Time to catch up on more solar news. Here are a number of big solar news stories we wouldn’t want you to miss:
First Solar + Skytron: First Solar is acquiring Skytron. If Skytron doesn’t ring a bell, it should. It holds more monitored solar PV projects than all about 3 other companies in the world.
Yingli Green Energy Down But Happy: Despite having a net loss in Q1 2014, Yingli Green Energy* is happy with its progress and seems to be on its way to hitting its targets.
SunPower + Admirals Bank = Home Solar Loans: SunPower* and Admirals Bank have launched a $200 million home solar loan program. It’s available nationwide. I have to wonder if some of the SunPower employees following CleanTechnica saw our stories about the Admirals Bank solar loan and got connected.
Germany Up To 50% Solar: Germany has at times produced over 50% of its electricity demand from solar, but that actually comes with some issues. Meanwhile, Ireland gets 50% from wind and nobody seems to notice.
German State Gets 120% Electricity From Renewables: While much of the world inches along in its expansion of renewable energy, the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern generates 120% of the electricity it uses from renewable energy alone.
YieldCos Could Cut Costs 20%: YieldCos are the hot new investment vehicles for solar and wind. They could reportedly cut solar and wind project costs by up to 20%, but there are also some questions remaining about this option.
Solar Leasing Peak: Solar leasing’s market share of the US residential solar market is set to peak in 2014, with solar loans, PACE financing, and other financing options taking back more of the pie. No surprise here.
SunPower Movin’ On Up: SunPower recently reported on another strong quarter. As a shareholder, I’m happy. 😀
Death of Another Beautiful Game: If you’re a fan of renewable energy and you’re a fan of football (the global kind, not the American kind), then you’ll love this piece, but it may also anger you. (Just please don’t bite anyone.)
Largest Rooftop Solar System In Mexico: The largest solar rooftop in Mexico is now on top of an audio-headset factory in Tijuana. A US solar module manufacturer supplied the solar tech.
Goats & Solar = Love: Solar panels and grazing goats go together quite well. It’s a $7,200 benefit for a couple of New Mexicans.
Solar For Those Without A Roof: Solar gardens should be everywhere. Most of us don’t have roofs on which we can put solar panels, but we should be able to invest in solar projects and benefit in the same way.
Reverse Auctions in Netherlands, Brazil, and France: Some are pushing for a switch from feed-in tariffs to reverse auctions in Germany. That may not be the best idea if the goal is lower renewable energy costs and more renewable energy deployment.
UK Off Track: The UK isn’t on track to hit its 2020 EU renewable energy target, big time. With a target of 15% renewable energy, it’s only on track to hit about 10%. One key reason is “conservatives” in political power.
Big Industry May Finally Be Charged In Germany: Much of big industry has been excluded from having to pay the German renewable energy surcharge, putting the bill on the backs of citizens and small businesses. A change may be coming, according to a leaked government proposal.
Simulating Solar Boom In Cali: California has been a steady solar power leader in the US, and worldwide. The California Solar Initiative, which launched way back in 2006, has been a critical piece of that.
MoveOn Joins Arizona Solar Tax Fight: Arizona in recent years rose to the top of the charts for solar power per capita. Then the Kochs rolled in and implemented a tax on solar power. Now MoveOn is fighting back.
*Full Disclosure: I own stock in Yingli Green Energy and SunPower.
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