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
Not trying to brag, but…
December 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Not trying to brag, but…
I’m gonna touch it…
December 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I’m gonna touch it…
‘wind farm gave rise to benthic ecosystem—dominated by seafloor organisms - colonies of oysters and barnacles—that was nonexistent…researchers think rough turbine surfaces provided optimal habitat…predatory fish followed the food…developed stable ecosystem’
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
‘wind farm gave rise to benthic ecosystem—dominated by seafloor organisms - colonies of oysters and barnacles—that was nonexistent…researchers think rough turbine surfaces provided optimal habitat…predatory fish followed the food…developed stable ecosystem’
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Wonder if the capacity scaling applies from 1956-1975? The $100/W value is about right timing, maybe a touch late relative to book. The $20/W is a little late on this chart per book as well, which had that value hitting in the 1970s. The $10/5 lined up.
December 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Wonder if the capacity scaling applies from 1956-1975? The $100/W value is about right timing, maybe a touch late relative to book. The $20/W is a little late on this chart per book as well, which had that value hitting in the 1970s. The $10/5 lined up.
Distributed generation caught architectural attention since integrated photovoltaics at time of construction - known as building integrated pv or BIPV - were cheaper than retrofits.
The world’s first BIPV structure in Germany was so popular the owner had to hire engineers to answer questions.
The world’s first BIPV structure in Germany was so popular the owner had to hire engineers to answer questions.
December 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Distributed generation caught architectural attention since integrated photovoltaics at time of construction - known as building integrated pv or BIPV - were cheaper than retrofits.
The world’s first BIPV structure in Germany was so popular the owner had to hire engineers to answer questions.
The world’s first BIPV structure in Germany was so popular the owner had to hire engineers to answer questions.
It was during this period that Japan and Germany started their world leading distributed solar programs. These programs offered low interest loans and net metering to motivate homeowners to invest the large up front costs needed.
December 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
It was during this period that Japan and Germany started their world leading distributed solar programs. These programs offered low interest loans and net metering to motivate homeowners to invest the large up front costs needed.
Swiss company deployed 333 3 kW systems to reach a megawatt, & influenced California’s SMUD to do its own distributed program.
In the late 90s their pricing was $5.50/W, falling to $5/W - and they hoped for $3/W by 2002.
The distributed folks didn’t have much confidence in utility scale solar…
In the late 90s their pricing was $5.50/W, falling to $5/W - and they hoped for $3/W by 2002.
The distributed folks didn’t have much confidence in utility scale solar…
December 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Swiss company deployed 333 3 kW systems to reach a megawatt, & influenced California’s SMUD to do its own distributed program.
In the late 90s their pricing was $5.50/W, falling to $5/W - and they hoped for $3/W by 2002.
The distributed folks didn’t have much confidence in utility scale solar…
In the late 90s their pricing was $5.50/W, falling to $5/W - and they hoped for $3/W by 2002.
The distributed folks didn’t have much confidence in utility scale solar…
An engineer in the Dominican Republic created such demand for solar, that it caused a stress in how to finance the systems.
He initially sold systems for $50 down, & $8/month.
Later he refined to giving away bulbs - to drive electricity demand - and charging the same people paid for fuel monthly.
He initially sold systems for $50 down, & $8/month.
Later he refined to giving away bulbs - to drive electricity demand - and charging the same people paid for fuel monthly.
December 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
An engineer in the Dominican Republic created such demand for solar, that it caused a stress in how to finance the systems.
He initially sold systems for $50 down, & $8/month.
Later he refined to giving away bulbs - to drive electricity demand - and charging the same people paid for fuel monthly.
He initially sold systems for $50 down, & $8/month.
Later he refined to giving away bulbs - to drive electricity demand - and charging the same people paid for fuel monthly.
By the later 90s, of the estimated 400,000 solar systems on earth, 60,000 of them - a full 15% - had been constructed in Kenya.
December 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
By the later 90s, of the estimated 400,000 solar systems on earth, 60,000 of them - a full 15% - had been constructed in Kenya.
A 12 watt, $80 - $6.67/W -solar module took over the market in the 1990s, selling over 10,000/year through the end of the decade.
It was seen as a television, and other electronic device, support component since people needed electricity to run their new gear.
It was seen as a television, and other electronic device, support component since people needed electricity to run their new gear.
December 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A 12 watt, $80 - $6.67/W -solar module took over the market in the 1990s, selling over 10,000/year through the end of the decade.
It was seen as a television, and other electronic device, support component since people needed electricity to run their new gear.
It was seen as a television, and other electronic device, support component since people needed electricity to run their new gear.
In Polynesian, after destroying government funded batteries - they began hooking radios directly to the modules, which meant as the sun rose - so did the music.
In Africa, folks were carrying batteries to& fro to run their televisions.
After a success at a local school, Kenyan solar began to move.
In Africa, folks were carrying batteries to& fro to run their televisions.
After a success at a local school, Kenyan solar began to move.
December 20, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In Polynesian, after destroying government funded batteries - they began hooking radios directly to the modules, which meant as the sun rose - so did the music.
In Africa, folks were carrying batteries to& fro to run their televisions.
After a success at a local school, Kenyan solar began to move.
In Africa, folks were carrying batteries to& fro to run their televisions.
After a success at a local school, Kenyan solar began to move.
The wealthy did pay though, with Marlon Brando being one of the first customer that paid $10,000 for a 400 watt - $25/W - installed system in the 1980s.
The company sold 3,300 system in a decade, and represented 50% of all electrified homes in the islands.
The company sold 3,300 system in a decade, and represented 50% of all electrified homes in the islands.
December 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
The wealthy did pay though, with Marlon Brando being one of the first customer that paid $10,000 for a 400 watt - $25/W - installed system in the 1980s.
The company sold 3,300 system in a decade, and represented 50% of all electrified homes in the islands.
The company sold 3,300 system in a decade, and represented 50% of all electrified homes in the islands.
Amongst the first to develop residential solar systems, was the French nuclear bomb industry that wasn’t very popular in Polynesia. So, to balance out bombs and shit, they sold solar electricity.
Some of the locals refused to pay - since they didn’t pay for rain water, they wouldn’t pay for sun.
Some of the locals refused to pay - since they didn’t pay for rain water, they wouldn’t pay for sun.
December 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Amongst the first to develop residential solar systems, was the French nuclear bomb industry that wasn’t very popular in Polynesia. So, to balance out bombs and shit, they sold solar electricity.
Some of the locals refused to pay - since they didn’t pay for rain water, they wouldn’t pay for sun.
Some of the locals refused to pay - since they didn’t pay for rain water, they wouldn’t pay for sun.
The first remote solar powered villages had an issue - the folks using the systems didn’t care for the social aspect of electricity coming from solar, and misused it.
December 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The first remote solar powered villages had an issue - the folks using the systems didn’t care for the social aspect of electricity coming from solar, and misused it.
The gifts of god, the sun and water, working together to feed the people - changed the people, and empowered them. The most basic of needs being met.
December 20, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The gifts of god, the sun and water, working together to feed the people - changed the people, and empowered them. The most basic of needs being met.
Solar cells costs $256/W in 1956, falling by greater than 60% to reach $100/W in 1971. Then fell an additional 80% through the 1970s, reaching $20/W by 1976.
The innovations of Yerkes, and others saw the price per watt further fall to $11/W by 1980,and $7/W by 1985.
A 97.5% decrease over 30 years.
The innovations of Yerkes, and others saw the price per watt further fall to $11/W by 1980,and $7/W by 1985.
A 97.5% decrease over 30 years.
December 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Solar cells costs $256/W in 1956, falling by greater than 60% to reach $100/W in 1971. Then fell an additional 80% through the 1970s, reaching $20/W by 1976.
The innovations of Yerkes, and others saw the price per watt further fall to $11/W by 1980,and $7/W by 1985.
A 97.5% decrease over 30 years.
The innovations of Yerkes, and others saw the price per watt further fall to $11/W by 1980,and $7/W by 1985.
A 97.5% decrease over 30 years.
The first solar powered generators installed in Africa were in Mali. The challenges of Mali’s hot sun, just like remote Australia, pushed solar panel development.
It led Bill Yerkes to develop his front and back glass encapsulation based on auto windshield, and later to use screen printing.
It led Bill Yerkes to develop his front and back glass encapsulation based on auto windshield, and later to use screen printing.
December 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The first solar powered generators installed in Africa were in Mali. The challenges of Mali’s hot sun, just like remote Australia, pushed solar panel development.
It led Bill Yerkes to develop his front and back glass encapsulation based on auto windshield, and later to use screen printing.
It led Bill Yerkes to develop his front and back glass encapsulation based on auto windshield, and later to use screen printing.
Noting that the sun’s energy and water were gifts from god, but complex to make use of - a French student constructed the first pv powered water pump. Dominique Canpana led the development of, and then installed the first one in Corsica around 1975, which pumped enough water for a farm and 300 ewes.
December 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Noting that the sun’s energy and water were gifts from god, but complex to make use of - a French student constructed the first pv powered water pump. Dominique Canpana led the development of, and then installed the first one in Corsica around 1975, which pumped enough water for a farm and 300 ewes.
“It was love at first sight”
December 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
“It was love at first sight”
Australia found the solar panel could help their US sized content bring phones and television to every one of its citizens.
However, the modules used silicon - a delicacy according to parrots - and melted away under harsh stress tests. Leading to ten year+ modules which became industry standard.
However, the modules used silicon - a delicacy according to parrots - and melted away under harsh stress tests. Leading to ten year+ modules which became industry standard.
December 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Australia found the solar panel could help their US sized content bring phones and television to every one of its citizens.
However, the modules used silicon - a delicacy according to parrots - and melted away under harsh stress tests. Leading to ten year+ modules which became industry standard.
However, the modules used silicon - a delicacy according to parrots - and melted away under harsh stress tests. Leading to ten year+ modules which became industry standard.
A virtuous cycle then arose in the communications industry. First, an invention was ‘mentally’ enabled because of the existence of solar labels.
Low powered distributed microwave communications enabled remote groups to talk on the phone. Long lasting solar panels coupled w/long lasting electronics.
Low powered distributed microwave communications enabled remote groups to talk on the phone. Long lasting solar panels coupled w/long lasting electronics.
December 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A virtuous cycle then arose in the communications industry. First, an invention was ‘mentally’ enabled because of the existence of solar labels.
Low powered distributed microwave communications enabled remote groups to talk on the phone. Long lasting solar panels coupled w/long lasting electronics.
Low powered distributed microwave communications enabled remote groups to talk on the phone. Long lasting solar panels coupled w/long lasting electronics.
The US Military built a coast to coast solar powered communication network with power lines - the first was in place in 1960.
December 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The US Military built a coast to coast solar powered communication network with power lines - the first was in place in 1960.