This is your SolarWakeup for July 3rd, 2014
Continuing the trend from yesterday, catch the buzz words. PSC in Florida says NEM was meant to 'prime the pump' and MI utilities are ready to 'develop subsidy free' programs. But let's get real about how solar impacts low income families. Solar creates price stability and lowers the cost of energy. More importantly, as the NAACP points out in their report, solar is a job opportunity for low and middle class families. Installation jobs are open all over the Country and have an average pay of over $23/hour. The NAACP is right, solar is good for families everywhere, something the author of the top article hasn't studied quite yet.
News
1 Atlanta Black Star:
Net Metering and Its Impact on Low-Income Consumers
2 WCTV:
More Customers Using the Sun to Power Homes
3 Crains Business:
Utilities don't have to expand solar incentive programs
4 RE World:
China Panel Makers Hire Private Association to Tackle Trade Wars
5 Gigaom:
This startup says it can make the world’s cheapest solar panels
6 Motley Fool:
3 Reasons Why Solar Isn't the New Subprime
7 CleanTechnica:
Residential Solar Cheaper Than Grid In 25 States
8 RE World:
The Rise of the Residential Solar PV Customer
Opinions:
9 GTM:
3 Signs Cleantech Is Booming in 2014
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for July 2nd, 2014
For any of you fortunate enough to work on solar policy, your jobs are safe. The daily onslaught of regulatory filings against solar and utility commission (bought by the utilities) games is hard to follow. From the Florida PSC literally denying access to solar in a hearing, Louisiana PSC hiring a utility front for a study, Utilities buying commissioners in Arizona, it is a handful for everyone involved. I tend to track on the higher levels, but I would not have seen the 50 State battle lines in our future but that is where we are heading.
News
1 Times-Picayune:
Consultant tapped for solar study too close to utilities
2 AZ Central:
Solar Cos sue to stop property taxes on leased rooftop panels
3 Red, Green, Blue:
Can’t We Get A Restraining Order Against Xcel Already?
4 Bloomberg:
Georgia Coal-to-Solar Pivot Shows the Way on Climate Regs
5 Portland Tribune:
PUC releases report on state pilot solar incentive
6 GTM:
Where Solar, Storage and Microgrids Are Starting to Take Hold
7 PV-Tech:
Cost cuts will drive Europe to 60% renewables by 2030
8 Fox News:
Iran splurges on solar technology in bid to boost economy
Opinions:
9 Forbes:
Solar Disruption Could Spell Trouble For Utility Investors
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for July 1st, 2014
I was intrigued yesterday when I read the SEPA blog for the first time of many that day. First reaction, SEPA put in writing exactly what we expected. They are pro-solar and pro-growth but also pro-utility. Utilities like solar in 2 cases, when they get to invest in it in 49 States they don't operate in and as utility owned generation (UOG, remember this term) at home. Today is the time for SEIA to make their statement. SEIA has yet to sign the Solar Pledge, some State chapters have, but national SEIA has not. Today is the day that SEIA has to decide that they believe in the non-SEPA version of net metering, fair and open for ALL participants without preferential treatment for any incumbent parties.
News
1 GTM:
How Arizona’s Property Tax Ruling Will Affect State Solar Prices
2 PlanetSave:
Solar Leasing To Lose Ground To Solar Ownership In 2015
3 Motley Fool:
Solar Grew 33% in 2013, and There's Plenty of Room to Run
4 RE World:
China Becomes World's Largest PV Market
5 CleanTechnica:
Renewables Save Fortune 500 Companies Over $1 Billion
6 Forbes:
The Rise of Big Solar In Chile
7 Think Progress:
Investment In Clean Energy Could Spur A $12 Billion Market
8 CO Independent:
Controversial utility commission appointee never confirmed
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 30th, 2014
Solar is like a never ending roller coaster. We beat development records, open new markets, start new factories, invent new financial models while trillion dollar industries want to destroy us. Every victory comes with a new battle. Our forecast is sunny, very sunny, after some scatted clouds. Meanwhile Wisconsin Utilities are at it again, with a barrage of filings to eliminate any market presence of solar, more of the same you would say. In the meantime, check out my current state of solar column below.
News
1 SolarWakeup:
Solar Forecast
2 Journal Sentinel:
Growing amount of solar a concern for Wisconsin utilities
3 RenewEconomy:
Utilities move to kick rooftop solar off the grid
4 CleanTechnica:
Off-Grid, Clean Energy Access Market Valued At $12 Billion
5 ABC News:
Illinois Investing in Solar Power
6 Energy Collective:
How Solar Finance is Driving Solar Businesses to Change
7 RE World:
US Ex-Im Hangs in Balance as Chief Defends Bank Against Critics
8 GTM:
Will Homeowners Ever Be More Important Than Power Plants?
Opinions:
9 Bill Gates:
We Need Energy Miracles
Have a great day!
Yann
Top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week!
Original Article from SolarWakeup This Week
Original Article from SolarWakeup This Week SolarWakeup: Is Permitting in Solar a Mess or Opportunity? These are the top 10 most read solar articles by your peers this week! #1 RE World: Storm Clouds Gathering Over the US Solar Industry #2 New Times: FPL, Duke and Others Squeeze Out Solar; Have They No Shame? #3 Bloomberg: Rooftop solar leases scaring homebuyers #4 CleanTechnica: Solar, Wind, Natural Gas Dominate New US Power Installations #5 Gigaom: SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce rivals for solar roofs #6 GTM: YieldCos Could Cut Renewables Costs by 20% #7 Think Progress: Utility Cuts Deal Solar Because It’s The Cheapest #8 RE World: Welcome to the Grid Revolution, Massachusetts-style #9 Forbes: SPWR’s Strategy: Developing Software … Read More →
This is your SolarWakeup for June 27th, 2014
So much in today’s rundown about the same topic that it requires more space. It is a tale of two States, one (Massachusetts) very much embracing solar as part of the energy portfolio, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions in revenues. The other (Florida) has one of the best net metering standards in the Country, because of the work open dialogue solar and utilities enjoyed. As you see in today’s first story, ... continue reading below or click here
News
1 New Times:
FPL and Others Squeeze Out Solar; Have They No Shame?
2 Boston Globe:
Finding common ground on solar
3 CleanTechnica:
Distributed Renewable Energy Under Fire
4 GTM:
Lessons From the Making of the MA Solar Compromise Bill
5 Breaking Energy:
Kauffman talks New Market-Based Energy System
6 RE World:
The US South’s New Clean Energy Hub
7 Kansas Star:
Lawsuit is filed over Missouri’s solar rebate program
8 Daily Caller:
Growing Solar Use Poses Huge Safety Risk For Firefighters
Opinions:
9 Solar Curator:
Q&A With Yingli On World Cup Sponsorship
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 26th, 2014
News
1 GTM:
YieldCos Could Cut Renewables Costs by 20%, Study Finds
2 PV-Tech:
Clinton Global Initiative launches “Feed-Out” solar funding
3 RE World:
Welcome to the Grid Revolution, Massachusetts-style
4 WHNT:
Better Business Bureau gives guidelines for solar
5 Gigaom:
SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce rivals for solar roofs
6 NY Times:
Report Tallies High Toll on Economy From Global Warming
7 Forbes:
Looking To Brussels To Save Spanish Solar
8 MW Energy:
Michigan could expand solar without raising rates
Opinions:
9 Solar Industry:
Tariffs Seem Certain To Hurt U.S. Installation Market
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 25th, 2014
Downstream solar always gets me excited. When looking through the permitting bill, AB 2188, in California and having a conversation with the Go Solar Broward team during the SunShot conference, it all dawned on me. Permitting is a huge time suck, surely solar contractors, big and small, feel this way. Having just put solar on my house and almost giving up because of the permitting, it may just be the biggest opportunity for growth in the soft cost portion of solar. My article on the topic below.
News
1 SolarWakeup:
3 Ways Permitting Creates Opportunity For Solar
2 Finance & Commerce:
Rooftop solar leases scaring homebuyers
3 Forbes:
Developing Software To Manage Solar And Storage
4 CleanTechnica:
Solar, Wind, Natural Gas Dominate New US Power
5 GTM:
How Texas Could Easily Meet New Carbon Regulations
6 East Valley Tribune:
Local fire departments prepare for more residential solar
7 RE World:
Challenges to Financing Renewable Projects on Military Sites
8 Grist:
How to not lose your shirt when the climate goes bust
Opinions:
9 CleanTechnica:
Will Renewables Cause A Utility ‘Death Spiral’?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 24th, 2014
News
1 AZ Central:
Political advocacy group jumps into debate on taxing leased solar
2 Solar Server:
Share of third-party solar in residential U.S. market to peak
3 Nat'l Journal:
Julian Castro is Obama's Newest Climate Denizen
4 Solar Power World:
Solar O&M Tools for the Solar Investor
5 Daily Breeze:
CA law would fast-track residential solar panel installations
6 PV-Tech:
California property tax exemptions for PV systems extended to 2025
7 Energy Collective:
Equity at Stake in Solar Energy Ownership Debate
8 RE World:
Storm Clouds Gathering Over the US Solar Industry
Opinions:
9 NY Times:
The Big Green Test; Conservatives and Climate Change
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for June 23rd, 2014
News
1 CleanTechnica:
Will You Take The Solar Pledge?
2 GTM:
Best Path to a Low-Carbon Future Includes Plenty of Wind and Solar
3 Motley Fool:
How Obama's Climate Policy Could Create $1.3 Trillion in GDP
4 RE World:
Awakening the Potential of Clean Energy Bonds
5 Think Progress:
Utility Deal For 20 Years Of Solar Because It’s The Cheapest
6 Desert Sun:
Demand for solar water-heating rising
7 Grist:
Celebrate solar power at a solstice event this weekend
8 Solar Novus:
Seismic Guidelines for PV Installations
Opinions:
9 Hank Paulson:
Lessons for Climate Change in the 2008 Recession
Have a great day!
Yann
