This is your SolarWakeup for March 13th, 2023
Opinion
News
1 Utility Dive:
Storage was solar’s co-star in 2023, a record-breaking year for both - American Clean Power
2 Axios:
U.S. widens its lead in fossil fuel production
3 Reuters:
Excelsior Energy sells solar assets from inaugural fund to BlackRock
4 Bloomberg:
Puerto Rico Power Authority’s Planned ‘Turbo’ Bonds Seen as Blueprint for Utilities
5 PV-Magazine:
A look at the great transformer shortage affecting U.S. utilities
6 Renewable Energy World:
White House - Good-paying clean energy jobs are on the rise
7 PV-Tech:
BrightNight and ACEN to develop 1GWac renewables portfolio in the Philippines
8 Solar Power World:
Shoals patent infringement complaints continue way through courts
9 Energy Storage News:
EU ‘stepping up its game’ on battery gigafactories in Europe
Opinions:
10 Grist:
The IRA has injected $240 billion into clean energy. The US still needs more.
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 11th, 2023
Politics And Pursuit Of None. I agree with Invenergy’s founder, Michael Polsky, that renewable energy would be better off without politics but the same could be said about most industries. Energy on the other hand is one of the most regulated industries because they are monopolies for most Americans and the trillions of dollars that exchange hands. So let’s agree that the energy markets will never exist without politics. Then agree on the next reality that is that in order to survive, grow and thrive, renewable energy markets need to win the politics of every moment. Not enough CEOs in our industry prioritize the public policy aspects of their jobs and the resources that need to be leveraged in order to advance our causes. We’ve come far, SEIAs budget is like 300x what it was 25 years ago for example and the public’s support of solar and storage is exceedingly high but when it comes to the regulators at local, state and federal levels, we are outnumbered by the incumbents that live in the nuance that is regulatory policies.
Subscribe. As you walk around the Biltmore this week in Phoenix, I thank you for telling your colleagues about SolarWakeup. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe at solarwakeup.com
News
1 PV-Magazine:
The top five states for solar deployment in 2023
2 Axios:
What Biden's State of the Union revealed about his climate plans
3 Wall Street Journal:
He’s a Renewable-Power Billionaire, Not an Environmentalist
4 Utility Dive:
Federal lawmakers urge FERC to adopt ‘shared savings’ incentive for grid-enhancing technologies
5 Bloomberg:
China Coal Group Says Peak Demand Imminent as Clean Power Grows
6 Reuters:
Off-grid solar has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, so why is it in short supply?
7 PV-Tech:
Solar manufacturers responsible for module recycling in EU
8 Energy Storage News:
Developer NatPower claims 60GWh UK BESS plans
9 Canary Media:
Chart - US smashes record for climatetech investment in 2023
Opinions:
10 Renewable Energy World:
Renewable energy industry reacts to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 8th, 2023
Phoenix Infocast. I’m coming back! I’ll be in Phoenix on Monday and Tuesday for the Infocast Solar + Wind conference. Would love to see many of you again, if you’re going reach out and say hello. Especially if you’re looking for some support on your energy storage projects!
News
1 Washington Post:
Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power
2 Bloomberg:
Solar Panels Spread Across America's Heartland as Farmers Chase Stable Returns
3 S&P Global:
ISO New England forecasts about 3.5 GW solar output decline during April solar eclipse
4 Utility Dive:
MISO proposes up to $23B transmission expansion with 765-kV ‘highway’
5 New York Times:
Live Updates
6 Axios:
Podesta touts Biden's climate law, lays out COP29 vision
7 Reuters:
US solar wafer build stutters as Chinese surplus bites
8 Energy Storage News:
Regulator in Germany approves TSO Amprion’s decentralised grid booster BESS
9 Heatmap News:
Bitcoin Has a Feel-Good Energy Story
Opinions:
10 PV-Magazine:
Policy recommendations to support U.S. rooftop solar installation
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 7th, 2023
50Billion. With 32GW installed last year spanning from utility scale to residential, I would presume we’re close to the $50billion mark especially with project finance giving a 2 for 1 in the construction to perm markets. Add on the storage growth, we’ll cross the $100billion market size soon and keep growing. It’s not just for fun either, we’ve talked about how the market is based on load growth and more energy needs across the board. This has to come from reliable and cheap sources like solar which made up 53% of the new capacity last year.
Premium? What’s your view on domestic versus not? Can you justify and get your investors, board and shareholders comfortable with committing to domestic supply chain or is it economics above all? Would love your thoughts on this.
Phoenix Infocast. I’m coming back! I’ll be in Phoenix on Monday and Tuesday for the Infocast Solar + Wind conference. Would love to see many of you again, if you’re going reach out and say hello.
News
1 Utility Dive:
U.S. deployed a record 32 GW of solar generating capacity in 2023 - SEIA
2 Renewable Energy World:
Wood Mackenzie - Solar accounted for 53% of new U.S. generation in 2023 and will keep growing
3 Bloomberg:
Sinking Solar Prices Seen as Threat to US Manufacturing
4 PV-Magazine:
California community solar market lies in limbo
5 Reuters:
Italy's green transition efforts held back by lack of big solar projects
6 Semafor:
After Big Oil’s waves of consolidations, Big Solar could be next
7 Solar Power World:
Import duties may soon be coming to aluminum solar racking
8 Energy Storage News:
EU launches energy storage investment platform Repono, targets 100GWh by 2030
Opinions:
9 Canary Media:
One big downside of LNG exports
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 6th, 2023
Opinion
News
1 PV-Magazine:
This Biden era law has spurred $240 billion in clean energy investment and 170,000 jobs
2 Solar Power World:
Final IRS rules released on IRA direct pay and transferability
3 Axios:
White House moves to stem wave of Chinese EVs
4 Reuters:
The Netherlands shines as key European energy transition driver
5 Heatmap:
Why the SEC’s New Climate Rules Matter
6 Canary Media:
A new Energy Department program aims to recycle wind turbine magnets
Opinions:
7 Utility Dive:
To expand EV charging, merge the gas station and electrify-everything models
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 5th, 2023
Opinion
News
1 Utility Dive:
NERC to file inverter-based resource rule revisions with federal regulators
2 PV-Tech:
EU to support solar manufacturing in face of “very fragile situation”
3 Axios:
Exclusive - New push to cut short-lived climate pollutant emissions
4 Reuters:
EU cannot close borders to solar imports, energy chief says
5 Energy Storage News:
US DOE allocates US$366 million to 17 projects in Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas programme
6 PV-Magazine:
The path beyond 5 TW of solar
7 Bloomberg:
John Kerry, the Forrest Gump of Climate, Bows Out
Opinions:
8 Heatmap:
A Carbon Tax Is Back on the Table
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 4th, 2023
Some Stats For You. Electricity demand in 2022 was up 0.5% and grids are estimating a growth rate of 2-5% over the next ten years. But did you know that data centers will use 6% of energy demand in two years? Did you know that your ChatGPT query uses 9 times more energy than your google search? The CCA in Silicon Valley estimates it’s load to double by 2035. All of this will put enormous pressure on planners to figure out a way to say yes to growth opportunities because no Governor wants to hear that a data center didn’t come to their State because no connection was available.
News
1 Utility Dive:
IRA implementation is still suffering from regulatory uncertainty, executives say
2 Heatmap News:
Electricity Demand Is Surging for the First Time Since the 1990s
3 Bloomberg:
Europe’s Unusually Mild Winter Is Set to Extend Into March
4 Politico:
EU presses countries to rescue drowning solar industry
5 Axios:
EPA tries the Goldilocks route on power plants
6 Solar Power World:
Senate Democrats ask Treasury to require American-made wafers for solar panel domestic content bonus
7 Energy Storage News:
UK’s Harmony Energy expects ‘attractive returns’ in 2024 as BESS trading conditions improve
8 PV-Magazine:
Alberta lifts moratorium on renewable energy projects
Opinions:
9 Reuters:
Yellen vows to work for closer ties, work on green energy in visit to Chile
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for March 1st, 2023
Happy Friday! Question for you, would you drive a Chinese car? Would your siblings, parents or kids?
News
1 Heatmap News:
Biden Knows Tariffs Won’t Stop Chinese EVs
2 Reuters:
Biden nominates two Democrats, one Republican to federal energy regulator
3 New York Times:
Biden’s Energy Balancing Act
4 Canary Media:
Two major New York offshore wind projects are back on track
5 Utility Dive:
Crypto miners, Biden administration appear to reach agreement over energy data collection
6 PV-Tech:
Polysilicon exports to China lowest since 2011 due to US import laws – Bernreuter
7 Axios:
Six different countries facing same climate risks
8 PV-magazine:
Shell to sell 25% of its U.S. solar assets, said Reuters
Opinions:
9 Energy Storage News:
The reasons why investors are busy buying BESS developers in the UK and Germany
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for February 29th, 2023
Opinion
News
1 Utility Dive:
DOE, NARUC publish cybersecurity ‘baselines’ for utilities, distributed energy resources
2 Axios:
Wildfire in Texas Panhandle explodes into state's second-largest blaze
3 PV-Tech:
Array Technologies reports US$1.58 billion in revenue in 2023
4 Reuters:
First Solar swings to quarterly profit, forecasts higher sales in 2024
5 Bloomberg:
NRG Targeting $900 Million From Texas for New Gas Plants
6 Energy Storage News:
Europe - Rising battery storage markets playing catch-up to the UK’s lead
7 Heatmap News:
The Next Big Climate Tool - Little Chunks of Rock
8 PV-Magazine:
U.S. solar up 52% in 2023 as nation deploys 35.3 GW of capacity
Opinions:
9 Renew Economy:
How Australia’s newest big battery has cashed in on market volatility
Have a great day!
Yann
This is your SolarWakeup for February 28th, 2023
Opinion
News
1 PV-Tech:
SunPower announces departure of CEO Peter Faricy
2 PV-Magazine:
Massachusetts lawmakers urged to adopt “million solar roofs” equivalent
3 Bridge Michigan:
$900M solar component factory to add 1,100 clean energy jobs in Michigan
4 Utility Dive:
Congressional action on energy permitting remains stuck, but states, developers are finding solutions
5 BLoomberg:
Trump's Green-Bashing and Europe's Right Put Climate Goals at Risk
6 Reuters:
US unveils $366 mln for clean energy in underserved, remote areas
7 Energy Storage News:
‘Battery developers were biggest winners’ in UK’s T-1 Capacity Market auction last week
8 Canary Media:
This report puts a price tag on the climate impacts of US LNG exports
Opinions:
9 Heatmap News:
Even Warren Buffett Thinks the Era of Private Utilities Is Over
Have a great day!
Yann
