This is your SolarWakeup for March 19th, 2020

The Permit Problem. According to the SolarWakeup tracking survey, 44% of installers are seeing building department close or delay inspections due to COVID-19. It is understandable that the situation is happening and at the same time an opportune time to talk about how solar should be permitted. Solar permits should be automated and instant, we already have the software tools at our disposal that create the drawings installers need to follow in order to build code compliant solar. If the software were vetted by a building department or state regulator, as long as the installer followed the plans, they should be able to build the system right away. Inspectors could choose to video conference the inspection with the installer or spot check the system at a later date, if the installer fails to do it correctly they would be thrown off the instant permit system and risk losing their license. If there was ever a time to create a digital bridge between solar installers and AHJs, the time is now.

Solar Is An Essential Business. There is a reason that solar installers need to be able to keep working. While sales will transition to remote, phone and video calls, installations are safe to proceed without contamination risk. Imagine if this crisis was happening in a few months when the risks of wildfires start back up? Just yesterday there was a major earthquake in Salt Lake City. Solar installers across the Country are adding solar and storage that make homeowners self-reliant and eliminate the risk of power shutoffs for at risk population. It is crucial that solar continues to install safely while maintaining social distancing. In the Bay Area, most of the counties have put a shelter in place order in force that excludes essential businesses. For me, it is very clear that solar is and should continue to be able to work in order to allow the preparation for wildfire season to continue.

The Problem With The Data. Most of us are feeling a level of uneasiness that we have never felt before, I feel it too. With three kids at home, and the prospects of no school for the next 5 months, I don’t know what happens from here. Here is my biggest problem with all of this, we need bigger data. In this vast country of 300 million people we have 60,000 people tested and 8,700 positives. That’s a terrible data set to make decisions on, for our country, society and industry we need to make the right decision based on the right data. If it means we have to shut everything down for 30 days, so be it but let’s stop messing around without knowing the facts.

Thank You. The first SolarWakeup tracking survey was a success. The results will be published tomorrow and every Friday from here on out. On Sunday each week, you will receive a link to the next survey and I hope more of you decide to participate going forward. Knowing what is happening in the market will get us to a point where we can speak with data to politicians on how they can help us through this troubled time. More to come. 

Opinion

Best, Yann