This is your SolarWakeup for September 28th
Who’s Going to Yotta? Should I go? I’m considering heading to Vegas for the expo.
Clearing up my data center stance. Under 1% of voters will decide their ballot on this issue per a New York Times poll, but the pricing flexibility and multiples it's driving for solar are real. What happens to both if the hype turns into a bubble?
Oracle files force majeure in New Mexico. Fully permitted, ready to build — except they can't get gas pipeline approval to fuel it. Is power access, not construction, becoming the real bottleneck for AI everyone should be watching?
Module pricing jumps roughly 40%. Modules prices are going up, but how much? With FEOC, the executive order, 232, and domestic inverter costs stacking up, where does that get absorbed if not offtaker pricing?
News
1 Solar Power World:
Power Electronics building 40 GW manufacturing campus in Houston
2 Yahoo Finance:
Why Oracle's force majeure notice is freaking out AI bulls
3 Los Angeles Times:
Lithium-ion battery fire disrupts another California community, raising questions about storage, safety
4 Reuters:
Data center IPO hopefuls brave tougher market as investor scrutiny grows
5 PV-Magazine:
Anza expects at least a 40% spike in solar module prices after Section 232
6 PV-Tech:
The US plug-in solar divide - A state-by-state race to unlock the market
7 Politioc:
EU Commission calls on countries to cut energy demands as costs surge
8 Energy Storage News:
ESR to acquire Aquila Clean Energy APAC in Asia-Pacific renewables and energy storage consolidation
9 CNBC:
ESR to acquire Aquila Clean Energy APAC in Asia-Pacific renewables and energy storage consolidation
Opinions:
10 Canary Media:
The challenges and opportunities of clean energy in rural America
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 25th
Boots on the Ground is trying to hit #1. Abby and I are around #3 right now — a follow, review, or LinkedIn post genuinely helps. Are you subscribed on your podcast app and YouTube yet?
News
1 Reuters:
Senate inches closer to US infrastructure permitting reform bill
2 Bloomberg:
Trump Hints Solar, Wind Permitting Offer Could be Revoked
3 New York Times:
A Spirited Battle Over Data Centers
4 Heatmap News:
How AI Split Climate Tech in Two
5 BBC:
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
6 Politico:
The unlikely agency serving as Trump’s China bad cop
7 Utility Dive:
Advanced transmission projects get $1.9B in DOE funding
8 Solar Builder:
Anza data shows spiking solar prices following Section 232 decision
9 Energy Storage News:
Data centre buildout uplifting US BESS market outlook, Wood Mackenzie says
10 Latitude Media:
Most new US power is clean — but utilities are choosing gas for data centers
11 PV-Magazine:
Nvidia launches BESS qualification program for AI data centers, names just Tesla, LG, Hitachi
Opinions:
12 PV-Tech:
To track or not to track
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 24th
New Boots on the Ground is coming from construction sites. Abby and I are planning in-person interviews as we head into RE+. Want to be part of one?
News
1 New York Times:
Rooftop solar is slumping right now, but Mary Powell sees a bright future.
2 Reuters:
India's Waaree Energies to merge Indosolar into company in near-$100 million deal
3 Utility Dive:
Efforts to curb data center speculation gain ground across the US
4 Bloomberg:
NYC Pensions Eye Private Markets in $5 Billion Green Allocation
5 Axios:
Chicago mayor proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers
6 PV-Tech:
Price of US solar module imports up more than 40% since Section 232 tariffs
7 Energy Storage News:
How transferability and US-China tensions are transforming US BESS and renewables financing
8 Latitude Media:
Exclusive - Heinrich proposes 30% credit for long-haul transmission
9 PV-Magazine:
How to make renewables auctions resilient to supply chain shocks
Opinions:
10 Heatmap News:
What’s a Utility to Do When Everyone Is Mad at Them?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 23rd
New Boots on the Ground. Abby and I would love your feedback and a LinkedIn post to help spread the word. solarwakeup.com/boots
News
1 Utility Dive:
California tightens oversight of data center energy use, grid costs
2 PV-Magazine:
IRA-stimulated U.S. solar manufacturing capex to reach $12.2 billion by end 2026
3 Canary Media:
Duke Energy wants to build a new gas plant. Regulators said not so fast.
4 New York Times:
A Departing U.N. Chief’s Dire Warning on Climate Change
5 Axios:
Trump backs ban on diesel exports
6 PV-Tech:
Madison Energy launches 1GW DER community initiative
7 Energy Storage News:
Sunrun and Tesla deliver record 580MW to California grid amid heatwave
Opinions:
8 Reuters:
What is in Brussels' 'Made in EU' law and why is Britain worried?
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 22nd
New Boots on the Ground is live. Abby and I recorded Monday morning, covering diesel costs and the political battles shaping this week. Catch it now at solarwakeup.com/boots
News
1 PV-Magazine:
U.S. solar module production reaches historic 100 GW landmark
2 Utility Dive:
Texas PUC adopts softened rules on data center interconnection
3 Energy Storage News:
Fluence and Eve Energy agree 206GWh battery supply deal
4 Canary Media:
Vistra’s Moss Landing grid battery is on fire yet again
5 Axios:
Exclusive - How Sen. Schatz is talking about climate in an affordability crisis
6 Bloomberg:
Where to Invest in Climate as AI Trade, High Rates Dominate
7 Reuters:
Virginia tightens data center restrictions amid political backlash
8 PV-Tech:
US judge overturns EPA cancellation of US$7 billion Solar for All programme
9 KQED:
Here’s What California Is Learning From Solar Panels Built Over Irrigation Canals
Opinions:
10 Heatmap News:
A Big Battery Relief in New York
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 17th
New Boots on the Ground is live. Abby and I dig into vehicle-to-grid, and it's already looking like we know what we’re talking about: today's headlines bring school bus fleets into the VPP conversation. Catch it now, and check us out on YouTube too. solarwakeup.com/boots
News
1 Utility Dive:
Utilities, schools see growing value in electric buses for virtual power plants
2 Axios:
AI environmental concerns build as lawmakers grapple with tech panic
3 VOx:
The hidden $350 surcharge on American households
4 Fast Company:
This startup just raised $32 million to build solar farms using robots—and much less land
5 PV-Tech:
Over 90% of solar professionals report growing project deployment pipeline in latest PVcase report
6 Solar Power World:
First Solar ends Sec. 337 investigation into competitors allegedly infringing on TOPCon patent
7 Energy Storage news:
FCC inverter ban poses greater threat to US renewables than FEOC compliance, industry experts warn
8 Canary media:
Newsom’s last chance to tackle California’s electricity costs
9 PV-Magazine:
SEIA announces plan to absorb the Coalition for Community Solar Access
Opinions:
10 Reuters:
Why the next industrial race will be won on electricity
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 16th
New Podcast Is Out! Solar’s record quarter and so many other fun topics. Many of you are waiting to listen to your first episode, make today the day! Subscribe on Youtube or find Boots on the Ground in your podcast app. solarwakeup.com/boots for all the links and post about it on Linkedin. This episode is sponsored by Cleantech Industry Resources
News
1 Bloomberg:
US AI Boom Needs $110 Billion of New Power Plants, Moody’s Says
2 Reuters:
SB Energy to sell up to $500 million in shares to Japan investors as part of US IPO
3 Utility Dive:
EPA scraps Biden power plant GHG rules, moves to eliminate other standards
4 PV-Magazine:
Americas to lead $60 billion global microgrid market growth through 2030 as reliability demand mounts
5 Axios:
Record diesel prices squeeze food, transport
6 Solar Builder:
East Point Energy completes Texas storage site | Projects Weekly
7 Energy Storage News:
US energy storage companies secure financing and launch compliance services amid regulatory shifts
8 Canary Media:
An Idaho county banned renewables. It’s having second thoughts.
Opinions:
9 PV-Tech:
NZIA ‘too slow’ to revive European solar manufacturing, says SolarPower Europe
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 14th
New Boots on the Ground Podcast. The most fun episode to date and some good commentary about massive valuations in the transactions, what drove them and how getting involved politically is a clear business strategy, especially as you read the commentary below. Subscribe on your podcast app or go to YouTube. solarwakeup.com/boots for all the links and post about it on Linkedin.
News
1 Politico:
‘Slowing things down’ - Trade wars hit global electrification shift
2 New York Times:
Court Strikes Down Trump Order to Keep an Aging Coal-Burning Plant Running
3 PV-Magazine:
Department of Commerce finalizes trade duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos
4 PV-Tech:
Invenergy, HASI partner to develop 2.7GW solar PV and co-located BESS across the US
5 Bloomberg:
Europe’s Solar Boom Has a Storage Problem
6 Axios:
Higher oil and rates are set to test the markets
7 Energy Storage news:
CATL upgraded to AAA, Wärtsilä downgraded to BB in Bankability Report Q2 update
8 Canary Media:
xAI has quietly built a massive battery at its Memphis data center hub
Opinions:
9 Los Angeles Times:
The surprising reason California survived record summer heat without blackouts
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 11th
New Boots on the Ground Podcast. The most fun episode to date and some good commentary about massive valuations in the transactions, what drove them and how getting involved politically is a clear business strategy, especially as you read the commentary below. Subscribe on your podcast app or go to YouTube. solarwakeup.com/boots for all the links and post about it on Linkedin.
News
1 Bloomberg:
States Backing Trump Make Up 71% of New Solar, Report Says
2 PV-Magazine:
Solar industry delivers 11.4 GW in Q2, but growth remains constrained
3 Politico:
Sam Altman pitches utilities on AI grid defense
4 Axios:
Trump moves to ease environmental rules for data centers
5 Reuters:
Global cleantech investment fell in first half on slowing China momentum
6 PV-Tech:
Jinko follows JA in dropping ‘solar’ from name
7 Solar Power World:
SOL Components issued patent for mounting rail used on solar trackers
8 Energy Storage News:
FlexGen, SMT Energy commission 320MWh Texas BESS in just six weeks, as ERCOT grid faces record demand
Opinions:
9 Canary Media:
Questionable data center forecasts are driving up Ohio power bills
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for September 10th
New Boots on the Ground Podcast. The most fun episode to date and some good commentary about massive valuations in the transactions, what drove them and how getting involved politically is a clear business strategy, especially as you read the commentary below. Subscribe on your podcast app or go to YouTube. solarwakeup.com/boots for all the links and post about it on Linkedin.
News
1 PV-Magazine:
Suniva raises $835 million to drive 4.5 GW in new domestic cell capacity
2 Politico Pro:
Solar sector launches new PAC as clean energy groups sharpen their political attacks
3 Utility Dive:
Front-of-meter solar, storage could serve 32% of California’s 2032 peak load
4 PV-Tech:
FTC Solar begins solar tracker shipments for 330MW PV project
5 Solar Power World:
GameChange Energy responds to Nextpower lawsuit with another lawsuit
6 Axios:
Scoop - Best states for EV charging
7 Reuters:
Thailand to provide $1.5 billion for rooftop solar scheme starting mid-October, finance minister says
8 Energy Storage News:
CATL, EVE Energy lead Chinese manufacturers’ battery storage cell price hikes
9 Canary Media:
Virginia kept its climate law. Dominion sees a loophole.
Opinions:
10 BLoomberg:
EU Warned Failure to End Russian Energy Ties Risks Fresh Crisis
Have a great day!
Yann
