Hello, fellow solar enthusiasts! I’m back this week with a round-up of recent happenings and pivotal moments within the solar industry. There are quite a few updates concerning solar companies, policy changes, new technologies, and trends that affect options like solar panels for your home.
Starting off in California, one of the state’s most dedicated solar champions, a significant call echoes through the halls of energy regulation. Official voices are making a plea for the repeal of a $24 fixed rate, endorsing it as a more acceptable alternative to the proposed whopping fee of $128. This monthly fee, confirmed by the California Public Utilities Commission, will apply to customers independently of the amount of electricity used at their homes. This could impact many of you thinking about leveraging a solar array for your home, as costs may be higher than anticipated.
In more local news, AEE Solar, a California-based solar company, has announced it’s going out of business. The remaining inventory is being put on clearance before operations close in early May. This could disrupt the distribution network and potentially reflect the weakening demand for distributed solar ever since the implementation of NEM 3.0.
Shifting our attention to the broader U.S. scene, we may soon witness the emergence of another ongoing tariff enforcement saga. Analysis from Roth Capital Partners alerts about the probable arrival of a new batch of antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) tariffs. Keep in mind that these similar tariff enforcements have previously triggered project delays and even cancellations, which undoubtedly is unwelcome news for the solar industry.
Now, let’s talk about something positive: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). PPAs are quickly becoming the preferred financing tool for the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector of solar adopters. The beauty of a PPA lies in its ability to circumvent steep upfront costs and provide immediate energy savings. A testament to this trend is the recent incident where tech giant Microsoft engaged in two PPAs for a total of 400 MWs of solar energy deriving from Texas solar plants.
Lastly, on the technology front, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has committed a substantial investment of $4 million into thermal energy storage, a promising low-cost alternative to contemporary energy storage technologies. These funds are being utilized for a pilot demonstration program hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, focusing on a unique multi-day energy storage system that uses heated sand.
That’s all for today’s solar industry wrap-up! Remember to stay up-to-date with policies, incentives, and technologies before planning solar panels for your home. These factors extensively influence the functioning and cost-effectiveness of home solar arrays. Enjoy your pursuit of a more sustainable, solar-powered lifestyle!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/05/u-s-solar-industry-week-in-review-4/
