Is SolarCity's Move Into Manufacturing Smart or Unrealistic?

Energy Gang

Wood Mackenzie

Tech News, Environment, Sustainability, Innovation, Renewable Energy, Technology, Alternative Energy, Energy, News, Cleantech, Wind Energy, Business, Climate Change, Solar Energy

4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 18 June 2014

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, SolarCity shocked the solar industry by announcing its intentions to acquire Silevo, and move quickly into cell and module manufacturing. America's largest solar installer now wants to be one of the most powerful producers of solar products. But does the move make sense? In this week's show, we'll debate the technology risks and cost upsides of SolarCity's manufacturing play. Then, we'll talk about Elon Musk's decision to open up all Tesla's patents. Finally, we'll ask why oil companies are divesting from renewable energy. This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings. The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This Podcast is brought to you by E-Gage Systems, Advanced Affordable and Reliable Energy Monitoring.
0:08.0	The E-Gage is a data logger, web server, and energy Meter in one device.
0:13.0	With revenue-grade accuracy,
0:15.0	E-Gage can be used to optimize efficiency
0:17.0	and for solar monitoring and sub-metering.
0:20.0	Learn more at e-Gage.
0:22.0	Net. Learn more at e-Gage.net.
0:25.0	For the week of June 18, 2014,
0:30.0	this is the Energy Gang from Green Tech Media.
0:34.0	Welcome to the show.
0:40.0	I'm Stephen Lacy, a senior editor with Green Tech Media in Washington, D.C.
0:46.4	The world is in turmoil. Iraq is on the verge of all-out civil war. Spain lost its first match to the Netherlands and the World Cup, and
0:55.4	Congress is investigating the popular host of the Dr. Oz show for Hawking bogus weight loss
1:00.9	products. But amidst this change and uncertainty I can always
1:04.5	count on my co-hosts and our listeners to be here. Today this podcast is
1:09.9	one year old, a milestone for us and a nice reminder for how much we love to hear ourselves talk.
1:16.8	In Washington, my co-host Catherine Hamilton is with me.
1:20.5	She once hated the sound of her own voice, but now has come to realize its power.
1:25.0	She is a partner at 38 North Solutions, the Clean Tech Public Policy firm you've heard so much about.
1:31.0	Catherine, how are you on this one year
1:33.2	anniversary of this podcast? It's been such a whirlwind romance Stephen. It's been
1:38.7	really wonderful although the sound of my voice I'm still getting used to and at one and a half time speed
	...

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