By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: I’ll tell you all what: David Roberts, aka Dr. Vox, knows how to capture your attention. Last I saw him, he was claiming battery storage had a “dirty secret,” about which we, well…you might say we disagreed. But he’s back, and this time I agree with him. The key takeaway: “So the only rule of climate policy that really matters is: go as hard and fast as possible, forever and ever. Amen.” (As a retired Catholic, I couldn’t resist adjusting the punctuation a bit.) In today’s piece, Dr. Vox discusses how humanity can … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: The Connecticut Senate voted on the horrifically anti-solar SB 9 yesterday and passed it. It now moves on to the House today, with a vote scheduled for tomorrow. This is our last chance to stop this monstrosity, so get on your phones TODAY and call a Connecticut House member to urge them to vote against this bill. But let’s focus today on the blatant hypocrisy of Democratic Rep. Lonnie Reed, who had no problem taking solar’s shine when it suited her, but called solar “ugly” during yesterday’s debate. SolarWakeup’s View:  Here’s Part 3 … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: Duke Energy penned an opinion piece for The State boldly arguing the cost-shift, which I have to admit is a gutsy move. It’s particularly gutsy since, as I’ve written so many times my fingers can type it without any guidance from my brain, THE COST SHIFT ARGUMENT IS A LIE. To make my life easier later in this piece, I’ll just note here that the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) says South Carolina receives 0.21% of its electricity from solar sources, a fact that, as always, is essential when trying to kill the … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: California could become the first state to mandate all new-build homes be powered by solar energy. The state’s energy commission (CEC) will vote this week on the proposal, which would require virtually all new-build residences to be outfitted with solar modules. Reports say around 20% of new builds in California are currently solar-ready. SolarWakeup’s View:  The California Energy Commission could completely revolutionize what it means to go solar if they approve rules later this week that would mandate solar modules be included on all new-build homes three stories or higher. According to a … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: It appears Florida is finally getting serious about becoming a viable solar market. Two weeks ago, the Public Service Commission decided, against all odds and the expectations of some seasoned solar observers, to allow third parties to own solar arrays without becoming regulated utilities. In the wake of the decision, at least one major residential solar company has decided to execute a Florida market plan it’s been working on for years and waiting for precisely the right moment to go in—and they’ve decided now is that time. To discuss this development is the the … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: One of my favorite TV shows, CBS’ Madam Secretary, used an entire episode about an energy summit they are attending to spout pro-nuclear talking points. Ironically, the discussion starts because one character is arguing strongly that natural gas needs to be included in a “Future of Energy” pavilion and that nuclear has too big a space. Meanwhile, solar and wind – the two sources that actually are the future of energy – are shunted off into an “annex.” Seriously, my jaw dropped as I watched the episode. The show’s writers are usually so … Read More →

By Yann Brandt, Managing Editor What Happened: In this episode of SolarWakeup Live!, taped live at the Midwest Solar Expo, I speak with the CEO of Connexus Energy, Greg Ridderbusch. Connexus Energy is one of the largest utility cooperatives in the Country and serves over 150,000 members in Minnesota. Connexus is building a 10MW solar farm which will be integrated with an AC coupled energy storage system. This project was done under a PPA and energy storage agreement which work to save money to the members. The conversations shows the power of solar for utilities around the country and we end … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: After utilities snuck in the back door and stabbed a bill that would have eliminated a nonsensical net metering cap to death, solar advocates are trying one last Hail Mary in an attempt to save solar jobs in the Palmetto State. As you know (if you read SolarWakeup, anyway), South Carolina’s House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor a bill that would have eliminated the state’s insanely low 2% net metering cap. Then the utilities did the aforementioned stabbing, lobbying for (and getting) the bill to be changed into a “tax increase,” which … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: Yesterday, I promised you more information on why pending legislation in Connecticut that would eliminate net metering would be a disaster for the solar industry. Yesterday, we dealt with the idea of “simultaneous consumption” argument (a compensation scheme so complicated you need an accounting degree to figure it out). Today, we’ll deal with the idea that solar consumerss are utilities. The worst part of it is, the legislative session ends next Wednesday, so there’s little time to scuttle this monstrosity (fire up your phones and get dialing is what I am saying). SolarWakeup’s … Read More →

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent What Happened: So Reuters reported this morning that solar companies are setting large piles of cash on fire in their parking lots…oh, I’m sorry, I misspoke. They’re actually funding Republicans. Wait, maybe I was right in the first place. OK, I’m not a political naif. I know you have to give money to both sides to get things done, especially when the party that doesn’t support you is in power. But seriously, solar industry? How many times do you have to get sand kicked in your face before you realize that being nice to the … Read More →