Tag Archives: Daily Rundown

This is your SolarWakeup for October 9th, 2018

Stopping Coal Is Not Enough. The NY Times is out with an op-ed to call for the end of coal in response to the IPCC climate change report. The truth is that the policies that are needed to make an impact on our climate future are much more than shutting off coal though that is a nice start. Policies, enacted by legislators, need to be bolder and far reaching. They need to be long term and they need to be bipartisan. I may be an ideologue here but I think we are close to that point where the politics should shift. First, renewables are incredibly popular and undecideds care that you are pro-solar. Second, hedge fund managers are warning about climate change. Third, there are billions to be made by billionaires in clean energy. 

Go Blue! It is a little known fact that more than 10 years ago, Michigan was well on its way to being a solar manufacturing hub. Governor Granholm was known to talk solar on an ongoing basis before it was popular. Over the past year, Michigan and its utilities have been on a path to stop the cheapest solar energy from getting to market. But after a change of heart which started with the settlement with the Tom Steyer led coalition, the regulators are starting to drive towards the PURPA restart. With details still in short supply, there is work to do but another example of how the policy teams move the market forward. 

An Easy Ask. In case you needed more reasons from me on why you should come to the Vote Solar event next week in DC, Frank is here to remind you of the likely ways that Vote Solar is helping you make more money. The solar coaster would be a lot more turbulent if Vote Solar wasn’t as good as it was. So while my ask is for you to help the group with $100, imagine the following scenario. Imagine a solar market where Vote Solar gets a check for $100 million dollars from a donor. Imagine if the solar advocacy groups had unlimited budgets to educate and organize to move solar policies forward. So instead of asking you for $100million, please consider coming to and donating $100 to Vote Solar. 

NJ Community Solar. Simplifying the market for community solar is a good way to make solar more accessible within the PJM market which should have made it possible long ago. This is why I am excited to have the NJ BPU President sit with me at SolarWakeup Live! Jersey City to talk about the future of the solar market in New Jersey. I want to also thank the sponsors of the event for making it possible. Please consider visiting the sites of Aten Solar, Pfister Energy and PV Pros by clicking on the logos below. 

Opportunity Missed. I am reminded of the mistake that we made during the Obama years with regard to TVA. The board of the TVA should have been stacked with folks supportive of solar policies. It would have been an example of how to lead a 21st century utility and how consumers can get cheaper electricity made from the resources they believe in.

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann

 

This is your SolarWakeup for October 8th, 2018

NJ BPU President. The NJ BPU President, Joe Fiordaliso, is joining me at SolarWakeup Live! Jersey City on November 6th. He was appointed by Governor Murphy to the position earlier this year. President Fiordaliso has been on the BPU board since 2005. For more information and registration to the event go to solarwakeuplive.com, tickets are nearing capacity. 

Keeping Climate Change Contained. The IPCC is out with a report that should be taken seriously by everyone, and not just those in our industry. In order to keep the world at or below 1.5 degrees we need systemic change in our energy system which means we need wholesale change in our political system. This can be done if we have the will to have it be done. 

More Community Solar. Washington State is out with their first community solar rules and while not the home run market regulations you would want, it definitely sets the base for the market to start. I am a fan of community solar though I always thought that regional markets with clearing prices would be the method to this segment instead of a regulatory body. That being said, this may be the way to get it done in a way that consumers understand and trust. 

First Hand Notes. The clean energy retail company was founded when the CEO, Tom Matzzie, tried to put solar on his house and found it to be difficult. I recall putting solar on my home in 2011 and thought it was really hard as well. I know that things have gotten better but going through the consumer’s side of the deal gives us some perspective. This note about signing up for community solar highlights important lessons that can be improved on.

Wires R Us. Here’s a question for you, how long until today’s utilities are mostly wire companies and is this a future that is important to the solar market?

Solar Sentiment Survey. Don’t forget to have your voice included in the Q3 SolarWakeup Sentiment Survey. This takes less than 60 seconds and is anonymous. The results will be released at SolarWakeup Live! Jersey City. 

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann

 

This is your SolarWakeup for October 5th, 2018

Feel Good Story From Illinois. A legislator helps pass legislation that makes solar in Illinois take off, creating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic development. Then he leads by example and puts solar on his home, with particularly good taste in mounting technology. Many thanks for the political leadership and leading by example for the neighbors. 

SunPower Takes Top Spot. Now that the acquisition is complete with SolarWorldUSA, it seems like the SolarWorld brand in the US will be eliminated by year’s end. SunPower will undoubtedly look to increase market share in residential solar while also having volume in the module manufacturing to keep the costs competitive. I look forward to seeing the next steps

Terminal Value Zero. At least one asset owner has decided that arguing the terminal value is annoying enough that giving away the energy is a better use. 

Q3 Sentiment Survey. Take the survey to help us get a pulse of the current mood in solar. This will take you less than 60 seconds to answer the survey

Sponsor SolarWakeup Live! Besides reading and passing this newsletter along, the best way to support the platform is to sponsor an event. In return you get amazing visibility to the email list and the live audience. Plus you ensure the continued operation of this platform. Check out solarwakeuplive.com on how you can get involved, no better market dollars to be spent in the industry these days. 

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann

 

This is your SolarWakeup for October 4th, 2018

Much Awaited Community Solar Rules. Few people cover community solar better than ILSR’s John Farrell and with the new rules from New Jersey being proposed, he gives you the breakdown of the good and the needs improvement. Community solar in New Jersey could be one of the most desired market changes in the past few years, there is no doubt that developers and customer signup teams will be flocking to this market. This will be a central conversation topic at SolarWakeup Live! Jersey City, get your ticket at solarwakeuplive.com so we can all talk about the community solar market together.

Governors Matter To Solar. Virginia is planning a bold solar future with 5GW of wind and solar. This is the plan proposed by Ralph Northam, the Governor. Much like many net metering, RPS and other solar friendly policies across the Country, it takes a leader in the Governor’s mansion to make it happen. Without that it becomes much harder to get things done. Elections matter and advocacy is a lot simpler if there are willing participants on both sides. We still need to show up and make our point but without a veto threat, solar can be a big winner.

Are You Feeling Good? Time to check in on the industry sentiment with SolarWakeup’s Q3 sentiment index. While 2018 has been a crazy solar coaster ride, it seems like more of a market than ever and I want to see what you think. The results of the report will be shared first at SolarWakeup Live! Jersey City on November 6th. Take the survey today!

Inverters Must Adapt. Most of the inverter companies plan to transition their manufacturing capacity out of China given the latest tariffs by the Trump administration. This may cause a bit of a product supply constraint when the changeover happens and the price is very likely to increase to the installers across the market. Just another example of costs going into the solar market that could be avoided.

The Hill Piece. is total crap. Starting out the conversation about net metering by saying that no-one argues that there is a cost shift on solar value to non solar customers means that the author assumes that solar customers are providing uncompensated value to the other customers but of course we know that’s not the case.

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann