Bright Lights And Fast Times In Las Vegas

TOM ORTMANPRESIDENT, CONCURRENT DESIGN CLEANTX BOARD MEMBER This past week, the world's solar energy business leaders, inventors, and investors descended upon Las Vegas, for the Solar Power International (SPI) conference. The event is produced annually by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Energy Power Association (SEPA). This year's event may have been the biggest and brightest in many years. The energy level was high, the exhibition floor huge, and the atmosphere buzzing with positive feedback on business deals done. After some less-than-stellar (pun intended) years in the solar sector, the industry is back in the black. The 2014 U.S. growth rates are projected to be 36% y/y over 2013, with 1,133 MW of PV installed in 2Q14 alone. Currently solar energy accounts for more than one half of the new electric generating capacity added this year. Some highlights from the event include: * The Las Vegas-size conference party under the Eiffel Tower on "The Strip." * The Texas Solar Power Association luncheon hosted by Charlie Hemmeline (Executive Director) was standing room only, underscoring that Texas continues to attract interest in solar development. The attendance was very impressive by all counts as well it should be. Texas, after all has enough solar resources (all by ourselves) to power the entire state, the entire country and much of the civilized world. Who wouldn't want to attend? * For the policy minded, keynote speaker Dr. Ernest Moniz (Secretary US DOE) expressed strong support, "We are big on solar. The fundamental case is extremely strong, built on both technology and business model innovation, but we have to keep working together to grow solar in this country." To further the effort, Moniz announced 53 million to fund 40 R&D projects aimed at reducing the cost of solar. Moniz went on to say that "The projects announced today will help the US solar energy industry continue to grow, ensuring America can capitalize on its vast renewable energy sources, cut carbon pollution, and continue to lead in the world in clean energy innovation." * The news on job growth continues to be a win for the solar industry. Dr. Moniz noted that solar jobs are growing 10 times faster than the general job growth rate over the past two years. SEIA Executive Director Rhone Resch announced that the Solar Industry has more jobs than the coal mining industry. (BTW - Politifact has confirmed this as true) * The 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) was a focal point of much discussion. Rhone Resch announced that SEIA will be organizing a major campaign to extend the ITC beyond the current end of 2016. In his keynote, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) confirmed his support, "These incentives help to make solar more affordable to consumers and more attractive to investors. Letting these critically important incentives expire is not an option". And Lyndon Rive, CEO of Solar City, speaking in support of the ITC, described a future discussion wherein he explained to his (future) grandchildren that we had a chance to save "their" planet from climate change and failed. We had the answer and the technology to deliver the solution, but failed to get supportive policy measures in place. Based upon the energy of the conference, we hope that this conversation never comes to pass. * One additional highlight for me was the drive to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. The drive passes right by the Ivanpah Solar Plant. To witness the world's largest solar power tower concentrating solar power (CSP) plant up close and personal was a thrill. Here they make sunshine into electrical power on demand -24 hours a day if needed. The land of the midnight sun beckons...Bright Times indeed. The post Bright Lights and Fast Times in Las Vegas appeared first on CleanTX.