10 Things Worth Reading This Week

Jigar Shah and Van Skilling discuss issues re solar as an asset class: the underperformance of assets, how incentive structures guide behavior, the impact of independent engineers, and how data will improve solar financing and expose market excesses and biases.

New report explains that 85% of US solar is only in 10 states and that there are particular areas with disproportionately carbon-intense electricity production that could take the biggest bite out of emissions: NV, NM, UT, KS, NE, TX, CO, SD, OK, and CA.

Soltec has a new SF8 tracker that’s more robust structurally (reinforced torque tube and 22% increased structural rigidity) and a minimum 2×60 configuration and 4 to 6 strings. It’s designed to meet market changes in module size – those larger 72 and 78 cell modules.

BayWa r.e. CEO walks through the response to COVID. For them it meant forming new workstreams, using internal and external town hall meetings, and connecting to customers. For others it meant online sales and permitting and changes to procurement and on-site work.

The unsung hero that is solar racking continues to innovate. The need to customize for res rooftop has meant a lot of small firms, and they are slowly consolidating. Both commercial and res racking have been evolving recently. Check out the details, including case studies, here.

To capitalize on the current need for social distance convert by making calls right away and having a detailed plan for social distancing installations. Research quotes with the right digital tools and things like an on-site walkthrough with video while the prospect stays in the house.

C&I developer and IPP Catalyze launched REenergyze, an origination-to-operations software integration platform that streamlines and scales adoption of C&I solar and storage. It handles development, operations, and construction and asset management in multiple applications.

Review of 22 US utilities with net zero electricity goals shows they’re not taking the necessary actions to reach full decarbonization by 2050. These include tapping their 400GW rooftop solar potential and converting growing battery capacity into necessary flexible grid assets.

Solar power is transforming American farms. Some stay alive by leasing land while others use agrivoltaics with solar grazing (sheep under panels) or planting under fixed-tilt or tracker panels. It could also mean an employment boom: “We’re talking tens of thousands of jobs.”

SolarEdge is looking to raise up to $500 million through a private offering to institutional investors, to be spent on “general corporate purposes.” Despite COVID they did well in Q2 with revenue totaling $331.9 million, meaning a 2% increase.