Over the U.S.
6 GTM:
SolarWorld Fires Shot at SEIA Over China Trade Case
7 Salt Lake Tribune:
What’s rooftop solar power worth? Not much, utility says
8 Reuters:
SolarCity competitor Vivint Solar files for IPO
10 CleanTechnica:
South Carolina Solar Is Rising
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 August 8th, 2014
Let's put the crap stories at the top today. Personally, I am tired of this attack on solar hurting poor families. It's plain wrong and intellectually dishonest. What hurts struggling Americans is the incredible reliance on the most volatile of energy fuels. Solar has zero fuel cost volatility while natural gas has swung between $2 and $14 over the last 10 years. Ratepayers are being PRed into believing that solar hurts low and middle income families while that is exactly where most of the solar jobs are going.
News
1 Americans For Prosperity:
How State Solar Policies Hurt America's Poor
2 New Times:
Critic of Florida Solar Policy, Has a Conflict of Interest on the Issue
3 Wash Post:
South Carolina will let people lease equipment for solar energy
4 GTM:
What Can We Learn From Germany’s Solar Experience?
5 Bloomberg:
SMA Solar Has Capacity for M&A in Power Plant Services
6 Midwest Energy:
Minnesota case puts value of solar in spotlight
7 PV-Tech:
Chinese module prices in US up 9% on back of duties
8 CleanTechnica:
Are VOSTs Needed To End Subsidies To Non-Solar Customers?
Opinions:
9 Rhone Resch:
U.S. Solar Industry Waiting for SolarWorld to ‘Show Its Hand’
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 7th, 2014
I am humored by the latest in flashbacks presented in the solar/utility discussion. As the regulatory discussion reaches new markets where the utilities have significant unregulated activities, I wonder how the regulated entity will be able to position themselves as needing anti-solar regulation while benefitting from the same policies in the other States. I don't think it is doable but then again there is a big gap in the behemoth utility management teams that will make the attempt anyways.
News
1 GTM:
SolarWorld Fires Shot at SEIA Over China Trade Case
3 Bloomberg:
Sungevity Eschews Solar Lease as Loans Become More Common
4 Motley Fool:
SolarCity Is Eyeing a New Solar Energy Market
5 PV-Magazine:
US, Chinese EPC companies continue to dominate global PV
6 SolarCurator:
Time, motion, and solar installation labor efficiency
7 GTM:
The Narrative That Residential PACE Is ‘Dead’ Is Now Pretty Much Dead Itself
8 AZ Central:
Reject APS rooftop solar proposal, but for right reason
Opinions:
9 HuffPost:
Now Is America's Moment to Assert Itself as a Solar Superpower
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 6th, 2014
Vivint Solar appears to be setting up for an IPO. Interesting that Blackstone sees the value to split solar off from the home security business. A move I understand but not sure I agree with. Short term, maybe, but long term there are too many interconnectivity potentials in the home to separate a combined force. Just look at the utility boards across the Country, home security is everywhere. Congrats to the Vivint team however, though I have yet to meet one of you.
News
1 Reuters:
SolarCity competitor Vivint Solar files for IPO
2 RE World:
Areva Posts Loss, Announces Close of Solar Business
3 GTM:
Before Calling Solar ‘Exciting,’ APS Said Its Benefits Were ‘Unproven’
4 Bloomberg:
China Said to Consider Policies to Raise Solar Installations
5 Roll Call:
Solar to Lose Tax Credit Training Wheels
6 GTM:
Utility-Scale Solar Is Back From the Dead
8 Newson6:
Homeowners Rush To Go Solar Ahead Of OK's Solar Surcharge
Opinions:
9 AZ Central:
West Valley's future with solar energy
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 5th, 2014
In the politics of solar the hierarchy of importance goes like this in my mind. The State Governors and then the Public Utilities Commissioners. In every case the Governor is elected, in some cases the commissioners, and in some the Governor selects the commissioners. In States, like Florida, the commissioners are picked by the Governor, making the Florida gubernatorial election that much more important. It's important to be involved, politics are not a spectator sport...it's full contact.
News
2 Salt Lake Tribune:
What’s rooftop solar power worth? Not much, utility says
3 PV-Tech:
Taiwan government to intervene in US trade row
4 Energy Collective:
Capacity Factor Impacts on New Renewable Power?
5 GTM:
SCE Selects Vendors for 1.3GW of New Solar Projects
6 Solar Server:
3 GW of US utility-scale solar PV projects at risk
7 Solar Industry:
Solar Supporters In CA Rally Around Rooftop Permit Bill
8 CleanTechnica:
South Carolina Solar Is Rising
Opinions:
9 Mohave Daily:
Arizona could become ‘solar capital of the world’
Have a great day!
Yann
