This is your SolarWakeup for August 21st, 2014
Less than a week to primaries across the Country, including Arizona. The Tucson electric article clearly points out what is at stake here. The Arizona electric utilities want the ratepayers to pay for solar while giving no more than 15% savings to the customers that host solar on their roofs. The key is that the utilities across the Country want to control the fuel hedge that solar gives them, paid for by the consumers.
News
1 PV Magazine:
U.S. lowers anti-dumping tariffs on Taiwanese solar cells, modules
2 Utility Dive:
Tucson Electric Power proposes new utility-owned rooftop solar program
3 WREG Memphis:
Mississippi Public Service Commission
4 Bloomberg:
Solar Energy Less Dangerous to Birds Than Cats or Cars
5 CleanTechnica:
How One Wonky Decision Could Unlock Our Renewable Future
6 RE World:
NRG Just Purchased a Consumer Solar Gadget Company
7 MW Energy News:
Advocates
8 AZ Central:
Corporation Commission must force APS to come clean
Opinions:
9 Vote Solar:
Florida Power & Light’s Half-Baked Solar Program Moves Forward
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 20th, 2014
My dismay yesterday about product scarcity was with the potential comeback of take or pay contracts. These contracts pray on the positive hopes of companies assuming all things go well, but the take or pay also killed a solid amount of good solar companies. Let's be clear about something. Solar markets in the US will not have a product scarcity issue. Top tier products are getting the best price globally in the US and therefore will always move product Stateside if the demand is there. Don't be fooled by sensationalized headlines.
News
1 PV-Tech:
Beijing officially asks US to begin talks on solar trade suspension deal
2 Seeking Alpha:
SolarCity
4 PV Magazine:
California's utility-scale solar generation hits new peak of 4.8 GW
5 Renew Economy:
Australia's new attack may spark another solar boom
6 Solar Industry:
China Set To Reform DG Solar Policies To Boost Installations
7 MW Energy News:
After a slow start, PACE getting off the ground in Missouri
8 NASDAQ:
Unlikely Bedfellows
Opinions:
9 Dallas Morning News:
The Stupidity of Stopping Solar in Plano
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 19th, 2014
The Bloomberg headline gives me chills. Over the past decade, every time there is a panel 'shortage' it begins the talk of the "take-or-pay" contract. Doubtful that it will come up again but having seen it take down giant companies, the discussion is frightening by itself. That being said, panels are cause for delayed projects as we are already seeing this. How far the suppliers push deposits to lock in a shipment is another question.
News
1 Bloomberg:
Solar Boom Driving First Global Panel Shortage Since 2006
2 CBS:
Solar plant's downside? Birds igniting in midair
3 Wash. Post:
Old car batteries could make cheaper, more efficient solar panels
4 NRDC:
Order 1000 Upheld on Appeal
5 RE World:
The Power of Collective Energy Purchasing
6 Bloomberg:
Obama’s Green Dilemma
7 CleanTechnica:
Explosive US Solar Power Growth & Jobs
8 Scientific American:
Booming Rooftop Solar Power Suffers Growing Pains
Opinions:
9 NY Times:
Easy on the Environment, but Not Necessarily Neighbors’ Eyes
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for August 18th, 2014
Without data to back it up, it seems to me that the global solar industry is flattening. Globalization is becoming more and more apparent to me. Companies going overseas, expanding into new markets seems to be happening. However, the glory market remains the US, where residential rules the day but commercial remains an elusive goldmine waiting for someone to clear out.
News
1 Dallas News:
Texas law lets developers ban solar while subdivisions are growing
2 PV-Tech:
China to close polysilicon import loophole from end of month
3 Star Tribune:
Power surge in Minnesota's solar industry
4 Energy Collective:
New Report Finds California Solar Nearly Doubled in 2013
5 Think Progress:
Businesses Are Getting Hit With A $500 Fee To Kill Solar
6 RE World:
Utilities Should Take Advantage of the Transformation
7 Grist:
Meet the Wisconsin Republicans who love solar
8 Slate:
America is making lots of solar. What’s holding it back from making panels?
Opinions:
9 PV-Tech:
Trade spats continue but yield cos make everything better
Have a great day!
Yann
These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
News
1 Gigaom:
SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit
2 Wall Street 4/7:
Merrill Lynch Says Solar Demand to Soar Over Next 3 Years
3 Motley Fool:
Why Are These U.S. States Fighting Solar Power?
4 Motley Fool:
SolarCity Is Eyeing a New Solar Energy Market
5 Biz Journals:
Chevron putting solar projects at its Hawaii refinery on hold
6 Nation Swell:
These 10 States Are Leading the Way in Solar. What's Their Secret?
7 Grist:
No solar, please — we’re Florida
8 LA Times:
Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight
9 RE World:
The Massachusetts Solar Carve-Out
10 Solar Industry:
Own Or Lease? Think Of Rooftop Solar As A Car That Makes Money
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 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
