Barry Cinnamon has been blogging about the Solar Industry since 2007.
Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.
The Energy Show runs every Saturday on KDOW Radio AM in San Jose California.
Barry heads up Cinnamon Energy Systems (a San Jose residential and commercial solar and energy storage contractor) and Spice Solar (suppliers of built-in solar racking technology). After 10,000+ installations while at the helm of Akeena Solar and Westinghouse Solar, he’s developed a pretty good perspective on the real-world economics of rooftop solar — as well as the best products and services for homeowners, manufacturers and installers. His rooftop tinkering led to the development of integrated racking (released in 2007), AC solar modules (released in 2009), and Spice Solar (the fastest way to install rooftop solar modules).
On the Road Towards Energy Independence
With all the bad press about the renewable energy industry, it's easy to miss the fact that we are moving steadily down the road towards energy independence. It's a trip that we need to make, but it hasn't been easy and there's no way we can afford to coast now....
Yesterday’s Solar Eclipse – Tomorrow’s Healthy Solar Industry
There was a solar eclipse yesterday. The kind in the sky where the moon partially obscures the sun. Not an eclipse of the Solar Industry. Definitely Not. Yes, I know things are tougher than they've been in recent years. 35% tariffs on modules using Chinese cells. Low...
Solar Rights Manifesto
Solar Rights Manifesto Although equipment and direct labor costs have declined as solar systems become simpler and safer, the sad truth is that the paperwork and bureaucracy have become even more complicated. Our greatest savings as an industry will be to attack these...
Quick Trip to Grid Parity with New Solar Distribution Channels
Hmmm. Seems like our solar industry's crystal ball is a bit blurry these days. Or maybe we don't like the picture. With prices for panels continuing to decline, and players entering and leaving the industry like a game of musical chairs, the solar industry of the...
Supply Modules > Demand Modules
It's Econ 101. Prices for solar modules will fall. But not smoothly...nor painlessly. Except for the highest efficiency suppliers (basically SunPower and Sanyo) and specialty products (Andalay) there is absolutely no differentiation in the module supply chain. Since...
Are Republicans the Party of Big Oil?
In February the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Renewable Energy and Energy Tax Act of 2008. This Act would eliminate $18 billion in tax breaks for big oil companies to help pay for extending renewable energy tax credits. Now we’ll see if Senate Republicans...
Record Utility Rates Make Solar Even More Cost Effective
Did anyone notice the juxtaposition of two utility news blurbs in the August 8th, 2007 Mercury News? Are we really that naive that we can’t follow a simple money trail? The first article pointed out that California’s largest electrical utility saw a profit boost of 16...
Beware Before You Compare World Solar Markets
For the past few years I’ve been hearing about how efficient and less expensive it is to install solar power systems in Germany. Many people credit this growth to their feed-in tariff. But at the end of the day, it’s really lower costs that will drive faster market...
Ten Solar Predictions for 2007
Lot's of M&A activity throughout the solar value chain. Wafer-Cell-Module companies will vertically integrate -- and integrators will merge. State incentives, primarily those in CA, will drive solar growth in the U.S. East coast states, most likely NJ, will come...
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