When A Market Is A Market. IHS reports that 2021 is going to be a record year with 181GW of solar installed across the world, growing 27% over last year. This is a good thing for the planet and creates a reality that we can’t question where this is going. Our baseline no longer includes a possible fossil first energy market. Driven by cost, demand and policy, the energy transition has entered the full court press which means that any grid planning and market design has to re-evaluate the what the generation portfolio looks like going forward. There is still untapped value in how generation is used, designed or valued by those making those investments but I would bet my career that every energy market is making changes in real time to adjust to the new reality.
What’s In A Name. The car of the people is becoming the car of energy units. Let’s see if the leaked VW press release is real or not…
Not Green Or Alternative. In the upcoming months you’ll see the world of political PR twist roads and bridges into the green new deal, renaming the infrastructure bill as the green stimulus. The counter has to be by the people and for the people and you can have an impact on this. Start building a relationship with your local TV and newspapers to show the jobs that you created in post covid months. Focus on great stories where an employee was trained by you and created a new opportunity for them. There is no need for hyperbole, I know that you have great stories and great team members that are excited to be working in solar having come from a different industry. This can’t just be led by DC groups or large corporations, you need to be changing the hearts and minds of people watching your local news. Just search for your local tv ‘news desk’ and you’ll find a form or phone number.
Free Series for Solar EPCs. I’ve teamed up with EagleView to host their Solar Business PowerSeries. Each month, we’re talking with experts on topics like LEAN and TQM, streamlining the solar permit process, deploying technology in solar, and more. This month, I’m talking with Jake Wachman from SunPower Corporation about how his company uses technology and automation to drive growth. If you’re a small- or mid-sized EPC who’s looking to improve your operations in 2021, sign up to join us live on April 8th. Registered users also gain access to the first two episodes on-demand.
- Reuters: New global solar PV installations to increase 27% to record 181 GW this year – IHS Markit
- Car and Driver: VW of America Reportedly Changing Name to ‘Voltswagen,’ Maybe
- New York Times: Biden’s Lesson From Past Green Stimulus Failures- Go Even Bigger
- PV-Magazine: Vote Solar begins work in Pennsylvania, pushes for greater renewable commitment
- PV-Tech: Massachusetts governor signs climate bill
- Axios: Wind and solar power aren’t displacing coal nearly fast enough
- Vox: Joe Biden’s coming infrastructure push, explained
- Energy Storage News: Europe predicted to deploy nearly twice as much electrical storage in 2021 than last year
- RMI: Eight Benefits of Building Electrification for Households, Communities, and Climate
Opinion
Best, Yann