This Week’s Podcast. I talk with Andy Klump from Clean Energy Associates (CEA). CEA works with companies to help them procure and quality check equipment like modules and batteries. Andy usually lives in Asia but is currently stateside while the pandemic keeps most of us in our homes. I spoke to him about the status of factories, how to make sure you get the best quality equipment, and what would happen if the ITC grant requires domestic content. He also makes some bold predictions about where prices for modules could go. Check out the episode and do us a favor by subscribing and rating.
Elon’s Alameda Drama. There is going to be a time in 2020 where the location of your business has an outsized impact on the success of your business. Tesla’s Fremont factory is going through that now. I’m not saying that Alameda is right or wrong, that’s for others to opine on, but the fact that the factory is in Alameda versus Michigan or 30 something other California Counties means that the factory is still not operational. The same is true for solar installers which lacks coordination with science. Bay Area counties are letting solar with storage be installed but not without storage. That means that installing solar in this area is locationally bad for business.
Time To Buy. Engie is out and public about wanting to do more in US energy storage, renewables and offshore wind. Engie has been one of the most active corporate investors in the market and if anything they see now as an opportune time to do more.
The Pivot Is On. The biggest reason there is a delay in getting you the results from last week’s survey is that there is now a distinct difference between installers that are investing in pivoting to new tools and processes while spending more on lead generation. The good news is that we are seeing the best levels of sales since the start of the pandemic. As installers, now is the time work together in friendly competition and find that the combined volume of the marketplace gives you the power.
SolarWakeup Is Hiring. Early bird gets the worm, a job posting will be going live next week for inside sales at SolarWakeup. If you know someone interested or interested yourself, send me a note.
- SolarWakeup Live!: Andy Klump Talks About Supply Chain, Battery Pricing and Quality Solar
- Greentech Media: Engie Looking for More US Clean Energy Acquisitions – North America CEO
- Energy News Network: Texas solar industry struggling due to oil market crash
- Solar Power World: Span raises $10.2 million for electrical panel innovation to expand solar + storage adoption
- RECharge: E.ON CEO Teyssen warns Covid-19 could push up German power prices
- Bloomberg: Elon Musk Is Breaking the Law by Reopening Tesla
- PV-Tech: Scatec Solar witnessing project completion delays of ‘up to five months’
- Utility Dive: NV Energy crafts solar+storage subscription plan to keep large customers in its service
Opinion
Best, Yann