2017 forecast: Bright, sun-shiny days for utility solar

Ray Gifford, a former chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, analyzes recent numbers from the solar industry. 

By Ray Gifford • Feb. 17, 2017

Bill would increase Nevada renewable energy mandate to 80% by 2040

AB 206 would eliminate the solar carve-out in the current 20% RPS, but would allow utilities to count residential solar toward their clean power goals. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Sonnen to set up US battery manufacturing and research center in Atlanta

The German battery company, already a leader in its home nation, is moving further into the American market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

War, peace and innovation: Solar policy in 2016

Solar policy debates will continue to rise as stakeholders debate rate design and net metering compensation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2017

Green Charge to install 2 MWh storage system at California college

Pacific Union College will use the battery system for demand charge reduction and participation in PG&E demand response programs.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2017

Illinois regulators approve ComEd's smart meter data sharing program

The new program will give third party providers access to anonymous energy usage data for all zip codes where the utility has smart meters.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

How federal tax reform could complicate prospects for renewable energy

Republican plans to upend the tax code present both benefits and pitfalls for wind and solar power, financial analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

Xcel taps Sunverge, Northern Reliability to test solar+storage in Denver

Xcel Energy will run residential and utility-scale battery pilots to better understand how they can help integrate renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

Harvard researchers say they've created a non-corrosive flow battery with exceptional duration

The new battery formulation only degrades 1% over 1,000 charge-discharge cycles, the researchers claim. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

Residential storage can undercut benefits of rooftop solar, says new study

A new study in Nature Energy finds storing rooftop solar can increase emissions and energy consumption.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

Navy developing 44 MW solar+storage facility on Kauai

The project would make the Barking Sands missile testing facility a net zero military installation, according to the Navy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

DistribuTECH 2017: Why utilities are skeptical about transactive energy

Blockchain-based power trading on the distribution system has captured the imagination of many in the power sector — just not the companies at its center.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Colorado lawmakers seek to restrict potential energy storage charges from utilities

A bill introduced in the Colorado state Senate would limit residential energy storage charges from utilities for storage systems up to 25 kW. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

Research spotlight: Solar cost shift negligible, DER valuation efforts advancing slowly

New studies from LBNL and Rhodium detail the latest findings in distributed energy resource valuation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2017

Connecticut lawmakers prepare legislation to support Millstone nuclear plant

The bill to support the 2,110 MW nuclear plant is expected to recall zero-emission credit schemes in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

Utah lawmakers debate electric vehicle tax credit extension

Some lawmakers, worried about a potential rise in EV adoption, say the program could wind up costing the state too much money.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Sunrise from the West: How the California Solar Initiative points the way for states

The Golden State's decade-old incentive program contains valuable lessons for states looking to accelerate clean energy adoption, argue David Hochschild and Steve Chadima. 

By David Hochschild, Steve Chadima • Feb. 9, 2017

Tucson Electric aims for greater reliability with 3 new battery storage projects

Two large batteries and a smaller R&D project will provide voltage support and help integrate renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2017

Morgan Stanley: US energy storage market could grow to 145 GWh with FERC support

A current "addressable" market of 85 GWh could nearly double if FERC allows utilities to deploy storage in organized power markets, a new report forecasts. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2017

What the US can learn from Australia's innovative approach to grid transformation planning

A 'no-regrets' approach aims to build a grid that can handle DERs at 40% of consumer households.

By Mark Higgins • Feb. 8, 2017

How utility data sharing is helping the New York REV build the grid of the future

Making detailed grid data public can enable more clean resources and cut consumer costs. The REV docket shows just how difficult that can be. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2017

Ice Energy will provide 1 MW of residential storage to Southern California Public Power Authority

The company's storage systems reduce customer cooling load and can be aggregated by the utility to lower peak system demand. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 8, 2017

With tax reform on the table, senators prepare second push for energy storage incentives

Tax credits for energy storage have some bipartisan support, but could conflict with Trump administration plans to simplify the tax code.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2017

NRG, Hawaiian Electric strike deals to revive stalled SunEdison solar farms

The utility canceled three contracts for utility-scale solar generation on Oahu when SunEdison declared bankruptcy last year. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2017