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Posts Tagged ‘Solar Equipment’

An Update about 3G Meter Replacements in New England

Posted April 6th, 2023 by SRECTrade.

Throughout 2022, the three major US cell phone carriers began to retire their 3G radio bands. Many sites in the SRECTrade aggregate utilized a 3G connection to report monthly kWh production data and were unable to auto-report. 

SRECTrade collaborated with Enphase Energy’s 365 Pronto Platform to provide our clients with a solution to replace their existing 3G meter with a new meter, allowing them to auto-report once again. Clients were able to purchase new meters through the 365 Pronto Platform from Fall 2021 through November 9, 2022. As of February 15, 2023, a majority of affected sites have had their meters replaced and have resumed reporting to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Production Tracking System (MA PTS). 

Moving forward, clients need to ensure their site continues to report by monitoring their MA PTS accounts and checking for email communications from SRECTrade regarding their site’s data connection to MA PTS. Any inquiries regarding system performance/diagnostics need to be addressed by your system installer or another installer familiar with the on-site equipment (MA PTS installers). 

FAQs:

  • My site resumed reporting but not all production was captured while I was offline. What happens now?
    • A: Unfortunately, it is possible that your system’s production will not be recovered before your new meter installation is reflected in your SRECTrade account. Unless there was another issue present with your system during mid-late 2022,  you will only receive SRECs for your production that was reported successfully after your meter swap was completed.
  • Why has my meter swap not been completed after purchasing a meter and installation service through the 365 Pronto Platform?
    • A: The 365 Pronto Platform team has confirmed that multiple sites still have ongoing installs. 
  • I was cc’d on an email to PTS regarding the meter swap. Why was I included?
    • A: SRECTrade has been sending meter swap notifications to MA PTS to have sites that had a recent swap be able to capture any data from between the old meter going offline and the new meter going online on the day of the swap. MA PTS prefers to have site owners included in email communications regarding their on-site meter. 
  • I purchased a new meter and installation service through the 365 Pronto Platform, but my site has still not resumed reporting to MA PTS. What are the next steps?
    • A: If you have completed a meter swap but noticed no production reflected in MA PTS or have not been included on a meter swap email, then your meter or system is likely offline and needs troubleshooting. We recommend you check with your system’s original installer or check the list of approved installers from MA PTS to troubleshoot your system and have it resume production to MA PTS.  
  • My utility bill is larger than expected. What do you recommend?
    • A: Most of the systems that completed a meter swap were installed 5-10 years ago. A majority of systems are built on historical usage from past utility bills and now in 2023, your energy needs may have changed. We recommend you check with your system installer to be sure your existing system still fits your energy needs. 
  • Still have questions?

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Update on US-China Trade Dispute

Posted January 17th, 2012 by SRECTrade.

We’ve received a lot of questions over the last couple of months about the on-going trade dispute with China over the price of Chinese-made crystalline solar modules. Crystalline modules are by far the most commonly installed module type in the United States. Currently the trade dispute doesn’t include thin-film or other solar equipment. Given the central importance of equipment affordability to the solar industry we figure it’s high time to put a quick blog post together summarizing the trade dispute so far.

On October 19th, 2011, SolarWorld and unnamed companies under the newly formed Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) file a lawsuit with the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) asking for 100% import duties on crystalline modules imported from China. Two types of investigations are on-going by the DOC/ITC. The first type is a countervailing duties (CVD) investigation. If the DOC/ITC find merit to the SolarWorld lawsuit then the US can impose counter-tariffs to offset the unfairly priced Chinese modules. The second is an anti-dumping (AD) investigation. In a “dumping” investigation the DOC/ITC investigate whether low-priced Chinese modules have caused “injury” to the US economy. If the investigations find “injury” then strong fines could be imposed on China for any crystalline solar modules that they export in addition to countervailing duties. If both CVD and AD fines are imposed module prices exported from China would increase dramatically, forcing Chinese manufacturers to find alternative channels to distribute their products. Many China-based modules manufacturers have preemptively begun to invest in production facilities in Taiwan and other southeast Asian countries not subject to the threat of US import tariffs.

Below timeline acquired from GTM’s Solar Power Year in Review 2011 article.

October 19th, 2011- SolarWorld and unnamed companies under the newly formed Coalition of American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) file an AD and CVD claim with the DOC and the ITC, setting in motion a timeline for the DOC and ITC to form separate investigations.

November 8th, 2011– DOC initiated investigation

December 5th, 2011– ITC made preliminary determination of injury, confirming that they will continue investigation

March 27th, 2012- DOC to make determination in its AD and CVD investigation

May 11th, 2012- ITC to make initial determination on CVD investigation

May 18th, 2012- ITC issues orders on its CVD investigation

June 11th, 2012- DOC final determination on its AD investigation

July 25th, 2012- ITC final determination on its AD investigation

August 1st, 2012- DOC final determination on AD investigation

The DOC/ITC schedule is staggered so that the DOC can follow the ITC’s lead on its determinations on the anti-dumping allegations, but the DOC will make a determination before the ITC on the CVD investigation. In candid discussions with some industry experts we’ve been led to believe that some CVD determination will be made by the Department of Commerce in March.  If either CVD or AD fines are imposed, crystalline module prices will increase for both China-derived modules as well as modules made in the US and other countries.

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