“Miss Protectionist Policy, please meet our friend Mr. Market Forces, you two should make an entertaining couple.” Average commercial module prices in the US at end of 2017 were $0.45 per watt, decreasing 5-6% per year. Source: https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2017-q4 Tariffs on solar modules announced by the Trump administration in January went into effect Feb 7. They [...]
The success of an organization is based on the quality of women it attracts and retains. Everything else is posturing. This is most obvious in the solar industry where failures are frequent and where bankruptcies consistently reflect the poor management style and hubris of men with more ego than good sense… The first and [...]
While the current President is threatening to slap tariffs on friend and foe alike, and crafting a bail out plan for the coal and nuclear industry at the expense of now cheaper renewables, Staten Solar believes it may be helpful to point out the following: Over the last year, France, the UK, China, Ireland, Scotland, [...]
Nothing spells well earned like permanent digs in Kauai. Goodbye Silicon Valley stress, adieu solar rollercoaster frights, ciao daily meetings, auf wiedersehen waiting lines and excitable drivers. But only for the worthy. For those who can plan and execute flawlessly. Like Manish Gupta did, starting more than 3 years ago and whose exit [...]
This June 13 is a big lobby day in Sacramento for clean energy proponents. It is the day selected to press lawmakers to pass SB 100 which sets a goal for California to reach 100% of its energy needs from clean sources. The lobbying effort starts June 11, online and through local action. And [...]
Not always represented by a stunning cantilever, or an elegant curve, it also shows in mysterious boxes and relays and well designed interconnections that power machines, devices, tools at the flick of a switch. Daily magic. At an unimaginably low price. Some large solar deals are now being signed for less than 2 cents per [...]
There are uncountable ways companies can fail, especially in new industries like renewables, but only a finite number of ways any company will succeed. There are plenty of tactics to find customers, some more efficient than others and some more expensive than others. Attracting the right customer is a strategic choice. A few companies prevail [...]
Solar develops by fits and starts within segments; after rooftops and empty fields are converted, parking lots are the next underutilized assets to become popular. The majority of systems Staten built have been ground-mounts, in California, in India, and soon in Africa. For large systems, economics favor solar farms, or solar gardens. So long [...]
The worldwide market for plug-in vehicles is taking off with over 312,000 units sold in the first quarter, a 59% increase over Q1 2017. While the total 2017 market represents only 2 million vehicles, with China and India rushing in, and growing 50 % YOY, the goal of 100 million electric vehicles by 2030 set [...]
The transition to renewables is a profound phenomenon. Clean energy addresses climate change, generates savings, disrupts fossil fuel interests, and helps lift the economy. According to the annual review conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 500,000 jobs were added in 2017. A 5.3% increase over the prior year, which itself grew at 21% [...]
