Tesla scales down solar deployment in Q1, readies Solar Roof
The first full quarter since Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity shows a 30% fall in watts of solar deployed, as the company focuses on preparations for the roll-out of its Solar Roof and Model 3 electric vehicle, including expanded battery production.
SGIP Step 1 (mostly) sells out in 24 hours
Lotteries have been triggered in the service areas of all four participating utilities, meaning that most incentives were fully subscribed in the first 24 hours. Deployment of the systems supported will more than double distributed battery storage capacities in California.
Utilities try new tactics to discourage solar, but still aren’t getting what they want
The latest NCCETC report on state solar policies finds some new twists as part of an ongoing attempt by utilities to weaken the economics of customer-owned solar, but regulators still mostly aren’t on board.
NRG continues moving into solar during Q1
Despite a challenging financial environment, NRG continues its solar expansion, including an increasing presence in community solar.
Report: Near-total renewable energy systems cheaper than gas in 2030 (w/ chart)
A report released last week by Climate Policy Initiative stresses flexibility and shows how energy storage and limited gas generation can support a power system dominated by renewables at a lower cost than conventional generation.
Spruce still hemorrhaging staff
More senior staff are leaving, and it remains unclear whether a sale of the solar and efficiency finance provider is on the table.
California reopens energy storage subsidies under SGIP (with chart)
The popular California Public Utilities Commission program will start receiving applications today for distributed energy projects that incorporate energy storage.
BREAKING: HelioPower files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The case, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, shows the California installer has liabilities of up to $10 million, owed to up to 5,000 creditors.
“Red state” utilities populate the top 10 lists for solar
SEPA’s annual utility list shows utilities in North Carolina, Iowa and Utah among the top 3 in its lists for solar installed on an absolute and per-customer basis. The organization also published new lists of the top utilities for storage deployment.
More evidence of California home solar decline under net metering 2.0 (with a chart)
Data released by OhmHome shows solar permits falling sharply, not only in San Diego but also in San Jose – an indicaction that Net Metering 2.0 has had a similarly negative effect in utility PG&E’s service area to what it did in SDG&E’s.
