SDG&E kicks off $52.5 million EV charger installation and customer education pilot

The utility will build, own, and maintain 3,500 charging stations at 350 locations across its territory under a program approved by regulators earlier this year.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2016

Energy storage bills fail in Hawaii, but could re-appear in next legislative session

Support for storage is widespread in Hawaii, but the state's financial situation makes new incentive funding a challenge.

By Peter Maloney • May 17, 2016

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

Yieldco problems: systemic or a speed bump?

With SunEdison's bankruptcy, yieldco shares have taken a hit, raising questions about the viability of the investment vehicle.

By Peter Maloney • May 17, 2016

UES Electric drops mandatory demand charge proposal, except for new solar customers

Residential demand charges would still be mandatory for new rooftop solar customers, who would also see higher fixed monthly fees and lower net metering rates under the proposed rate plan.

By Peter Maloney • May 17, 2016

Washington utilities reach solar incentive cap, foreshadowing net metering limits

The Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Program offers solar customers incentives above net metering, but a number of municipal utilities in the state are halting applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2016

New DOE accelerators target CHP, low-income clean energy

The U.S. Department of Energy is launching three new accelerator programs on boosting community energy resiliency through combined heat and power projects, efficiency, and distributed renewables.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2016

What SolarCity's new portfolio of grid services can do for utilities

The dominant residential solar installer is moving beyond the rooftop in a bid to become an essential partner for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 16, 2016

Hawaii solar jobs fall 35% after regulators end retail net metering

Solar installation permit numbers have also fallen, suggesting the new options to replace retail rate remuneration aren't as effective. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2016

Utilities, greens still miles apart on solar valuation, new report shows

The Center for Biological Diversity identified 10 states it says are blocking rooftop solar, but the bigger takeaway is how its perspective on solar valuation differs from those of utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016

Southern to expand distributed solar footprint with PowerSecure acquisition

Southern said it is looking to expand its distributed business outside the South to regions where there is "greater opportunity to improve electric reliability, price and customer service."

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2016

With Maine solar bill dead, industry waits on regulators for net metering reforms

A recent bill would have instituted a novel incentive structure for solar in Maine, but lawmakers were unable to overrule a veto from Gov. Paul LePage last month.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016

French company takes 80% stake in battery developer Green Charge Networks

French energy firm Engie will not disclose the amount of its stake in Green Charge Networks, but the deal will grow the company's reputation in the energy storage space for C&I customers.  

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2016

An embarrassment of riches? Maui shows why renewables curtailment isn't all bad

While it's something to minimize, curtailment is crucial to the functioning of MECO's grid today, and the goal of reaching 100% renewables by 2045.

By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2016

Fuel cells are a good partner for microgrids, but costs limit deployment

But as more microgrids are deployed, fuel cell costs could fall. 

By Peter Maloney • May 10, 2016

Sonoma Clean Power launches EV initiative to build 500 new charging stations

The public utility's board approved a $3.5 million green energy slate of programs, including initiatives aimed at boosting EV charging locations. The goal is to put at least 10,000 EVs on the road. 

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2016

ERCOT: Texas gears up for proposals to integrate DERs

The state disbanded a task force focused on conceptual issues for integrating distributed energy resources and will now focus on bringing them into the market.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2016

Construction manufacturer Caterpillar enters microgrid and storage market

Caterpillar has launched microgrid suite that combines solar, storage and Caterpillar generators.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

ComEd jumps on the demand charge train with new Illinois proposal

Residential demand charges have been most popular in the Southwest, but the Chicago-based utility features them prominently in a new legislative push.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

Tesla reports 25 MWh of storage capacity delivered in Q1 2016

A shareholder letter highlights demand for the Powerwall residential storage device and acknowledges delays in some deliveries.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

Updated: Exelon says 2 nuke plants on the line in sweeping new Illinois energy bill

The Next Generation Energy Plan, announced yesterday, would touch virtually every aspect of the state's power industry. Without it, Exelon plans to retire two challenged nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

Weeks after law's passage, New Hampshire utilities near net metering cap for large solar

The ink has barely dried on a new law in New Hampshire raising net metering caps and already, one utility says it's nearly maxed out on large projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2016

Hawaii lawmakers to reconcile competing proposals for renewables, storage incentives

These proposals aim to ensure low-income families could purchase distributed generation systems and a tax break for energy storage for up to 25% of the costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

4 drivers of solar growth utilities need to know

Record solar growth forecasted in 2016 will rely on four key themes and one unifying trend, GTM Research says.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

CA companies Verengo, Swell companies team up for residential solar-plus-storage

Verengo Solar and Swell Energy is the latest partnership aiming to penetrate the market for residential energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • May 5, 2016

SolarCity unveils new software services for utilities, grid operators

The solar developer wants to help utilities deploy fully-dispatchable renewable resources and control DERs on their systems. 

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • May 5, 2016