U.S. solar market slumps during second quarter
The impact of Section 201 tariffs is cited in a 9% year-over-year fall in installation volume during Q2. However, Wood Mackenzie and SEIA also show massive utility-scale procurement, which is expected to lead to a boom in the second half of the year.
SEIA visits top solar House Reps during “Advocacy Blitz”
Members of the solar trade group met with 101 different representatives whose districts are among the top in the country for solar to talk policy priorities, as well as continued investment in and development of the industry.
SEIA, Vote Solar support Nevada renewable energy mandate
The two groups have come out to advocate for Question 6, in hopes of establishing the fourth-most aggressive renewable portfolio standard in the country.
New coalition gives solar developers a voice at RTOs, FERC
Several utility-scale solar developers have come together under the Solar RTO Coalition, which is already making formal comments in FERC proceedings on PJM’s capacity market redesign.
SEIA hires John Smirnow, Tony Chen
Trade lawyer and former VP John Smirnow will rejoin the trade group. SEIA has also hired Tony Chen, formerly of SolarCity and Cool Earth Solar.
New York recommends “stopgap” measures to modify solar compensation
Two white papers issued by state regulators call for modifying the Value of Distributed Energy Resources calculation and increasing credits available for community solar projects. SEIA describes this as “forward progress”.
Kimbis, Mansour out at SEIA
The national solar trade organization has let go two of its long-time executives, which it says reflects a shift in strategy and priorities.
Nearly 2/3 of Americans support a solar mandate for new homes
A new poll by Morning Consult found surprisingly strong support for a California-style mandate across the political spectrum, although Liberals were more likely to favor the measure than Conservatives.
Solar at the stadium
A new report from SEIA finds that more and more franchises, from the NFL to Indycar, are choosing to add solar power to their stadiums and venues.
Large-scale solar stays strong in Q1 2018 (w/chart)
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.
