I have had some interesting conversations about solar lately. In several conversations the idea of the electrical grid joining the internet of things (IoT) and what impacts that will have on solar and solar software has come up. In most conversations, people see the advantage that solar and DER has on the grid. I agree wholeheartedly. That is why I find it so exciting to see the work that groups like SunSpec Alliance are working on, with studies into high penetration DER and cybersecurity. Solar adoption is really starting to be a software game, which leads to the near future of IoT.

Alternatively, I was told the other day that grid interconnection with solar is a dying thing. Too many utilities pushing back at paying retail rates, while also charging a fee to connect to the grid with solar, and homeowners not seeing value in being paid wholesale rates, does make for a tricky situation. I disagree that grid interconnection is a dead thing. I see our grid evolving to accommodate a new way to generate energy. Not long ago, I was listening to a Suncast episode. Forgive me for not remembering who, but one of Nico Johnson’s guests commented that he saw the current clean energy industry in the same light as Robert Metcalfe, the inventor of ethernet, might view Google. When he invented ethernet, he couldn’t have imagined Google. But Google couldn’t exist without his invention. We are at the ethernet stage of the energy evolution, and can’t even imagine yet what it will be.

All of this is to say that even though there have been some setbacks in policy and proposed bills lately, I think the solar industry is a great place to be and to grow a brand. I’m counting down the days until Solar Power International to see what’s new in person.

—Aimee Tuck