Focus
Lifting U.S. import tariffs would knock 30% off solar system prices, according to new study
Greentech Media – February 4
Solar system prices dropped 90 percent over the last nine years, but the decline was tempered by American trade tariffs, leaving U.S. prices 45 percent above those in Europe and Australia, according to new research from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. Solar products shipped from China to the U.S. face Section 201 and 301 tariffs, plus anti-dumping and countervailing duties. Those policies have helped shift solar manufacturing into Southeast Asia, while constraining the amount of lower-cost product available to U.S. developers. The federal government is currently undertaking a midterm review of the Section 201 tariffs and has wide latitude to determine whether and how tariffs will continue. The U.S. Trade Representative is also soliciting comments on the tariff exclusion for bifacial solar panels, with the potential for that exclusion to be removed — again. WoodMac found that a complete removal of tariffs — an unlikely outcome — would result in an immediate 30 percent drop in total system prices.
|
News
Huntington Beach moves forward on study of government-run energy
Los Angeles Times - February 4
The Huntington Beach City Council voted 5-2 this Monday to move forward with a feasibility study on community choice aggregation (CCA), in which local governments can establish publicly run energy programs. The council voted to direct staff to spend up to $66,000 and, as part of the study, assess the option of joining Irvine’s CCA program. Forming a CCA enables local officials to choose what kinds of energy to buy for their communities. Participating governments get a say in setting rates and designing incentives for “clean” energy technologies. Southern California Edison would continue to deliver electricity through a partnership and be responsible for building and maintaining power lines and other infrastructure as well as billing customers.
Nearly 10 GW of wind power added to the U.S. grid in 2019
North American Windpower – January 30
The wind industry experienced its third strongest year on record in 2019, as project developers added 9,143 megawatts of wind power capacity to the grid. In addition, another 44,000 megawatts of wind projects – representing over $62 billion in investment – are either under construction or in advanced development. Utilities and businesses also set a new record in 2019, announcing 8,726 megawatts in new power purchase agreements.
Soltage and Basalt enter Oregon solar market
Solar Industry Magazine – February 4
Soltage LLC, an independent power producer, and Basalt managed funds have entered the Oregon power market with a 40-megawatt AC solar portfolio. The first 10-megawatt solar facility was energized in December 2019, and the remaining 30 megawatts are under construction and planned to be placed in service prior to summer 2020. The portfolio was acquired from NewSun Energy, a Pacific Northwest energy developer. This acquisition anchors a $100 million portfolio investment in the Oregon market. Total solar installations in Oregon are projected to grow by nearly 60 percent over the next five years.
|
Projects
Southern California Edison to seek cost and feasibility information for six microgrids
Microgrid Knowledge – January 30
Southern California Edison plans to seek cost and feasibility information from vendors for six possible microgrids with the intent of making a selection in March. The projects are in Fillmore, Fontana, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. California’s second largest investor-owned utility described its plan in a filing before the California Public Utilities Commission, where a proceeding is underway to advance microgrids and resilience.
Construction begins on solar and storage project at BYD bus manufacturing plant
Solar Power World - February 4
Construction has begun on a 2-megawatt solar, 2-megawatts-per-hour energy storage project developed by BYD (Build Your Dreams) and Apparent at BYD’s Lancaster Coach & Bus manufacturing plant in California. Powering the Lancaster plant is the first project that is a part of BYD and Apparent’s partnership to help deploy more efficient clean energy in Antelope Valley.
|