This is your SolarWakeup for February 4th, 2015
Pipeline growth, geographic diversity, new market channels and the richest man in China. Today’s rundown is filled with deal news with companies looking for a way to compete in a more global market so they can flatten out the solar-coaster. The ups and downs within a market will have to continue to be looked at closely. For example, headlines in Germany seem disappointing but you have to look at the fundamentals. Self-consumption in the distributed market in Germany is growing nicely, more utility participants are getting involved which shows the stamp of approval solar is getting.
News
1 Greentech Media:
Canadian Solar Finally Acquires Recurrent Energy for $265 Million in Cash
2 Hartford Courant:
NRG Home Solar Buys Northeast Operations Of Verengo Solar
3 Bloomberg:
Sharp’s Energy Business Posts Loss Amid Declining Solar Sales
4 RE World:
How Community Solar Is Finally Addressing Clean Energy’s Equity Problem
5 Fortune:
Alibaba's Jack Ma dethroned as China's richest person by solar magnate
6 Energy Collective:
How to Regulate the Electricity Distribution Utility of the Future
7 PV-Magazine:
Germany added 1.89 GW of PV in 2014, stats show
8 Solar Industry:
Could This Be Solar's Breakout Year In Texas?
Opinions:
9 Dallas Morning News:
In Texas suburbia, solar not always welcome
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for February 3rd, 2015
Not everyone may agree with my position on the ITC extension and the premise of the #solarpledge. But after a slew of e-mails, I see that a lot of you agree and most importantly, the President sees a permanent extension of the ITC as a vital part of investing in the jobs of the 21st century. The ITC isn’t holding back solar development, it is enhancing the quality of solar projects and long term O&M. It is a job support mechanism that pays for itself many times over. It is a revenue center for the Country’s largest banks and law firms, and those industries tend to do well in Congressional negotiations.
News
1 PV-Tech:
Obama proposes permanent extension of solar’s ITC
2 Huffington Post:
The DC Disconnect on Climate Change
3 PV-Magazine:
U.S. Department of Energy re-affirms commitment to solar with $59m endowment
4 Greentech Media:
Can Microinverters Stabilize Hawaii’s Shaky Grid?
5 Solar Industry:
Managing The Ups And Downs Of Solar Tariffs Requires Agile Thinking And Deep Pockets
6 Giga Om:
Apple to build $2B solar-powered “command center” data center at Arizona factory site
7 Utility Dive:
HECO, NextEra file merger application, launch distributed energy tracking program
8 Treehugger:
The U.S. saw a 1,200% increase in 1MW+ solar plants between 2008-2013!
Opinions:
9 AZ Central:
SRP loves renewable energy? Well, not quite
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for February 2nd, 2015
Yesterday I mentioned on Twitter how bad it would be if the ITC is not extended, a point that was mocked and challenged. I personally think it will cost many jobs within the industry. According to Greentech Media (without taking into account State incentives) residential markets at the tipping point go from 14 States to 8, a 41% reduction. Utility scale deployment drops by an astonishing 90%. So companies will have to make a choice to lower volume (and cut workforce), lower margins (bad for EBITDA) or focus on fewer markets. I am not alone in this thinking, SEIA is pushing for an extension along with every other major solar association and some of the largest companies in the space. Don’t let “famous” people in solar give you false hope, the solar ITC should stay in place.
News
1 San Diego Union-Tribune:
Solar power shines on apartments, renters in California
2 Bloomberg:
Seven Reasons Cheap Oil Can't Stop Renewables Now
3 PV-Magazine:
China unveils 15 GW solar target
4 Utility Dive:
Washington state solar battle heats up, splitting installer trade groups
5 Solar Server:
World Bank Group launches “Scaling Solar” to create a market for solar power in Africa
6 CCTV America:
South Africa aims to power half of country with solar energy
7 Huffington Post:
How to Finance an Energy Revolution
8 Motley Fool:
Why Solar Panel Efficiency Matters More Than You Think
Opinions:
9 Indy Star:
Solar energy helps promote equality
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 SolarWakeup:
Solar Going Mainstream? 5 Projections for 2015
2 NY Times:
Worry for Solar Projects After End of Tax Credits
3 PV-Magazine:
One-third of SMA staff to lose their jobs
4 EDF:
SfunCube - Lighting the Way for Solar Innovation in California
5 Grist:
Now is the time to invest in solar, because people are stupid
6 Orlando Sentinel:
FPL announces huge solar expansion
7 Washington Post:
The best idea in a long time
8 Motley Fool:
A Surprising Move Could Save First Solar From Failure
9 Greentech Media:
‘Unconventional’ Accounting From China’s Hanergy Solar, Owner of MiaSole, Alta and Solibro
10 Renew Economy:
Why solar costs will fall another 40% in just two years
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 January 30th, 2015
I absolutely love today’s top story. I am biased because I think startups and entrepreneurship is where innovation happens. Every day I try to find out what the small group of risk takers are doing to solve the problems in my world, often browsing through Angel List to see what’s new. Are you a solar startup? Tell me how you can help fix our problems on a global basis. Thanks to SfunCube for doing what they do and bringing solar to the masses from the very beginning.
News
1 EDF:
SfunCube-Lighting the Way for Solar Innovation in California
2 Grist:
Now is the time to invest in solar, because people are stupid
3 Utility Dive:
How utilities can get in on the solar job bonanza
4 Forbes:
Hanergy Investors Shrug Off Skeptical Report-CEO Sees More Third-Party Business, Solar Gains
5 PV-Magazine:
Germany approves pilot tenders for ground-mounted PV plants
6 The Guardian:
Solar power in the UK almost doubled in 2014
7 Greentech Media:
Latin America’s Solar Market Grew 370% in 2014, Installed 625MW
8 Reuters:
Indian energy firm bars foreign bids for three solar projects
Opinions:
9 RE World:
Efficiency Is Not Effectiveness-How the Cost Reduction Race Hurts the Value of Solar
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for January 29th, 2015
If my email box is an indication of interesting articles, then you will love this story about Hanergy. First off, the “owner” of the company is the 5th richest in China. But then you dig into the details of revenues, margins and production, it is really a stunning use of financial innovation. I am sure that emails have been flying across the company after FT broke the original story, because they surely did for me.
News
1 Greentech Media:
‘Unconventional’ Accounting From China’s Hanergy Solar, Owner of MiaSole, Alta and Solibro
2 Business Spectator:
Hawaii's grid to accept 250% solar penetration
3 Washington Post:
The best idea in a long time-Covering parking lots with solar panels
4 RE World:
Solar Outlook 2015-Still Growing, But No Longer Energy’s Young Kid
5 CleanTechnica:
Can Utility Regulators Provide Leadership on Distributed Renewable Energy?
6 Utility Dive:
PNM-backed poll finds little support for Santa Fe municipal utility plan
7 PV-Magazine:
China-Capital markets re-embraces PV industry
8 Investor’s Business Daily:
Solar Storage Ventures Usher In Smart Homes Future
Opinions:
9 Renew Economy:
Big Oil needs a Plan B. It hasn’t got one
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for January 28th, 2015
In unfortunate news, SMA is announcing the layoff of about 1,600 coworkers around the globe. Solar is and continues to be a solar-coaster, and transitions are happening. There is optimism looking forward. Subsidy free solar is competing with retail energy around the world, more and more. Being global will be one of the most important ways that companies are able to do well and create profits for owners and shareholders. As EU countries go to self-consumption models, lessons from the US will be a key advantage for teams looking to do solar as a service in those areas.
News
1 PV-Magazine:
One-third of SMA staff to lose their jobs
2 PV-Tech:
Utilities at heart of Japan grid connection dispute set to resume considering PV projects
3 RE World:
Brazilian Bank Raises $408 Million for Renewable Energy and Water Projects
4 CleanTechnica:
Every $1 Of Solar Incentives Puts $2.46 Into The Economy
5 Think Progress:
Here’s What Every Governor Thinks About Climate And Clean Energy
6 Solar Industry:
Solar Asset Management Marked By New Owners And Aging Fleets
7 Utility Dive:
What utility execs think the future holds
8 EDF:
All Electricity is Not Priced Equally-Time-Variant Pricing 101
Opinions:
9 Reuters:
New-generation solar panels far cheaper, more efficient-scientists
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for January 27th, 2015
The team at kWh Analytics makes a great point with their predictions for 2015. The key takeaway for me was that everyone is prepping for more. More solar, more growth, more capital deployed throughout the year. Looking at the conferences for the year, a trending topic will be the ITC and what happens afterwards so it would be great to see SEIA at the conferences giving the industry some clear guidance on what is happening in DC. Take a look at the 5 predictions from one of the smartest teams in solar in today’s top story.
News
1 SolarWakeup:
Solar Going Mainstream? 5 Projections for 2015
2 Bloomberg:
Sharp Said Near Deal to Sell Recurrent Energy Solar Unit
3 Orlando Sentinel:
FPL announces huge solar expansion
4 Forbes:
Solar's Southern Strategy Could Accelerate With Georgia Deal
5 EDF:
A Valuable Tool that Can Help California Realize its Clean Energy Potential
6 Greentech Media:
Indiana and West Virginia Look to Slash Support for Renewable Energy
7 PV-Magazine:
Italy to omit solar from new renewable incentives plan
8 Utility Dive:
Hawaiian Electric's plan to end solar net metering, explained
Opinions:
9 Solar Novus:
Community Solar-Plenty of room for growth
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for January 26th, 2015
I am intrigued by the news coverage that solar tea parties are able to get. Being generally jaded by politics, in particular State politics, it’s surprising that this path works from a political point of view. In Indiana, it appears to have been a tactic hijacked by the ‘other side’ and a ‘pro-solar’ bill is being supported by everyone but solar. Politics is like business, innovation and being one step ahead is key. In case you have to debate solar with that uncle of yours who just doesn’t get it, use this video (courtesy of Sunrun) to make your point.
News
1 NY Times:
Worry for Solar Projects After End of Tax Credits
2 Reuters:
Obama backs India's solar goals, seeks support for climate talks
3 Utility Dive:
Inside the coming showdown over rooftop solar in Indiana
4 PV-Tech:
Solar R&D needs ‘systemic shock’ to avert death of European PV
5 RE World:
The Future of Solar in Wisconsin
6 PV-Magazine:
Australian solar market likely to grow in 2015
7 Bloomberg:
As Oil Hammers Solar Shares, Trina Goes on Hunt for Acquisitions
8 Yahoo:
Africa's quiet solar revolution
Opinions:
9 Motley Fool:
A Surprising Move Could Save First Solar From Failure
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Renew Economy:
Why solar costs will fall another 40% in just two years
2 Forbes:
Rooftop Solar Shines Light On Bad Business Practices
3 Forbes:
NRG's Grand Ambition To Dominate The Solar Market
4 Greentech Media:
Hawaii’s Biggest Utility Wants to Ditch Solar Net Metering
5 Arizona Investigative Report:
APS employee drafted anti-solar letter signed by AZ congressmen
6 Bloomberg:
‘Sexy’ No Longer, Solar May See More Consolidation, Hanwha Says
7 PV-Tech:
Saudi Arabia bursts solar energy bubble - reports
8 PV-Magazine:
'Six-cent energy is not the new normal'
9 NPR:
U.S. Solar Industry Sees Growth, But Also Some Uncertainty
10 FOX News:
Pope's statement on climate change - following John Paul II & Benedict XVI, tackling science
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
