Model update – H1 Firm, H2 Risks
Although we are still waiting on final June data, utility scale construction metrics have generally been mixed relative to our original expectations for H1’23.
SOLARSAT™: May construction picking up speed, but panel installations still falling behind
While new construction starts and tracker activity is progressing as expected in Q2, the conversion to panel installation is concerning.
Import flows still good, but decelerating
The U.S. imported roughly double the volume of solar modules in April and early May compared to a year ago.
SOLARSAT™: Great April for new construction starts; Panel flows disappointing
After a relatively slow winter, April new construction starts have picked back up to ~25 GWac annually.
SOLARSAT™: March new construction improves sharply (after slow winter)
In total, we identified around 1.6 GWac of new projects kicked off during the month
Takeaways from Austin RE+ Conference
After a strong Q1, leading edge anecdotes at the Austin RE+ conference suggest that new inbounds are coming to a halt in California.
March imports continue to be strong; Cambodia (BYD, New East) big growth; Avoid EIA Monthly Shipments Report (it is wrong)
India, South Korea, and Cambodia imports have been particularly notable, collectively up 400% compared to a year ago.
Publishing new solar construction data (LS-1, LS-2)
For 2023E, we are still expecting around 20 GWac to be interconnected, almost double that of 2022.
SOLARSAT™: Utility solar activity slow through February (probably seasonal, but worth watching)
Utility scale solar construction was pretty uneventful through February, with firstDIRT (new construction) and panel installations both down from January and lower than the Q4’2022 average.
Feb solar module imports remain firm
Despite noise around detentions, February PV module imports have remained firm.
