What permitting volume tells us about solar deployment during the pandemic
Ohm Analytics has opened up its Weekly Solar Activity Tracker to the public. The tracker aggregates a sampling of solar building and electrical permits from major metro areas across the U.S. — and can be used to measure the impact of Covid-19 on the solar industry.
NEXTracker CEO challenges solar projections from Energy Information Administration
“EIA’s projections greatly underestimate the growth of solar and significantly overestimate coal’s persistence in the energy mix,” says Dan Shugar, CEO of NEXTracker.
Morning brief: Hawaii is installing batteries to support solar and wind, Ted Danson on energy storage
Also in the brief: Tesla is planning to retool its New York gigafactory to manufacture medical ventilators, SEIA is projecting that coronavirus could slash the solar workforce in half, a 50 MW community solar project approved in New Mexico and more.
Guide to installing residential solar amid a pandemic
As long as their businesses are allowed to operate, residential solar companies have to adhere to the changing world that Covid-19 has created. In light of this, Sunrun and SEIA have both released best practice guidelines for installing solar during a global pandemic.
Morning Brief: Power plants part of nation’s critical infrastructure, staff to remain onsite for weeks, months
Also in the brief: The business of putting solar panels on homes is being severely damaged, CIP to purchase stake in 440 MW solar PV project in Texas
ACORE calls on Congress for tax credit extension amid COVID-19 uncertainty
ACORE and five other environmental and renewable energy groups have written to Congress urging for start construction and safe harbor deadline extensions, as well as tax credits for stand-alone energy storage to relieve any industry hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The good news: The US added 13.3 GW of solar in 2019, beating wind and gas in new capacity
You know the bad news. Here are five takeaways from the pre-COVID-19 U.S. solar industry. As for how the coronavirus will impact 2020 foreacasts, supply chains, component costs and project timelines, stay safe and stay tuned.
Morning Brief: Google’s airborne wind turbine ‘moonshot’ closes, SEIA on Black History Month, solar under storm
Also in the morning brief: Maine’s renewable procurement, Scatec Solar’s big South African solar plant, Silfab Solar’s manufacturing expansion in Washington, plus the NABCEP conference is next month.
Midwest and Northern Tier states added 400 MW of small-scale solar in 2019
Solar contractors added far more small-scale solar in the 19-state area than in 2018, when they added 250 MW. Solar policy groups aim to improve opportunities for distributed solar in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Montana.
SEIA backs carbon pricing for New York wholesale power
The solar trade association and seven solar developers have endorsed carbon pricing for wholesale electricity in New York, which would boost renewables and help New York meet its carbon goal.
