#Cheap solar Finance

[mostlysignssomeportents]

An end to the climate emergency is in our grasp

On June 20, I'm keynoting the LOCUS AWARDS in OAKLAND.

The problem with good news in the real world is that it's messy. Neat happy endings are for novels, not the real world, and that goes double for the climate emergency. But even though good climate news is complicated and nuanced, that doesn't mean it shouldn't buoy our spirits and fill our hearts with hope.

The big climate news this past week is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's clarion call about surging CO2 levels – the highest ever – amid a year that is on track to have the largest and most extreme series of weather events in human history:

https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/during-year-of-extremes-carbon-dioxide-levels-surge-faster-than-ever

This is genuinely alarming and you – like me – have probably experienced it as a kind of increase in your background radiation of climate anxiety. Perhaps you – like me – even experienced some acute, sit-bolt-upright-in-bed-at-2AM anxiety as a result. That's totally justifiable. This is very real, very bad news.

And yet…

The news isn't all bad, and even this terrible dispatch from the NOAA is best understood in context, which Bill McKibben provides in his latest newsletter post, "What You Want is an S Curve":

https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/what-you-want-is-an-s-curve

Financier and their critics should all be familiar with Stein's Law: "anything that can't go on forever will eventually stop." This is true outside of finance as well. One of the reasons that we're seeing such autophagic panic from the tech companies is that their period of explosive growth is at an end.

For years, they told themselves that they were experiencing double-digit annual growth because they were "creating value" and "innovating" but the majority of their growth was just a side-effect of the growth of the internet itself. When hundreds of millions of people get online every year, the dominant online services will, on average, gain hundreds of millions of new users.

But when you run out of people who don't have internet access, your growth is going to slow. How can it not? Indeed, at that point, the only ways to grow are to either poach users from your rivals (through the very expensive tactics of massive advertising and sales-support investments, on top of discounts and freebies as switching enticements), or to squeeze your own users for more.

That's why the number of laptops sold in America slowed down. It's why the number of cellphones sold in America slowed down. It's why the number of "smart home" gizmos slowed down.

Even the steepest hockey-stick-shaped exponential growth curve eventually levels off and becomes an S-curve, because anything that can't go on forever will eventually stop.

One way or another, the world's carbon emissions will eventually level off. Even if we drive ourselves to (or over) the brink of extinction and set up the conditions for wildfires that release all the carbon stored in all the Earth's plants, the amount of carbon we pump into the atmosphere has to level off.

Rendering the Earth incapable of sustaining human civilization (or life) is the ultimate carbon reduction method – but it's not my first choice.

That's where McKibben's latest newsletter comes in. He cites a new report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, which shows a major reversal in our energy sources, a shift that will see our energy primarily provided by renewables, with minimal dependence on fossil fuels:

https://rmi.org/insight/the-cleantech-revolution/

The RMI team says that in this year or next, we'll have hit peak demand for fossil fuels (a fact that is consistent with NOAA's finding that we're emitting more CO2 than ever). The reason for this is that so much renewable energy is about to come online, and it is so goddamned cheap, that we are about to undergo a huge shift in our energy consumption patterns.

This past decade saw a 12-fold increase in solar capacity, a 180-fold increase in battery storage, and a 100-fold increase in EV sales. China is leading the world in a cleantech transition, with the EU in close second. Cleantech is surging in places where energy demand is also still growing, like India and Vietnam. Fossil fuel use has already peaked in Thailand, South Africa and every country in Latin America.

We're on the verge of solar constituting an absolute majority of all the world's energy generation. This year, batteries will overtake pumped hydro for energy storage. Every cleantech metric is growing the way that fossil fuels did in previous centuries: investment, patents, energy density, wind turbine rotor size. The price of solar is on track to halve (again) in the next decade.

In short, cleantech growth looks like the growth of other technologies that were once rarities and then became ubiquitous overnight: TV, cellphones, etc. That growth isn't merely being driven by the urgency of the climate emergency: it's primarily a factor of how fucking great cleantech is:

https://rmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/the_incredible_inefficiency_of_fossils.pdf

Fossil fuels suck. It's not just that they wreck the planet, or that their extraction is both politically and environmentally disastrous. They just aren't a good way to make energy. About a third of fossil fuel energy is wasted in production and transportation. A third! Another third is wasted turning fossil fuels into energy. Two thirds! The net energy efficiency of fossil fuels is about 37%.

Compare that with cleantech. EVs convert electricity to movement with 80-90% efficiency. Heat pumps are 300% efficient (the main fuel for your heat pump is the heat in the atmosphere, not the electricity it draws).

Cleantech is just getting started – it's still in the hockey-stick phase. That means those efficiency numbers are only going up. Rivian just figured out how to remove 1.6 miles of copper wire from each vehicle. That's just one rev – there's doubtless lots of room for more redesigns that will further dematerialize EVs:

https://insideevs.com/news/722265/rivian-r1s-r1t-wiring/

As McKibben points out, there's been a lot of justifiable concern that electrification will eventually use up all our available copper, but copper demand has remained flat even as electrification has soared – and this is why. We keep figuring out new ways to electrify with fewer materials:

https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/copper-wire-price-remains-stable-amidst-surplus-supply-and-expanding-mining-25416#:~:text=Global%20Copper%20wire%20Price%20Remains%20Stable%20Amidst%20Surplus%20Supply%20and%20Expanding%20Mining%20Activities

This is exactly what happened with previous iterations of tech. The material, energy and labor budgets of cars, buildings, furniture, etc all fell precipitously every time there was a new technique for manufacturing them. Renewables are at the start of that process. There's going to be a lot of this dematerialization in cleantech. Calculating the bill of materials for a planetary energy transition isn't a matter of multiplying the materials in current tech by the amount of new systems we'll need – as we create those new systems, we will constantly whittle down their materials.

What's more, global instability drives cleantech uptake. The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a surge in European renewables. The story that energy prices are rising due to renewables (or carbon taxes) is a total lie. Fossil fuels are getting much more expensive, thanks to both war and rampant, illegal price-fixing:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/an-oil-price-fixing-conspiracy-caused

If not for renewables, the incredible energy shocks of the recent years would be far more severe.

The renewables story is very good and it should bring you some comfort. But as McKibben points out, it's still not enough – yet. The examples of rapid tech uptake had big business on their side. America's living rooms filled with TV because America's largest businesses pulled out all the stops to convince everyone to buy a TV. By contrast, today's largest businesses – banks, oil companies and car companies – are working around the clock to stop cleantech adoption.

We're on track to double our use of renewables before the decade is over. But to hold to the (already recklessly high) targets from the Paris Accord, we need to triple our renewables usage. As McKibben says, the difference between doubling and tripling our renewables by 2030 is the difference between "survivable trouble" and something much scarier.

The US is experiencing a welcome surge in utility scale solar, but residential solar is stalling out as governments withdraw subsidies or even begin policies that actively restrict rooftop solar:

https://twitter.com/curious_founder/status/1798049929082097842?s=51

McKibben says the difference between where we are now and bringing back the push for home solar generation is the difference between "fast" and "faster" – that is the difference between tripling renewables by 2030 (survivable) and doubling (eek).

Capitalism stans who argue that we can survive the climate emergency with market tools will point to the good news on renewable and say that the market is the only way to transition to renewables. It's true that market forces are partly responsible for this fast transition. But the market is also the barrier to a faster (and thus survivable) transition. The oil companies, the banks who are so invested in fossil fuels, the petrostates who distort the world's politics – they're why we're not much farther along.

The climate emergency was never going to be neatly solved. We weren't going to get a neat novelistic climax that saw our problems sorted out in a single fell swoop. We're going to be fighting all the way to net zero, and after that, we'll still have decades of climate debt to pay down: fires, floods, habitat loss, zoonotic plagues, refugee crises.

But we should take our wins. Even if we're far from where we need to be on renewables, we're much farther along on renewables than we had any business hoping for, just a few years ago. The momentum is on our side. It's up to us to use that momentum and grow it. We're riding the hockey-stick, they're on that long, flat, static top of the S-curve. Their curve is leveling off and will start falling, ours will grow like crazy for the rest of our lives.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/12/s-curve/#anything-that-cant-go-on-forever-eventually-stops

[feministdragon]

‘Financing represents the ultimate chokepoint,’ Christophers writes, ‘the point at which renewables development most often becomes permanently blocked.’ Investors aren’t choosing between ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ electricity generation, but judging opportunities across a wide range of asset classes. Capitalists’ sole concern, as Marx observed, is how to turn money into more money, and it’s not clear that renewables are a very good vehicle for doing this, regardless of how cheap they are to run.

The problem, from the perspective of investors, is ‘bankability’. Investors want as much certainty as possible regarding future returns on their investments, or else they require a hefty premium for accepting additional uncertainty. The challenge for the renewables sector is how to persuade investors that they can make reliably high returns in a market with highly volatile prices, low barriers to entry and nothing to stabilise revenues. The very policies that were introduced to bring electricity costs down – marketisation and competition – have made the financial sector wary. Whenever renewables appear to be doing well, new providers rush in, driving down prices, and therefore profits, until investors get cold feet all over again.

What investors crave is price stability, or predictability at least. Risk is one thing, but fundamental uncertainty is another. Industries characterised by a high degree of concentration, longstanding monopoly power and government support are far easier to incorporate into financial models, because there are fewer unknowns. Judged in terms of decarbonisation, the most successful policies reviewed in The Price Is Wrong are not those which reduce the price of electricity, which would be in the interest of consumers, but those which stabilise it for the benefit of investors. Meanwhile, the extraction and burning of fossil fuels remains a more dependable way of making the kind of returns that Wall Street and the City have come to expect as their due. This is an industry with more dominant players, much higher barriers to entry, and which was largely established (and financed) long before the vogue for marketisation took hold.

Despite the exuberance over the falling costs of solar and wind power, Christophers doubts ‘whether a single example of a substantive and truly zero-support’ renewables facility ‘actually exists, anywhere in the world’. What’s especially galling is that, to the extent renewable electricity remains hooked on subsidies, this isn’t money that is ending up in savings for consumers, but in the profits of developers and the portfolios of asset managers. Paradoxically, the ideology that promoted free markets and a culture of enterprise (against conglomeration and monopoly) has enforced this sector’s reliance on the state. The lesson Christophers draws is that electricity ‘was and is not a suitable object for marketisation and profit generation in the first place’. Ecologically speaking, neoliberalism could scarcely have come at a worse time.

What can be done? It is clearly no good hoping that electricity markets will drive the energy transition, when it’s financial markets that are calling the shots. The option that has come to the fore in recent years, led by the Biden administration, is the one euphemistically called ‘de-risking’, which in practice means topping up and guaranteeing the returns that investors have come to expect using tax credits and other subsidies. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by Biden in the summer of 2022, promises a giant $369 billion of these incentives over a ten-year period. This at least faces up to the fact that much of the power to shape the future is in the hands of asset managers and banks, and it is their calculations (and not those of consumers) that will decide whether or not the planet burns. There is no economic reason why a 15 per cent return on investment should be considered ‘normal’, and there is nothing objectively bad about a project that pays 6 per cent instead. The problem, as Christophers makes plain, is that investors get to choose which of these two numbers they prefer, and no government is likely to force BlackRock to make less money anytime soon. "

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

Less than a year ago, CubicPV, which manufactures components for solar panels, announced that it had secured more than $100 million in financing to build a $1.4 billion factory in the United States. The company planned to produce silicon wafers, a critical part of the technology that allows solar panels to turn sunlight into electrical energy.

The Massachusetts-based company called the investment a “direct result of the long-term industrial policy contained within the Inflation Reduction Act,” the 2022 law that directed billions of dollars to develop America’s domestic clean energy sectors. CubicPV was considering locations in Texas, where it would employ about 1,000 workers.

But a surge of cheap solar panels from China upended that project. In February, CubicPV canceled its plans to build the factory over concerns it would no longer be financially viable thanks to a flood of Chinese exports. As CubicPV was gearing up to make wafers in the United States, prices of those components were dropping by 70 percent.

The setback underscores the concerns rippling across the U.S. solar industry and within the Biden administration about whether President Biden’s industrial policy agenda can succeed. Top administration officials have begun warning that efforts to finance a domestic clean energy industry are being undermined by a surge of cheaper Chinese exports that are driving down prices and putting the United States at a competitive disadvantage.

The fate of the CubicPV factory is the type of outcome that Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen has warned is likely if China does not stop dumping heavily subsidized green energy products into global markets at rock bottom prices. She took that message to China last week, warning that its industrial strategy was warping supply chains and threatening American workers.

China appeared to dismiss those concerns. Following Ms. Yellen’s meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, his office said, “The development of China’s new energy industry will make an important contribution to the worldwide green and low-carbon transition.”

Chinese overcapacity has been a central topic this week at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Ahead of talks with Chinese officials at the Treasury Department on Tuesday, Ms. Yellen said that China was not operating on a “level playing field” and warned that by producing more green energy products than the world can absorb, it was putting American firms and workers at risk.

[female-malice]

Manifesto for an Ecosocial Energy Transition from the Peoples of the South

An appeal to leaders, institutions, and our brothers and sisters

More than two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic—and now alongside the catastrophic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a “new normal” has emerged. This new global status quo reflects a worsening of various crises: social, economic, political, ecological, bio-medical, and geopolitical.

Environmental collapse approaches. Everyday life has become ever more militarized. Access to good food, clean water, and affordable health care has become even more restricted. More governments have turned autocratic. The wealthy have become wealthier, the powerful more powerful, and unregulated technology has only accelerated these trends.

The engines of this unjust status quo—capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism, and various fundamentalisms—are making a bad situation worse. Therefore, we must urgently debate and implement new visions of ecosocial transition and transformation that are gender-just, regenerative, and popular, that are at once local and international.

In this Manifesto for an Ecosocial Energy Transition from the Peoples of the South, we hold that the problems of the Global – geopolitical – South are different from those of the Global North and rising powers such as China. An imbalance of power between these two realms not only persists because of a colonial legacy but has deepened because of a neocolonial energy model. In the context of climate change, ever rising energy needs, and biodiversity loss, the capitalist centers have stepped up the pressure to extract natural wealth and rely on cheap labor from the countries on the periphery. Not only is the well-known extractive paradigm still in place but the North’s ecological debt to the South is rising.

What’s new about this current moment are the “clean energy transitions” of the North that have put even more pressure on the Global South to yield up cobalt and lithium for the production of high-tech batteries, balsa wood for wind turbines, land for large solar arrays, and new infrastructure for hydrogen megaprojects. This decarbonization of the rich, which is market-based and export-oriented, depends on a new phase of environmental despoliation of the Global South, which affects the lives of millions of women, men, and children, not to mention non-human life. Women, especially from agrarian societies, are amongst the most impacted. In this way, the Global South has once again become a zone of sacrifice, a basket of purportedly inexhaustible resources for the countries of the North.

A priority for the Global North has been to secure global supply chains, especially of critical raw materials, and prevent certain countries, like China, from monopolizing access. The G7 trade ministers, for instance, recently championed a responsible, sustainable, and transparent supply chain for critical minerals via international cooperation‚ policy, and finance, including the facilitation of trade in environmental goods and services through the WTO. The Global North has pushed for more trade and investment agreements with the Global South to satisfy its need for resources, particularly those integral to “clean energy transitions.” These agreements, designed to reduce barriers to trade and investment, protect and enhance corporate power and rights by subjecting states to potential legal suits according to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms. The Global North is using these agreements to control the “clean energy transition” and create a new colonialism.

Governments of the South, meanwhile, have fallen into a debt trap, borrowing money to build up industries and large-scale agriculture to supply the North. To repay these debts, governments have felt compelled to extract more resources from the ground, creating a vicious circle of inequality. Today, the imperative to move beyond fossil fuels without any significant reduction in consumption in the North has only increased the pressure to exploit these natural resources. Moreover, as it moves ahead with its own energy transitions, the North has paid only lip service to its responsibility to address its historical and rising ecological debt to the South.

Minor changes in the energy matrix are not enough. The entire energy system must be transformed, from production and distribution to consumption and waste. Substituting electric vehicles for internal-combustion cars is insufficient, for the entire transportation model needs changing, with a reduction of energy consumption and the promotion of sustainable options.

In this way, relations must become more equitable not only between the center and periphery countries but also within countries between the elite and the public. Corrupt elites in the Global South have also collaborated in this unjust system by profiting from extraction, repressing human rights and environmental defenders, and perpetuating economic inequality.

Rather than solely technological, the solutions to these interlocked crises are above all political.

As activists, intellectuals, and organizations from different countries of the South, we call on change agents from different parts of the world to commit to a radical, democratic, gender-just, regenerative, and popular ecosocial transition that transforms both the energy sector and the industrial and agricultural spheres that depend on large-scale energy inputs. According to the different movements for climate justice, “transition is inevitable, but justice is not.”

We still have time to start a just and democratic transition. We can transition away from the neoliberal economic system in a direction that sustains life, combines social justice with environmental justice, brings together egalitarian and democratic values with a resilient, holistic social policy, and restores an ecological balance necessary for a healthy planet. But for that we need more political imagination and more utopian visions of another society that is socially just and respects our planetary common house.

The energy transition should be part of a comprehensive vision that addresses radical inequality in the distribution of energy resources and advances energy democracy. It should de-emphasize large-scale institutions—corporate agriculture, huge energy companies—as well as market-based solutions. Instead, it must strengthen the resilience of civil society and social organizations. Therefore, we make the following 8 demands:

We warn that an energy transition led by corporate megaprojects, coming from the Global North and accepted by numerous governments in the South, entails the enlargement of the zones of sacrifice throughout the Global South, the persistence of the colonial legacy, patriarchy, and the debt trap. Energy is an elemental and inalienable human right, and energy democracy should be our goal.

We call on the peoples of the South to reject false solutions that come with new forms of energy colonialism, now in the name of a Green transition. We make an explicit call to continue political coordination among the peoples of the south while also pursuing strategic alliances with critical sectors in the North.

To mitigate the havoc of the climate crisis and advance a just and popular ecosocial transition, we demand the payment of the ecological debt. This means, in the face of the disproportionate Global North responsibility for the climate crisis and ecological collapse, the real implementation of a system of compensation to the global South. This system should include a considerable transfer of funds and appropriate technology, and should consider sovereign debt cancellation for the countries of the South. We support reparations for loss and damage experienced by Indigenous peoples, vulnerable groups and local communities due to mining, big dams, and dirty energy projects.

We reject the expansion of the hydrocarbon border in our countries—through fracking and offshore projects—and repudiate the hypocritical discourse of the European Union, which recently declared natural gas and nuclear energy to be “clean energies.” As already proposed in the Yasuni Initiative in Ecuador in 2007 and today supported by many social sectors and organizations, we endorse leaving fossil fuels underground and generating the social and labor conditions necessary to abandon extractivism and move toward a post-fossil-fuel future.

We similarly reject “green colonialism” in the form of land grabs for solar and wind farms, the indiscriminate mining of critical minerals, and the promotion of technological “fixes” such as blue or grey hydrogen. Enclosure, exclusion, violence, encroachment, and entrenchment have characterized past and current North-South energy relations and are not acceptable in an era of ecosocial transitions.

We demand the genuine protection of environment and human rights defenders, particularly indigenous peoples and women at the forefront of resisting extractivism.

The elimination of energy poverty in the countries of the South should be among our fundamental objectives—as well as the energy poverty of parts of the Global North—through alternative, decentralized, equitably distributed projects of renewable energy that are owned and operated by communities themselves.

We denounce international trade agreements that penalize countries that want to curb fossil fuel extraction. We must stop the use of trade and investment agreements controlled by multinational corporations that ultimately promote more extraction and reinforce a new colonialism.

Our ecosocial alternative is based on countless struggles, strategies, proposals, and community-based initiatives. Our Manifesto connects with the lived experience and critical perspectives of Indigenous peoples and other local communities, women, and youth throughout the Global South. It is inspired by the work done on the rights of nature, buen vivir, vivir sabroso, sumac kawsay, ubuntu, swaraj, the commons, the care economy, agroecology, food sovereignty, post-extractivism, the pluriverse, autonomy, and energy sovereignty. Above all, we call for a radical, democratic, popular, gender-just, regenerative, and comprehensive ecosocial transition.

Following the steps of the Ecosocial and Intercultural Pact of the South, this Manifesto proposes a dynamic platform that invites you to join our shared struggle for transformation by helping to create collective visions and collective solutions.

We invite you to endorse this manifesto with your signature.

[sunleadblogs]

Is Solar Worth It in California? A 2024 Guide for Homeowners

This Blog was Originally Published at:

Is Solar Worth It in California? A 2024 Guide for Homeowners

California has been one of the best states in the USA for solar energy adoption. Many homeowners have gone solar for various reasons but with its recent changes in policy under NEM 3.0 that affects how much you’re compensated for sending energy back to the grid — many Solar enthusiasts are wondering: Is Solar Worth It in California? Should I switch? What about the environmental and long-term financial gains? How long will it take to pay off my solar installation cost?

Getting answers to these questions is not easy, as factors like rising electricity prices, state incentives, and California’s abundant sunlight impact the decision to switch to solar in California. Also, the impact of NEM 3.0 has shifted the game, making the decision more tough.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything about factors affecting solar costs and benefits in California. We will learn in detail about various compensations, tax credits, NEM 3.0, its effects, etc. By the end, you will get a clear answer to: Is solar worth it in California or not?

What are the Factors Affecting Solar Power Adoption in California?

High Utility Rates

The electricity bills in California are some of the highest in the nation, with PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E suppliers regularly announcing increases in their tariffs. This means that people are looking to solar energy systems to stay off the grid and avoid the continuously expensive electricity provided by utilities. For instance, PG & E went up its rates by 13% in 2024 which escalated the pressure for alternative energy solutions that was already high.

Plenty of Sunshine

The climate in California is good with approximately 270 warm sunny days in a year, which means that solar panel owners can not only benefit their homes but also sell extra power back to the grid and earn compensation. This means that solar is very effective, cheap, and beneficial to the residents of California, who manage to lower their electricity expenses throughout all the seasons.

Government Encouragement

Government encouragements make it easy for homeowners in California to go solar as its sale is encouraged. Homeowners can claim for the 30% as tax credit for solar installation cost under the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is available until the year 2032. Moreover, California offers other state-funding incentives, rebates, and financing options worth taking to reduce the initial cost of solar systems for more households making it economically viable.

Battery Storage and Energy Storage Systems

In addition, NEM 3.0 identifies solar systems that come with battery storage as having more advantages as it enables energy backup storage for homeowners. Battery charge storing devices, perform an additional function of providing cheaper electricity to the clients who have installed them like electricity provided by electricity peak times provision by the likes of Tesla, Franklin, and Enphase during blackouts.

Understanding NEM 3.0 and Its Impact on Solar Viability

Net Energy Metering 3.0 or NEM 3.0 is a policy recently implemented in California that alters the compensation for the extra energy. As per NEM 3.0, there will be lower compensation for the excess energy sent to the grid, and this impacts on the financial advantages of utilizing solar energy.

Shift from Net Metering to Net Billing

In the previous regime NEM 2.0, when a household with a solar panel produced more energy than it consumed, all the excess units returned to the grid received full retail credits. This created an opportunity for considerable benefits since homeowners were compensated at the same price they purchased electricity from the energy suppliers. Conversely, in NEM 3.0, this system was scrapped and replaced with Net Billing which compensates less for energy exported by homeowners, usually at a wholesale or avoided cost rather than the retail price.

Influence on Payback Periods

In 2024, homeowners who opt for solar panels only (with no battery storage option) will be able to earn back their initial solar energy investment within about 4.8 years. In the case of storing electricity, however, an addition of a battery will increase the return on investment slightly to about 5.5 years. Although it is longer than investing in solar panels alone, the ROI is still attractive. This is a shorter timeline when compared to systems installed in 2023, where prior to the commencement of NEM 3.0, the payback period was 7.6 years. Overall, it means that under NEM 3.0, the payback period for solar systems is actually getting faster

Is Solar Worth It In California With NEM 3.0?

Yes, solar is still worth it in California with NEM 3.0, but the financial benefits of going solar are impacted. While the reduction in export rates may lengthen the payback period of solar panels, especially when paired with storage, continue to provide substantial savings on electricity bills.

Is Solar Worth It In California: Pros and Cons

Pros of Adopting Solar Energy in California

Abundant Solar Energy Supply: Due to California’s geography, it is certain that the solar panel will harness most of all available sunlight, thus making it the best place for solar investments.

Lower Utility Bills: Solar panels will especially save on electric bills during the hot summers since that is when electricity is expensive in the state.

Tax Credits and Rebates: This is a 30% solar tax credit for residential and commercial installations available up to 2032 under the federal solar investment tax credit (etc). Also, there are some local incentives and rebates in California, too that help reduce the initial cost greatly.

Sustainable Investment: Even with the cut of export compensation in NEM 3.0, the cost of solar panels is rapidly decreasing to the point where they create positive cash flows in the long run, especially if paired with battery solar systems.

Lower Dependability: Solar reduces the dependency on the grid and the grid prices which gives you more freedom with the consumption of electricity as well as the costs.

Increased Resale Value of Homes: Installing solar panels can significantly boost a home’s resale value. Studies have shown that homes with solar installations often sell for more than similar homes without solar, as buyers recognize the long-term savings and environmental benefits.

Ecological Reasons: Adopting Solar Energy helps in reducing your carbon footprint levels and it helps the state of California’s vision of raising and achieving clean energy.

Cons of Adopting Solar Energy in California

Installation Costs: Even after subsidies, the cost of buying solar panels and fixing them in place is high, although there is the option of financing.

Lower Incentive under NEM 3.0: As the net metering scheme has affected the payment for excess energy, which can adversely affect the solar installation decisions.

Costs of Storage Systems: While battery storage is beneficial in enabling homeowners to use stored excess energy, it also presents an extra initial expense. The extra cost factors may extend the payback period unless a solar-plus-storage system is adopted.

Additional expenses for maintenance and or repair: Solar panels are mostly maintenance-free. However periodic cleaning and repair costs can be slightly higher.

Final Thoughts: Is Solar Worth It in California?

Here are the three key takeaways of this guide:

Reduction in Cost of Solar: Equipment costs will remain low or trend lower, reducing the cost of going solar for California homeowners.

Battery Technology Developments: Newer battery storage is becoming more efficient, cheaper, and much safer, ideal for solar-plus-storage systems that can increase your energy security.

Potential Policy Changes: Future adjustments to policies like NEM 3.0 or additional incentives could further impact the benefits of solar, potentially enhancing the value of solar adoption.

If you’re ready to explore solar for your home, SunLead’s solar quotation tool makes it simple. With instant, customized quotes and rooftop visuals, you can see exactly how solar can work for you. Discover your potential savings with SunLead today!

Also Read About:

Things to know before getting solar quotes

How to get and compare solar quotes

Solar Panel Quotation Tool: Get Quotes and Visuals Before Installation

FAQs: Is Solar Worth It in California

What is the new solar law in California in 2024? California recently passed a new solar regulation that changes the net metering system to net billing under NEM 3.0, which cuts the compensation homeowners gain from wells of energy they send back to the grid by a whopping 75%. This affects the total economic benefits of solar, particularly if you lack any energy storage, such as batteries.

Is it still worth it to get solar panels in California? Yes, solar panels are still worth it in California, thanks to above-average utility prices, plenty of sunshine, and the federal tax credit. But with lower export rates under NEM 3.0, solar-plus-storage systems become more valuable for maximizing savings and resilience.

Is California paying people to go solar? While California does not directly pay people for going solar, there are incentives (like the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) with a 30% write-off on system costs) and financing to consider. Such programs reduce the initial cost required to go solar, thereby making it a more accessible option for homeowners.

Can I get solar for free in California? California does not have free solar panels, but there are zero-down-installment financing methods, including solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements(PPA) where a solar company will install your solar panels for free. Instead, homeowners pay a set rate for the power produced, giving them the savings without needing the upfront costs.

Do you need a permit for solar in California? Yes, permits are required for the installation of solar panels in California and are usually obtained from the utility or local government. These permits make sure that the system is within the safety and building standards. Typically, solar companies are the one who apply for the permit for the homeowner.

Does California give solar tax credit? California homeowners are able to take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit ( ITC ), a 30% tax credit against the cost of the solar system, lasting until 2032. Although California does not have an additional state solar tax credit available, rebates or local incentives may still be offered.

Do solar panels increase property taxes in California? No, solar panels do not increase property taxes in California. In fact, due to the state’s Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems, homeowners are exempt from higher property taxes due to the value added by solar installations, preserving their tax rates.

Who is the best solar company in California? The best solar company in California depends on individual needs, but some leading names include Tesla, SunPower, and Sunrun, known for quality equipment and reliable service.

[texas-electricity-ratings]

State Senators Investigate Texas Energy Fund After Applicant Fraud

State Senators Investigate Texas Energy Fund After Applicant Fraud

Will the Texas Energy Fund Work?

Seriously? The Texas Energy Fund was set up to boost power to the electric grid. But then a company lied on its application to cash in. Now, angry lawmakers are taking a closer look into the PUCT's vetting processes.

The Texas Energy Fund (TEF) was supposed to be a safe bet for boosting the state's power grid. But recent events have raised serious doubts about how secure it really is. Some now worry the fund might be as risky as handing over the keys to a 16-year-old for a long, costly joyride. Propping up new Texas power projects must be in good hands. But the TEF is off to a rocky start. 

The Texas Energy Fund Comes Under Fire

The TEF offers grants and low-interest loans to add dispatchable power to the Texas grid. The logic is that Texas will have more power making capacity in the future. Plus, these power plants can get the juice flowing in a jiffy. But not all projects can receive a loan or grant. Solar, wind, and battery projects don’t qualify for funding. So, natural gas plants are the primary target for this money. 

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) denied a loan to Aegle Power after it found serious problems with its application. Aegle Power claimed NextEra Energy as a co-sponsor for its 1,292 MW natural gas project. However, NextEra never agreed to be part of the project. In fact, it had no idea it was even listed. Oops! 

This raised major concerns about how the PUCT and its contractor, Deloitte, vet projects for the Texas Energy Fund. According to official documents, Deloitte has a four-year contract worth $107.4 million. And for that amount of money, state officials expect top-notch vetting. So, some explanation is needed. Soon, state leaders will get just that. 

Lawmakers Want Answers

Six lawmakers serve on an advisory committee for the TEF. That advisory committee’s next hearing, scheduled for October 8, will focus on how Deloitte reviewed the initial submissions. At some point, the advisory panel will convey more details to the Senate Finance Committee.  

Aegle Power’s fraudulent attempt now calls into question whether the process is tight enough to catch any other dishonest actors. The success or failure of the TEF could have a major impact on whether Texas has cheap electricity in the future. 

Is the Texas Energy Fund at Risk?

NextEra’s requested removal from the Aegle project shook confidence in the Texas Energy Fund. The PUCT promised that Deloitte carefully reviewed each application before setting it to advance. Yet, lawmakers want to know how a convicted fraudster like Aegle Power’s CEO could slip through.

With so much money at stake, officials are concerned. The upcoming scrutiny should give Texans answers, but many wonder if others may game the system. But for now, PUCT must ensure the fund does what it should: support reliable power projects.

Fortunately, you don’t have to ride these political waves. Secure your home’s power with a new plan at https://www.texaselectricityratings.com/electricity-rates. So no matter what’s happening with PUCT, you’ll have the best rate you can. 

[trading-strategies-news]

What do you notice on this picture?

SEDG will depend on USA gov. To survive, will have to impose tariffs on cheap overseas solar panels

[mikeo56]

Why Bitcoin Mining is Good – And Why It Isn’t

Have you heard that bitcoin mining is good for the environment? Yes, that was news to me too. I was under the impression that Bitcoin is bad in capital letters, yet another thing that contributes to climate change. But once I started looking into this, it turned out to be much more controversial, and much more interesting, than I thought. So what is it, is bitcoin good? Or is it bad? That’s what we’ll talk about today. Bitcoin is the currently most widely used digital currency, a sort of virtual money that isn’t owned or regulated by any government. What makes it so appealing is that it’s created and used in an entirely decentralised system. It’s bottom-up finance, basically, from the people, for the people. At least that’s according to Roger Ver, aka Bitcoin Jesus, who was recently arrested for fraud and tax evasion. So. maybe take that with a few grains of salt. But where do bitcoin come from? Well, much like gold coins, they come from digging, but you don’t dig in the ground, you dig in mathematics. Bitcoin mining means finding a very large number. This number has to properly fit with the previously found numbers to give a result in a target range. The only known way of doing this is to just guess very large numbers and try them, one after the other. Finding such a number is computationally extremely expensive, but once you’ve found it, it’s easy to confirm that it works. This is called the “Proof-of-Work”. If your number has been proved to work, you get a certain amount of bitcoin in return. The trouble is that the calculation for the Bitcoin mining requires a lot of electricity and that requires a lot of energy. It’s now roughly 150 Terawatt hours per year, that’s about as much as the entire nation of Poland, and more than half a percent of the electricity consumption of the entire world. And it’s going up. I have to admit that the first time I heard that Bitcoin mining takes up that much energy I couldn’t believe it. But it sounded much more plausible after a friend, who is very into gaming told me just how much power his gear consumes. For example, Nvidia’s new GPU consumes a kilowatt in power, that’s about as much as an electric stove. What’s so revolutionary about Bitcoin mining is that, since it can be traded into traditional money, anyone who has access to energy can make money. This has made Bitcoin mining very appealing for countries which are rich in energy but poor otherwise. For example El Salvador, which sits on more than 20 volcanoes and generates about a quarter of its electricity from geothermal sources. The El Salvador government has successfully mined almost 500 Bitcoins, worth almost 30 million US dollars. Bitcoin mining is particularly attractive in areas where energy is abundant, but that are far off any big electric grids, so they can’t make profit selling the energy locally. There is a national park in Congo for example that runs a bitcoin mine from a hydroelectric power station and uses the money to protect wildlife. In rural Kenya, a crypto company is mining with solar power and geothermal energy. And that’ s now also providing electricity to towns in the area. Basically, the bitcoin mining made it worth investing into building the power plant. You can maybe see now why some people are excited about this. Electricity is the major cost factor in bitcoin mining, so it’s basically a way to put a price on energy. That creates a strong incentive to use energy very efficiently, anywhere. This is why bitcoin advocates are saying that mining encourages innovation, balances grids, and “has the power to redistribute wealth and to help end poverty”.Sounds good doesn’t it? It’s like solving world hunger with a really big calculator. Ultimate proof that maths is actually good for something. Yes, nice idea. But the trouble is that cheap electricity isn’t the same as environmentally friendly electricity. For example, one Bitcoin mining operation in central New York, Greenidge Generation, resurrected an old coal power plant that now runs on gas. It delivers about 44 megawatts to run 15,300 computer servers. They mined more than 409 bitcoins during the first quarter of 2024, that’s more than 25 million dollars. In Montana, a bitcoin mining operation is buying 100 percent of the energy from a coal power plant. In Kentucky, the state government is offering tax breaks to attract Bitcoin miners and save coal companies. It’s now is the state with the highest Bitcoin carbon footprint in the US Indeed at the moment most of bitcoin mining is done using fossil fuels, though the fraction has gone somewhat up and down, depending on laws and regulations. For example, in September 2021, China banned both crypto mining and trading, and many operations left the country. Alas, in China the mining was done mostly with hydropower, so it had a very low carbon footprint. After that, bitcoin mining moved to cheap gas in the US and Kazakhstan, consequently the carbon footprint went up. Scientists have estimated that, in 2022, Bitcoin mining was responsible for more than 65 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions. That is more than the emissions of the whole country of Greece and roughly 0.2 percent of global emissions. Bitcoin isn’t the only cryptocurrency of course, but it’s still the most widely used one and generates approximately two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions from cryptocurrencies. But the good thing about Bitcoin is that it indeed creates a big incentive to improve energy efficiency. For one thing, the more people mine, the more difficult it becomes, so competition drives the need to improve mining. And more importantly, in regular intervals that are roughly every 4 years, the bitcoin reward for mining goes down by one half. The last such halving event just happened in April. This means that miners need to at least double their energy efficiency every four years for their business to remain profitable. And indeed, efficiency has improved greatly: Bitcoin mining began with general-purpose CPUs and GPUs, basically normal computers. Then it transitioned to so-called field-programmable gate arrays, that are circuits that can be reprogrammed after manufacturing. The current state of the art is Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, they’re the modern version of money printers basically. So mining has become more efficient mostly thanks to increasingly specialized hardware, a general trend we are currently seeing in computing. As a consequence of this, the energy efficiency of Bitcoin mining has improved by two orders of magnitude in one decade. So you see we’re wasting energy much more efficiently now.   And of course it doesn’t have to be done with fossil fuels, it could be done using renewable energy. This is why Bitcoin supporters say that mining will speed up the transition to renewables because energy means money. And that’s right in the sense that it gives people a reason to invest in renewables. But that in and of itself doesn’t make bitcoin mining good for the environment, it just makes it less bad. And, as we saw earlier, it’s also helping to keep fossil fuel companies in business. So it’s a mixed bag, and it’s half full of coal. Another argument of Bitcoin enthusiasts is that mining is good because it makes use of oversupply. That is, it helps renewable energy providers to remain profitable if no one wants the energy that they produce with say, solar, or wind. And make renewable energy sources profitable faster, because often it takes time to hook them up to the grid.  According to a study from researchers at Cornell for example there are 32 planned renewable installations in Texas which could produce profits of 47 million dollars before they start operating commercially if they were mining Bitcoin. However, during a heatwave last year, the Texas government paid a bitcoin miner more than 31 million dollars to power down. Still it is true that Bitcoin mining can help make renewable energy more profitable and make it profitable faster. Another thing that Bitcoin mining is good for is to use energy that is inconvenient to use for other purposes. An example for this is methane flaring methane or venting it. In principle, burning methane, the main constituent of natural gas, creates energy. But if the methane leaks along a pipeline or bubbles out of the ground in a place that’s just too far away from any existing power plant, it makes no economic sense to use that energy. So they either do a controlled release, which is called venting, or they burn it off, which is called flaring. It's an idiotic practice because not only do we not use the energy, methane is also a greenhouse gas. So either they burn it and create carbon dioxide, or they vent it and that also contributes to global warming. In 2022 flaring resulted in 500 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions. This is about 1% of the global total, so not a small amount. And we’re not getting anything out of it. This is where Bitcoin mining comes in. Bitcoin mining operations can be local and mobile, and they can be deployed when and where the gas is vented or flared. So that it doesn’t go to waste. For example, the company Great American Mining tried that with small container mining operations that could be sent to places easily. However, they ran into difficulties when Bitcoin price went down in early 2022. Later that year, the company was bought by Crusoe Energy Systems, which works on the same thing.  And that is a nice idea, but in the end the carbon dioxide still gets into the air, and it also creates more money for the fossil fuel industry which some people object to. Another idea that Bitcoiners have come up with is to do the same with methane that escapes from landfills and wastewater plants. It’s basically biogas, just that no one is using it. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the country, accounting for over 14% of these emissions in 2022, about 25 thousand metric tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent. That’s not a huge amount, but still, half of the time the gas goes unused. Crypto mining operations can go there and use that energy to make money, because what screams "innovation" more than running a cryptocurrency company off of trash? This works especially well for remote or small landfills that don’t produce a lot. In this case it makes no financial sense to build infrastructure to use the gas to power the grid. But bitcoin mining does make financial sense. The American company Marathon Digital Holdings is working on exactly that, a 280 kW Bitcoin mining pilot project in Utah exclusively powered by landfill methane gas. The company Vespene, headquartered in California, also has such a pilot plant in Wisconsin that they say will be fully operational later this year.  And a crypto enthusiast in New Jersey mines bitcoins from his own farts. Nah, I made this up, but can’t be long until we get there. It sounds like a sensible idea to use energy that otherwise would go to waste. But then again, that energy could be used for better things. For example, you could use the landfill gas to power EV charging stations. Indeed, in the US there are already over 500 projects that use landfill to generate electricity or natural gas. There is a completely different way to make Bitcoin more sustainable which is just to change the way it’s being mined. As I said in the beginning, to get bitcoin for your energy you need to have a “Proof-of-Work”, that is, you must provide a number that everyone agrees on actually does the job. The problem is that the computation you have to do for that requires a lot of energy. So an option would be to change the consensus algorithm for what is required to get your bitcoins in the first place. A candidate for the new consensus algorithm is known as Proof-of-Stake. In this case, the mining and approval is replaced by a proposal for a new entry, and a random choice. The proposal comes with a “stake”, that is the amount of currency you are willing to put into it, hence the name. The higher your stake, the higher the chances that your proposal gets validated. In case that made as little sense to you as it made to me, the bottom line is that there’s no difficult maths problem to solve, so the process is dramatically more energy efficient. It's unlikely that Bitcoin will change to a different algorithm though. More likely and more feasible is to switch to an already existing cryptocurrency that is more environmentally friendly. Ethereum 2.0 for example is a cryptocurrency that uses Proof of Stake and is way more energy efficient than Bitcoin, according to some estimates, about a factor 30 thousand. Of course, making cryptocurrencies themselves more energy efficient removes the argument that it’s a great incentive to develop energy efficient technology, so in the eyes of many people in the business it’s somewhat pointless.   A different movement to make cryptocurrencies more environmentally friendly is to increase the fraction of renewable energy that’s being used in mining. This is the idea of the Crypto Climate Accord, an initiative launched in April 2021 with the aim to get to 100% renewable electricity use by 2030, and to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Over 200 companies and individuals have joined it so far. I learned a lot while I was working on that script, and I think I now understand better why bitcoin is so controversial. The basic issue is that bitcoin mining takes up a lot of energy that *could be used for something better. But in reality, it often isn’t used. A lot of energy just goes to waste. And then bitcoin mining can step in. Because with bitcoin mining people can make money from energy that would otherwise go to waste. It's like finding money in the sofa cushions, except your sofa is a volcano and the money is a bit string. Bitcoin mining has benefits beyond not wasting the energy because it encourages energy-efficiency. The trouble is that a lot of cheap energy that can be used for bitcoin mining has high carbon dioxide emissions. So while energy efficiency is all well and good, in and of itself it doesn’t make bitcoin environmentally friendly. The rise of cryptocurrencies is a fascinating development that’s changing the entire world economy and financial system. That might be a good thing. Or it might be a bad thing. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.tcoin: The Good, the Bad, and the Truth

[wolfthread1]

LARGEST RELIABLE SOURCE

Tired of sourcing Manufacturing Company for your Clothing Brand? Or maybe aiming for a start up with Apparel and Clothing? Look no further, Wolf Thread agency is one of the largest reliable sources for your clothing Brand. From Manufacturing Partners to stock lots products, we cover it all. The steps are pretty simple. You speak frankly about what kind of products you desire and we send you the enquiry with all the sufficient documents. We welcome you to visit the factories that we have as our partner which is over 50+ Top-Notch selected manufacturing factories out of 1000. We ensure you good quality support along with all international policy. You plan, you share, we design, & we produce. For a cost-effective startups or wholesalers we have the largest stock lot sourcing. Source the premium quality clothing within the sufficient pricings.

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[euro-industry-org]

Europe's solar crisis: Overcoming challenges in a dynamic energy landscape

Despite its promising trajectory, Europe is now facing a solar crisis that threatens to derail its clean energy ambitions. Several factors - from supply chain disruption to policy uncertainty - have come together to create a challenging environment for the solar energy industry in Europe.

Supply chain disruption

The solar energy industry relies heavily on imported components such as PV panels and inverters, many of which are sourced from countries outside of Europe. Disruptions in global supply chains, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have led to shortages and price increases for key components, making it difficult for European solar companies to meet demand and remain competitive.

Trade tariffs and political uncertainty

Trade tensions between the European Union (EU) and other major economies, particularly China, have led to the imposition of tariffs on solar imports. These tariffs, aimed at protecting European manufacturers, have raised concerns about the availability and cheapness of solar energy in Europe. In addition, frequent changes in energy policies and regulatory frameworks in European countries have created uncertainty for investors and hindered long-term planning in the solar energy industry.

Grid constraints and permitting challenges

Despite the rapid growth of solar installations in Europe, the power grid infrastructure in many regions has not kept pace with the growing renewable energy capacity. Grid constraints and permitting challenges, such as lengthy approval processes and complex regulations, are delaying the development of solar projects and hindering the integration of solar into the grid.

Lack of investment and financing

The solar energy industry requires significant investment to fund research and development, capacity expansion, and large-scale deployment of solar installations. However, the uncertainty associated with economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a cautious approach from investors and financial institutions, making it difficult to obtain the necessary financing for solar projects.

Competition from other energy sources

Despite its environmental benefits, solar energy faces stiff competition from other energy sources, such as natural gas and nuclear power, which continue to dominate the energy landscape in Europe. Moreover, the falling cost of alternative renewable energy sources such as wind power has intensified competition in the clean energy sector, further complicating the prospects for solar power in Europe.

[dr-alex-zarifis]

The business models of crypto mining in Latin America: From my report with the University of Cambridge

I am going to talk to you about the business models, and ecosystems, of cryptomining in Latin America. This is the third chapter in my report with the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (Proskalovich et al. 2023). I have given a general overview of this report already, so I am just focusing on the chapter on cryptomining here.

The blockchain consensus mechanism used in Bitcoin, and some other cryptocurrencies, requires mining for the proof-of-work process. Mining, helps verify transactions and create new cryptoasset tokens. Activity from companies and individuals in this area can positively impact the cryptoasset ecosystem, by encouraging cryptoasset adoption, and providing an income stream.

Figure 1: The factors making Latin America popular for crypto mining

Cryptomining in Latin America happens in registered mining companies, mining pools, and so called ‘ant farms’. Mining pools are a form of cooperation in which people share the risks and returns from mining. ‘Ant farms’ are created by hobbyist that install mining equipment in a residential area.

Latin America has some characteristics that support cryptomining and allow miners to be competitive internationally. These features include relatively cheap electricity and renewable power resources, such as solar, hydro and geothermal. The electricity price is one of the most significant factors determining the profitability of cryptomining, and whether a country will become a cryptomining hub. Despite this, Bitcoin mining in this part of the world is still only a small part of the global mining volume.

The popularity of cryptomining varies across Latin American countries. Some of the leading bitcoin mining countries in this part of the world are Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina. In addition to electricity prices, other determining factors are regulation, subsidies, climate, the level cryptoasset adoption, and the general state of the economy. Mining is not widespread in the countries of this region where cryptocurrencies are partially, or entirely, banned.

The crypto mining industry seems to be very sensitive to regulation and electricity prices, and does not appear to be as ‘sticky’ to a geographic location as other parts of the crypto ecosystem. Some miners even have their IT hardware permanently in shipping containers when they are operating, so they can transport it to another country relatively easily. Changes in how countries regulate crypto mining often have a knock-on effect. For example, when Venezuela made regulation stricter, some mining activity moved from there, to Brazil.

If you want to learn more about this part of the cryptoasset ecosystem, you can read the third chapter of the report.

Reference

Proskalovich R., Jack C., Zarifis A., Serralde D.M., Vershinina P., Naidoo S., Njoki D., Pernice I., Herrera D. & Sarmiento J. (2023) ‘Cryptoasset ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean’, University of Cambridge - Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance (CCAF). Available from: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/publications/crypotasset-ecosystem-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/

[ralphphelps]

Boulder Solar Company - The Solar Revolution Promises To Deliver The Best

Whether the job is to lower utility bills, fully replace fossil fuel-generated power for lights and appliances, or trickle charge a spare battery, solar electricity has proven clean, safe, and reliable.

With the most reliable and professional Boulder solar company by your side, produce your own energy and have the sun generate power for your home. In addition to being a clean, reliable, and safe energy source, solar is easy to install and adds value to your property. If a solar system is sized correctly, you can eliminate 100% of your energy consumption.

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We do all the necessary documentation for permits with the county.

Once approved, our installers install all the equipment. Installation is quick and takes one to two days.

After installation, the county inspector will carry out your inspection, and with everything up to standard, we will proceed to the next and final step.

We get in touch with your electricity operator and make the request to exchange the old meter for a new one.

At every installation step, our Boulder solar company experts do everything for you!

Can solar energy really power an entire house?

Yes, it’s possible to achieve complete self-sufficiency, produce your own electricity, and never rely on conventional energy sources again. Additionally, you will eventually be able to eliminate your monthly electricity costs permanently. Solar energy can be used to supply electricity to every electrical system in your house, including the air conditioning, appliances, and lighting. Modern homes can easily incorporate these systems into either traditional or non-traditional designs. Do you know that mounting modules on a south-facing roof or on the ground is the most popular method?

 It's a great feeling knowing your home or business is powered by the sun. Join The Solar Revolution today – your friendly Boulder solar company.

[alyssamonah]

The Pros and Cons of Owning Camper Trailers Melbourne

Cheap boat trailers melbourne are becoming increasingly popular among outdoor enthusiasts and travellers in Melbourne. These versatile vehicles offer a convenient way to explore the stunning landscapes and scenic beauty that Victoria has to offer. However, like any investment, owning a camper trailer comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of owning camper trailers in Melbourne, providing you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Owning Camper Trailers

Mobility and Freedom

One of the most significant advantages of owning a camper trailer is the freedom it provides. You can hit the road whenever you want, exploring new destinations without the constraints of hotel bookings or fixed itineraries. Whether you want to camp by the beach, near a serene lake, or deep in the bush, your camper trailer can take you there.

Cost-Effective Travel

Travelling with a camper trailer can be cost-effective in the long run. While there is an initial investment, you'll save money on accommodation and dining expenses. You can cook your meals and camp in free or low-cost campsites, reducing the overall cost of your trips.

Home Away From Home

Camper trailers provide a comfortable and convenient living space. They come equipped with sleeping areas, a kitchenette, and bathroom facilities, making it feel like a home away from home. You can enjoy all the comforts while still being in the heart of nature.

Customization Options

Camper trailers come in various sizes and designs, and many manufacturers offer customization options. You can tailor your camper to meet your specific needs and preferences, whether you prioritize additional storage space, solar panels for off-grid power, or luxurious interior finishes.

Appreciating Asset

Camper trailers, if well-maintained, can hold their value over time. It means that you can potentially resell your camper trailer for a reasonable price if you decide to upgrade or no longer need it. It's an investment that can offer a decent return.

Environmental Benefits

Travelling with a camper trailer can be more environmentally friendly than other forms of travel. You have the flexibility to choose eco-friendly campsites, reduce your carbon footprint by using solar power, and minimize waste by recycling and conserving resources.

Community and Lifestyle

Owning a camper trailer can also connect you with a like-minded community of travellers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can join online forums, attend rallies, and meet fellow camper owners, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences.

Cons of Owning Camper Trailers

Initial Cost

The upfront cost of purchasing a camper trailer can be substantial. High-quality models with all the bells and whistles can be quite expensive. It's essential to consider your budget and financing options before making a decision.

Maintenance and Repairs

Like any vehicle, camper trailers require regular maintenance to ensure they remain in good condition. Repairs can be costly, and finding the right mechanic or service centre for specialized camper trailer repairs may not always be easy.

Storage Challenges

Finding a suitable storage space for your camper trailer can be a challenge, especially if you live in a densely populated urban area like Melbourne. Many camper owners need to rent storage facilities, adding to the ongoing cost of ownership.

Towing Skills

Towing a camper trailer requires a certain level of skill and experience, particularly when navigating through Melbourne's bustling streets or maneuvering into tight campsite spots. Novice owners may need to invest time in learning these skills.

Fuel Consumption

Camper trailers are not known for their fuel efficiency. Towing a heavy load can significantly impact your vehicle's gas mileage. Be prepared for higher fuel expenses, especially on long journeys.

Limited Mobility in Urban Areas

While camper trailers offer mobility, they can be cumbersome in urban areas. Melbourne's narrow streets and parking restrictions may limit your options for exploring the city once you've set up camp.

Set-Up and Pack-Up Time

Setting up and packing up a camper trailer takes time and effort. If you're only staying in one location for a short period, the process may feel cumbersome and time-consuming.

Making the Decision

Owning a camper trailer in Melbourne can be a rewarding experience for those who value the freedom and adventure of the open road. However, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine if it's the right choice for you. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

Budget Considerations

Start by assessing your budget. Determine how much you're willing to invest in a camper trailer and factor in ongoing expenses such as maintenance, storage, and fuel costs.

Travel Style

Consider your travel style and preferences. If you enjoy exploring remote and off-grid locations, a camper trailer may be an excellent choice. However, if you primarily travel within urban areas, other options like renting accommodation may be more practical.

Skills and Experience

Evaluate your towing skills and experience. If you're new to towing, you may want to take a course or gain some practice before hitting the road with a camper trailer in tow.

Storage Solutions

Investigate storage options in your area. If you don't have space to store a camper trailer at home, research nearby storage facilities and their costs.

Renting vs. Buying

If you're unsure about committing to ownership, consider renting a camper trailer first. It allows you to test the waters and see if it suits your lifestyle and travel preferences.

Resale Value

Research the resale value of camper trailers in your area. Understanding how well these vehicles hold their value can help you make a more informed decision regarding your investment.

Environmental Impact

If you're environmentally conscious, explore eco-friendly options for camper trailers, such as those equipped with solar power and waste management systems.

Conclusion

Owning camper trailers in Melbourne can be a fantastic way to explore the beautiful landscapes of Victoria, providing you with mobility, comfort, and a sense of adventure. However, it's essential to consider the associated costs, maintenance requirements, and lifestyle adjustments before making the leap. By carefully evaluating the pros and cons and conducting thorough research, you can determine if owning a camper trailer aligns with your travel aspirations and preferences. Whether you decide to embark on this journey or explore alternative travel options, Melbourne's natural beauty and outdoor adventures await your exploration.

[carbon-footprinting]

Solar to reduce your carbon footprint

One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to use renewable energy, which can be easily achieved with solar panels.

A great company adept at this is Olympus Power.

So you can have solar panels in a range of locations to power your business premises. These include roof mounted solar panels

or ground mounted solar panels.

Covering land with solar panels gives the soil a chance to recover from decades of farming. Solar sites are great for biodiversity and offer the opportunity to create havens for wildlife.

Solar gives you clean, green, cheap electricity from the biggest power station ever made: the Sun. And with our fully funded installations, it won’t cost you a penny to get up and running.

With Olympus Power, you can sell the electricity you don’t use back to the grid and make money from the power you generate. 

Generating power where you use it is the future of energy – every watt is used and nothing is lost by transmitting it through a grid, cutting waste and cost.

You can go the Self Funded method with which, You buy the kit, either with your own money or through finance, we install it and you’re responsible for maintaining it. This way gets you the cheapest power but requires spending upfront on the installation.

Or you can use Olympus Power's Power Purchase Agreement with which they pay for and install the kit, and sell you electricity at a rate that undercuts the national grid. There’s no cost to you, now or in the future. You don’t own the kit and they’re responsible for maintaining it for its lifetime.

This funded approach also negates the significant tax increases in business rates now being levied against companies who own their solar installation; with a PPA these rates do not apply as the system is not owned by the business, but by Olympus Power.

Get in touch with Olympus Power today and charge towards net zero

[mint-moon25]

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[sunleadblogs]

How to Start and Grow a Solar Energy Business In 2024

This Blog was Originally Published at:

How to Start and Grow a Solar Energy Business In 2024

“Do you know that in 2024 solar energy industry has surpassed all the other forms of renewable energy like wind, water, etc.?”

This is due to the decreased cost of solar panel installation and growing benefits. As solar power becomes more popular, more businesses and homeowners are using it. Such a rise in demand has also increased competition in the solar market, which makes it a lot more important for solar energy businesses to remain updated with industry trends and best practices to generate solar leads to stay ahead of their competition.

So, if you also have this question in mind, How do I start a solar business? Why is my business not growing? Which lead generation techniques will help me? etc., then this handy guide is for you!

In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know before starting a solar energy business, from understanding the market to learning effective solar lead generation techniques. So, whether you already own a solar business or planning to set up one, by the end of the guide you will learn ways to achieve new heights!

Understanding the Solar Energy Business

In recent years, solar energy usage has increased like never before. As of 2022, there are over forty countries worldwide with more than one gigawatt (GW) cumulative solar photovoltaic capacity installed, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Chile, and many more. The top three solar panel installers of 2022 were the United States, China, and India.

Why is solar energy becoming more popular?

There are several reasons behind the growing popularity of the solar industry and solar energy business worldwide. Some of the most popular ones are:

Cheap prices: Advancements in the solar energy sector like better cell materials, energy storage, and smart grids are making the generation of electricity through sunlight more efficient and cheaper, reducing both the cost of solar panel installation and electricity bills for people.

Environmental Concerns: Both general people and businesses are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their activities. Also, due to rising concerns over climate change and environmental degradation, companies, such as airlines and oil firms, are using solar to reduce their carbon footprints.

Government Subsidies: Globally, governments offer many subsidies, tax benefits, other relaxations, and rewards to encourage solar energy initiatives. These often motivate homeowners and businesses who either want to save money or create an impact.

Identifying Opportunities in the Solar Market

There are many opportunities available in the solar industry; an entrepreneur must start his/her journey by finding the right niche for the solar energy business that best suits his expertise or resources while capitalizing on market demand. Some of the popular niches are:

Solar PV Module Manufacturing: A capital-intensive but highly profitable arena that caters to the rising demand for solar panels in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Installation of Solar PV System: The usage of solar energy is increasing day by day and so is the requirement for skilled people who can install and commission, solar PV systems. With a profound technical background, this service-oriented solar energy business helps in the effective functioning of solar systems.

Solar Product Distribution: Solar product distribution, including lanterns, water heaters, and inverters, offers businesses a low-investment, high-margin option. This is a good time to start, as many solar products have started becoming popular in both urban and rural areas.

Solar Consultancy: Another profitable area is providing consultancy services for solar projects, such as site feasibility studies, project management, and financing. They are a consultancy in the knowledge business that helps other businesses and people who seek their guidance for investing in solar energy assets.

After identifying a niche that suits your preferences, the next step is to identify the segment you wish to cater to. There are three major segments in the solar industry: residential, commercial, and industrial.

Are you willing to start a new solar company? Here are a bunch of things to know before starting a solar company in 2024.

Challenges in the Solar Energy Business

Do you know that there is a huge failure rate in starting a solar energy business, and 90% of solar companies fail within the first 5 years? Have you ever wondered why it is so? What is stopping these companies from growing? Here are the three biggest obstacles faced by most solar companies.

Expensive to Start: Solar businesses have high up-front costs, and may require capital outlays in both manufacturing aspects and large solar panel system installations. Securing financing and government subsidies is required to break this barrier down, which can be complex for most companies.

Regulatory Hurdles: Setting up a solar energy business requires many licenses and regulatory approvals. Tiring administrative procedures make it hard to get permits, such as health and safety standards. Also, inconsistencies in regulations across regions affect project execution and add time delay, which results in higher costs.

Competition: The solar market is getting more crowded day by day and there are many players who want a piece of the pie. This competition reduces the installation costs, which makes it difficult to enter the market and make a profit.

Handy Tips

Like every other business, there are challenges/problems in starting a solar energy business. However, if you have the right attitude, you can overcome them. Here are some handy tips to help you:

— >Set Yourself Apart: Provide new offers like energy storage products or anything else to differentiate in a cluttered solar marketplace.

— >Understand Regulations: Stay informed with all the local and national regulations related to solar energy business.

— >Secure financing: Consider taking grants, loans, and incentives that would lower the initial setup costs and will help in reducing the financial burden.

— >Invest in quality: Use good materials and hire skilled workers so that the work is long-lasting, bringing customers high satisfaction.

— >Joint Partnerships: Work with the local businesses and government to get access to the existing solar networks and build trust.

How do I set up a solar energy business?

1. Write a Business Plan:

To grow any business, the most important thing is an effective business plan. A business plan is a set of documents that describes the goals of a company, strategies, and financing projections. This involves

Set clear goals: Define both your short- and long-term goals for at least 5–10 years.

The financial projections: Mention how much your costs and cost of acquisition versus revenue look like.

Market Analysis: Analyze the target market, identify competitors and position strategy.

Additionally, create a powerful mission that also includes your core values, which define where your company is going and drive decision-making.

2. Meet legal and regulatory requirements

After the business plan is set, the next step to setting up a solar energy business is to complete all the legal requirements to ensure proper operations, which helps in gaining the trust of their clients and staying away from any penalties or fines.

Registration and Certifications: Declare yourself as a company with the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) in India or with the sector responsible for solar energy in the country you are starting and get all necessary licenses.

Permits: Get approvals for solar project installations (which vary for different locations).

Regulatory Compliance: Know about all the local, state, and federal regulations, inclusive of safety standards, building codes, as well environmental laws, and stay updated on them.

Lastly, you can also consider getting in touch with legal experts or other industry associations who can help you comprehend and meet all regulatory requirements convincingly.

3. Finance Your Solar Energy Business

Lastly, one major step is to secure enough funding for your solar energy business in order to start or continue for a longer duration. For that, here are different financial alternatives you can consider:

Loans: Reach out to banks or financial institutions for SME-centric business.

Awards and Subsidies: Explore the government honours or subsidies provided for starting a new renewable energy project.

Investors: Pitch to most of the VCs or Angles, especially those who have an interest in sustainable energy ventures.

Fundraising: Use different online/social media platforms to get donations from individuals who have faith in your mission.

Kindly note that cash flow management is very important in any business. So, anticipate monthly costs and watch every penny that comes in and goes out to sustain for the long term.

Fundamentals of Solar Lead Generation

After financing is set up, the next important thing to sustain the solar energy business, in the long run, is successful solar lead generation. Due to the intense competition and high customer acquisition costs, lead generation has become a lifeline of any business in general and the solar sector in particular.

Why is Solar Lead Generation important?

In the solar energy business, lead generation can make or break your success. This means the process of finding and getting customers interested in your offer. There are two main types of leads: inbound and outbound leads.

Inbound leads are where a potential customer comes to you after finding your business on an online search, social media post, or piece of content.

Outbound leads are generated by way of proactive outreach such as making cold calls, running email campaigns, or sending physical mail.

For a successful solar energy business, you must focus on getting inbound leads by increasing your visibility and also try to reach out to the outbound leads through cold calling or email campaigns.

How to get solar leads?

A well-planned strategy that combines online and offline lead generation tactics is the only way to get quality leads for your solar energy business. Things like website SEO, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and social media marketing are pretty good online marketing channels that allow you to reach a wide audience.

Website SEO: Make your website more discoverable in search engines by using keywords like “solar installation” or “solar energy systems,” which can easily attract people looking for solar solutions online.

Utilize Paid Advertising: Use Google Ads, Facebook ads, or YouTube videos to target consumers who are interested in solar energy. You could generate leads super fast from a particular audience if you are running PPC campaigns.

Create Partnerships & Referrals: Work with local businesses, real estate agents, and contractors to get referrals. Joining forces with other solar companies can help expand your network.

You can also follow some offline strategies like participating in trade shows, organizing and engaging in community events, and partnering with local businesses in order to boost the sales of your solar energy business.

Lead Qualification

Leads aren’t a one-size-fits-all proposition, either; weeding out the ones who won’t come to fruition before you expend time and resources is crucial. Perfect Solar leads are people who have an interest, can afford it, and are located in a location that makes sense to invest their time into.

A lead scoring system, which assigns values to various characteristics (like budget, timeline, and decision-making role), should help you prioritize prospects. This method guarantees that your sales are aimed at the most relevant leads, which will lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in the sale.

Leveraging Technology for Lead Generation

For faster Solar Lead Generation for your solar energy business, you must consider using advanced quotation tools. Quotation tools are the tools that provide instant, accurate pricing estimates for solar installations based on user inputs. These tools increase user experience and make it easier for prospects to make faster decisions. Here are some benefits of using them:

Improved Customer Experience: Customers are happy to receive the correct price quickly, generate credibility, and process further.

Improve conversion rates: By allowing customers to find quotes immediately, consumers are more likely to convert into sales.

Tailored Solutions: Quotation tools can be tailored to provide package or financing types per customer request at the time of selling, which would allow for easier closure.

Integrating the SunLead Plugin

Do you know that by using advanced quotation tools, solar companies experience up to 20% higher conversion rates compared to those relying on manual methods?

At SunLead, we provide a white-label quotation tool that integrates with your website to provide instant quotes and increase your conversion rates. It offers the following advantages:

Instant Quote Generation: Provides fast and correct quotes based on use input that helps improve conversion costs.

White-labeling: It will be branded as your tool to maintain the consistency of the brand voice and establish trust.

Easy to integrate: The tools can be easily integrated into your website and CRM systems without disrupting current commercial enterprise tactics.

Case Study: Impact of SunLead on Solar Lead Generation

Here is an example of a company that ranked well on SEO, drove traffic, and reached to many prospects but still failed to generate high-quality leads. Let’s learn why it happened:

Problem: A US-based solar enterprise had a basic website with all the information and was not using a way for traffic to get immediate remarks. As a result, they struggled with excessive consumer acquisition costs and low lead conversion rates, mainly because their prospects had to wait till the manual quoting process was done.

Solution: After including the SunLead plugin in their website, the enterprise automated their quote generation process, allowing customers to instantly get the numbers and take further actions. Also, with SunLead’s white labeling function, the tool blended seamlessly with their brand.

Conclusion: Within six months of implementing the SunLead quotation tool, the company saw 30% higher conversion rates and captured high-quality leads like never before.

Key Takeaways:

→ Only SEO and driving traffic are not enough. To grow your solar energy business, you need to stay updated with the latest trends and tools in the solar industry.

→ Integrating your website with quotation tools improves your lead-generation process.

Other Best Practices for Managing and Converting Leads

After generating leads with the help of quotation tools, the next step for boosting the solar energy business is to convert, nurture, and convert leads into customers. Here are some of the best ways to do so.

Use of CRM Tools: CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is used to track and manage leads. These tools help to track customer journeys, ensure on-time follow-up for consistent communication, and prioritize high-potential clients.

Personal communication: Personal messages and phone calls still have more impact than anything else. Once you’ve created a lead, talk to them periodically and answer all their questions. Learn more about their pain points and offer customized solutions to their problems.

Build Long-Term Relationships: Focus on building long-term relationships with customers so that they can help you with referrals and repeat business, and to do so you can provide excellent post-installation support to ensure customer satisfaction.

So, what is the most important thing for growing your Solar Energy Business?

Running a successful solar energy business depends heavily on effective solar lead generation and conversion. To stay ahead of the competition; it’s important to undertake practices that help manage and convert leads correctly. Using CRM tools lets you preserve high-quality leads, automate follow-ups, and ensure well-timed conversations. Additionally, using quotation tools like SunLead Plugin will help you automate the quote generation process and achieve faster conversion rates.

Key Takeaways:

Use CRM equipment to track and manage leads effectively.

Optimize lead conversion through personalized conversation and targeted gives.

Leverage tools like SunLead for faster and greater accurate quoting to enhance your conversion charges.

To get started with the SunLead Plugin or to learn more about how we can help your solar energy business enhance operations, reach out to us today!

FAQs

Is it good to start a solar business? Yes, starting a solar energy business in 2024 can be promising due to the growing demand for renewable energy, reduced solar installation costs, and growing environmental concerns. However, before starting, it’s important to have a deep knowledge of marketplace trends and regulatory requirements.

Can solar energy be used in homes and businesses? Yes, Solar energy can be utilized in both residential and industrial settings. Homes can benefit from solar panels to reduce their electricity bills and increase energy independence. Also, businesses can use solar energy to decrease running charges and sustainability.

Is solar energy business profitable? Yes, Solar electricity businesses can be very profitable, particularly with cutting-edge technological improvements and government incentives. Profitability relies upon on factors including marketplace demand, operational efficiency, and powerful lead generation techniques.

How much does it cost to start a solar energy business? The cost to start a solar energy business can vary depending upon many factors such as the country, location, size, equipment costs, licensing fees, initial marketing expenses, etc. If you are planning to set up a small-scale business in India, it can cost min 10 lakh to several crores, depending on the size and niche. This includes government subsidies, licensing, and the overall initial cost.

How much can I earn in the solar business? Earnings within the solar energy business vary primarily based on factors that include enterprise length, market demand, and services. Successful solar agencies can generate good-sized sales, earning a profit of several lakh to crore per month. The profit depends upon the niche, scale, and percentage interest you charge.

What is the profit margin for solar panel companies? Profit margins for solar panel agencies usually range from 10% to 30%, depending on various factors together with market situations, set-up fees, and pricing techniques. Companies that correctly manipulate their operations and hold excessive client pleasure tend to attain better profit margins.