Jenny Chase
@solarchase.bsky.social
Solar analyst at BloombergNEF, goose keeper. Author of a book, "Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon". Opinions all my own.
Pinned
Jenny Chase
@solarchase.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Me, trying and failing to stuff my 4-month-old baby into a babygrow labelled "12 months": I think babies just got bigger than they used to be.
December 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Me, trying and failing to stuff my 4-month-old baby into a babygrow labelled "12 months": I think babies just got bigger than they used to be.
One more for "you can install solar panels yourself on your garage wall, but sometimes you shouldn't".
(Might be vandalism, might be kids kicking footballs - either way I don't think those panels will be able to claim on warranty. Roofs have advantages!).
(Might be vandalism, might be kids kicking footballs - either way I don't think those panels will be able to claim on warranty. Roofs have advantages!).
December 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
One more for "you can install solar panels yourself on your garage wall, but sometimes you shouldn't".
(Might be vandalism, might be kids kicking footballs - either way I don't think those panels will be able to claim on warranty. Roofs have advantages!).
(Might be vandalism, might be kids kicking footballs - either way I don't think those panels will be able to claim on warranty. Roofs have advantages!).
The BNEF PV new build estimate for 2025 is now just 655GW(DC) after downward revisions for the China market, with a small decline expected in 2026 as China, Brazil, Europe contract.
There is just a lot of solar in the major markets now, and negative feedback is kicking in.
There is just a lot of solar in the major markets now, and negative feedback is kicking in.
800 GW would be more than 100 GW above what BNEF projected not so long ago! 😲 @solarchase.bsky.social can you corroborate? bsky.app/profile/sola...
42. Annual build volumes of solar are rising, but they are not guaranteed to rise forever. This is a symptom of solar starting to actually make a dent in power demand, with negative feedback effects such as power price cannibalization.
December 23, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The BNEF PV new build estimate for 2025 is now just 655GW(DC) after downward revisions for the China market, with a small decline expected in 2026 as China, Brazil, Europe contract.
There is just a lot of solar in the major markets now, and negative feedback is kicking in.
There is just a lot of solar in the major markets now, and negative feedback is kicking in.
The UK got 54.7% of its electricity generation from renewables in the third quarter of 2025. Though because nuclear and hydro generation was down year-on-year, gas generation was up.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6941a0...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6941a0...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The UK got 54.7% of its electricity generation from renewables in the third quarter of 2025. Though because nuclear and hydro generation was down year-on-year, gas generation was up.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6941a0...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6941a0...
Vegan cream cheese has got really good.
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Vegan cream cheese has got really good.
This is possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Good deal on a great book and perfect for anybody working in energy.
It’s like @xkcd.com’s Thing Explainer book, but for solar.
It’s like @xkcd.com’s Thing Explainer book, but for solar.
World Scientific Publishing has a deal on my book for Kindle - $20 or £20 - until the end of February 2026.
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
December 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
World Scientific Publishing has a deal on my book for Kindle - $20 or £20 - until the end of February 2026.
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
December 17, 2025 at 1:15 PM
World Scientific Publishing has a deal on my book for Kindle - $20 or £20 - until the end of February 2026.
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
(Or, as usual, ask your local library for it!)
You can put solar panels up anywhere and in any way, but maybe you shouldn't.
December 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
You can put solar panels up anywhere and in any way, but maybe you shouldn't.
This is a good detailed story. At one point, direct resistance electric heating protected the early vine shoots from frost...
I remain skeptical that grapevines in Germany really need protection from the sun.
Also the last bit is basically "winegrowing is way harder than PV", which, yeah.
I remain skeptical that grapevines in Germany really need protection from the sun.
Also the last bit is basically "winegrowing is way harder than PV", which, yeah.
December 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This is a good detailed story. At one point, direct resistance electric heating protected the early vine shoots from frost...
I remain skeptical that grapevines in Germany really need protection from the sun.
Also the last bit is basically "winegrowing is way harder than PV", which, yeah.
I remain skeptical that grapevines in Germany really need protection from the sun.
Also the last bit is basically "winegrowing is way harder than PV", which, yeah.
Reposted by Jenny Chase
At last, a chance to repost my favourite ever font-related controversy with alt-text, now that Calibri is back in the news.
December 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
At last, a chance to repost my favourite ever font-related controversy with alt-text, now that Calibri is back in the news.
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity.
December 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity.
On maternity leave I have played Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and yes. So fun. So beautiful.
Even though running / riding around pretty countryside, often in the pouring rain, on miscellaneous errands is a big part of my real life. So is cooking. In BOTW you don't have to do laundry and you can FLY.
Even though running / riding around pretty countryside, often in the pouring rain, on miscellaneous errands is a big part of my real life. So is cooking. In BOTW you don't have to do laundry and you can FLY.
in this week's column! I discuss what it took for me to become an Adult Gamer and I argue that you, too, should play video games: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/we-should-...
December 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM
On maternity leave I have played Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and yes. So fun. So beautiful.
Even though running / riding around pretty countryside, often in the pouring rain, on miscellaneous errands is a big part of my real life. So is cooking. In BOTW you don't have to do laundry and you can FLY.
Even though running / riding around pretty countryside, often in the pouring rain, on miscellaneous errands is a big part of my real life. So is cooking. In BOTW you don't have to do laundry and you can FLY.
Pedant point but as a former (failed, student) physicist I hate the word "electrons" being used for "electricity". While electrons are complicated (are they a wave? A particle? Beta radiation?) they're definitely not a substance you pour into a wire.
December 5, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Pedant point but as a former (failed, student) physicist I hate the word "electrons" being used for "electricity". While electrons are complicated (are they a wave? A particle? Beta radiation?) they're definitely not a substance you pour into a wire.
Reposted by Jenny Chase
As of today, there are more electric cars than diesel cars in Norway.
Flere elbiler enn dieselbiler i Norge
3. desember er en merkedag i norsk bilhistorie: Nå er elbil den mest vanlige personbil-typen på veiene i Norge.
elbil.no
December 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
As of today, there are more electric cars than diesel cars in Norway.
Reposted by Jenny Chase
"[LNG]Imports for China this year are estimated at around 64.6 million tons, down from 78.27 million in 2024" Reuters (today).
Here is what that looks like for China compared to what was predicted by BloombergNEF in the middle of last year. So they forecasting mid 80s and it is actual mid 60s.
Here is what that looks like for China compared to what was predicted by BloombergNEF in the middle of last year. So they forecasting mid 80s and it is actual mid 60s.
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
"[LNG]Imports for China this year are estimated at around 64.6 million tons, down from 78.27 million in 2024" Reuters (today).
Here is what that looks like for China compared to what was predicted by BloombergNEF in the middle of last year. So they forecasting mid 80s and it is actual mid 60s.
Here is what that looks like for China compared to what was predicted by BloombergNEF in the middle of last year. So they forecasting mid 80s and it is actual mid 60s.
Wait why is that actually an excellent idea from all angles.
my most dad-core belief is that the IRA should have been called the Defeat Inflation Program (DIP) so that it better paired with the other signature Biden policy -- the CHIPS act.
December 1, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Wait why is that actually an excellent idea from all angles.
Last day of the discount code for my book, which is also a decent Christmas present for someone who hopes to get into renewables as a job.
(Or just ask your library for the book if you're curious).
(Or just ask your library for the book if you're curious).
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Last day of the discount code for my book, which is also a decent Christmas present for someone who hopes to get into renewables as a job.
(Or just ask your library for the book if you're curious).
(Or just ask your library for the book if you're curious).
It has been raining for two days straight here. After struggling with multiple broken umbrellas, I have little faith in the durability of foldable solar panels in regular use.
November 25, 2025 at 8:39 AM
It has been raining for two days straight here. After struggling with multiple broken umbrellas, I have little faith in the durability of foldable solar panels in regular use.
I respect @polder-pv.bsky.social a lot for their data work in the Netherlands (you would think! The Dutch! Would have good official data! But it is not so!) So this means a lot to me. Follow them!
Thank you VERY much, Mrs Chase, for this highly commended #solarthread. Just fell in via sideways reading, and now have read the whole thread. Warning, contains some points people with firm "beliefs" in certain solar aspects, might stumble over, but that is part of the joy. Thx again ! #mustread 👇
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
November 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I respect @polder-pv.bsky.social a lot for their data work in the Netherlands (you would think! The Dutch! Would have good official data! But it is not so!) So this means a lot to me. Follow them!
Guilty. I have a sturdy road bike with a crossbar for every day, a step-through bike with a child seat on the back waiting for Child 2 to get big enough, and a cheap step-through bike I ride when lending my main bike to guests...
Bicycles - Why you might need more than one
Artist: Dave Walker
Artist: Dave Walker
November 11, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Guilty. I have a sturdy road bike with a crossbar for every day, a step-through bike with a child seat on the back waiting for Child 2 to get big enough, and a cheap step-through bike I ride when lending my main bike to guests...
Whole thread worth reading.
It's a terrible idea to hire Captain Ahab! He's clearly nuts!
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Whole thread worth reading.
Reposted by Jenny Chase
Ethiopia last year banned the import of new gasoline-powered cars. Nepal reduced import duties on EVs so much that they are now cheaper than cars with internal combustion engines. Brazil raised tariffs on car imports to compel Chinese automakers to set up plants inside Brazil. Etc
A Flood of Green Tech From China Is Upending Global Climate Politics
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Ethiopia last year banned the import of new gasoline-powered cars. Nepal reduced import duties on EVs so much that they are now cheaper than cars with internal combustion engines. Brazil raised tariffs on car imports to compel Chinese automakers to set up plants inside Brazil. Etc
Spicy perspective, worth following @roselund.bsky.social on US solar trade policy.
(I'm staying out of it.)
(I'm staying out of it.)
This sucks for these thousand #solar workers and their families.
As for QCells' leadership...
1) According to Customs data, they are getting nothing released under UFLPA.
2) They are participants in weaponizing trade policy to be part of an oligopoly. No tears. /1
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
As for QCells' leadership...
1) According to Customs data, they are getting nothing released under UFLPA.
2) They are participants in weaponizing trade policy to be part of an oligopoly. No tears. /1
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Spicy perspective, worth following @roselund.bsky.social on US solar trade policy.
(I'm staying out of it.)
(I'm staying out of it.)
Blowing my husband's mind with an old-fashioned solution to the problem "need to create a physical document, do not own a printer".
(We usually print at the office, but parental leave...)
(We usually print at the office, but parental leave...)
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Blowing my husband's mind with an old-fashioned solution to the problem "need to create a physical document, do not own a printer".
(We usually print at the office, but parental leave...)
(We usually print at the office, but parental leave...)
Reposted by Jenny Chase
Not an energy post, but FT has a very funny "page not found" message: answers to why the page wasn't found based on economic concepts. And you don't need a subscription to read it.
www.ft.com/content/1095...
www.ft.com/content/1095...
Client Challenge
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www.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Not an energy post, but FT has a very funny "page not found" message: answers to why the page wasn't found based on economic concepts. And you don't need a subscription to read it.
www.ft.com/content/1095...
www.ft.com/content/1095...