Morning Brief: New Zealand invests in flow batteries, ‘NextGrid’ goes off the rails
Also in the brief: Tesla’s Q Con virtual power plant presentation, the University of Arkansas’ solar design contest, M&A during the pandemic, dodecahedrons and more
Pandemic-related uncertainty in the US solar industry — and the case for an ITC extension
Renewable energy industry officials are hopeful that a post-pandemic comeback is possible in 2021 but, “Supply chain issues haven’t played out yet,” said George Strobel of Monarch Capital.
Q Cells takes top share of the US distributed solar module market
The company claimed 25.2% of the residential solar module market, while controlling 13.3% of the commercial and industrial market, according to WoodMac’s Q1 2020 U.S. PV Leaderboard. The achievement marks the first time Q Cells has topped both markets, as well as the first time any company has held a residential market share of 25% or greater.
Electricity consumption up for pizza and liquor stores, down for dry cleaning and religion
Electrical demand across most, but not all, industries is down due to the pandemic. Yet, while hospitals and pizza shops drive demand, it remains to be seen how much of this new load will be met with renewable energy.
Trina’s new solar module confirmed at 515.8 W output, roadmap set for 600 W
Trina Solar has been manufacturing its 500 W modules for a month now and plans to increase module output to more than 600 W in the future.
Morning Brief: What does the pandemic mean for the energy transition?
Also in the brief: Michigan solar installers say their future depends on lifting the energy cap. Plus, chickens.
California values distributed energy resources fairly — and ratepayers score a big win
Until now, the value of distributed energy resources has been robbed by as much as 50% because the CPUC’s avoided cost calculators did not include avoided transmission costs in valuations of DERs.
Job moves at NEXTracker, Tesla, Fluence, Mosaic, Vote Solar, Voltus, Nomura Greentech
Executive and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC.
Battery startup FreeWire raises $25 million in funding
The funding was led by an existing investor of FreeWire, BP, and will allow the company to commercialize its upcoming Boost EV Charger, as well as expand operations across the United States and into Europe.
Sweden joins European trend and exits coal — two years earlier than planned
The Nordic nation is now the third European country to wave goodbye to coal for power generation. Another 11 European states have made plans to follow suit over the next decade.
