Trump will enact an additional 10% tariff on goods from China effective April, affecting batteries and BESS, on top of a previously-announced tariff increase set to come this week. This is aimed at stopping the import of goods for the synthetic opioid drug fentanyl. This latest tariff will bring the total combined tariff on batteries and BESS products from China to 48.4%.
This Utility Dive opinion piece assesses the past decade of grid modernization. It looks at how utilities are and are not handling the smart grid tech, storing and processing data/automated analysis, AI for grid planning, the role of energy storage, the impact of energy devices in homes, the need for more power, and more.
SPW digs into why solar carports are a good fit for schools. They look at what differentiates them from other installs for schools, best practices, and how solar brings educational value, resiliency, and shade. They also discuss effectively pitching to schools.
PV Magazine covers the highlights from Intersolar. Numbers were 500 exhibitors and nearly 10,000 attendees. The article touches on the IRA, rising demand, grants, serving demand for renewables in tandem with the growth of emitting power sources, solar+storage, and optimism in the face of uncertainty.
Solar Builder brings us the biggest trends in battery pricing. They discuss the leveling of lithium carbonate index prices, the role of the manufacturing boom with pricing pressures, tariffs as a major focus, the rise of commercial AC and DC-integrated OEM “wraps,” and trends in DG vs. utility scale.
Solar Builder looks at third-party ownership solar programs with BayWa r.e. They talk about the benefits of offering leases and how they differentiate from loans. They look at work required on the front end and how to evaluate TOP providers. TPOs also impact cash flow and O&M strategies – something they explore. The video is below.
Suncast interviewed Jigar Shah about solar and investment trends. The discussion covers the biggest funding mistakes startup CEOs make, which tech surprised Jigar the most at DOE, why clean energy already dominates the grid, how local relationships—not venture capital—unlock massive opportunities, and why Jigar rarely talks about climate when selling energy solutions. The video is below.
