Massachusetts solar energy advocates form coalition to advance policy
The formation of the Mass Solar Coalition follows on the first meetings of a task force to look at the state’s solar policies. Among the coalition’s priorities will be lifting net metering caps.
Attacks on state net metering policies fall short
The latest edition of IREC and VoteSolar’s Freeing the Grid finds no significant rollbacks to state net metering policies over the last twelve months, despite multiple attempts by utilities.
IEA: Share of solar, wind in the global power mix to increase fourfold by 2040
The International Energy Agency has released this year’s World Energy Outlook, which predicts ongoing growth in solar and other renewable energies in both the developed and developing world. However, other experts say the organization’s findings are still overly conservative.
US DOE provides $15 million for solar and energy storage projects
A week after Energy Secretary Ernie Moniz announced US$53 million in awards for R&D at the Solar Power International trade show, the DOE is opening another funding opportunity focused on integrating higher penetrations of solar.
Deutsche Bank: Momentum continues in US solar market
The bank’s latest research note from the Solar Power International trade show predicts continuing U.S. market growth through 2015, as well as a potential deal on tariffs against Chinese solar products.
US Energy Secretary Moniz announces $53 million in funding for solar R&D at SPI
At the Solar Power International trade show the head of the Department of Energy announced new investments in projects to drive down the cost of electricity from solar, as well as a new round of loan guarantees to be launched in 2015.
Shipments of Chinese, Taiwanese PV surged before trade rulings
NPD Solarbuzz says that developers rushed to import Chinese and Taiwanese PV products into the United States in advance of preliminary tariffs, causing these products to take a dominant share of the market for the preceding four quarters.
WalMart's mixed record on solar and renewable energy
WalMart is the largest corporate user of solar PV in the United States, and the Walton Family is a major shareholder in First Solar. However, a new report shows that the company has showered money on anti-renewable political organizations, and raises questions about First Solar’s policy stands.
Ontario reduces feed-in tariffs 1-5% for solar PV
NPD Solarbuzz predicts limited impacts on the PV market in the Canadian province of Ontario, which is hovering around 200 MW annually.
Proposed change in scope of US-China trade case unlikely to have major impact
The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed a change in the scope of its anti-dumping case against Chinese solar products, to include wafers and cells manufactured in any nation. GTM Research says that this is likely to have little impact on market dynamics.
