Data suggests collapse of PV module imports in the wake of Section 201
Newly released EIA data shows overall module shipments falling by 2/3 in the second quarter of 2018, while pre-tariff prices remained relatively steady.
China files WTO trade complaints against the United States
China has officially filed two complaints with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States, in response to its 30% Section 201 and 25% Section 301 tariffs.
Colorado trades away coal and gas for solar+wind+storage
The Colorado PUC has voted to provide initial approval of a plan to retire 660 MW of coal early and not build any new gas, instead constructing over 1 GW of wind, 700 MW of solar and 275 MW / 1.0 GWh of energy storage.
Tri-State could save $600 million by switching from coal to renewables
A study finds that “just the operating costs of many existing coal assets” now exceed total costs for new solar and wind power in the Mountain West. The Tri-State utility, for example, could save $600 million by 2030 by phasing out five coal units in favor of solar, wind and purchases of wholesale capacity and power.
Solar now makes up more than 10% of electricity in five states
Massachusetts has joined California, Hawaii, Nevada and Vermont in the club of states where solar represents 10% or more of in-state generation. Solar made up 2.4% of total generation in the United States during the first half of 2018, with solar and wind together making up slightly less than 10%.
Mitsubishi buys controlling stake in Nexamp
The acquisition of a share in Nexamp follows on Mitsubishi’s acquisition of BETM, which the company says will serve as the foundation for nationwide clean energy push.
Texas is going green: 86% of future capacity solar or wind, zero coal
ERCOT’s pipeline of projects has ballooned to almost 80 GW. 12 GW of this is gas and the rest is wind and solar power plants, as well as 522 MW of energy storage.
Coal, nuke bailout picks wrong winners and losers
In this op-ed for pv magazine, Standard Solar’s Scott Wiater explains how the attempts by the Trump Administration to bail out coal and nuclear power plants are a step in the wrong direction for both free markets and rational energy policy.
Battery materials market to grow 9% through 2022
A report by Technavio suggests the global market for battery materials could grow 9% annually for the next four years. Analysts point to the increasing installation of storage systems with PV as a key driver. pv magazine has covered previous reports predicting significant growth in PV and storage systems.
EPA’s Clean Power Plan replacement unlikely to have much impact on clean energy
The agency’s “Affordable Clean Energy” plan calls for changes to existing coal plants instead of a switch to gas and renewable energy. The impact on larger power markets is not likely to be significant, but one of the few things that can be said is that it will introduce more uncertainty.
