US solar and wind PPA prices soared in Q1—a Chinese export crackdown could make things worse. (Reuters)
The numbers: Solar PPA prices rose 13% year-over-year and wind jumped nearly 24%, per LevelTen Energy. The causes? Tariffs, labor shortages, and permitting headaches. Despite the high price tag, data center developers are still seeking out solar due to its speedy deployment.
Meanwhile in Beijing: Chinese officials are considering restricting exports of cutting-edge solar manufacturing tech to the US, Reuters reported. China makes 80%+ of the world’s solar components, so the move could hinder US ambitions for domestic solar factories (Tesla, for instance, is reportedly negotiating a $2.9B bid for Chinese panel-making equipment).