GLG News by US Wind Power Experts

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

US Solar Installers Continue To Get Snapped Up

August 21, 2008

Analysis of:Hopland, CA, USA: Real Goods Solar Acquires Independent Energy Systems | www.solarbuzz.com

Despite trepidations over the lapsing of US federal incentives, the domestic photovoltaic market continues to consolidate to take advantage of better economy of scale.  Photovoltaic installations in the US now number over 10,000 a year, growth that will continue to increase once new federal incentives are in place in 2009.  This consolidation will continue with publicly held companies like Real Goods as well as many privately held ones.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

Negotiating the Spanish and US Solar Markets

August 18, 2008

Analysis of:Premier Power solar panels take over Spanish rooftops | www.bizjournals.com

This story on a US based installer setting up shop in Mediterranean Europe is a good example of the challenges of dealing with what was until recently two of the hottest PV markets in the world for 2009 - Spain and the United States.  The dynamics of what the changes in incentives will do and how companies like Premier Power will react will indicate whether any PV market setbacks will be minor and temporary, or significant and long lasting.  Both these markets' policies have been beset with short term mentality, and feast or famine incentives.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

Sniping at Solar Costs, Ignoring General Electricity Cost Increases

August 5, 2008

Analysis of:Energía fotovoltaica y subida de la luz | www.enervia.com

Feed in tariffs, a way to provide measured funding for photovoltaic and other renewable energy systems, has been successful in bringing these technologies to market.  Paying only for performance, requiring outside financing, steadily reduced rates and caps on rate impacts have enabled solar and wind power to ascend.  Execution of tariffs often lead to political controversy as this Spanish article describes.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

Let the Renewable Energy Markets Slug It Out

August 4, 2008

Analysis of:IT'S TIME TO STOP AMERICA'S ADDICTION TO FOREIGN OIL | www.pickensplan.com

The Pickens Plan is not bad in itself, being grounded in the reality of changing markets and led by a businessman who has actually invested in the process.  What may be more important is that the Plan could shake the monopolistic grip that fossil and nuclear energy has on our infrastructure and thought process.  That alone may enable renewable energy markets to grow once the suffocating deadwood of incumbency is cleared.

Frank ChuPrincipalFjc Associates

China's electricity companies continue to suffer losses due to coal prices

July 28, 2008

Analysis of:China's coal price caps could worsen shortages - Morgan Stanley | www.forbes.com

China's recent price cap on thermal coal has failed to stop the losses by electricity generation companies as the spot prices of coal continue to increase.  Analysts foresee that the second round of executive orders by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to freeze coal prices at the June 19th level will again fail.  What are the implications to the electricity sector and the consumers?  Would that lead to another around of tariff increase, and increase the risk of runaway inflation in China?  During the last round of tariff adjustment, electricity companies with hydro generation and renewable portfolios have much to gain.  Would NDRC grant similar increases to hydro and wind generation if they have to allow further increases by coal-fired plants?

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

An Elephant in the Room Begins To Roar

July 14, 2008

Analysis of:Billionaire Texas oilman spend $58m on alternative energy campaign | www.guardian.co.uk

The media is saturated by energy companies promising a painless path to continued cheap supplies, and cleaner to boot.  Meanwhile, T Boone Pickens has burst upon this complacency with a campaign that act as a wake up call to drastically shake up how we guzzle our fuel.  What ever one thinks of Mr. Pickens' motivations, or the impact of his nailing his theses on the door, it should shake up the public and decision makers who still intone "I can't hear you, I can't hear you...".

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

But Wait, There's More - Natural Gas, Water and Other Increasingly Scarce Resources

July 14, 2008

Analysis of:Envisioning a world of $200-a-barrel oil | www.latimes.com

We are mesmerized by the present high price of oil, but that's only a part of the picture.  Natural gas and coal prices, water scarcity and a steadily declining large household base will essentially spell the beginning of the end of the housing, vehicle and development sprawl.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

But PV Won't Turn That Fast

July 7, 2008

Analysis of:Solar power: Supply and demand tables start to turn | www.ft.com

I am finding a slight case of irrational exuberance seeping into the photovoltaic prediction industry.  The latest is a prediction reported in the Financial Times of a fivefold increase of photovoltaic production by 2010.  The industry will grow nicely, but not at this frenetic rate.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

State Solar Mandate in Face of Weak US Energy Policy

July 7, 2008

Analysis of:Hawaii requires solar water heaters on new homes | www.forbes.com

Hawaii has broken new ground in becoming the first state to require solar water heaters in new construction.  This policy joins an array of others employed by states and localities to develop renewable energy markets in lieu of federal paralysis.   It will not be a magic bullet with federal incentives threatened with expiration after 2008, but it will help keep some markets going.

Frank ChuPrincipalFjc Associates

Possible bottlenecks in China's wind power growth

July 1, 2008

Analysis of:China wind power capacity growing | uk.reuters.com

At the end of 2008, China's installed wind power capacity is expected to top 10,000 MW, a target set for 2010.  Chinese officials are now boldly predicting that by 2010, the total installed capacity may reach 20,000 MW.  The rapid growth has attracted many domestic industrial firms to diversify into wind turbine manufacturing.  With the support of government policies of mandating a 70% domestic content for wind equipment, the once dominant foreign suppliers are  yielding almost half of the market share to domestic players.  What is the long term outlook and what are the bottlenecks for China's wind power developments?

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