John Fitzgerald Weaver
Wind and solar projects pump investment grade portfolio returns
Ullico has purchased part of a 1.3 GW wind+solar portfolio, originally developed and sold by sPower. The transaction, and other optimizations surrounding the portfolio, have increased the return on investment to 13% for one of the investment groups involved.
Solar panels increase grasses for sheep and cows by 90%
Researchers have determined that an Oregon solar facility altered the microclimate variables of mean air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and soil moisture beneath itself significantly – increasing water efficiency, allowing for much greater biomass growth.
Lazard, Lazard, LCOE – what’s the cheapest energy?
Lazard’s newly released Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis 12.0, and Storage 4.0, finds that where utility scale wind works, it dominates – and that the unsubsidized cost to build new utility wind and solar facilities is equal to, and often less than running already-built fossil facilities.
POWERHOUSE to turn on in December
RGS Energy says it expects to deliver its first POWERHOUSE solar shingles in December. The company did not accept deposits for its $127 million in written reservations, but now that UL approval is in they’re soliciting those groups for cash deposits.
Enphase sold out into 2019, with improved margins
Enphase’s 3rd quarter results saw revenues at $78 million with an estimated $10 million sales shortfall due to a component shortage, as the company shipped 204 MW of inverters. Future speculation saw an international play on the IQ8, the SunPower partnership, and energy storage driving growth.
Washington State carbon tax rejected soundly, again
Initiative Measure No. 1631, a tax of $15/ton on carbon pollution, was rejected 56-43% on almost 2 million votes. It was the most expensive ballot measure ever in the state with over $46 million in advertising dollars spent.
Europeans buying colonies back one solar racking company at a time
Esdec has acquired EcoFasten Solar, which it says gives it access to a large ecosystem of installers and distributors. The European racking manufacturer launched its US offensive earlier this year.
Head of the class: SunPower gets an ‘A’ on $440 million solar portfolio
The Kroll Bond Rating Agency delivered an Investment Grade preliminary rating on a SunPower residential lease portfolio of 317 MW. The P50 and P90 ratings after 20 years were projected near 90%, and 73-80%, respectively.
SunPower and Hannon Armstrong invest $10 million in residential solar leases
SunPower and Hannon Armstrong have entered into a joint venture to acquire, own, manage, operate, finance, and maintain a portfolio of residential solar pv systems currently or expected to be installed, working with potential tax equity partners.
Investment grade solar power gets $362 million in green bonds
Dominion Energy has closed on a private round of bonds whose purpose is to cover the utility’s investments in 20 solar projects totaling 574 MW-AC, all of which hold long term contracts.
