Markets

Thanks in no small part to modules stockpiled before the Section 201 tariffs hit, both the utility-scale and “non-residential” market segments grew year-over-year in Q1. And while the duties are expected to play a greater role in 2019, there are other factors supporting ongoing market growth.

Community choice aggregator CleanPowerSF has signed a 22-year PPA with sPower for a 100 MW project in Lancaster, California. The project is expected to be online in 2019.

Arizona’s largest power user has approved a 20-year power contract with a 30 MW solar project at 2.49¢/kWh, the lowest confirmed price for a public solar power contract to date. The deal also involves shutting down a coal plant.

The Illinois Power Agency published its renewable energy credit prices for upcoming auctions for the Adjustable Block and Illinois Solar For All programs.

Global oversupply and a collapse in module prices are not good news for manufacturers. But the details are always more complex, and many of the factories planned for the United States appear to be staying the course.

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) have introduced a bill to rescind the duty and tariff-rate quota on imported solar. This follows the introduction of a similar bill in the U.S. House.

Two Wisconsin utilities are in talks to purchase the NextEra project, which is in excess of state renewable energy requirements and will be four times as large as all of the cumulative solar built in Wisconsin to date.

Following the April decision that opened the door to Sunrun’s leases, the residential solar leader began offering its solar leases and energy storage product in the state today.

A flood of cheap solar panels is likely to partially offset the effect of the Section 201 duties. It may also mean the revival of projects with marginal economics and could lead to module supply contracts being renegotiated.

Xcel Energy’s 120-day report to Colorado regulators includes an additional 1.1 GW of wind at 1.1-1.8¢/kWh. Solar power bids have come in at 2.2-2.7¢/kWh, and solar+storage at 3.0-3.2¢/kWh.