Selling the Benefits of Solar Energy in Australia

Written by Aidan Jenkins | 21 May 2013
Posted in Guest Blogs

Selling the benefits of solar energy becomes more challenging in Australia simply because the easy sales have already been made to committed environmentalists and forward-thinking technology enthusiasts. Scandals, political changes and misinformation campaigns further complicate the problems of convincing customers to invest thousands of dollars to install solar systems.

Being Conservative in a Liberal Industry

Written by Alan H. Lee | 24 April 2013
Posted in Guest Blogs

The solar industry should be grateful to every government that has given it subsidies.  However, almost every industry should be grateful to the governments that helped them get going with subsidies, and the industries that have been well established that still get incentives should be grateful as well.  In most cases however, incentives do not last forever, and they will decline in the near future. With an imminent decline and end of incentives provided by the California Solar Initiative (CSI), many businesses and consumers who are currently installing or interested in solar installations may be wondering what the end of CSI will mean for them. The key to an incentive is to get your foot into the door, set up your business, and become viable post-incentive.

Solar in Mexico: High intensity potential

Written by Nancy Hartsoch | 11 April 2013
Posted in Guest Blogs

Significant attention has been focused on the solar market in Mexico of late.  Projections have been for huge solar farms, rapid growth…. basically a gold rush for solar rays.  All of this may be true, but new market development, which is not fueled by government incentives such as feed in tariffs and the like, is very likely to develop at a pace that is less predictable and faced by challenges that are not yet understood.  In the long run, these unsubsidized markets are more sustainable and predictable however.  No doubt the opportunity in Mexico is real and significant; how to capitalize on it is the key.

Unlocking the Next PV Boom

Written by Tucker Ruberti | 11 February 2013
Posted in Guest Blogs

The total installed cost and lifetime levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of photovoltaics (PV) installations continue to improve. These cost reductions are making PV economical to an increasing number of customers and developers, and the industry is continuing to find ways to reduce costs. However, to fully capitalize on PV’s increased viability, these new PV systems must also be able to be grid integrated at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, these new installations must be able to improve the reliability and performance of the overall grid as opposed to introducing additional risks or instabilities. Because of this, it is necessary to leverage learning from international interconnection requirements, emerging domestic standards and new innovations from PV inverter suppliers to unlock the potential of PV to provide an increasing amount of energy into the grid and simultaneously improving grid reliability and power quality.

Reaping the Rewards of Community Solar

Written by Andy Noel and Tom Sweeney | 04 February 2013
Posted in Guest Blogs

Despite its allure, adopting solar remains impossible for a surprising, even overwhelming, number of Americans. In fact, 80% of metered utility customers in the US cannot install solar on their rooftops due to building restrictions, shade on their property, low credit scores, prohibitive up-front costs or the fact that they are renters, among other reasons.

Promoting Your Solar Business Online

Written by TaeWoo Kim | 21 November 2012
Posted in Guest Blogs

If you are in the solar installation business, I'd like to shake your hand for adding to the growing green movement. I know some may see us green entrepreneurs as profiteers whose sole motivation is to make a buck, but like you, I've chosen the solar industry for my entrepreneurial endeavor. A wise man once said “to do good, you must do well.”

Romanian Power Games and the Solar Sector

Written by Renate Zoeller | 21 September 2012
Posted in Guest Blogs

Romania has been mired recently in the deepest crisis seen in the last twenty years. Prime Minister Victor Ponta and President Traian Basescu fight an embittered struggle over political power, which has affected the financial stability of the country. Foreign investors are getting anxious and repercussions are seen in the solar sector.

Improving Solar Installation Lifecycle Efficiency

Written by Andrew Duggan | 19 September 2012
Posted in Guest Blogs

As the solar industry continues to fluctuate, companies will only realize sustained growth by increasing efficiency at every point of the solar system installation process, rather than focusing on single factors such as specific product costs. Adopting this holistic perspective will drive out unnecessary expenses from the total cost of ownership. Some suggest that dropping solar panel costs and finding ways to create better photovoltaic solar cells in the panels will reduce installation prices. Others say that improved manufacturing and technology are the answers. But these factors are part of a bigger equation for reducing costs.