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.
- New York Times: Coal Is Killing the Planet. Trump Loves It.
- SolarWakeup: Regulatory Certainty Could Help Stabilize Michigan’s Market
- SolarWakeup: Come Support Vote Solar – After All, They Support You
- PV-Tech: New Jersey’s community solar pilot proposals
- Times Free Press: TVA solar lags as power companies across Southeast embrace renewable energy
- Greentech Media: Load-Following for Corporate Buyers: How We Matched Solar With Hydro
- Florida Politics: PSC postpones hearing on Vero Beach utility deal
- Utility Dive: Arizona regulator wants to adopt 80% clean energy plan before gas moratorium ends
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann