Commercial Solar Guy
@commercialsolarguy.com
Solar (tech/finance/project) news.
Consult/Develop/Construct: https://commercialsolarguy.com/
Editor: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/author/johnweaver/
Professional: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfitzgeraldweaver
Born 336.74
Cambridge, MA, USA, Earth
Consult/Develop/Construct: https://commercialsolarguy.com/
Editor: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/author/johnweaver/
Professional: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfitzgeraldweaver
Born 336.74
Cambridge, MA, USA, Earth
The specified switch itself is about $30k, programming $20k, three poles-wire-conduit-trench-bollards-install, $60k, utility fees $40k.
Modules cost 19¢/W (though I didn’t buy them), so $131k.
Meaning yes, more than the modules.
Didn’t realize it till you said so…plus another $30k disconnect.
Modules cost 19¢/W (though I didn’t buy them), so $131k.
Meaning yes, more than the modules.
Didn’t realize it till you said so…plus another $30k disconnect.
December 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The specified switch itself is about $30k, programming $20k, three poles-wire-conduit-trench-bollards-install, $60k, utility fees $40k.
Modules cost 19¢/W (though I didn’t buy them), so $131k.
Meaning yes, more than the modules.
Didn’t realize it till you said so…plus another $30k disconnect.
Modules cost 19¢/W (though I didn’t buy them), so $131k.
Meaning yes, more than the modules.
Didn’t realize it till you said so…plus another $30k disconnect.
I’m on a vacation in a warm place, but the team is doing a medium voltage witness test. This test verifies our system will shut down for the required five minutes if there are grid or solar issues. Its purpose is to protect the grid.
Probably adds $150,000 to this 499 kWac sized system.
Probably adds $150,000 to this 499 kWac sized system.
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I’m on a vacation in a warm place, but the team is doing a medium voltage witness test. This test verifies our system will shut down for the required five minutes if there are grid or solar issues. Its purpose is to protect the grid.
Probably adds $150,000 to this 499 kWac sized system.
Probably adds $150,000 to this 499 kWac sized system.
Paper angels are various prices of cardboard protecting the solar panels, the four per module is the left column third down
December 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Paper angels are various prices of cardboard protecting the solar panels, the four per module is the left column third down
Essentially, a solar panel may cost $50-100 forever, with an ever increasing efficiency,
$75/panel:
550W, 19.7%, $0.136/W
600W, 21.4%, $0.125/W
650W, 23.2%, $0.115/W
700W, 25.0%, $0.107/W
750W, 26.8%, $0.100/W
800W, 28.6%, $0.094/W
850W, 30.4%, $0.088/W
900W, 32.1%, $0.083/W
923W, 33.0%, $0.081/W
$75/panel:
550W, 19.7%, $0.136/W
600W, 21.4%, $0.125/W
650W, 23.2%, $0.115/W
700W, 25.0%, $0.107/W
750W, 26.8%, $0.100/W
800W, 28.6%, $0.094/W
850W, 30.4%, $0.088/W
900W, 32.1%, $0.083/W
923W, 33.0%, $0.081/W
December 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Essentially, a solar panel may cost $50-100 forever, with an ever increasing efficiency,
$75/panel:
550W, 19.7%, $0.136/W
600W, 21.4%, $0.125/W
650W, 23.2%, $0.115/W
700W, 25.0%, $0.107/W
750W, 26.8%, $0.100/W
800W, 28.6%, $0.094/W
850W, 30.4%, $0.088/W
900W, 32.1%, $0.083/W
923W, 33.0%, $0.081/W
$75/panel:
550W, 19.7%, $0.136/W
600W, 21.4%, $0.125/W
650W, 23.2%, $0.115/W
700W, 25.0%, $0.107/W
750W, 26.8%, $0.100/W
800W, 28.6%, $0.094/W
850W, 30.4%, $0.088/W
900W, 32.1%, $0.083/W
923W, 33.0%, $0.081/W
btw i realized how much the exchange rates have changed USD vs China since this post originally a few years ago. So I couldn't easily switch to yuan today, i had to stick with older numbers.
:-)
:-)
December 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
btw i realized how much the exchange rates have changed USD vs China since this post originally a few years ago. So I couldn't easily switch to yuan today, i had to stick with older numbers.
:-)
:-)
'South Australia averaged >100% net wind+solar vs demand over the past week....>90% wind+solar over the last 28 days...75%renewables over the last 12 months...synchronous generators & transmission soon allow true 100% renewables when fossil 'engines' turned off.'
reneweconomy.com.au/south-austra...
reneweconomy.com.au/south-austra...
December 6, 2025 at 12:37 PM
'South Australia averaged >100% net wind+solar vs demand over the past week....>90% wind+solar over the last 28 days...75%renewables over the last 12 months...synchronous generators & transmission soon allow true 100% renewables when fossil 'engines' turned off.'
reneweconomy.com.au/south-austra...
reneweconomy.com.au/south-austra...
They’ll always be NREL in my heart
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
They’ll always be NREL in my heart
Battery manufacturer rankings based on the Altman-Z score:
top ten for the quarter are as follows:
Tesla
Mustang Battery
Solid Power
Hyundai Electric
Sinexcel
Kung Long Batteries
Eaton
Yuasa Battery
Sacred Sun
Enersys
17. CATL
30. BYD
media-01.imu.nl/storage/sino...
top ten for the quarter are as follows:
Tesla
Mustang Battery
Solid Power
Hyundai Electric
Sinexcel
Kung Long Batteries
Eaton
Yuasa Battery
Sacred Sun
Enersys
17. CATL
30. BYD
media-01.imu.nl/storage/sino...
December 3, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Battery manufacturer rankings based on the Altman-Z score:
top ten for the quarter are as follows:
Tesla
Mustang Battery
Solid Power
Hyundai Electric
Sinexcel
Kung Long Batteries
Eaton
Yuasa Battery
Sacred Sun
Enersys
17. CATL
30. BYD
media-01.imu.nl/storage/sino...
top ten for the quarter are as follows:
Tesla
Mustang Battery
Solid Power
Hyundai Electric
Sinexcel
Kung Long Batteries
Eaton
Yuasa Battery
Sacred Sun
Enersys
17. CATL
30. BYD
media-01.imu.nl/storage/sino...
Been doing a lot of trenching the past weeks. Right now doing medium voltage AC work.
December 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Been doing a lot of trenching the past weeks. Right now doing medium voltage AC work.
I just answered this survey and I think they’re gonna throw out my response as the ramblings of a mad individual…
December 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I just answered this survey and I think they’re gonna throw out my response as the ramblings of a mad individual…
Got a question on this study though in how it does pricing…
1. How does this analysis account for behind the meter solar? It’s over 10% of California’s electricity. Is this in the efficiency box in which it simply is never counted?
2. What is the cost assigned? For many the $/kWh in under a dime.
1. How does this analysis account for behind the meter solar? It’s over 10% of California’s electricity. Is this in the efficiency box in which it simply is never counted?
2. What is the cost assigned? For many the $/kWh in under a dime.
December 2, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Got a question on this study though in how it does pricing…
1. How does this analysis account for behind the meter solar? It’s over 10% of California’s electricity. Is this in the efficiency box in which it simply is never counted?
2. What is the cost assigned? For many the $/kWh in under a dime.
1. How does this analysis account for behind the meter solar? It’s over 10% of California’s electricity. Is this in the efficiency box in which it simply is never counted?
2. What is the cost assigned? For many the $/kWh in under a dime.
Oh buddy…I can only think of the excuses guys will use now…
December 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Oh buddy…I can only think of the excuses guys will use now…
I am this many years old.
December 1, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I am this many years old.
Wanna know the future of the power grid's challenges? Go to Australia.
Wanna know the future of power grids that solve many of those challenges? Go to South Australia.
reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m...
Wanna know the future of power grids that solve many of those challenges? Go to South Australia.
reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m...
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Wanna know the future of the power grid's challenges? Go to Australia.
Wanna know the future of power grids that solve many of those challenges? Go to South Australia.
reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m...
Wanna know the future of power grids that solve many of those challenges? Go to South Australia.
reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m...
I’m thinking bookshop.org is following this thread on Bluesky because I just got this quite timely email :)
And @adapalmer.bsky.social - I’m extra paying attention to how to purchase these two copies (one spoken for so far) so I spread the wealth a bit.
And @adapalmer.bsky.social - I’m extra paying attention to how to purchase these two copies (one spoken for so far) so I spread the wealth a bit.
November 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I’m thinking bookshop.org is following this thread on Bluesky because I just got this quite timely email :)
And @adapalmer.bsky.social - I’m extra paying attention to how to purchase these two copies (one spoken for so far) so I spread the wealth a bit.
And @adapalmer.bsky.social - I’m extra paying attention to how to purchase these two copies (one spoken for so far) so I spread the wealth a bit.
Killed the 12 V battery in my EV by working from it with the heat on in regular mode versus utility mode.
So now, until I can get it replaced, I have to use the giant car battery to charge my friend’s mini battery so I can jump start my medium battery.
Also charging my phone micro battery…
So now, until I can get it replaced, I have to use the giant car battery to charge my friend’s mini battery so I can jump start my medium battery.
Also charging my phone micro battery…
November 29, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Killed the 12 V battery in my EV by working from it with the heat on in regular mode versus utility mode.
So now, until I can get it replaced, I have to use the giant car battery to charge my friend’s mini battery so I can jump start my medium battery.
Also charging my phone micro battery…
So now, until I can get it replaced, I have to use the giant car battery to charge my friend’s mini battery so I can jump start my medium battery.
Also charging my phone micro battery…
Google Maps on the right side of history
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Google Maps on the right side of history
Sigh, winter construction sucks…
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Sigh, winter construction sucks…
Coast Guard Captain Loomer got attention from the President for saving money & deploying better technology, but was denied an admiralship possibly because he pushed his commanding opinions.
Nonetheless, his tests in the most inhospitable locations pushed the global marine take up of solar power.
Nonetheless, his tests in the most inhospitable locations pushed the global marine take up of solar power.
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Coast Guard Captain Loomer got attention from the President for saving money & deploying better technology, but was denied an admiralship possibly because he pushed his commanding opinions.
Nonetheless, his tests in the most inhospitable locations pushed the global marine take up of solar power.
Nonetheless, his tests in the most inhospitable locations pushed the global marine take up of solar power.