pvMB 3/19/19 Fisker’s $40k EV, Navisun acquires a 14.3 MW solar portfolio… and more!

Tesla extends offer to acquire Maxwell Technologies – “Tesla, Inc. today announced that it has extended the expiration of its previously announced offer, through its direct wholly-owned subsidiary Cambria Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, to acquire each outstanding share of common stock of Maxwell Technologies, Inc… The offer is now scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on April 2, 2019, unless it is further extended or earlier terminated in accordance with the merger agreement. The offer was previously scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on March 19, 2019. All other terms and conditions of the tender offer remain unchanged.” Source: Tesla

Fisker hints at $40k EV – Fisker, the second-attempt startup electric vehicle company known founded by designer Henrik Fisker has announced plans to release an new EV with a starting price just above $40k. Details on the project are sparse outside of this tweet sent from Fisker. The car is assumed to be equipped with, if actually existing, a solid-state battery capable of an alleged 500 miles range and 1-minute charging. Source: Elektrek

Navisun acquires 14.3 MW solar portfolio – “Navisun LLC (“Navisun”), an independent solar power producer, today announced it has acquired a portfolio of nine active solar projects from Clean Energy Collective (“CEC”), a leading North American community solar developer and solutions provider. The 14.3-megawatt community solar project portfolio is located throughout Massachusetts… As part of this agreement, Navisun will enter into a long-term partnership with CEC to provide customer management services for the projects.” Source: Navisun

San Francisco could take over PG&E assets – Out of the ashes of one utility could another rise, like a phoenix. At least, that’s what officials in the city of San Francisco are looking to do, as the city is considering buying or seizing PG&E’s former wires to establish its own electric cooperative. With a goal of getting to 100% renewably-sourced electricity, owning the city’s utility sure would make that easier. Source: Bloomberg

NREL hits and surpasses $1 Billion economic impact – “In fiscal year (FY) 2017, the economic impact of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) amounted to more than $1.1 billion nationwide, according to a study by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. The new study estimates NREL’s impact on Colorado’s economy at nearly $748 million… The study, found that during FY 2017: NREL employed 1,745 full-time and part-time employees, approximately 60 percent of employees were involved in core research and development, more than 95 percent of NREL employees hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and nearly 64 percent have advanced degrees, with 31.7 percent holding doctoral degrees and 31.9 percent holding master’s degrees, NREL employees contributed $478,052 to local nonprofits while logging 1,529 volunteer hours, the laboratory welcomed more than 28,000 visitors to its campus and Education Center, and connected with more than 43,000 people through community outreach events.” Source: atlenergymag

Panasonic/Enphase AC modules to be available in March – Panasonic and Enphase announced jointly today that the two companies’ AC Series module featuring Enphase’s IQ 7X™ Microinverter will be made available to solar installation companies at the end of this month. The package comes with the 25-year Panasonic TripleGuard warranty on the panels and the Enphase Energy Limited Warranty on the microinverter. Source: Panasonic and Enphase

Orgis creates service branch – “Origis Energy USA today announced the formation of Origis Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary to serve the rapidly expanding U.S. solar and energy storage market with full scope operations, maintenance and asset management services.  The new company will serve Origis’ pipeline and growth as well as provide third party services. Senior solar industry professional, Michael Eyman, will lead the new firm as Managing Director. Origis Services currently manages a solar portfolio of over 500 megawatts (MWs) with integrated operations and maintenance (O&M) and asset management services. Expansion underway includes an advanced Remote Operations Control Center located in Austin, TX.”