1. Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering Arizona State University
SEC598S19 – Solar Energy Commercialization Session 01 (01/07/19): Overview
Ronald Roedel
Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering
Arizona State University

2. Learning Outcomes (598S19) Solar Energy Commercialization
A review of PV systems
A primer on the operation of public utilities and their interaction with the solar energy enterprise
A greater understanding of economic and public policy considerations for large scale systems

3. Starting thoughts Renewable Energy Clean Energy
Produced by naturally replenishing fuels
Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Biomass
Clean Energy
Zero carbon (CO2) emissions while operating
Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Nuclear

4. Economic and public policy considerations
Fong & Tippett, Project Development in the Solar Industry, 2013
Why renewable energy?
Why NOT solar energy?

5. Why renewable energy?
Fong & Tippett, 2013

6. Economic and public policy considerations
Why clean, renewable energy?
Climate change is caused by anthropogenic activities
The planet is close to the tipping point, and we must stop “digging things out of the ground and burning them” for fuels and electricity
With proper engineering, business plans, and energy policies in place, the world can thrive without resorting to the old energy enterprise

7. Economic considerations
Now that oil, gasoline, and natural gas prices are at near record lows, this situation puts additional pressure on the Solar Industry.
How does the Solar Industry proceed in trying to reach grid parity?
Grid parity is achieved when alternative energy produces electricity at costs equal to power from the grid

8. Public policy considerations
Utility scale solar projects require large amounts of land. Typically, 2-3 acres of land are required to produce 1 MW of solar power
There are vast tracts of arid, un-occupied, non-residential, non-agricultural land that appear “ideal” for PV and CSP development.
But groups that support Solar Development also value wilderness and untrammeled spaces, support the preservation of historical and cultural sites as well as threatened and endangered species
This sets up internal conflicts within these advocacy groups

9. Recent victories for the Renewable Energy Business
Renewal and extension of the Investment Tax Credit (December, 2016)
The Paris Accords call for the reduction of fossil fuels, which will support the commercialization of solar energy
The Bureau of Land Management recent decisions to let Solar Energy Zones move forward
New utility-scale solar installations now at or below grid parity

10. Recent setbacks for the Renewable Energy Business (January, 2018)
States eliminating Net Electrical Metering, increasing Fixed Charges, imposing Power Demand Charges
The Clean Power Plan delayed as its implementation is challenged in court
Changes in the political climate in Washington, DC

11. Recent setbacks for the Renewable Energy Business (January, 2019)
DOE, EPA, DOI now led by individuals with little enthusiasm for the renewable energy enterprise
The Clean Power Plan largely scrapped by Executive Orders
The USA exits the Paris Climate Accords
A blockbuster ITC decision (solar module tariffs) changed the economic landscape