The 50 Years of Solar. Last night the solar industry filled the atrium of the National Portrait Gallery and celebrated via a Gala the 50-year anniversary of this industry. Some of the founders were there and we’ll include the almost founder Tony Clifford of Standard Solar. It’s always great to see him. I doubt that anyone in 1974 would have imagined 5 million solar installations, 200GW, and $60B of deployment per year in the half century that would follow. SEIA was founded 5 years before President Carter installed solar on the pool house at the White House (Reagan didn’t love them). Congrats and thank you to the 50+ tables at the event, I love seeing the progress.
Trip Down Memory Lane. Some (maybe many) of you have been following this newsletter long enough to know that in some ways we’re the unofficial chronicle of the solar market, both external and internal. In the early days, I recognized that SolarWakeup may have been a thorn in the sides of those who were running SEIA. Things were messy and it wasn’t clear which direction solar should go but like a strong family, we kind of figured it out. Yes, there was a time when we debated whether SEIA should advocate for the ITC or let it go, I was called a welfare queen when I (along with some support) launched the Solar Pledge. Those of you who remember me as a PIA, I’m sorry, I’m glad I consider you friends today. So here's the message for the next 50 years of SEIA leaders. Let’s take our rightful place to build a better grid, cleaner grid, more equitable and cheaper grid, and ultimately a grid where solar power shines at night. Here’s to the Solar Century!
Opinion
News
1 Bloomberg:
Solar Power’s Giants Are Providing More Energy Than Big Oil
2 New York Times:
What to Know About Europe’s Extra Tariffs on Chinese Electric Cars
3 Axios:
Drenched South Florida faces fresh flood threats
4 Reuters:
Bound by rules and economics, EU trails U.S. on China tariffs
5 PV-Tech:
Swift Solar bags US$27 million for US perovskite development
6 Renewable Energy World:
Senate approves all three of Biden’s FERC nominees
7 Energy Storage News:
VIDEO - Energy-Storage.news meets… FlexGen
8 Canary Media:
This coal-heavy rural co-op utility is buying its first solar plants
9 PV-Magazine:
Solar represents over 80 % of U.S. electric capacity additions in 2024
Opinions:
10 Utility Dive:
How can more companies use 24/7 clean energy? Hourly matching is ‘not the hard part,’ analysts say
Have a great day!
Yann
50th Anniversary Gala. I’m heading to DC today to join many of you and industry leaders for the SEIA board of directors meeting and SEIA’s Golden Gala! It’s impressive what the industry has been able to achieve since President Carter installed solar thermal panels on the White House, promptly removed by the successor resident. If not for the massive trade fights that have plagued solar for a decade plus, the industry has been able to drive solar panel costs to single digit pennies per watt and installed panels on millions of rooftops across the Country. See you all in DC!
Opinion
News
1 Canary Media:
A Western US energy market would boost clean energy. Will it happen?
2 Bloomberg:
South Africa’s Eskom Seeks Executive to Lead Renewables Division
3 Renewable Energy World:
Why Texas is uniquely equipped for rapid growth in utility-scale battery storage
4 VT Digger:
iSun, a major Vermont solar installer and the parent company of SunCommon, files for bankruptcy
5 Reuters:
Eku Energy aims to expand its global battery storage to 9 GWh by 2028
6 Energy Storage News:
Volkswagen’s Elli plans large-scale BESS projects, first in Germany
7 Utility Dive:
Volkswagen’s Elli plans large-scale BESS projects, first in Germany
Opinions:
8 PV-Magazine:
More states now require smart inverters, enabling more distributed solar
Have a great day!
Yann
Opinion
Best, Yann
News
1 Utility Dive:
ITC allows solar tariff petition from First Solar, 6 others to advance with positive injury determination
2 Axios:
Orange juice falls prey to inflation
3 Bloomberg:
Swiss Back More Green Energy, Reject Health-Insurance Cap
4 New York Times:
Trump’s Energy Guy Talked a Green Game but Now Sells Big Oil Priorities
5 Renewable Energy World:
CAISO issues final revised addendum to interconnection process enhancements proposal
6 Energy storage News:
‘Energy storage can meet Europe’s energy challenges’ - Trade group EASE issues ‘manifesto’
7 Canary Media:
Chart - US sets new record with $71B in clean energy investment
Opinions:
8 PV-Magazine:
Walking the hazardous line of qualifying for the brownfield energy tax credit
Have a great day!
Yann
Opinion
Best, Yann
News
1 New York Times:
U.S. Adds Tariffs to Shield Struggling Solar Industry
2 Bloomberg:
US Rooftop Solar Installs Hit Two-Year Low in First Quarter
3 Utility Dive:
llinois renewables plan encouraging grid-enhancing technologies could be national model, group says
4 Reuters:
California set to crank gas power and emissions to keep cool
5 PV-Tech:
US breaks Q1 record to add 11.8GWdc solar capacity in previous quarter
6 Renewable Energy World:
National Grid Renewables expands ERCOT portfolio with solar + storage project
7 PV-Magazine:
Solar panel import tariffs are affecting the industry by increasing prices by up to 286%
Opinions:
8 Canary Media:
This CEO is finding win-win scenarios for clean energy
Have a great day!
Yann