2018 solar power year in review (part 1)
Between tariffs on everything under the sun, Elon Musk’s $40 million tweet and the boom in energy storage, it’s been one Hell of a year.
Tesla Powerwall & Sono Motors solar car pricing up due to energy storage demand
Strong demand for electric cars from both Tesla and other manufacturers has pushed up manufacturer costs for lithium ion batteries.
Raising capital in very large chunks: The rise of solar securitization
In this op-ed for pv magazine, Mike Mendelsohn of the Solar Finance Council looks at the dramatic rise of securitization as a means to efficiently secure capital.
Cash is king in residential solar, long live the lease!
A Wood Mackenzie Renewables & Power report shows that so far in 2018, direct ownership of residential solar – either out of pocket or via bank loan – now represents 64% of purchases.
California regulators approve the world’s biggest battery projects
CPUC has signed off on four lithium-ion battery projects in California, one of which at 300 MW is the largest battery project to date known by pv magazine.
Tesla announces Australian telecom executive to replace Musk as board chair
No, Rupert Murdoch’s son will not be running the world’s largest EV maker.
Solar and storage show steady growth as Tesla finally turns a profit
Tesla energy storage deployments grew 18% and solar deployments grew 11%, as the EV + battery + solar company achieves its a long-awaited quarterly profit on the success of its Model 3.
Tesla secures 210 acres in Shanghai for its first international Gigafactory
Tesla is planning accelerated development and construction of this new battery and EV plant, which will mark the company’s first soirée into international production.
SunCast turns three! With Adam James
This special edition of Nico Johnson’s podcast features an interview with Adam James, formerly of Tesla and GTM Research.
Elon Musk to step down as Tesla chair
Under the terms of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Musk will be ineligible to serve as chair for three years. The deal also involves a $40 million penalty and structural changes at Tesla.
