PURPA so good it hurts, still needed though
An analysis by a utility backed group suggests that the competitive market for solar power is producing better rates than the legally required PURPA marketplace, suggesting revisions to the pricing mechanism. Market activity suggests the political lever of the tool is still needed though, and the report has some issues.
PV module shipments spiked in September
The latest information from the U.S. Department of Energy shows module shipments rising above 1.5 GW in September. While imports were down slightly from an August high, they were joined by a higher level of exports and modules shipped within the United States.
SRP joins the big boys of battery storage
Salt River Project has announced a 250 MW, 1,000 MWh battery project, located in Little Rainbow Valley. The project will be the largest in Arizona and among the largest in the country.
Hardware Brief: 26.5¢/W modules, new silicon carbide inverters, dual axis tracker 4 year ROI, drones!!
Modules and inverters and trackers, oh my! PV InfoLink sees as low as 21¢/W modules on the spot market, Kaco has released a series of 1000V and 1500V inverters between 87 and 150 kW, Mechatron’s dual axis tracker took the place of a carport, and Drone Magnetic Survey Company has figured out that there’s a niche finding old wells and metal under solar fields!
Hanwha Q Cells loses first round of patent infringement suit
U.S. trade authorities plan to issue an initial determination finding non-infringement on the company’s patents by JinkoSolar, LONGi and REC Group, which could prevent Hanwha from shutting their PERC-based products out of the U.S. market. Hanwha intends to appeal.
Clorox is going solar, Downtown Denver’s biggest rooftop project: pvMB 11/14/19
Hello one and all and welcome to the pvMB. Today we’ve got on the docket we’ve got the groundbreaking of the King Solar project in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, a Sunworks project in Massachusetts, and Simon’s solar.
California home solar mandate tightened, community solar definition needed
The California Energy Commission has delayed a decision on a utility proposal to use large-scale solar to meet pending solar home mandate requirements, with commissioner comments suggesting a refinement of the community solar aspect of the mandate is coming.
Institutional investors warm to residential solar securitizations
Solar Mosaic’s recent $208 million securitization of residential solar loans is the latest sign that institutional investors are getting more comfortable with this class of asset-backed securities.
Another giant makes its home in Texas
Ground has broken on Ørsted’s 420 MWac Permian Energy Center, complete with a 40 MWac battery unit to complement the project’s solar generation.
More customers, at a higher price
Sunrun’s Q3 results see the company continuing on its path of growth and higher sales and marketing costs, which hit 81c per watt. How long can this go on for?
