One aspect of taking on solar advocacy is the multiple fronts.  Our industry is covered well by a few groups and hopefully their advocacy will be able to take on the multiple markets.  One thing remains clear, the solar industry has to get involved in PUC commission elections and nominations.  Having solar friendly faces on these boards will make the battlefield for solar policies fair for all.

News

• CleanTechnica: US Solar Growth Driven By Middle-Class Americans
• Grist: Utility says nuclear greener than solar – for their shareholders
• ABQ Journal: PNM solar battery project a finalist for global energy award
• Midwest Energy: Minnesota’s day in the sun for determining the value of solar
• CleanTechnica: 20 GW Of Distributed Solar By 2015 Is New Target For China
• PV-Tech: Struggling LDK Solar delays interest repayments for second time
• RE World: Are Utilities Missing an Opportunity to Finance Solar and Storage?

Opinions

• GreenBiz: Startups compete to defeat the ‘soft costs’ of solar power
• Greentech Media: The Next Wave of Greentech Investing Is Already Here

Have a great day!

Yann

Arizona has gone from two sides arguing their position and lobbying to one of the most overt corporate scandals in recent times.  Utilities have incredible resources at their disposal and apparently APS is not afraid to put them to work, in any way, shape or form.  It’s a sad day for consumers, but I am glad to see and hear that the solar industry now stands up for itself in a whole new way.  Support Arizona solar and check out TASC

News

• HuffPost: AZ Solar Fight Heats Up As Utility Admits To Funding Campaign Ads
• Bloomberg: Wal-Mart Now Draws More Solar Power Than 38 U.S. States
• Greentech Media: 3 Factors Driving the Marriage of Solar and Energy Storage
• RE World: Women Urged To “Lean In” to the Solar Workforce
• Denver Post: Colorado’s solar rooftops deliver millions in benefits
• SF Gate: Solar switch forces utilities to shift priorities
• Forbes: Texas Energy Regulators Tepidly Endorse Potential Capacity Market
• PV-Tech: Gulf nations beginning to prove their solar demand is no mirage

Opinions

• CleanTechnica: Solar Schools Can Help Educate Kids About Clean Energy

Have a great day!

Yann

Create and Deliver Great Solar Content!

Another incredible SPI Convention.  As we leave Chicago and go back to growing our business for the upcoming year, take the time to create great solar content.  Content that is educational and non-commercial will be best received.  Ask yourself that you learned in a recent project or product design that may help someone, even your competitor.  If you need help thinking of ideas or getting your write-up out, let me know, we will help!

News

• AZ Central: APS to revise its plan in solar-subsidy debate
• SJ Mercury: Taking a page from the solar industry, financing for energy storage
• Denver Post: 1st auction of solar rights on public lands in Colorado draws no bids
• UT San Diego: Residential solar rebates extended
• PV-Tech: Half of Chile’s renewable pipeline now solar, but only 6.7MW built
• Greentech Media: GTM Research Exposes Hidden Solar Growth Markets
• Mother Nature: Robert Moses gets resilient with first of Solar For Sandy installations

Opinions

• Breaking Energy: The Future of Solar: Sink or Securitize
• Rob Day: Lessons From The Past Ten Years: Pooled Assets

Have a great day!

Yann

The best part of doing SolarWakeup.com is the reception from readers on the trade show floor at #SPICon.  Your support is phenomenal and greatly appreciated.  As we proceed into another year of innovation, expansion and development keep working to spread the solar message through this and the many great channels in solar media.  We will continue to expand how we market and improve.  Thank you to all of you!

News

• Greentech Media: Arizona Utility Funds Solar Smear Campaign
• Forbes: The New Publicly Funded Solar Projects You Should Care
• BizJournals: PSC staffer, consultant oppose solar fee
• Grist: Chicago makes it easier to put solar panels on roofs
• Greentech Media: SunShot Launches $60 Million in DOE Money to Improve Solar
• Denver Post: Colorado set be site of nation’s first public lands solar auction
• RE World: For Solar: Disruption Is a Good Thing
• Bloomberg: NRG and Exelon See Batteries Spurring Demand for Solar

Opinions

• Fox Business: Is It Finally Time for Solar?

Have a great day!

Yann