Big Solar. Especially In China. China gets blamed for cheap solar panels, especially in the 201 petition. In 2016, their market was more than 2x the US, over 30GW. Coal is drastically declining there too. IEA, which isn’t known for great data is lifting its solar outlook in response to real data.
The Truth About Peaking Power. Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Peaking power plants are losing their value because the capacity contracts and repower approvals aren’t getting done. Solar with storage is too cost effective so I ask again. What are you doing to make your solar project dispatchable with dc-coupled storage? I ask selfishly because that is my focus today in helping develop these projects.
Storage In Massachusetts. Engie is building a storage project, interesting on a few counts. We’re coming down from the 4 hour system into a 2 hour system which lowers costs and keeps the flexibility aspects there. It’s still small though, 3MW doesn’t move the needle and we need to go much bigger. See above, dispatching solar projects is the real need in the market.
ISOs Respond to Perry. PJM doesn’t like it. ISOs say that this would harm their free market pricing signals. FERC is independent of DOE so I look forward to hearing the testimony.
Your Answers On My Question. Thanks for the feedback on my question about charging for the newsletter. Dozens of you wrote that I should get sponsors instead, which I tend to agree with but solar doesn’t do digital advertising, we prefer lanyards. That is why I started SolarWakeup Live! Mini-conferences. Boston and DC in 2017, New York in January and San Diego in February. Many said you wanted to help grow this platform we all share, sponsor one or more conferences and our conversations will flourish.
- Bloomberg: Solar Grew Faster Than All Other Forms of Power for the First Time
- PV-Magazine: California rejects gas peaker plant, seeks clean energy alternatives
- Solar Industry: Mass. Utility-Scale Storage Project Slated For Solar Farm
- Vox: Rick Perry’s plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants is bonkers
- PJM: PJM Responds to DoE Proposal
- Greentech Media: Saudi Solar Bid Makes Solar Cheapest Electricity in the World, but There’s a Catch
- Reuters: IEA lifts five-year renewables forecast after record 2016
- CNBC: Oil and gas giant Statoil moves into solar, acquires share in 162 megawatt Brazilian facility
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann