Solar Job Numbers Out. Here is your 2017 Solar Jobs Census from the Solar Foundation. Down almost 10,000 jobs but up in 29 States. California and Massachusetts lost the most jobs, 14% and 21% respectively. This is all due to the 201 uncertainty. Suniva and SolarWorld would never create 10,000 jobs and here is the impact they caused, backed by data. This is mostly before the USITC injury finding and definitely before the 201 decision. I’d love to hear from you how 2017 went for your company versus your business plan and how you are planning for 2018.
Blockchain In Solar. The first podcast from the SolarWakeup Live! New York discussions is out. This one was on a topic I didn’t know much about until I started planning. Blockchain is an intriguing technology concept that can help power markets in many ways and in a simplified explanation can become the net metering of the future. It will be some time before it gets integrated more fully but IT companies are already using it without your knowledge which will continue to increase over time. It’s a cool concept that was a popular discussion at the show. Catch the podcast here.
Oil To Solar, Saudi Style. It has taken years for Saudi Arabia to go solar but now it is starting, tapping ACWA Power to build the first large solar farm. Without the trade fights increasing the cost of solar artificially, we saw PPA offers sub 3 cents without subsidies. Keep your eyes on these new markets to push pricing down across solar and energy storage going forward. Scale matters on a global scale.
China To WTO. I guess we will have to watch the WTO process with multiple parties engaging the trade court with regard to the 201 tariff decision. Seems like the easier way would be for President Xi to pick up the phone and tell Trump to drop the tariffs and AD/CVD decisions as well. Sounds that simple to me, Trump feeling that he’s doing Xi a favor should do the trick.
Electrification Sources. Every utility is going to have a different fuel mix so if you have an electric car, the source will differ. There is going to be a direct link between EV drives and their adoption of solar on their home and business because they will want, if possible, get their energy from the sun. That is a lifestyle difference that comes up with the change in habits on the driving side. If you are selling solar to your customers, focus on those with electric cars, they are ready to make a deal.
- Solar Foundation: 2017 National Jobs Census
- SolarWakeup Live!: Blockchain and Solar In Power Markets With LO3 Energy and Nat’l Grid, SolarWakeup Live! New York
- New York Times: From Oil to Solar – Saudi Arabia Plots a Shift to Renewables
- Reuters: China demands compensation for U.S. solar tariffs – WTO filings
- CleanTechnica: Electric Cars Mostly Run On Electricity From Renewable Energy Or Natural Gas
- Utility Dive: New York could be headed for the country’s most ambitious energy storage goal
- Washington Post: China solar supplier grows in India to avoid trade controls
- Grist: Oregon is about to get a big, $48 million pile of solar panels
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann