Solar+storage sited at C&I locations can be the backbone of the grid
An analysis by Station A shows a potential for siting 48 GW of solar plus 22 GW / 42 GWh of energy storage in California commercial and industrial locations, meeting 19% of the state grid operator’s legally binding “Resource Adequacy” requirements.
$200 million fund seeks C&I and small scale utility solar projects
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners has invested $200 million in a new distributed solar company – Madison Energy Investments – focused on ground-mount, rooftop and carport projects ranging from 500 kw – 20 MW.
pvmb 3/15/19 – Tesla gets a new car and CFO, FERC deletes its phone directory, and more!
pv magazine USA sees spring is around the corner, so here’s a fresh Morning Brief, including Fitch downgrading more California Solar and Toyota buying power from solar projects planned in Kentucky.
Industry first: Flow battery gets 10-year performance insurance
Munich Re, a global insurance company, is offering a 10 year “Project Cover” plan for ESS’s two flow battery models – 50 kW / 400 kWh and 100 kW / 400 kWh. ESS suggests a 25+ year lifetime on its product with zero degradation.
Corporate buyers of solar electricity face price risk
Corporations that lock in a fixed purchase price for solar power, offset by sale of the power at varying wholesale rates, could face “significant financial downside,” says an advisory group, as more solar on the grid could drive down wholesale prices.
Tesla borrows $520m from China for Shanghai Gigafactory
The electric carmaker has signed 12-month credit agreements with three of China’s “Big Four” lenders as well as the development bank for Shanghai as it aims to get its lower-priced Model 3s rolling off the production line by the end of the year.
Wind+solar developer sells pipeline to National Grid for more than $100 million
National Grid has purchased the wind and solar energy developer Geronimo Energy for “at least $100 million”, and is negotiating to buy a 51% stake in 378 MW the group has already developed.
Like peanut butter and jelly, wind+solar in a 1.2 GW deal
NextEra and KKR have partnered on a portfolio of ten operational wind+solar assets, totaling 860 MW of wind and 328 MWac of solar, in a $900 million convertible equity finance deal.
Sunrun breaks 100 MW, heavy investment ongoing
The nation’s largest residential solar company noted higher than expected revenues, an increased net present value of its installations, and a hold of installation costs under $2/W – but also a strong operating cost increase and a Wall Street misinterpretation on expected earnings per share.
Enphase is making money again
Enphase noted $92 million in revenue in Q4’18, and over $106 million in cash on hand as the company reported quarterly and annual positive operating incomes – its first in years. Enphase is completely booked for all of Q1 and seemingly into the late spring months.
