At a media briefing last week CALSSA had five resi installers talking about the impact of NEM 3.0. 22% of solar jobs have been lost, and 59% of the state’s residential solar + storage contractors expect layoffs, according to a survey CALSSA did of its 700+ members. Ohm Analytics also reports solar sales down in the state between 77% and 85% year over year.
Greentech Renewables walks through a case study example that serves as a best practice checklist for grounding a solar carport system. They do this given that there is documentation ambiguity from manufacturers and that carports often lack lightning protection or grounding advice for pre-engineered products or mounted solar panels.
Recently ROTH Capital released an industry note to investors indicating that its checks show more detained solar modules are being released by Customs into the market. Specifically, Astronergy’s non-Xinjiang, China polysilicon modules were released by CBP during the week of November 13. ROTH forecasted greater module supply to the US given that other solar modules that incorporated with non-Xinjiang China polysilicon may now have a much clearer path to the American market.
Lawrence Berkeley has found that what drives solar adoption is not equal across income levels. They found that peer effects are stronger within income groups than across varying groups but that LMIs are less likely to adopt solar based on peer influence – largely due to financial barriers to adoption. They also make recs re policy changes and incentives that would encourage adoption in low- to middle-income communities.
Solar energy growth in America’s coal country, a region that has been slower to embrace solar, has been in the news quite a bit lately. Energy News Network reported on the fact that the Department of Energy released $275 million for seven projects in nine former coal communities that focus on manufacturing products needed for renewables. Renewable Energy World talked about the push for significant federal solar investment in Kentucky via the federal Solar for All program.
This article digs into the benefits of American made solar – particularly the notion that it would increase product transparency and the quality that developers and their customers can expect from modules manufactured in the US. It also points to how stricter regulations in the U.S. significantly reduce the potential for human rights and environmental violations in manufacturing.
In this Solar Conversation, Joe Marhamati of Ipsun Solar & Sunvoy talks to Heather Albarano of RCR Consulting Group about her career journey in the HR function, first as a VP of Human Resources at Schneider Electric and then about starting her own fractional HR firm and serving the Solar Industry Energy.
The duo talks about Heather’s learnings at Schneider Electric, how to build one’s own HR company, what works in solar retention, the future of telework, tips & tricks for solar installers, the importance of skills vs. culture in hiring, how to ensure you are hiring the best talent, and what solar installers gain when they hire HR support, and many other key HR topics that are relevant for solar installers as they grow their businesses.
If you are in the solar installation business and are managing a growing team, this conversation is full of great relevant advice. The video is below.